First-class architecture

A Q&A with South Dakota-based Architecture Inc.

BY ANDREW WEEKS

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. • The 25-member team of Architecture Incorporated, a South Dakotabased company with offices in Sioux City and Rapid City, keeps busy with many projects throughout the year.

For these professionals, which include 12 registered architects, five interior designers and 13 LEED accredited professionals and green associates, going to work each day is a positive venture when they know they’re helping other people to succeed.

“Our architects enjoy working with communities large and small to create spaces that make everyone’s lives better,” said Lisa VandeVoort, the company’s principal business manager. She said the w ork of her team includes projects in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska, “though through our relationship with Sanford Health we have had the opportunity to be involved in projects around the world.”

VandeVoort, along with Andrew Eitreim, Vice President and Principal Architect, and Mitchell Aldinger, Principal Architect, answered a number of questions for Prairie Business about their business and the architecture industry.

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TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP TEAM?

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Lisa VandeVoort: With the retirement of one of our partners, Elizabeth Squyer, on May 1 we will be transitioning to a leadership team of eight people. Including Ms. Squyer, the partners have a combined 219 years of experience with Architecture Incorporated. This is a testament to the quality of our firm and the strong team of diverse professionals running the business.

HAS THE PANDEMIC CREATED NEW TRENDS FOR THE INDUSTRY? IF SO, WHAT ARE THEY?

Andrew Eitreim: At this point I don’t know if new trends have been created but it has brought certain discussion to the forefront. Indoor air quality and HVAC system design, durable interior finishes that can be easily cleaned and sanitized, design and layout of office environments, etc.

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WHAT ROLE DOES TECHNOLOGY PLAY AT YOUR FIRM?

Eitreim: We have always tried to utilize the state-of-the-art technology within our office, the benefits of which are two-fold: our staff is able to work efficiently and effectively and it allows us to provide the best design and service to our clients.

LOCATED AT THE GATEWAY TO DOWNTOWN SIOUX FALLS, FIRST PREMIER BANK’S NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, A 76,000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING, INCORPORATES SOUTH DAKOTA MATERIALS AND IS DESIGNED TO BE WELCOMING AND COMFORTABLE TO CUSTOMERS, AND INCLUDES A TWO-STORY LOBBY. ARCHITECTURE INCORPORATED ASSISTED THE OWNER IN SITE SELECTION FOR THE NEW BUILDING. IN MAY, THE COMPANY SAID THE DESIGN TEAM WAS FINISHING THE FINAL BID PACKAGE AND CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN SPRING 2021. RIGHT, ARCHITECTURE INCORPORATED TEAMED WITH DLR GROUP TO DESIGN A 21ST CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SIOUX FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE 327,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING CONSISTS OF THREE DIFFERENT LEVELS AND INCLUDES A COMPETITION GYMNASIUM WITH SEATING FOR 2,000, AMONG MANY OTHER AMENITIES. THE $74.7 MILLION PROJECT IS SLATED TO BE COMPLETE AND READY FOR OCCUPANCY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 2021/2022 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR. IMAGES: COURTESY OF ARCHITECTURE INC.

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WHAT HAS THE COMPANY DONE TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES?

Eitreim: We have the technology in place to allow our staff to do their job remotely. This may mean work is getting done outside of the typical 8 a.m.-5 p.m. workday but we understand that our team is dealing with personal circumstances through all of this as well and that takes priority.

Our team has been great at communicating and being willing to do what it takes to ensure our projects are still delivered to our high expectation and that our clients are provided the service they expect from us.

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WHAT’S A NORMAL DAY LIKE AT THE OFFICE FOR AN ARCHITECT?

Eitreim: Busy! We are typically managing several projects at any given time – each at different phases of design or construction. So you may have design meetings with an owner, coordination meetings with engineering consultants and a construction progress meeting at the job site. In between meetings you are collaborating with our internal team to keep projects progressing.

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WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE OUTLOOK FOR THE INDUSTRY GOING FORWARD, PARTICULARLY IN THE DAKOTAS AND UPPER MIDWEST?

Eitreim: This is such a fluidly changing situation that it is hard to predict what the outcome will be. I do know that the great thing about living in the Midwest is that we care for our neighbors and our communities and are willing to do what is necessary for the benefit of all.

Q. A. WHAT DO YOU FORESEE WITH REMOTE WORK FOR THE COMPANY GOING FORWARD?

VandeVoort: We have a great office environment and are a very social group. Architecture by nature is a very collaborative process. In reaction to the pandemic we have had to modify our process to work from home. After the pandemic is over we anticipate that staff will want to return back to the office for a sense of normalcy. Working from home will be an option when the situation calls for it. We have always tried to be flexible with our staff and will continue to do so.

Q. A. WHAT IS A NOTABLE PROJECT THE FIRM IS WORKING ON NOW, AND WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE?

Mitchell Aldinger: We are just getting started on the design of the new Health Sciences Building at the University of South Dakota. Given the current pandemic it could not be timelier to be creating a facility to better educate future health care professionals. The project brings together eight departments that had been scattered about campus providing an environment that supports a holistic approach to health while increasing opportunities for interprofessional experiences. The project supports the goal of the University of South Dakota’s School of Health Sciences to improve the quality of care throughout the state and region.

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FOR THOSE CONSIDERING PURSUING ARCHITECTURE AS A CAREER, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND ATTRACTIONS?

Eitreim: The path to becoming a licensed architect is a challenging one. It requires sacrifice and a lot of hard work and dedication. After finishing your degree you are required to work under a licensed architect to fulfill NCARB experience requirements and take a series of licensing exams. From start to finish the process on average takes seven to 10 years. It is a long process but there are a lot of opportunities and different areas of architecture to work in. It is a very satisfying and rewarding career.

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WHEN DID THIS PROJECT START AND WILL IT BE COMPLETED?

Aldinger: The project has just started schematic design and will continue with design through early 2021. Construction will begin in spring 2021 and occupancy is anticipated in fall 2022.

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WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING FOR ARCHITECTURE INCORPORATED?

Eitreim: We get to work with a great team of talented and dedicated professionals who love what they do and want to make a difference. Together we get to work on great projects for great clients.

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WHAT SCHOOLING GENERALLY IS REQUIRED FOR THIS FIELD?

Eitreim: In order to pursue professional licensing a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited university is required. There are several accredited programs in the region.

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TO DATE, WHAT IS THE COMPANY MOST PROUD OF?

Eitreim: Architecture Incorporated has established itself as a respected and trusted partner to clients throughout the region, as well as an employer who places great emphasis on building a first class team whose primary goal is to uphold the high level of design and service that our clients have come to expect. We are proud of the many successful projects we have completed, the contributions those projects have made to the communities they are located in, and the many wonderful relationships created along the way.

Architecture Incorporated was established in 1976 with the objective of providing a high level of design excellence and to play a major role in improving the quality of our environment. Our firm has been in business now for 44 years and our objectives are still the same.