People

Oren C. Rusk, Jr., AIA, Managing Principal, CEO

Why did you choose to become an architect?

I have always been very interested in art, drawing, and construction. I had a high-school teacher of mine suggest Architecture and it was the perfect fit to focus all of my interests. 

What factors led to your biggest success to date?

To always provide the best architectural design and detail services possible. My approach for each project is to see it as a personal challenge, not just a challenge my client is facing but one that impacts me as well. I also immensely value patience and loyalty and that, coupled with design, has been the cornerstone of my professional success.

Do you have a signature style?

I have always had a passion for 18th Century Georgian and Williamsburg Architecture and I like to incorporate that aesthetic into my personal design.

What is your favorite project-to- date?

My favorite project is in Savannah, Georgia for the Savannah District HQ Building, which held a design competition for the top architectural firms in the Southeast and our firm was selected. The design itself was in keeping with Savannah’s historical aesthetic, which I am very familiar with, since it is my hometown.

Kevin Rusk, Principal - Telecommunications

What is your favorite project-to-date?

One of the greatest challenges I faced is also my favorite project. There was a telecom building that needed space for future growth, but the existing building was not designed for vertical expansion. We designed a plan in which we built a floor over the existing building by spanning 12-foot-high trusses. This solution not only accomplished the client’s goal, but also prevented them from having to purchase additional land and build a new facility, which saved them millions of dollars.

What advice would you give a student studying architecture?

I am often interviewed by high school and college students when they are looking at majors of study. For students with a creative mind, analytical skills, and a desire to improve their communities, I highly recommend the field of architecture. I always stress that students in this field need as much hands-on experience as they do theory. 

What are your hobbies?

Outside of work I enjoy the outdoors. Whether that is hunting, fishing, taking in a football game or playing golf.  Time spent with family and friends in the great outdoors is my favorite pastime. 

G. Dale Lee, AIA, NCARB, Principal - Healthcare Design

What attracted you to healthcare and/or telecom design?

My expertise is in Healthcare Design and Healthcare planning. After completing my studies at Clemson University, my goal was to design public architecture. Luckily, I started in healthcare where the design skills launched my career, all while learning the planning aspect from mentors and colleagues. What is more public than a hospital I say, you get to design innovation for the practice of medicine and provide amazing spaces for community, comfort, and aesthetics.

Does your approach for each project differ?

Each project is a different challenge with unique issues and goals to address, therefore the approach may change from project to project. Healthcare is always changing with technology, operations, and functions, so you are always learning something new…it keeps you on your toes and pushes you to adjust and evolve your approach.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy stepping away from healthcare some to design other types of buildings for communities. I love travel, the water, flowers, food, football and friends in any combination!

Robert W. Ard, AIA, Principal - Healthcare

What is your favorite project-to-date?

My favorite project-to-date is the project I am currently working on. My client’s project is the most important project to them, so I need to make it the most important project to me to assure the best possible solution.

How do you begin working on a project?

The first steps in any project are to stop, look and listen. To stop the urge to jump to a quick solution. To look closely at the conditions and concerns unique to this project. To listen to the client’s needs, both programmatic and implied. To obtain as clear a picture of the objective as possible before beginning the design process.

What advice would you give a student studying architecture?

To learn how to learn, because you do not know what you do not know. You cannot learn everything it takes to be an architect in five or six years in a collegiate setting, but you can learn the process for seeking answers when new questions arise during your architectural career.

George Schobloher, II, AIA, Principal - Healthcare

How do you see the industry changing in the next 5 years?

The tools of technology will become more user friendly, which will facilitate in easily sharing concepts and designs with the clients and end users who can’t always read two-dimensional plans or envision design concepts. 

What advice would you give a student studying architecture?

That working in an architectural firm probably will be different than what you think. Architects are problem solvers and we spend a lot of time managing consultants and making sure that they do what they say they are going to do when they are supposed to do it. Have varying interests and skillsets, get a MBA, learn to manage stress and stay organized.

What are your hobbies?

Cooking, hiking and camping, functional fitness and core body weight exercise and biking on the Greenway, bourbon history and blending and mid-century modern furniture, accessories and barware glass collecting.

Marc Meury, Associate

What attracted you to healthcare and/or telecom design?

Telecom Design is rarely grand these days. It is not glamorous and shiny, but every day we work through our projects and all the nuances of each - equipment fitting, code compliance of a “particular” county, floor loading of an already packed floor, etc. This work ensures that communication and information continues to make the world go around; I feel pretty good about being a part of that “grand” design.

How would you describe your own personal style aesthetic?

My personal style, in a broad stroke, is modern. The straighter and cleaner the better. My world needs MORE minimalism (HA!). However, I do enjoy juxtaposition in design - a rusty, deteriorated steel plate leaning against a perfectly plumb, crisp-white wall; a garden gnome statue inside a cubic void. Whether for dramatic effect via tension or just interest via a bit of whimsy, putting the right seemingly “wrong” design elements in proximity just works.

Who inspires you in the industry?

My inspiration for this work comes exclusively from the contractors and engineers I get to work with every day. There are 1000 little details at play in a given month, and these two groups have experienced 999 of them. There is always more to do; more to learn. That’s exciting.

Melissa Lichtenfels, Associate

What attracted you to healthcare and/or telecom design?

I love the constant challenge that comes with each individual department of the hospital. Each Department presents its own challenges and is totally different experience. Healthcare is constantly evolving so our designs need to reflect that.

What is your favorite project-to-date?

My favorite project would have to be the Northside Forsyth Women’s Center - original building and addition wing. In most cases, we know the spaces we design are for stressful and sad times, but this was different. A space for welcoming new life into the world and it was an honor to be part of. It was even extra special delivering my twins and then my third child in those very rooms that I drew every detail on. 

What are your hobbies?

Outside of the office, fitness and running is my passion. I am a group fitness instructor teaching strength training, barre, and Pilates. I love running half marathons and never miss one at home here in Atlanta.

Kevin Bradley, AIA, NCARB, Associate

Do you have a signature style?

Clean lines and a direct approach. Mid-century modern has become a catch-all phrase the past few years, but there is something to be said about finding a geometric solution to problems without all the frills and misdirection that has been popularized by architects over the past 20-30 years. It’s as if that process of refinement and honing of a good design went out the window and now people are coming back around to the idea that “Less is More”.

How do you see the industry changing in the next 5 years?

It will continue to become more integrated and informed through technology. As a result, the approach to design and construction will seek to solve problems prior to them ever actually happening. Through the implementation of Building Information Modeling and its use in the industry, we will continue to build successful buildings with less and less critical errors in the field of construction.

If you were not an architect, what would your profession be?

I don’t know which I love more, cooking or eating. Much of my travel over the years has been in and out of dives and bustling coffee houses that produce delicious food and experiences that change me after each meal. I’d love to be a part of that through culinary arts.