Hi, I’m J.D. Clark.
I have worked at a few offices over the years. Here is how I was able to contribute to their companies
Guernsey
During my tenure at Guernsey, I have had the privilege of managing two of our largest clients, overseeing all associated projects, as well as several smaller clients. My responsibilities encompass a diverse range of activities, including feasibility studies, providing support to project owners, design development, construction documentation, team management, and construction management. Additionally, I play a key role in coordinating our marketing efforts related to projects within these sectors.
Currently, I am collaborating with the City of Lawton on ten projects, which include facility reports, a comprehensive park master plan, and typical projects in design and construction phases. When I took over this client, we had one project with them, and over the past five years of working with them and building trust was able to develop a relationship where we are their go-to for all future projects. At present, I am managing four projects in the report phase, one in the master plan phase, three progressing into design documentation, and two that are currently under construction. The total construction cost for these projects is approximately $90 million.
Another significant client I work with is a partnership with a construction company specializing in electrical cooperatives across the United States. I am currently managing nine projects with this client, commencing with facility planning studies before transitioning into design and construction phases. Specifically, I have four projects in the facility planning phase, four in the design documentation phase, and one under construction. The total construction cost for these projects is approximately $250 million.
Additionally, I just finished a standalone electric cooperative project. This project involved an expansion of the headquarters, which includes a Class A office building, a warehouse addition, and the renovation of an existing office building on their campus, with a total construction value of $24 million.
Beyond these current projects, I have contributed to several other designs and master plans within our firm. As one of the senior architects, I am also responsible for conducting quality control reviews of construction drawings and specifications, ensuring that we maintain high standards of excellence across all deliverables.
Boyton Williams Architects
During my time at BWA, I was involved in numerous projects for kindergarten through 12th-grade schools. My role included assessing existing facilities, identifying future needs and goals, facilitating the passage of bonds for funding, and ultimately designing new educational facilities. These projects encompassed school buildings, sports complexes, performance spaces, and athletic training facilities, all aimed at fostering an environment conducive to learning and enhancing opportunities for students.
A significant focus of these initiatives was on improving safety for both students and faculty. We implemented two primary strategies: First, we designed ICC500 storm shelters to provide protection from tornadoes and other severe weather events. These spaces serve dual functions, accommodating regular school activities while also offering a safe haven during emergencies. Second, we prioritized general school safety by creating secure entry points to limit unauthorized access. This involved the installation of secure vestibules, access-controlled exterior doors, thoughtful classroom arrangements to minimize visibility from corridors, and the implementation of barriers between classrooms and corridors.
GH2 Architects
My tenure at GH2 was marked by a breadth of experience, where I actively contributed to the initial design phases of various projects, including hotels, office buildings, schools, churches, and sports complexes. My role involved developing designs, creating 3D models, and providing visualizations to facilitate the transition from concept to tangible projects.
I was fortunate to be part of a team that designed and constructed several award-winning projects, including the SEG Office Building, Tandy YMCA, Mustang Elementary School, and Bevins Dentistry. In these endeavors, I either collaborated as part of a larger team or assumed a leadership role. Working within such collaborative environments was invaluable, as I learned to formulate a comprehensive plan for transitioning from design to construction documentation by breaking down the building into components and ultimately integrating them into a cohesive design with a unified approach.
Rand Elliott Architects
At Rand Elliott, I was brought on board to facilitate the transition from AutoCAD to Revit. Having previously worked with Vectorworks, I was confident in my ability to adapt quickly to Revit. During my time there, I contributed to two projects, including Building 14 on the Chesapeake Energy campus—a six-story, Class A office building encompassing 250,000 square feet of office space, featuring a roof garden and restaurant on the sixth floor. This project was the first project in the firm to be completed in Revit, helping to establish new office standards and methodologies for future projects.
Chioco Design
One of the most pivotal experiences in my career occurred at Chioco Design, where I was the sole employee. This role provided me with the opportunity to engage in all aspects of the design process within a small boutique firm, exposing me to a diverse array of small projects. I collaborated closely with specialty contractors, gaining valuable insights into the construction process. During the initial design phase, the owner and I would sketch ideas at my desk while I simultaneously modeled in SketchUp, allowing us to rapidly develop the design. This efficient collaborative process was crucial for delivering unique designs within tight timelines, especially given the limited budgets for small projects. I consistently completed construction documents with a focus on conveying design intent succinctly, while meticulously tracking my budgeted hours to ensure project success. During the economic downturn of 2008, I temporarily collaborated with Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, where I assisted in the initial modeling of several projects, performing tasks similar to those I had undertaken at Chioco Design. This was possible because of the unique working environment at Chioco Design since we shared an office space with Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.
Beck Design
During my time as an intern at Beck Design, I worked on a variety of projects while pursuing my degree in architecture. My responsibilities included 3D modeling, rendering, assisting with construction documents, and contributing to design development. This experience allowed me to learn extensively from several senior architects about the intricacies of construction documentation and the responsibilities inherent to the architectural profession.
SHW Group
At SHW Group, I was hired to support the design director of the Austin office, where my responsibilities included 3D modeling and developing initial project concepts. As the sole designer alongside the director, I contributed to all design efforts during my tenure.
My Approach
My interest in architecture was sparked at an early age. In high school, I had the opportunity to explore printmaking and architectural design. In my senior year, I was able to do a mentorship with a local architecture firm and was hired by them after I graduated. This gave me a different perspective when I enrolled in architecture school, having worked at a firm for the previous three months. My printmaking experience gave me a unique point of view in that I was used to dealing with positive and negative space.
Over the last twenty years, I have developed my design approach, regional modernism with a focus on materials and vernacular forms. I believe this approach lends itself to being appropriate and sensitive to the site context. When I combine this with a focus on warm and softer materials, it makes for a more comfortable building than a traditional modernist structure.
Lasting impact
Good design becomes great when it is built well. That is only possible when we can apply good building science to the design. Understanding design tolerances, the way systems work and how they move is crucial to designing quality buildings. This has to be combined with understanding how to work with contractors. This relationship is critical to the success of the project.
Simple ideas
Early in the design approach, a Parti, or a concept, is developed. These will direct decisions throughout the design. How materials are connected, or detailed, is all directed by these principles. This approach helps make for a consistent design.