Architecture Services

Our Approach to Architecture

At HDJ, it’s all about our clients. Our team of architects combines creativity, experience, resourcefulness, and collaboration to efficiently plan and design spaces that achieve our clients’ project objectives, maximize value within their budget, and result in savings to their bottom line.

Our full range of Architecture services includes site selection assistance, pre-project planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid negotiation, and construction administration. HDJ has the capacity of a talent base to deliver complex projects in a timely manner.

We design with people in mind, placing our focus not only on aesthetics but on purpose and function. Sustainability is another important aspect of our design culture. Sustainable design provides a balance between environmental, economic, and social concerns and benefits both our clients and our own firm. To support this mission, HDJ has staff architects and engineers that are LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals) through the USGBC (US Green Building Council).

National Experience in Diverse Building Types

HDJ has supported more than $1.2 Billion in construction value in the last four years alone, including projects in:

Our Process

Supporting projects throughout the United States, HDJ places a tremendous amount of importance on managing costs on behalf of our clients. HDJ has created strategies and processes to work closely with our clients as trusted advisors to provide efficiently-planned and designed projects that maximize value within a budget.

Our Architects

We’re innovators, solution finders, adventure seekers, and dedicated deliverers of design for developers. Meet our lead architects!

Amelia ElliottAIA_NCARB_Project Manager

Amelia Elliott Ferrari, AIA, NCARB

Project Manager

Bob Cummings - Senior Project Architect

Bob Cummings, AIA

Senior Project Architect

Headshot of Brian Hoehn.

Brian Hoehn, AIA

Vice President Architecture

Headshot of Brian McDonnell.

Brian McDonnell, AIA

Vice President of Special Projects

Headshot of Brian Boucher.

Brion Boucher, AIA

Senior Project Manager

Headshot of Dave Steinhauer.

Dave Steinhauer, AIA, NCARB

QA/QC + Housing DNA Manager

Headshot of David Layman.

David Layman, AIA

President

Headshot of Eric Maring.

Eric Maring, AIA, NCARB

Lead Project Architect

John Shields, AIA, Lead Project Architect

John Shields, AIA

Lead Project Architect

Headshot of Joshua Awabdeh.

Joshua Awabdeh, CDT, AIA

Project Architect

Headshot of Kevin Krol.

Kevin Krol, AIA

Lead Project Architect

Headshot of Nichole McNamara.

Nichole McNamara, AIA, NCARB

Lead Project Architect

Nicole CaldwellAIA_Project Architect

Nicole Caldwell, AIA

Associate Architectural Manager

Headshot of Patrick Kelderhouse.

Patrick Kelderhouse, AIA

Lead Project Architect

Headshot of Richard Burrow.

Richard Burrow, AIA, CASp

Construction Administration Manager

Tiffany AckermanAIA_Lead Project Architect

Tiffany Ackerman, AIA

Associate Architectural Manager

Join the Team

HDJ is continuously seeking passionate architectural professionals to share our vision and join our team to help us improve lives through design. 

Our Expertise in Architecture

Our in-house team of commercial architects specializes in A/E projects nationwide across many sectors.

Aerial view of a group of affordable housing apartment buildings, called Grand View Place, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Affordable Housing

HDJ knows affordable housing. Whether your financing comes from LIHTC, HUD 221d(4), USDA RA, HOME, CDBG, TIF, AHP, or any other product, we keep your project within budget with our streamlined process. Our architecture expertise includes adaptive reuse, low- mid- and high-rise apartments, new construction, RAD, and more.

White apartment building with nine black balconies in view.

Market Rate Multifamily

Our philosophy behind market-rate properties is to balance resident experience with long-term operational needs. Our architecture expertise encompasses new construction, adaptive reuse, renovation, capital expenditure, and additions.

Grand River Bank, a brown brick two-story building under an overcast sky.

Commercial Retail

Our architecture expertise in commercial retail includes new store construction, core and shell design, existing building renovations, tenant improvements and remodels, entitlement planning and design support, and prototype management.

Side exterior view of Provision senior living building with front landscape

Senior Living

We aspire to design living spaces that offer the best residential care for seniors. Our senior living architecture expertise includes immersion in care trends, operational strategies, industry metrics, financial models, and more.

