Meet the Designers: Nicole Monaco

Meet the Designers: Nicole Monaco
Interior designer Nicole Monaco of ThenDesign Architecture enjoys the challenge of creative problem-solving. Nicole's high school interest in costume design led her to the interior design field. She values the importance of functional, comfortable learning spaces and finds her impact on student well-being very rewarding.

Nicole Monaco — Interior Designer

Nicole Monaco is an interior designer at ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) who finds inspiration for educational design through collaboration with the school district, teachers, and students. She enjoys designing functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that promote well-being and improve student success.

"By collaborating closely with the superintendent and school district, we can create designs that set the students up for their best chance of success."
Nicole Monaco
Interior Designer

Questions for Nicole Monaco

When did your interest in interior design begin?

I took a sewing and fashion class in high school and really enjoyed it. My teacher encouraged me to continue designing and even created more classes for me to take. I designed the costumes for the school plays. When I attended college, I had an interest in business and marketing, so I transitioned from Fashion Design to Fashion Merchandising.

After my first semester, I realized I missed my creative side and ultimately moved into interior design and never looked back.

What modern aspect of interior design can help improve a classroom?

Interior designers can greatly impact the classroom through our selection of furniture. In the past, furniture wasn’t made to move. It was heavy and bulky and served a single purpose. Now, furniture is designed to be multi-functional and flexible. The flexibility of lightweight furniture allows for classrooms and collaborative spaces to be rearranged daily to best suit the needs of the student and to emphasize the curriculum.

By using a mindful selection of furniture, interior designers are giving teachers more creative freedom to educate their students.

What is the importance of Wayfinding?

When I was in grade school, we were in a rectangular box, and the classrooms lined the perimeter. All you had to do was walk from one room to the next, knowing where you were. However, with today’s educational campuses, wayfinding has become a more critical design choice. Signage has become more of a design experience instead of a utilitarian need.

Designing the wayfinding to be more intuitive will help the occupants feel more comfortable and confident moving through the space and promote furthering their enjoyment.

My name is Nicole Monaco, and I am an interior designer with ThenDesign Architecture. I received my Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University, and I also have my masters in business from Ursuline.

I have been at TDA for four years now doing educational design. And luckily in my background, I’ve had a chance to explore different options, from residential to restaurants and health care. And ultimately, I feel like educational design is what I enjoy doing the most, just because the children are our future. And I think designing spaces that inspire them might help put them in a different direction or change their path. And it might inspire them to get into the architecture interior design field.

I enjoy interior design because it allows me to use my creativity and problem-solving, and I think it’s just fun coming in and being able to do a different design every day.

When people think of interior designers, typically, they just think of paint, flooring, and furniture. But in these large spaces, it goes a lot deeper than that. We’re actually involved in the drawings, so we help lay out the spaces. We think of the building more holistically and as an end-user approach. So, even just looking at color theory and seeing how different colors relate to other people’s emotions and maybe how they’ll make them feel in the space, different tactile experiences like the texture of the furniture, or how the floor navigates through the space. And is it helpful, or does it hinder?

And I think always doing research and staying up to date on the trends that kind of parallel with educational design I think are very important. It’s a lot more than just your paints, finishes, and fabrics.

I think that interior design and the process here at TDA is very collaborative. Interior designers and architects will sit together and kind of look at how the different spaces should be adjacent and how they function next to one another. So, a lot of the input that we give the architects helps us in the long run when we go to put casework and furniture and finishes in the building. Those classrooms and collaborative spaces will be laid out in the most functional way.

I think one of the most important aspects of the design process is when we work with the school districts and the superintendents. By collaborating with what the district wants to accomplish in the future and what the design needs to do, I think we set the students up for their best chance for success.

We are able to help create environments that can help foster their growth and their educational planning delivery.

As a dedicated partner to Wickliffe City Schools, ThenDesign Architecture is pleased to announce that The Campus of Wickliffe has been selected for an Outstanding Project Award by Learning by Design Magazine’s Spring 2024 Educational Facilities Design Awards Showcase. The Campus of Wickliffe has been recognized as a benchmark facility for incorporating next-generation learning space design and planning methodologies.

