Scott’s zeal for life encompasses his architecture and is carried through in all his work at WDM. Like all of his colleagues, Scott gains satisfaction from collaborating with and engaging clients. Asking good questions, digging deep, and learning what they really need from their building is just standard for him. According to Scott, there is no such thing as too many questions.

Scott is very design sensitive and quality conscious. No one works harder to bring their client a facility that is trouble free, low maintenance and a joy to work in.

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, brand development, and building client relationships.

If you want great service and design delivered with a great attitude, Scott is your man - give him a call.

Architects create the tangible out of the intangible and communication is the vehicle through it all. John works to communicate clearly with clients throughout a project. Adept at representing the client, he brings ‘consensus building’ ability to committee settings and to public forums. He often offers an appropriate reflection or levity to loosen up stalled or stale meetings.

The application of ergonomics is very important. John makes sure that a building’s layout reflects how people move through space and use it efficiently. Every project is an ergonomic exercise.

It is in the area of senior care that John has been applying his communication and ergonomics skills over the last two decades. Well grounded in regulations, codes and guidelines unique to the field, John is well versed in the patterns of senior living. His resume of over 150 facilities encompasses 17 states from coast to coast, border to border.

While the hamstrings of regulations and codes tend to make all facilities common, John works to draw out of the client their unique operational approach that can lead to an innovative architectural possibility. Contact John to gain his insight into the specialized world of senior living.

Based on more years in the architectural business than he wants to admit to, Wes has become the voice of experience around WDM. That experience has been put to work on some big, complex projects and some small projects with big issues. At the end of the day, what Wes really loves is a challenge. Wes has worked in every construction medium and has been involved with almost every client type. For him, it is about solving the problems that seem unsolvable and working with people to solve them.

Although Wes is a founding partner, he has chosen to side step the day-to-day administrative duties of running the firm. This allows him the opportunity to focus on his passion for project management through all phases of his projects. Wes is a very "hands on" manager, getting fully immersed from day one to the last day of construction. As a generalist, Wes gets to enjoy the challenges of all kinds of new projects.

Should you find yourself with a unique or challenging project, Wes is looking forward to your call.

Stan is what we call a generalist in the architecture world. Stan has a depth of experience in a variety of project types. Recently, he has focused his work into two different, but related areas of expertise. Stan leads one of the medical facility teams at WDM, but he also has acquired some very special knowledge and experience with animal care and animal shelter work. Stan was recently the lead architect for a very "cutting edge" animal shelter design that could reshape how future facilities are designed. So whether it is care for people or for their pets, Stan is your man.

Regardless of the project assignment, Stan completely immerses himself in the work. A very detail oriented person that craves knowledge about every project he works on, Stan really likes doing the up front work that ultimately results in projects with high quality and great functionality, ensuing in happy clients.

Clients are always impressed with the passion and creativity that he brings to every project. Stan would love to hear from you about your project. Be ready to be fully engaged, Stan loves the details.

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. Though a lighthearted individual, Les is very serious about the results. As director of WDM’s healthcare studio, Les is charged with creating healing, stress-reducing environments for patients, families and medical staff.

Les believes that patient outcomes are improved by the design of the environment around them. A pleasing facility helps the caregivers focus on their jobs and helps the patient relax as much as possible.

Under his leadership, WDM’s healthcare studio has posted some impressive outcomes. WDM has been named in Modern Health Care magazine’s list of "Top 100 Healthcare Architects" repeatedly. Les credits this success to the overall WDM philosophy of listening and collaboration.

Les knows it is critical to ask the right questions. Before we begin putting pen to paper, we must know our client’s challenges inside and out. We should never stop learning as much as we can. Always done of course, with a little laughter and some hot sauce.

Meet Jason Van Hecke, our "upfront" guy. Jason leads the business development efforts at WDM Architects. Jason is a firm principal, licensed architect, and all around good guy. Being a principal and member of the Executive Board, our clients have the assurance they are talking to someone with an intimate knowledge of the firm and the full commitment of WDM. As a licensed and experienced architect with significant project work behind him, Jason can speak with confidence and experience about any potential project assignment.

Jason loves meeting new people. He is eager to help you understand what roles architects can play in the design and construction process in this ever changing economic environment.

We are proud to have Jason represent WDM. We find him to be intelligent, resourceful, and a pleasure to work with. We are confident you will too! Just give him a call sometime for a visit. Lunch is on us!

Craig heads up our team of dedicated zoo experts at WDM. Through years of experience focused solely on this type of work, Craig has become a nationally recognized figure in the zoo world. Craig has been selected to speak at national AZA conventions and is regularly sought out for his expertise and perspective. Craig has traveled to zoos around the world to gain insight into best practices, new trends and directions in this unique field.

Craig is a "big picture" guy that understands what makes zoos work and how the visitor experiences an exhibit. The phenomenal growth of the zoo group at WDM has been due to Craig’s innovative approach to exhibit design and his ability to communicate that vision. Craig loves the challenge of new ideas and taking clients beyond their expectations with each project.

Under Craig’s guidance, the WDM zoo team has worked all over the country from California to New York, from the Great Lakes to Texas. This work includes master planning, exhibit design, learning centers, entry facilities and animal hospitals.

