Diekema Hamann Architecture + Engineering

Happy Holidays from Diekema Hamann! The team celebrated this year's holiday party at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, where they enjoyed the exhibits along with some festive treats!

As 2023 draws to a close, we take the opportunity to reflect. The DHA Team has shared some special shout-outs for their colleagues who went the extra mile this year. Thank you to the entire team for your hard work and dedication to our clients, community, and team!

Instagram Spotlight: Valerie Wright Valerie holds a BA in Interior Design with Honor from Michigan State University, and has been a member of the DHAE team since 1997. She has been the Principal interior designer since 2012. “My professional job is designing environments that allow people to heal, to learn, to worship, to work, and to play. It all starts with the initial client conversation. The time and care spent at the beginning of the project lays the groundwork, the vision, and the bonding for what is to come. That is where the magic happens together, when professional rigor and the pure function of the space merges with the aesthetic elements of the space. I may never meet the people that are impacted by spaces that I design but that doesn’t matter. I live with that hope and this has been my motivation for the past 34 years. Interior design, for me, is that great intersection of the human and their built environment and honestly, I have wanted to be an interior designer for as long as I can remember. From an early age I was drawing spaces and thinking about my own experiences in different environments. My parents would take me to interior design student shows at a nearby college starting when I was in the seventh grade…AND I am a huge reader and have a rich inner life. I think that has impacted my imagination and perception of space as well and developed a heightened sense of storytelling. For me, interior design is also a form of  storytelling but with the physical manifestation of the built environment and the people who will be interacting and experiencing it.” Thank you for all you bring to the DHAE Team, Valerie!

Project Highlight: Summit Pointe + Grace Health DHAE has designed a new pharmacy building to be added to existing clinic services provided by Summit Pointe in Battle Creek. The project is in partnership with Grace Health, and will provide Summit Pointe customers with easier access to medication refills onsite. In addition to med services, the new pharmacy will also have two patient consultation rooms for attending to physical health needs and getting better access to comprehensive care. The groundbreaking ceremony in September kicked off construction, managed by Schweitzer.

Staff Spotlight: Jamey Logan “As a Project Technician at Diekema Hamann Architecture, I bring a unique blend of practical construction experience and a passion for architectural design. My journey into architecture was a deliberate career shift after dedicating numerous years to the construction industry. This transition was driven by my desire to channel my construction background into a new avenue, where I could contribute my expertise differently.   What I find most gratifying in my role is the drafting process, where I leverage my hands-on construction knowledge to craft comprehensive and high-quality construction documents. Drawing upon my years of experience on construction sites, I relish the opportunity to work through intricate details ensuring that every aspect of a project is thoroughly considered and meticulously documented.   My career as a Project Technician not only underscores my adaptability but also showcases my commitment to producing top-notch architectural solutions that seamlessly integrate the practical insights I gained from years of working in the field.” Thanks for all you bring to the DHAE Team, Jamey!

Members of the DHAE team attended the Mary Free Bed Foundation’s annual Thrive Gala last month at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. This year’s proceeds support Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital’s Center for Autism, serving pediatric patients throughout the state of Michigan. Thank you to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for a fabulous event for a great cause!

Sean Costello and Matthew Guinta, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP, LSSYB represented the DHAE Team at Ss. Peter and Paul’s 175th Anniversary event. It was a beautiful evening on the Detroit River at the storied Roostertail overlooking Belle Isle State Park, with vistas of Downtown and Lake St. Clair beyond. DHAE is providing design services for a meaningful new entry project for the 175 year old church building–the oldest Catholic Church structure in the city of Detroit! These early design renderings showcase a historically sensitive intervention which will meet the programmatic needs of this strong and diverse faith community.   Diekema Hamann has a rich history of working with faith communities over the years. We are proud to continue our dedication to historical projects which enhance the lives of community members.

Some of our DHAE team dressed for Halloween and enjoyed a brisk walk to lunch at The Hub in downtown Kalamazoo. The costumes were a hit for many locals, many stopping to take pictures!

Project Highlight: TCAPS Montessori Completed in time for the start of the fall 2023 school year, this is the first purpose-built, all-new construction public school in the state of Michigan that embodies the Montessori teaching philosophy. Montessori philosophy embraces a holistic approach to development and recognizes the unique value of each individual child. Students are encouraged to develop social and environmental responsibility through self discovery and independence-based learning. Interior and exterior spaces throughout the campus are designed to support this, in order to help nurture future stewards of the built and natural environment. Every space - not just the traditional classroom - is conceived as a potential learning environment where mindfulness leads to well-being and where physical interactions lead to positive, lasting change. The design emphasizes connections to nature and the outdoors. The landscape design includes outdoor classroom space and active play areas geared toward different age groups. There is an outdoor garden and greenhouse where students learn to grow & cultivate native plants. Many students commute to the school by foot or by bike. As such, trail/walkway connections, as well as ample bike racks, are included in the design. The overall massing and materials of the school building are reminiscent of other newer schools & additions that have been constructed throughout the district. This was done to help fortify the sense of place by further establishing consistent standards and graphics district-wide.

The construction is complete on Mary Free Bed’s newest expansion to serve more patients. The 6th floor of the rehabilitation hospital is in the final stages of setup before patients start admitting at the end of the month. We are talking with staff who helped make it all happen and why it's so important to the community.