To view the publication award page, click on this link.

Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Nicole Monaco

Nicole Monaco

Interior Designer

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Nicole Monaco

Nicole Monaco

Nicole Monaco is an interior designer who enjoys the challenge of creative problem-solving. After exploring design in the residential, hospitality, and healthcare industries, she ultimately found her passion in educational design. She values the importance of functional, comfortable learning spaces and finds her impact on student well-being very rewarding. Nicole's high school interest in costume design led her to the interior design field.

The TDA Intern Experience

The TDA Intern Experience
ThenDesign Architecture is where new talent can gain valuable insight and professional growth by actively participating in every stage of design. We also understand the importance of enjoying the learning process, which is why we ensure that our interns have fun along the way to completing their degrees. This is the TDA intern experience.

The TDA Intern Experience

ThenDesign Architecture is a place where people can learn to enhance their craft in the architecture and interior design fields. We operate as a teaching and learning firm where designers of all skill levels can grow in their profession and provide mentorship to colleagues and interns alike. Fostering a culture that encourages exploration and collaboration, TDA hosts consistent Emerging Professionals, co-ops, and internship programs for those seeking hands-on experience at a dynamic design firm.

TDA is where new talent can gain valuable insight and professional growth by actively participating in every stage of design. We also understand the importance of enjoying the learning process, which is why we ensure that our interns have fun along the way to completing their degrees.

Recent interns Clarissa Plassman, Clayton Virzi, and Emma Cek share their experiences working with their design teams at ThenDesign Architecture.

“TDA feels like a family. I gained a lot of knowledge in the design field and made some friendships."
Emma Cek
Intern

Clarissa Plassman's TDA Intern Experience

“Some of the most prominent factors that made me fall in love with interior design are creativity and expression, its impact on daily life, and the ability to problem-solve collaboratively. The opportunity to create spaces that enhance people’s comfort and quality of life makes interior design impactful and rewarding. Designers need to optimize space, flow, and functionality while considering lighting, acoustics, and ergonomic factors. This aspect of problem-solving adds an intellectually stimulating component to the field.

“During my experience at TDA, I have acquired a versatile skillset that includes applying design concepts practically, honing communication skills for effective collaboration with team members, mastering technical skills in design software, understanding the properties and applications of various materials, navigating design challenges, enhancing time management skills, learning to interact professionally with clients and present design concepts, and experiencing construction sites to bridge design with reality. These lessons have collectively prepared me for a dynamic and rewarding career in interior design.

“TDA truly shines when it comes to its culture. I came to understand the importance of a company having a clear mission and values that drive decisions. These values give a sense of purpose and a path to follow. The best part is how open and honest everyone is. This kind of culture encourages everyone to be transparent, trust each other, and work together. With the guidance of impressive mentors, TDA is all about how they can focus on helping us grow, both professionally and personally.

“TDA is invested in my potential and values what I can bring to the table.”

Clarissa Plassman has a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Kent State University and is now a full-time staff member.

Clayton Virzi's TDA Intern Experience

“It’s been a really good experience to see all the thought that goes into the design before we even start putting pen to paper. It was surprising how much feedback the school district provided to help guide the design team toward a more accurate depiction of what they wanted for their school. Being in meetings and interacting with them directly was a very useful experience.

“I’ve gained new respect for the collaborative approach. Having two brains on something is better than just one. It didn’t feel like any one person was above everyone else. The team-centered culture had people working together to solve the same problem. I appreciated how comfortable it felt to go to others and discuss drawings so we could work it out. It’s been a very valuable experience being able to feel like I’m on the same level as everyone else on the team. The more you collaborate, the more confident you are to show others your design ideas, and that is a great skill to have.

“My favorite thing about working at TDA was interacting with the community and hearing how passionate everyone was. It was exciting to talk with parents who have kids who will be in one of the first classes at the new school. It was fun to have more in-depth conversations about what the students and staff were thinking. They had a lot of input to provide.

“I definitely felt like I was part of the team here at TDA. We were sort of one unit working together. People weren’t just asking one person questions, they were coming up to all of us. They were asking me the same questions that they would ask the project manager. That was really cool.”