HDJ Cassapolis Healthcare Exterior building entrance.

Healthcare

HDJ’s architecture expertise in the healthcare field spans several decades, with project types including pediatric, geriatric, OB/GYN, dental, pharmacy, laboratory spaces, and more. We strive to design spaces that provide a world-class experience for all types of patients.

Grand Valley State University aerial view of water resource building located on mini peninsula

Government & Education

Our experience in government and educational architecture spans more than 80 years, with project types including public safety stations, healthcare facilities, courthouses, airport facilities, civic buildings, libraries, and more.

Architecture Case Studies

TEN21 Exterior Building Rendering

TEN21 | Muskegon, MI

Downtown Muskegon is undergoing an impressive transformation, and the General Capital Group has played a crucial role. Community reinvestment, redevelopment, and revitalization are vital to this change. The heart of Muskegon’s Lakeshore has seen a growing community come alive with history, art, performance venues, and culture. This growth has created the need for more affordable living options. TEN21 Apartments is the General Capital+HDJ team’s latest endeavor and an exceptional example of this growth and transformation.

View Project »
HDJ Commercial Retail Sprouts Grocery Store

Sprouts Farmers Market

It’s no secret that one of the keys to good health is eating well. Yet often buying fresh, organic foods comes at a high price, one that not everyone can afford. In many cases, improving health by eating healthy foods is easier said than done. Naturally, it becomes a socioeconomic issue, leaving those with lower income less options and freedom to choose the healthy foods they put on their plate. As a result, the health status discrepancy grows, as does an unfair disadvantage.

View Project »
Street view of apartment building named Osborn Commons during evening hours in downtown Sue Ste Marie, Michigan

Osborn Commons with Woda Cooper + HDJ

While HDJ certainly doesn’t chase or design for awards and honors, we have to admit that it is nice to be recognized for our impactful contribution to improving lives. One recent project that is indicative of our portfolio was selected for honors through a pair of programs. Osborn Commons, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a prime example of the positive impact affordable housing and community development can have on a neighborhood and city.

View Project »
HOM Flats Building surrounded by cars and facility sign

HŌM Flats 28 West + HDJ

How do we meet the challenge of developing affordable living workforce housing solutions? This is a challenge facing communities throughout the country, including West Michigan. One ardent and perceptive developer is helping meet this affordable living challenge by transforming the residential experience.Magnus Capital Partners (Magnus), a privately-held asset management and real estate investment firm, focuses on developing innovative residential communities.

View Project »

TEN21 | Muskegon, MI

Downtown Muskegon is undergoing an impressive transformation, and the General Capital Group has played a crucial role. Community reinvestment, redevelopment, and revitalization are vital to this change. The heart of Muskegon’s Lakeshore has seen a growing community come alive with history, art, performance venues, and culture. This growth has created the need for more affordable living options. TEN21 Apartments is the General Capital+HDJ team’s latest endeavor and an exceptional example of this growth and transformation.

Sprouts Farmers Market

It’s no secret that one of the keys to good health is eating well. Yet often buying fresh, organic foods comes at a high price, one that not everyone can afford. In many cases, improving health by eating healthy foods is easier said than done. Naturally, it becomes a socioeconomic issue, leaving those with lower income less options and freedom to choose the healthy foods they put on their plate. As a result, the health status discrepancy grows, as does an unfair disadvantage.

While HDJ certainly doesn’t chase or design for awards and honors, we have to admit that it is nice to be recognized for our impactful contribution to improving lives. One recent project that is indicative of our portfolio was selected for honors through a pair of programs. Osborn Commons, located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a prime example of the positive impact affordable housing and community development can have on a neighborhood and city.

Nationwide Architecture Services

The HDJ team of commercial architects supports projects nationwide, through both offices and distributed workforce locations. Team up with our architects for projects throughout the United States. Contact us at any one of our offices, including:

Atlanta, GA

Chicago, IL

Cleveland, OH

Detroit, MI

Grand Rapids, MI

Indianapolis, IN

Los Angeles, CA

Muskegon, MI

Phoenix, AZ

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