CL AS S NO TES
In August, he was interviewed by Commercial Interior Design, a leading industry website, about how design can make the hospital environment more people-friendly. Dan Kirby, FAIA, FAICP, M.Arch ’91, M.U.P. ’92, recently was inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows, the highest honor the AICP bestows upon a member. He also is the 2018 recipient of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Gold Medal, which is that organization’s highest honor. He is one of only 16 people recognized with fellowships in both the AIA and the AICP. He is a buildings, infrastructure, and advanced facilities principal at Jacobs in Orlando, where he leads design and planning of public and private sector projects while championing emerging technology, transit-oriented development, pedestrian-friendly environments, and sustainability.
Jim Nicolow, FAIA, B.S. ’91, M.Arch ’95, a principal at Lord Aeck Sargent, was elevated to the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows in recognition of his commitment to transforming the built environment through leadership and collaboration on significant deep green projects, sustainability
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FALL 2018 TAUBMAN COLLEGE
education and advocacy, and leadership and mentorship as Lord Aeck Sargent’s first director of sustainability. Lord Aeck Sargent recently announced its acquisition by Katerra, a $3 billion, California-based technology company serving the design and construction industries. Ross Kaplan, M.Arch ’92, is celebrating 26 years at Neumann/Smith Architecture in Southfield, Michigan, where he serves as an associate, director of information technology, and a project architect working with corporate clients that include Lear, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Beaumont Hospital, CBRE, Bedrock, GP Strategies, and IACNA. Mark Ehgotz, M.Arch ’93, has landed in the Detroit office of Montreal-based GH+A Design as the studio director-associate, following a couple of lengthy stints at Saroki Architecture and JPRA Architects. He has three wonderful children: His oldest daughter is studying architecture at Lawrence Technological University, his son is studying environmental science at Oakland University, and his youngest daughter is a sophomore at Hartland High School.
positions at Virginia Tech, Harvard University, the University of Toledo, and the University of Michigan. She is a co-editor of the Journal of Planning History and is an established voice on a number of planning topics, including comparative urban form and governance, particularly how planning and land use regulation play out in the U.S. and Europe. Mark Hoffman, B.S. ’95, founded Detroit House Company, a real estate brokerage with expertise in architectural design, to serve clients who are looking for homes in Detroit’s historic neighborhoods and are seeking guidance on potential renovations. He also works with developers who are looking for redevelopment opportunities. Brian Stackable, M.Arch ’95, is co-principal owner of Stackable + Mracek DesignGroup, an awardwinning architectural firm located on the Gulf coast of northwest Florida. The firm specializes in planning and interiors — from custom homes to restaurants and retail — and its projects span from South Carolina to Montana.
Amando Vicario Morales, M.Arch ’93, is practicing with his own firm, doing mostly corporate and commercial projects in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He is married and has two children, ages 15 and 10.
Chris Townsend, B.S. ’95, recently joined HLW, a global architecture, interiors, and planning firm, as a senior associate. Based in HLW’s Madison, New Jersey, office, he leads collaborative efforts between the design and technical teams and also liaises with clients.
Sonia Hirt, FAICP, M.U.P. ’95, Ph.D. ’03, recently was inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows, the highest honor the AICP bestows upon a member. Since 2016, she has served as the dean of the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at the University of Maryland. Her 17-year teaching and research career also includes leadership and faculty
Leigh Christy, FAIA, B.S. ’96, was elevated to the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows in July in recognition of her significant contributions to architecture and to society. She is an associate principal in Perkins+Will’s Los Angeles office, where she co-created and leads the firmwide Innovation Incubator program; she also leads the L.A. office’s program offering pro bono architecture and design services to those in