Clayton Virzi is in the Architecture and Engineering master’s program at the University of Cincinnati.

Emma Cek's TDA Intern Experience

“During my time at TDA, I learned how to incorporate students and their experiences into the center of our designs. Coming in at the early stages of a project, I participated in the schematic design and programming of a new high school where this large project was divided into multiple sections and assigned to various team members.

“This was my first architectural job experience, so I didn’t know what to expect. My experience at TDA made me more excited for my future in architecture. Studio projects at school made me fear whether this field was right for me, but TDA told me I was on the right path.

“Seeing the schools that TDA designed opened my eyes to how much educational design has evolved to become a more welcoming and inviting space for students to learn in.

“The staff at TDA impressed me greatly with how they looked out for each other. TDA feels like a family. You never feel like you are on your own because you can ask for help from anyone in the firm. Numerous times, my coworkers provided a new take and a possible solution to the problem at hand. I look up to so many people in the firm and strive to be more like them every day.

“My experience at TDA has been a great one. I gained a lot of knowledge in the design field and made some friendships. What I will miss the most when I return to school is the culture. It was encouraging to know I am free to express my ideas without fear. I wasn’t expecting to find a place that felt like a second home.”

Emma Cek is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Cincinnati as she volunteers tutoring youth in Over the Rhine.

Emma Cek is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Cincinnati as she volunteers tutoring youth in Over the Rhine.

“TDA truly shines when it comes to its culture. These values give a sense of purpose and a path to follow."
Clarissa Plassman
Interior Designer
Archie Liptow Emerging Professionals Luncheon

Let’s work together to make education better. If you would like more information on our open positions or internship programs, please visit our Careers page.

Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Meet the Designers: Katherine Mitchell

Meet the Designers: Katherine Mitchell
Registered Architect Katherine Mitchell of ThenDesign Architecture sees the value of environmentally sustainable design in modern educational spaces. Not only are green buildings visually appealing and energy-efficient, but they also help students feel healthier by providing ample natural light and fresh air circulation. Her passion for design and environmental sustainability led her to architecture.

Katherine Mitchell — Registered Architect and LEED Coordinator

Katherine Mitchell is a Registered Architect and LEED Coordinator at ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) who places great importance on creating healthy, environmentally friendly spaces for students and educators to flourish in. A safe and pleasing space fosters educational interest and creativity. Katherine is passionate about the community-oriented nature of educational design.

“If we provide students with safe and enjoyable spaces, they're more likely to keep learning and exploring this wondrous world of ours."
Katherine Mitchell
Registered Architect

Questions for Katherine Mitchell

What sparked your passion for architecture?

When I was a kid, my dad was an electrical engineer. He would spread out all of his drawings in the family room, and I was fascinated by the idea that a huge 3D building could be whittled down into a 2D drawing. Later on, I helped my dad and uncles with small construction projects around the house and found them to be a lot of fun. In high school, I took an architectural engineering drawing class where I honed in on more architectural design rather than engineering.

What is your favorite element of the educational design process?

I find construction documents really interesting. That’s the part of the process where you bring together all the creative concepts you’ve been developing, and now you are figuring out how to actually build it. You’re excited, and the clients are excited. Now, you’re figuring out all the real-world details so that it can be physically developed. Something goes from being an idea on paper and a computer screen to being built on a site. That whole idea is pretty intriguing.

I also love when the community finally gets to see their finished school. There is a lot of excitement about a new building that will make the students and teachers happier and more productive. It is very rewarding to see them using a space that you helped create.

What is one thing you would like to share with those unfamiliar with architecture?

Architecture is about collaboration. People come together to build things for people. Nobody can do it all by themselves, and I encourage everyone to ask questions. So many talented individuals with differing skill sets and disciplines work together to create something complex. Designers, drafters, engineers, construction managers, and interior designers all cooperate with a common goal: to make spaces that are functional, friendly, and secure to help support the next generation of students.

One of the best things about the design process here at TDA is the collaboration.

My name is Katherine Mitchell. I am a registered architect and LEED AP with a BD+C specialty here at TDA. I am an architect working on projects, but I also focus on our LEED Sustainable Design initiative.

