As 2024 comes to a close, we pause to celebrate the remarkable projects, milestones, and people that defined this year. Creativity, collaboration, and progress were the cornerstones of our success as we tackled exciting projects, welcomed new team members, and set the stage for the future.

Celebrating Project Successes

 Two reliable measures of our success are the amount of work we have done, and are continuing to do, with valued repeat clients and the quality of the work itself.

Our renovation work at Penn State’s East Halls, which we began designing nearly ten years ago, culminated this fall with the opening of the last three halls in this neighborhood. The team is proud to be continuing our work with this client at the Pollock neighborhood.

We were thrilled to see the completion of our Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) projects – both RIVER in Savannah and FORTY FOUR and FORTY FIVE, in Atlanta which earned well-deserved recognition with two Merit Design Awards from AIA St. Louis and AIA Georgia, as well as an ACUI Facility Design Award. These honors are a testament to the power of partnership and our team’s dedication to thoughtful, innovative design.

Extending our twenty-plus year relationship working with the University of Notre Dame has been so rewarding, and across the lake, our work on the Moreau Seminary renovation promises to be transformative, setting the stage for a space that will serve many future generations.

Lakeview Residence Hall at Furman University harmoniously balances traditional and contemporary elements within its campus context. This beautiful project earned 2 Green Globes Certifications, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Growing Our Team

This year was marked by growth—not just in our projects but in our people. We welcomed eight new team members, each bringing their unique talents and energy to the firm:

• Pegah Jahangirpor (Design Associate, Dallas) – Passionate about sustainable design and creatively transforming salvaged materials into meaningful projects.
• Megan Martinez (Design Associate, Dallas) – A specialist in mixed-use and educational design, deeply committed to licensure and community engagement.
• Korri Thomas (Office Manager) – Ensures smooth operations with her boundless energy and enthusiasm.
• Joe Engelhardt (Design Associate, Dallas) – Focuses on accessibility and brings a unique perspective from his personal journey within the adaptive community.
• Javier Diaz Vicens (Design Associate) – Adds a fresh perspective with his background in urban and community-driven design.
• Ivon Tjandra (Associate Interior Designer) – Brings over 15 years of experience crafting functional, inspiring spaces across multiple sectors.
• Emily Senjan (Interior Design Intern) – Currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Maryville University, with a keen interest in exploring creative and sustainable design solutions.
• Christy Phelps (Associate Architect) – A creative problem-solver whose expertise elevates every project she touches.

Our Dallas office experienced significant growth, welcoming three talented professionals and moving into a new, larger office space. This milestone positions us for even more collaboration and opportunity in the region.

Building for the Future

This year’s strategic planning process has been a meaningful opportunity for reflection. It has helped us think deeply about where we want to go—and how we’ll get there. We look forward to unveiling our Strategic Plan in early 2025, positioning us for greater innovation and growth. The process has been a meaningful opportunity for reflection on how and where we can have an even greater impact on the built environment.

Celebrating Our Team

This year, we proudly recognized outstanding achievements, promotions, and anniversaries:

Promotions

Milestone Anniversaries

• 5 Years – Sara Ferguson, Nick Fratta, and Kelly Parker
• 15 Years – Kevin Symons
• 20 Years – Dan Schneider 

Leadership Recognitions

• Geoff Vaughn – Selected for the FOCUS STL Leadership Class.
• Shelby Barker – Elected President-Elect of the IIDA Gateway Chapter.
• Christina Brown – Chair of Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) and newly appointed to the AIA St. Louis Board.
• Sara Ferguson – CKLDP graduate.
• Javier Diaz Vicens and Halie Moss – CKLDP scholars.

Licensure Achievements

• Baili Justice and Halie Moss – Licensed in Missouri.
• Kelly Parker – Licensed in Texas.

Key Milestones

Internally, we celebrated two major milestones: the creation of our new intranet, Genie, which keeps our team connected and informed, and the transition from Deltek Vision to Vantagepoint. This was a significant undertaking, made seamless by the dedicated efforts of Tom Peterson and Margie Fank, who ensured the process was smooth and well-executed.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we look to the year ahead, we carry with us the lessons, achievements, and momentum of 2024. We remain focused on creating spaces that inspire connection, innovation, and community while continuing to invest in our people and partnerships.

To our incredible team, clients, and collaborators—thank you for being part of our journey. Your support and trust fuel our mission to create spaces that matter. Here’s to a bright, bold, and inspiring 2025!

From all of us at Mackey Mitchell Architects—Happy New Year!