Craig is always seeking new challenges. Give him a call to discuss your project or idea. It will be a fun experience.

Leading a building full of creative design professionals down a path toward common goals is a difficult task. At WDM, we are proud to say that leader is Matt. He is our President, Chief Executive and "head coffee maker" all rolled into one.

Matt sets direction for the firm, collaborates to build project based teams, develops the talent of our professional staff and advocates for the quality of our services.

In addition to the time Matt devotes to developing the firm, he also makes time for project work. Matt is a very capable architect working with a wide variety of project types. He enjoys staying involved with projects and interacting with clients. This interaction allows him to keep touch on the pulse of the firm and remain engaged in the creative side of the business.

A fresh and energetic personality makes Matt a pleasure to do business with. Stop by sometime for a visit. Matt would love to give you a tour.

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.

Mike stays very connected with preservation organizations, serves on various boards, and attends numerous workshops and conventions. This allows him to stay in touch with new trends and requirements by the National Park Service for preservation, with new regulations by state and national groups concerning historic tax credits, grants, HUD financing requirements and New Market credits.

Besides his deep knowledge of historical buildings, Mike is very knowledgeable on funding sources, construction costs and other financial aspects that can make the rework of older buildings more viable than new construction.

Mike is a LEED accredited professional with a good understanding of how to make buildings more energy efficient and more responsible to depleting resources and our environment. After all, renovation is the ultimate "green building" approach. Contact Mike for details about how old buildings can be made more viable than ever.

Dan Wilson hears what many others don’t. He has an amazing ability to discover the client’s vision through true listening. He does not allow his mind to be clouded by preconceived notions or prejudices, he can clearly hear what others might miss. Those are the little things that make a big difference. Clients are usually surprised to find that Dan’s first scheme is right on target with their dreams (sometimes more on target than they knew themselves).

Dan is engaged in the upfront design for projects across all of WDM’s niches. Dan loves to work in a charette approach where brainstorming and quick sketches allow the design to be accomplished right in front of the client.

An incredibly accomplished designer, Dan is responsible for much of the good design you see as you drive the streets of Wichita and beyond.

Dan is very passionate about good design and is always eager to talk about how it can be accomplished. Ideas come fast and the sketches are faster with Dan. A short session can produce amazing results. Try it - you’ll see.

Brenda feels what she does makes a difference. Our surroundings affect how we relate to each other, how we feel, how we reach our goals. Interior design is about successfully combining function and aesthetics to create a memorable space. Brenda uses her skills as an interior designer with the goal of improving people’s environment. Her experience includes not only interior design, but a wealth of knowledge related to space planning, furnishings and office systems.

Brenda enjoys the involvement of the designer/client relationship. Listening and talking with clients comes easy for her. Through close interaction and collaboration with the client, she develops an "aroma" of the space right from the very beginning of the process. By listening carefully and taking cues from the conversation, she will create a material and color palette that reflects the character and emotion of the design.

She believes that there are always different solutions to any design problem, finding the one that the client is comfortable with is something for which she takes personal responsibility. A visit with Brenda will give you a whole new perspective on your interior environment.

Scott is a man who is very passionate about everything he does. He brings enthusiasm to all the work that he does as a part of the zoo team. Based on an artistic approach, he tirelessly searches out original and creative ideas. Scott believes you don’t discover the soul of any project without significant investment of time, effort and energy.

Long after the big ideas are established, Scott remains unrelenting. He recognizes the importance of crafting each detail, striving to make every project special.

The intensity and focus Scott brings is balanced by his wonderfully dry sense of humor. It is obvious when working with him that he enjoys what he does, and we really enjoy having him around WDM too. If you are looking for ideas to move you away from the ordinary, and want to have fun doing so, Scott is well worth the call.

Architecture’s ability to create uplifting spaces that enhance focus has always impressed Chris Kliewer. As a child, Chris loved to imagine new places through model-building and illustration. Now, he enjoys the opportunity to develop environments that inspire both young and old alike. Chris feels strongly about the sustainability of design and the impact on the health and the well-being of future generations. He believes that finding the right balance of aesthetics, quality, sustainability and value is the most gratifying challenge of his work as an architect. Chris is a very detail oriented architect who impresses clients with his focus on service and thoroughness. Every project is a new challenge that Chris eagerly dives into head first seeking to solve every issue.

Currently, Chris is working in our zoological studio as a project manager where his talents have produced some very notable results. As a LEED accredited professional, his green design experience is a complement to any zoo’s mission of conservation.

If you would like to learn about some of these notable zoo projects or how "green" your zoo can be, Chris would love to spend a few moments giving you the details.

A unique asset to an architectural firm, Emily serves as our in-house acoustic engineer. This capability gives WDM a better approach to the interaction of acoustics and the built environment.

Drawing on her background in music, studies in physics and engineering, Emily has both a deep understanding and innate sense of acoustics. In addition to design of new spaces, Emily’s capabilities include analysis of existing facilities related to room acoustics, sound transmission through surfaces and materials, and noise control from mechanical equipment. Emily’s work to date has been scattered around the United States and even Australia.

Working closely with the client and the project manager, Emily seeks 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. Emily talks about acoustics with a passion that is contagious. Contact her for a "mini-course" on why you should be passionate about acoustics too.