Architecture is much more like a puzzle. There are so many different pieces. You’re looking not just at electrical engineering or mechanical engineering but the whole project in one big piece and making sure everything works together.

I’m very passionate about educational design because it’s community oriented. And if we provide them with a space that’s safe, comfortable, and enjoyable to be in, they’re more likely to keep wanting to learn and explore this wondrous world that we have.

Green buildings are really interesting to design and look into. First, because they look cool. You can tell when a building is more sustainable. So we want to build buildings that are safe and healthy for people as well as safe and healthy for the environment.

Recently, I’ve been helping with the punch listing process. A punch list is reviewing the building and verifying that everything is up to contract prior to the completion and turning over the building to the owner. During a punch list we will walk through the building and open up doors, check the flooring, check the ceiling tiles, check pretty much everything that we can, and verify that it is working properly.

Everybody here has so much knowledge in so many different areas of the design and construction process, and everybody is eager and willing to teach you anything that you want to learn. It’s easy to go up to ask people any kind of question, which I think is kind of unique to TDA. It’s not uncommon here to walk around and see groups of people gathered together, solving a problem with a project.

We have so many Emerging Professionals that come through here, more than I’ve seen in previous firms. TDA is one of the best places to ask for help. I always encourage anybody to ask questions and take advantage of all the opportunities that TDA provides because there are a lot.

Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Katherine Mitchell

Katherine Mitchell

Registered Architect and LEED Coordinator

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Katherine Mitchell

Katherine Mitchell

Katherine Mitchell is a registered architect, and LEED Accredited Professional with a Building Design and Construction specialty at TDA. She sees the value of environmentally sustainable design in modern educational spaces. Katherine became fascinated with buildings and construction from an early age. Her passion for design and environmental sustainability led her to architecture.

Meet the Designers: Archie Liptow

Meet the Designers: Archie Liptow
Archie is passionate about creating safe environments for students to thrive. He understands that architecture can have a direct impact on people's happiness and well-being.

Archie Liptow - Emerging Professional

Archie Liptow is an Emerging Professional at ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and is passionate about creating joyful, safe spaces for students to thrive. After discovering his artistic talents in high school, he pursued his education to further develop his creativity. Archie is excited about participating in designing environments that will change students’ lives. 

“I have so many memories attached to my grade school. The design of these spaces is so important for kids because that is where their nostalgia will be formed."
Archie Liptow
Emerging Professional

Questions for Archie Liptow

Why did you choose architecture as a career path?
I’ve always loved art and design, but I knew I wanted to do something that was more technical. Architecture was the perfect marriage of art and engineering. Architects are more than designers and creators; they’re problem-solvers. Figuring out how to solve complicated issues really attracted me.

How is educational design different than what you expected?
Educational design is unique regarding how many people are involved in the process. You don’t just have one client, but you engage with the whole community. You work with principals, teachers, the school district, and even students. Working at TDA has given me the opportunity to be involved in different parts of the design process. On any given project, I could be doing construction drawings or renderings. I’ve participated in client presentations and meetings with consultants. Within the first year, I’ve been included in the entire process, which has been awesome.

What is your favorite part of the design process?
One of my favorite parts of educational design is in the beginning stages, called visioning. This is when the brainstorming happens that can set the stage for the rest of the timeline. It’s a lot of fun to be involved with the community and the kids, to learn what they want to get out of a space you’re creating for them. Visioning is a collaborative process. Architecture is very intimate, and everyone experiences it daily, so understanding how to help people feel good in your space can be an interesting challenge. Knowing what you are working on can promote happiness, and positive mental health is very rewarding.

Architecture for me was the perfect marriage of art, engineering, and problem-solving. My name is Archie Liptow. I have my Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Kent State University, and I work here at TDA on educational design.

I’ve always enjoyed creating things and using my artistic mind. It’s a field that allows me to have an outlet for those things. Educational design is so important because students are spending a third of their life for 12 years in these schools. And to create something that is going to not only help them learn and help them get smarter and grow, it also should be a place that makes them happy. It can be simple things such as the colors that you choose, some of the materials that are there, or the size of the space that you’re in. We’re trained, and we are training always to learn exactly what that means to create a space that is going to make people happy and make people feel safe.

