Like people, every church is different. Learning these differences and transforming them into successful church projects is a joy to Doug Allison. “Each congregation, pastor and building committee has a unique set of needs,” Doug says. “It’s vital to understand ‘the personality’ of a church. Only then can you build 'their facility'.”

Although he initially planned to be a mechanical engineer, Doug’s artistic skills suggested a different direction. Doug enjoys the technical process of assembling a building on paper. A generalist who has worked on a wide range of projects for WDM, Doug carries a passion for church design and production. The Northside Church of Christ and Mennonite Brethren in northwest Wichita are examples of projects under his leadership.  

“I get up at 5:30 a.m. because I can’t wait to get things started,” says Scott. “I’m probably the most punctual person you’ll ever meet.”

Scott’s zeal for life encompasses his architecture. Like all of his colleagues at WDM, Scott gains satisfaction from collaborating with clients. Asking questions. Digging deep. Learning what they really need from their building.

“There is no such thing as too many questions,” he explains. “It takes diligence, but it’s so gratifying when a project is completed and the client says, ‘This is exactly what I wanted.’”

From his many years as head of architecture for the Pizza Hut Corporation, and as a partner in another private practice before that, Scott brings extensive experience in business, strategic planning, and building client relationships. “I tend to see things from a broader perspective,” he says. “I enjoy helping clients meet their overall business and strategic goals through what we offer.”

Ah, the life of the business manager. He changes light bulbs. He reviews legal contracts. He knows enough about computers to know when to call the expert. He answers to clients, vendors, partners and employees. What is the most important skill? John Brewer’s reply, “a willingness to listen and a willingness to discuss.”

John believes that open internal communication has been the key to WDM’s success. “We foster openness between management and staff. If anyone here has a question of any kind for management, we answer it openly and honestly. We encourage involvement.”

As for architecture, John goes on, “the practice of architecture is as much about communication as it is about design and construction. We create the tangible out of the intangible (the client’s needs and wants). Communication is the vehicle through it all.” As a working architect, he most often is applying his skills to assisted living facilities, with special focus on space planning and human ergonomics requirements.

His candor is typical. “On the weekends, I forget about the office. I have to relearn the business of architecture every Monday morning.”

At times, even born leaders need to be encouraged to lead. “Or forced,” says Wes Darnell, with a smile.

Today, the co-founder of WDM sees empowering the next generation of leaders as his most important task. “It is very exciting to witness the new ideas and fresh outlook that results with younger leadership,” Wes says, “WDM will continue to grow in capacity and professional stature.” He and Dan Wilson, his fellow co-founder, don’t sequester themselves in penthouse offices. They sit with amongst fellow staff, fostering open communication and teamwork.

While Wes has worked in every construction medium and been involved with almost every client type, he has become the Midwest specialist in historic renovation. “Reinventing old building stock into new uses is an important aspect of conservation now and in the future.”

In the summer, Stan Landwehr’s neighbors often are greeted with a unique sight: Stan mowing his lawn with a motorless reel mower. “It freaks out my neighbors,” he says. “I love it.” A departure from the norm? "No, a different way of thinking and acting."

Translation into architecture. “It is all about imagination. I find it fascinating to visualize three-dimensional spaces and then bring them to concrete reality.”

Getting to that point of creative visualization requires a great deal of upfront work and collaboration with the client. It begins with sitting down and asking questions. “I crave knowledge about a project,” Stan says. “The more I learn from my client, about their vision, their needs and challenges, the better I can visualize what to design, how to present it, and how to build it.”

There are two things Les Mock can’t live without. One is hot sauce. The other is laughter. According to Les, laughter is more than just the best medicine. It’s the best prevention. Les is very serious about the results. As director of WDM’s health care studio, Les is charged with creating stress-reducing environments for patients, families and medical staff.

“Outcomes for patients can be improved by the design of the environment around them,” he explains. "A pleasing facility helps the caregivers focus on their jobs, and helps the patient relax as much as possible.”

Under his leadership, WDM’s health care studio has also posted some impressive outcomes. WDM has been named in Modern Health Care magazine’s list of “Top 100 Architects” for the past two years. Les credits this success to the overall WDM philosophy: listening and collaboration.

“We ask the right questions,” he says. “Before we begin putting pen to paper, we know our clients’ challenges inside and out. We never stop learning as much as we can. Always done of course, with a little laughter and some hot sauce."

You’re looking at a true, dyed-in-the-wool Renaissance man. Or should we say dyed in the yarn. Chip Parker and his wife recently constructed a yarn-covered bridge — a piece of living sculpture at Salina’s Smokey Hill River Festival. “Architecture and sculpture,” Chip says, “are essentially the same thing. Architecture is literally creating a three-dimensional sculpture that interacts with people and the environment.”

