Tommy Brand, Owner, Phantom Sound. “I love the famous quote from Aldous Huxley, ‘After silence, that which comes neatest to expressing the inexpressible is music.’ We just finished a custom home project featuring automation controls, security, smart lighting, motorized shades, and most importantly, whole home sound. The customer did not want to see the speakers and that is what we do best.”

Patrick Fernbach, PE, WELL AP, Director of Mechanical Engineering, KLH Engineers. “I get energized by exploring engineering concepts in our department, growing strong team cultures, fostering relationships with our community leaders and clients, and creating systems that allow our team members to engineer our clients’ dreams into a reality.”

Sari Lehtinen, International Associate AIA, Senior Designer at MA Design. “I’m at the latter part of my career, and lucky to get to focus on what I love the best – concept design, housing solutions, and urban environments. Also mentoring and assisting staff newer to the field brings me joy. I love sharing experiences and knowledge, and collaborating with my team.”

Congratulations Madison Gilmore and Clarissa Leidenheimer who recently passed their exams to become licensed architects, moving from Associate AIA to full AIA!

Anika Anisha, Assoc. AIA, Architectural Designer, Elevar Design Group. “I have been interested in architecture since childhood. It was also my mom’s dream for me to become an architect. This is a very challenging career, but always be prepared to overcome all the difficulties with passion.”

AIA Cincinnati is led by a volunteer board, elected by our chapter members. This year we have six new members, in addition to a new president and vice president. Get to know your chapter leadership in these profiles.

Tom Shumaker, Director of Business Development, Cincinnati Commercial Contracting. “We especially thrive in a design assist role, particularly when design professionals seek our expertise with pre-engineered metal building systems.”

Chad Estes, Partner, GOP Limited. “Ask three engineers a question and get four different answers. While they may all work, we know the fifth answer is the best. The one you get to after what occurs to you initially and after collaboration with the team, considering all variables. We work closely with our architects, we’re nimble and responsive, and creative in our approach.”

The Kleingers Group is a design firm offering engineering services (civil, municipal, and transportation), landscape architecture, and surveying. We also have two divisions specializing in athletic field design and 3D laser scanning/reality capture. Through our creative and integrative approach to design, we improve communities across Central and Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Sanyog Rathod, AIA, Founder, Sol design + consulting. “We always strive to stay at the forefront of sustainability. Recently, this has included becoming a WELL Performance Testing Organization and beginning to offer performance testing services to projects pursuing WELL Certification. We hope to leverage this expertise to help [others] understand how their spaces are performing from an occupant health and well-being perspective.”

Tisdel Distributing represents the industry-leading residential kitchen appliance brands Sub-Zero, Wolf, Cove, Faber, Scotsman and Best. In April of 2021, Tisdel opened their new luxury showroom in the Kenwood Collection, showcasing over 250 appliances. Discover the latest product releases from the Sub-Zero and Wolf brands in their profile.

Congratulations Alexandra Oetzel, AIA, who recently passed her exams to become a licensed architect, moving from Associate AIA to full AIA!

Josiah Ebert, AIA, Project Architect, ESM Architects. “Inspiration comes to me in many forms: it can be the simplicity of the vernacular Ohio barn, the complex cultural critiques found in Dostoyevsky, or the uplifting nature of a good conversation.”

Oswald Insurance Companies provides risk management and insurance brokerage services with a focused lens on professional liability insurance. Oswald helps architects see the risks and manage accordingly through their services, including contract reviews, education opportunities and deep experience in the design industry.

“At CCC, we tailor our process to suit you. Every project is different and so are the needs of every client. Every step that we take through the construction process, is specifically designed to mitigate the common risks of constructing a building.”

At Kohrs Lonnemann Heil Engineers, Inc. (KLH Engineers), Senior Lighting Design Professional Matt Minard, LC, IES, IALD Assoc., believes that the quality of light is essential to quality of life. “Lighting makes a difference. Great lighting design can change how you feel in a space and it also provides personality and identity to the built environment,” says Minard.

Congratulations to Robert Busch, FAIA, drawing dept and Douglas J. Gallow, Jr., FAIA, Lifespan Design Studio! These two chapter members and local architects have been named to the American Institute of Architects’ prestigious College of Fellows, AIA’s highest membership honor, for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society.

“Our wood flooring and wall treatments are made to order,” said Jeff Rose, Founder and Partner, Mansion Hill Custom Floors. “We enable customers to select every facet of their wood flooring. That had been unheard of in our region. Each of our projects is customized – meaning that the wood species, lengths and widths, and stains vary from job to job. We even create floors that curve!”

AIA Cincinnati is led by a volunteer board, elected by our chapter members. Get to know this year's leadership, including their favorite things from 2021 and hopes for 2022.

Timothy Wayne Hill, AIA, Visual Storyteller / Principal at Elevation Design LLC. “It took a lot of faith for the homeowners to ask for my help not knowing what the service would be. I hope that I made them feel smart for hiring me.”