In the design process, one of my favorite parts is the beginning stages when we really start visioning what this thing is going to look like. And with that visioning and with that brainstorming, you really set yourself up for the rest of the timeline of that project.

After I graduated from school, I was always told that there were so many opportunities within the field, but that has only increased tenfold since starting my job here. And I’ve learned how many different corners of this field that you can get into. On any given project, I could be doing the construction drawings or renderings for the project or different design iterations. I’ve also been included in different client presentations and meetings with consultants. So especially within this first year that I’ve been working here, I’ve been able to learn a lot while I’m working and be included in basically, the entire process, which has been awesome.

I’m really fortunate with TDA being my first place that it is such an inclusive environment. When we spend lunch together on Fridays in downtown Willoughby, that’s always really enjoyable for me. And I think it’s a beautiful part of our office culture and team building.

If I had to give an Emerging Professional a piece of advice, I would say in whatever environment you are in, try to make your voice heard and include yourself in whatever opportunities are given to you. Because there’s a lot within our fields and there’s a lot of opportunities to learn.

Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Archie Liptow

Archie Liptow

Emerging Professional

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Archie Liptow

Archie Liptow

Archie Liptow works as an Emerging Professional for ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and is passionate about creating safe, joyful spaces for students to thrive. After discovering his artistic talents in high school, he pursued his education to develop his creativity further. Archie is excited about participating in designing environments that will change students’ lives.

Internship Experiences: Eleanor Huntley

Internship Experiences: Eleanor Huntley
Committed to helping educate architects of the future, ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) accepts architectural interns into our office each year. Eleanor Huntley spent her summer months as an architectural intern at TDA. Eleanor, who was initially interested in engineering, decided to study architecture since it provided an opportunity for creative problem solving and its potential to impact everyday life.

Eleanor Huntley - Architectural Intern

Committed to educating future architects, ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) accepts architectural interns into our office each year. Eleanor Huntley spent her summer months as an intern at TDA. Eleanor, who was initially interested in engineering, decided to study architecture since it provided opportunities for creative problem solving and to affect people’s everyday life. She is driven to explore educational design and improve each student’s experience while impacting their local community.

Reflecting on her time at TDA, Eleanor commented: “I learned to value the communication and collaboration between everyone in the process. There are a lot of people involved, from clients, to construction managers, to consultants and architects. Everyone needs to be satisfied with the project because each building will last for years to come.” Eleanor continues, “It’s very rewarding to feel like the work you are doing actually matters and contributes to society. Since TDA specializes in education and really focuses on the client, they have been very successful in this.”

"It's very rewarding to feel like the work you are doing actually matters and contributes to society ... It's very rewarding to feel like the work you are doing actually matters and contributes to society."
Eleanor Huntley
Architectural Intern

Questions for Eleanor Huntley

What is your typical day like?

For my internship, I worked with James Cowan, a project manager, and Jeff Henderson on the East Tech Culinary Program Renovation. They have both been wonderful, teaching me as we go, and to collaborate with on this project. We are in design development and when construction starts, I hope to come back to see more of that process.

Typically, each morning, I reorient myself on tasks for the day and begin working in Revit. The morning is when I can complete assignments from the previous days discussions. This could be adjusting classroom and furniture layouts, or producing new renderings. I do a lot of renderings! Then in the afternoon, we meet together and work through any changes we received from the client. Since this project is built in Revit, I update the model, produce new floor plans and send them to the client for any changes. The next day it begins all over again!

How was the internship different than you expected?

This is my first professional internship with an architecture firm. I had some experience as a senior in high school, but it was from the client’s perspective and the work was largely limited to my high school. At TDA, I am working directly on an architectural model.

I came to this internship expecting to do background work and maybe sit in a few meetings. I thought the project manager or principal architect would primarily work with the client. It was a huge surprise when I was given an important role. During my time, I attended a lot of meetings, corresponded with our clients, and they knew me by name. I was so excited when I got my first phone call!

What was memorable about your time at TDA?

I just really loved the environment and culture at TDA. The people are super genuine to one another. All the interns were great too. I loved working with them, and hanging out after work with them. It was a unique environment and culture compared to the other firms that I’ve shadowed.