Besides being a sculptor, he has been a set designer for a children’s theater, a cartographer for Rand McNally, a surgical photographer and illustrator, a hippie in Berkeley, and a Navy man who served during the Vietnam War. Did we mention he’s also an architect?

Chip specializes in historic renovation, medical and museum/exhibit facilities. A design and production-oriented architect, Chip’s artistic side infuses his work. His award-winning design for the City of Andover’s city hall was based on the art deco look of the Daily Planet building from 1930s Superman comic strips.

The first zoo project got Craig Rhodes excited. By the second project, Craig knew his career path was set. “Pride of the Plains was a turning point for WDM and for me personally, as it showed us a unique direction we could take.” You might call it a “jungle path.” Since then, it has led to additional projects at the Sedgwick County Zoo and innovative projects in places like Oklahoma City, Denver, Madison and Palm Desert.

Designing and master planning zoo habitats is a natural fit for Craig. A self-described “city boy who loves critters,” he spent many hours as a kid turning over rocks and poking around streams, on the prowl for snakes, frogs and other creatures.

Today, he strives to create big ideas that meet the needs and vision of his clients, and he’s never happier than when he’s working on design concepts and chasing a new project, which is exactly what Craig has been doing at WDM for more than 20 years.

Cities inspire Matt Schindler, both by the variety of the architecture and by the fabric of the culture. From variety and fabric come ideas and details. As co-director of WDM Zoological, “I enjoy mixing together a team of dynamic people, infusing energy into the group to develop good ideas for a building which will add to the fabric of the culture.”

“I strive to take a project from conception to execution as smoothly and effectively as possible.” The results clearly work. Matt sees this firsthand on typical opening days of WDM zoo projects. “When I’m in the crowd listening to people’s 'oohs' and 'aahs' about the exhibit, it is very gratifying.”

At home, Matt enjoys time with his four kids. He also enjoys a good sauna. Actually, it’s in his blood. His grandparents hail from Estonia, one of the traditional birthplaces of the sauna. “Nothing helps me gain perspective on an issue than some refreshing dry heat.”

Mike Seiwert lives in the past. But that’s a good thing. As manager of historic renovation for WDM, his job is to “reuse history,” taking what’s good from the past and adapting it for future use.

The Cold Storage Lofts in Kansas City, the Eaton Place in Wichita, and the historic Lemp Brewery in St. Louis all are renovation projects Mike has been involved with for WDM. In a project for his own church, Mike created an interior reminiscent of turn-of the-century Paris.

Mike’s architectural design draws on a vital source for inspiration. “The client’s dreams are most important to me. “It’s their vision; I’m just helping them realize it. However, a major part of the creative process is asking the right questions to help them articulate that vision.”

While communication is paramount to this process, it’s certainly not easy. That’s where Mike’s unique qualities come into play. He was an Eagle scout, and he’s well known for his good old-fashioned stick-to-it-tive-ness. “Otherwise known as ‘stubborn,’” he corrects.

Dan Wilson hears what many others don’t. "When your job is to discover and realize the client’s vision, you must practice true listening. Your mind must be completely open and receptive, without clouding it with your own prejudices. That’s when you hear things you otherwise might miss. And those little things can make all the difference.”

Dan is engaged in the upfront design for projects across all of WDM’s niches. Sketching concepts. Brainstorming with clients.

“With me, people always come first,” says Dan, a man with strong religious convictions that guide his life, both in the office and out. “Whether it’s giving employees the opportunity to stretch themselves or approaching each client with the attitude that you will serve them to the utmost.”

Reflecting on the company he co-founded, Dan is fascinated by the changes he’s seen. “We’ve grown from a generalist firm to developing our distinct niches. We’re a dynamic and evolving company. I cannot wait to see where we go from here!”

For Andy Matlock, the goal of lighting design is simple: to perfectly meld exterior and interior light into space to create the best environment possible. To accomplish such simplicity is difficult. Using advanced software tools, Andy works with the client, architect and interior designer to develop optimal lighting, ensuring it meets the technical and aesthetic needs of the space and those who use it. He continues through the project working with the electrical engineers to make sure that the client receives an integrated building solution. Through the many aspects of collaboration, calculation, and coordination, Andy delivers the simple delight of “Wow!”

Drawing on her background in music and studies in physics and engineering, Emily Patterson has both a deep understanding and innate sense of acoustics. Emily’s work to date has been scattered around the United States and even in Australia. Working closely with the client and the project architect, Emily works to create the optimum acoustic environment based on the usage of a space, its location relative to other spaces, and its geometry and volume. The results are impressive: an environment where noise is minimized and sound enriches the architectural experience.