continuing to serve with purpose, stewardship, and care
Growth rarely happens alone. It’s carried forward by the people who show up, mentor, and design alongside us. We’re grateful for the clients and project partners that make our work meaningful, and for the chance to keep growing together with purpose. With that in mind, we are pleased to share several updates that reflect both continuity and development within our team.
Peter Baldwin Recognized as Notable Leader in AEC Industry
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business recently recognized the region’s 36 Notable Leaders in Architecture, Engineering, + Construction – and I was humbled to be included among them.
I’m grateful for the nomination. The reality is, you’re only as good as your team members, clients, and project partners. The opportunity to continue to learn from and serve alongside each of you is the true honor.
Annual AMDG Family Picnic
Beyond the food and fun, our family picnic is a chance to see each other in a more complete way – meeting spouses, watching kids grow up, getting to know the people behind the work. That richer, fuller perspective of one another carries forward into how we collaborate day to day. Aside from the tradition being one of the highlights of our year, we believe events like this make our team stronger and our work better.
New Team Members
We’re thrilled to welcome experienced architect Gabriela Larumbe to our residential studio. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, former intern at firms in London and New York, and a Certified Passive House Consultant, Gabriela joins AMDG with almost a decade of experience in designing custom residential environments on the east coast. She brings with her the belief that the built world is where we leave our mark, and it should be a reflection of our collaboration, our values, and our humanity.
We thoroughly enjoyed having Mackenzie Novakoski join our team as a summer intern. A former AMDG job-shadow participant and current architecture student at Andrews University, Mackenzie is drawn to both creativity and problem solving and brought incredible talent and energy to our studio these past few months. We wish her the best in her final year of undergrad!
Open Position – Senior Project Architect
We have an opening on our team for a Senior Project Architect. If you know someone with 12+ years’ experience who is energized by technical and design excellence, thrives in collaboration, and wants their work to matter, please send them our way!
Mentorship and Growth
In July, several of our newer team members were invited to step away from the office and experience the importance of Construction Administration (CA) first-hand. The team walked the site of Immaculate Heart of Mary’s new Early Childhood Center in Grand Rapids, MI, while learning from Don Cok, Ethan Sims, and Phil Lyzenga. These experienced leaders covered everything from arrival on a job site to construction details and how certain design decisions affect the coordination of contractors on the site. Special shout-out to Rockford, our construction partner on the project.
Celebrating Project Milestones
- Topping-off Ceremony – Hope College Economics + Business Building (with LMN Architects and Owen Ames Kimball)
- Ground-breaking – Harvest Orthodox Presbyterian Church (with First Companies)
- Ground-breaking – DeMotte Christian School (with Hamstra Group)
- Entering Construction – Clear Lake Residence (with Scott Christopher Homes)
Strengthening Our Ability to Serve
Stonewall Studios is a national architecture practice built on a simple belief: that architecture has the power to transform lives. AMDG is beginning to incubate and collaborate with our sister studios within the Stonewall Studios network, drawing on their deep resources and talent.
A few highlights we’re excited to share:
- working with Armand Quadrini, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP at KSQ Design on a higher education campus study, focused on residential life experience
- gratitude to KSQ Design’s Tulsa office for their support on production drawings for an out-of-state high school client project
- design collaboration with MNK Architects on a middle school project, as well as their support of our team’s Architect Registration Examination (ARE) studies
- partnering with team members from AODK on a high-resolution video fly-through simulation for a historic ecclesiastical project
Together, these collaborations reflect the strength of the Stonewall Studios network, giving AMDG the ability to draw on specialized expertise, solve technical challenges, and elevate the level of excellence we deliver for every client.
With deep gratitude,
Peter H. Baldwin, AIA, NCARB
President | AMDG Architects