The new office is especially exciting, it is such an open space. I was sitting at one of the collaborative tables, which was a little nerve wracking at first, but it was also nice to see everyone working. I think it encouraged in-person collaboration and made communication much easier. It was really exciting.

What lessons did you learn in this internship?

A value that all architects should have, and TDA does really well, is to communicate and collaborate with everyone in the project. There’s a lot of people involved whether it’s a client, construction manager, consultant or architect. Everyone needs to be satisfied when the project is finished because it’s something that will last for years to come. Each building is a product of many people’s input.

Also, education is always changing and flexibility needs to be a priority in new schools. I think since TDA specializes in education and really focuses on their clients, they have been very successful in their projects. That communication and attention is something I want to carry forward in my career.

This is my first professional internship with an architecture firm. I had a senior one in high school that lasted an entire year. Again, it was more on the client side, but I got to visit firms, shadow a whole bunch of different projects, but the primary work was in my high school. So this is the first one where I’m in the Revit model and I’m doing work for the client myself.

I’ve worked most closely with Jeff and James for this, and they’ve been wonderful to collaborate with and teach me as we go. I came into this internship in the beginning of the summer with the expectation that I’d be more on the “back door” or the “back end” of it. So it’s exciting to be really, really involved in the team. I got to come up with a couple ideas that we’re moving forward with. I designed the storefront and where windows can go, that the chefs were super excited for. So it was really rewarding for me to see my work be shown to the client and the client get excited about it. You know, so I loved that.

I think a value that all architects should have, I think TDA really does have, is that “communication and collaboration.” I mean, there’s a lot of people involved in a project, because this is something that’s likely going to last for years to come. Education’s always changing, so there needs to be flexibility for change. I think TDA by specializing in education and really focusing on the client, I think they’re really successful in that. And that’s something that should be taken, with not only myself, but with any architect I believe.

It’s very rewarding to feel like the work we’re doing actually does matter and is really contributing as opposed to just giving “the intern” busy work to maybe learn about the culture and the process, but not necessarily influence the project if that makes sense. I just really loved the environment at TDA, and the culture. I think the people are super genuine to one of another. The other interns were great and I loved working with them and hanging out with them. It’s the kind of environment and culture that I think makes TDA really unique compared to other firms that I’ve seen and shadowed and worked with a little bit, especially in the new office. I think makes things super exciting for everybody.

Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Eleanor Huntley

Eleanor Huntley

Architectural Intern

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Eleanor Huntley

Eleanor Huntley

Eleanor Huntley spent her summer months as an architectural intern at TDA. Eleanor, who was initially interested in engineering, decided to study architecture since it provided an opportunity for creative problem solving and affect people's everyday life.

Internship Experiences: Sophia Blatnik

Internship Experiences: Sophia Blatnik
Committed to helping educate architects of the future, ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) accepts interns into our office each year. Sophia Blatnik spent the summer as an architectural intern for TDA. Having a natural desire to get involved in public architecture, she was most interested to see how educational design could positively affect a community.

Sophia Blatnik - Architectural Intern

Sophia Blatnik spent the summer as an architectural intern for ThenDesign Architecture (TDA). Having a natural desire to get involved in public architecture, she was most interested to see how educational design could positively affect a community. She found that by integrating 3D visualization techniques into communication, it helps stakeholders better understand many complex architectural ideas. 

"ThenDesign Architecture does a great job thinking about what the future holds for students and then designs buildings to allow for their growth.
Sophia Blatnik
Architectural Intern

Questions for Sophia Blatnik

What is your typical day like?
When I get in, I get my desk ready and refresh my memory on yesterday’s tasks. Each time I have a meeting, I make a lot of notes and what I need to work on. That keeps me on track. Before I leave for the day, I note what needs to happen first thing in the morning. So it refreshes my memory. I work through my assigned tasks and if I have any questions, I either find information on the server, or someone in the studio can help. It is such an open space, it fosters creativity.

Who have you worked with the most during your internship?
I worked with so many people, but the majority of my time, I worked with Claire. She has been an amazing mentor and has put so much trust in me. I really appreciate this because it is my first internship. I have been on many different projects and have gotten a wide range of architectural experiences, from schools to aquatic centers. 

What did you learn that surprised you the most during your internship?
I saw how “forward thinking” architects need to be when designing schools. TDA is always looking to the future, since educational architecture will be used by future generations. It was surprising to see how much thinking goes into how students will be affected in each space. You really need to think about how they feel and whether they will be inspired in that room. I really wasn’t expecting that part of design.

What was the most memorable time of your internship?
The interns were charged with coming up with a “patio lunch” idea and we took charge of that! We had everyone come up with a theme and ideas for food. We all decided  on the foods and figured out what else we needed to bring in for a successful “community gathering.” Everyone chose a “Mamma Mia” theme which is what we were hoping for. It was exciting to design all aspects of this event, even if it was just a patio lunch. That was a lot of fun!

So I’ve been trying to figure out what field of architecture I want to go into. I know that I want to do something with the community, which is why schools really interest me and especially working here, I’ve loved seeing the impact that it has on the community members with designing for the community.

In school, when we’re designing, we’re not designing for an actual client it’s hypothetical. So we don’t have those conversations that I’ve learned coming here that go on between not only the architects and the client, but also the engineers and a bunch of different other members of the team. So it’s been really cool to see the background process of how that all works.

So I wanted an experience over the summer to get an idea of what’s actually happening in the real world rather than just at school. So I didn’t know exactly what I was walking into. I was hoping I was going to get to do some design work, but I wasn’t sure and they did mention that they want the interns here to get a full scope, whatever projects that they’re interested in or to get an idea of many steps of the process. That’s something that I was hoping would happen at an internship, but definitely has exceeded my expectations with how much I’ve been able to see of the process.

TDA has done a great job of thinking of what the future will hold for these generations that they’re designing for and allowing for that growth that will happen in society and in these future generations to really incorporate that growth. So I have really appreciated the environment of this firm. I know all of the interns we’ve gotten so close, we’ve actually hung out outside of work and especially coming out of COVID-19 where there was so much isolation. It was really nice to have this community feel and these people that I’ve grown so close with and feel accepted and pushed to grow as a designer and as a person that has been the biggest takeaway for me.

Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Sophia Blatnik

Sophia Blatnik

Architectural Intern

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Sophia Blatnik

Sophia Blatnik

Sophia Blatnik spent the summer as an architectural intern for ThenDesign Architecture (TDA). Having a natural desire to get involved in public architecture, she was most interested to see how educational design could affect a community for the good.

Meet the Designers: Cynthia Haight

Meet the Designers: Cynthia Haight
Meet Cynthia, she brings a high level of sophistication and creativity to her role, has a keen eye for detail and passion for educational design.

Cynthia Haight - Interior Designer

Cynthia Haight works as an interior designer for ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and is driven to provide the best educational environment for students, she integrates, color, texture and detail in all of her projects. Having a background in psychology, Cynthia integrates this understanding into each space she works on to better create comfortable environments that allow users to succeed.

"The design of schools is important. We have to give our youth a place where they can truly learn and give their teachers a place that is easy to teach in."
Cynthia Haight
Interior Designer

Questions for Cynthia Haight

Why did you become an interior designer?
After working in the field of Psychology and then raising my children, I wanted to try something new, something creative. I have had a passion for dance, music, and art. Interior Design addressed my desire to be creative while remaining practical as well. It is not just about aesthetics but also about solving problems and making a building work for the end-users.

What’s your favorite part of a project you’re working on. Why?
My favorite part of a current project is considering the needs of the special education kindergarten students who will be using the building; making the spaces bright and happy as well as considering the effect of the finishes in terms of all the senses. These renovated spaces will also respect the history and original design of the building.

What will be the biggest changes in education interior design (or interior design in general) in the next few years?
School districts are approaching education from a different direction, one that involves learning though engagement and collaboration. This requires a different approach from designers as well in terms of space planning and furniture types. Our design must support the activities in the spaces.

I feel very strongly about how an interior should be laid out.

What I really like about TDA, is the type of work we do, educational design. I’m very idealistic, but my thought has always been, if we do our job well, and we create spaces where teachers and students can thrive, we can affect the future in a positive way. The students can truly learn, and they will take that with them throughout their lives.

Interior design has a big impact on people. It can affect them in positive or negative ways. And when we design the interiors to make them attractive, to make them comfortable, to make them a pleasant place to exist in, it’s going to help the end-users of the building.

Color is very subjective and people’s reaction to color has a lot to do with their life experience. We try to make elementary schools, more playful and high schools, a little more sophisticated, the occasional higher education project, even more so. But to provide enough color so that it’s stimulating without being overwhelming, is a balance just as it is with clutter and detail. You can’t have too much, but you need a little bit to create some interest.

We have attended the “Visioning Sessions” as well, and it’s wonderful to hear what not only the teachers and the students, but also the, the citizens of the community have to say. After the visioning, when we start meeting with the owners, we start asking them what they need exactly, how, precisely, they teach. And we present ideas that have worked in the past, and we’ll present images and layouts so that they can get an idea of some of the options that are possible. Then we’re able to get a better idea of what they truly need.

We have to do an enormous amount of research and we have to put together specifications that meet with the needs of the building. If we are doing our job, right, we should be able to take the small budget and make it look spectacular. It shouldn’t look cheap. It shouldn’t be all gray or beige. It should be an exciting, fun place to be.

The design of schools is important, it’s important. We have to give our youth a place where they can truly learn and give their teachers a place that is easy to teach in.

Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Cynthia Haight

Cynthia Haight

Interior Designer

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Cynthia Haight

Cynthia Haight

Cynthia Haight works as an interior designer for ThenDesign Architecture (TDA). Driven to provide the best educational environment for students, she integrates, color, texture and detail in all of her projects. Having a background in psychology, Cynthia integrates this understanding into each space she works on to better create comfortable environments that allow users to succeed.

Citizen Architect – Robert Fiala, AIA

Citizen Architect - Robert Fiala, AIA
Robert Fiala is the founding partner of ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and the mayor of Willoughby, Ohio. He was recognized as a "Citizen Architect" by the American Institute of Architects and featured in an article detailing his path from architecture to public service.

Citizen Architect - Robert Fiala, AIA

Robert Fiala is the founding partner of ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) and the mayor of Willoughby, Ohio. During his 40-year career in architecture, he has been primarily involved with publicly funded projects, with an emphasis on K-12 educational facilities and civic architecture. Recently he was recognized as a “Citizen Architect” by the American Institute of Architects and featured in an article detailing his path from architecture to public service.

TDA continues to be driven by an “insatiable desire to learn” and the need to improve communities through relationship building, public engagement and design. These principles were the foundations for starting a business with a focus on enriching lives through design. This evolved into a love of public service.

Much of his time was spent designing public works and engaging with communities. This gave him a unique perspective on the positive social and economic impacts of planning and design. This has greatly informed his mayoral role.

“Those opportunities were my testing ground, they showed me that I loved public service and that there are many ways to be a voice and an advocate.”
-Robert Fiala

Recognized as a "Citizen Architect" by the American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects defines a “Citizen Architect” as a member who uses their talent, insight, and experience to make positive contributions to their community. This is done primarily through engaging in the administrative and legislative political process and embodying the ideals of public service.

The article recounts his path working as an architect and his transition to public service.

The public service bug had bitten Fiala years earlier, however, as his firm worked with leaders in education throughout the state to plan new school projects. “I felt the excitement of engaging with the community,” Fiala said. “I also had an epiphany: I realized that, as architects, we are trained to problem-seek and -solve, then to communicate our solutions. However, with the unique tools that we, as designers, possess, we are rarely at the table in public policy and planning discussions and decisions.”

Through its founding and early years, Fiala made sure tda was built on a different operating model. In fact, under his direction, TDA’s design philosophy—“Think, Design, Act”—had a community- and public policy-oriented feel. The firm is driven by an “insatiable desire to learn” and “to create tailor-made design solutions.” In other words, to accomplish what public officials attempt to accomplish: identifying and executing a shared vision.

Read the full article here.  

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Let’s work together to make education better. Interested in speaking with us? Get in touch!

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in a corporate video environment and brings a production mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the Ohio parks system.