Todd’s design process is rooted in a foundational belief in the importance of having a broad perspective and bringing a wide range of voices and input to the table. He has spent the past 20 years of his career in architecture at WJW, where he became a partner in 2014, developing a leadership style that prioritizes building balanced teams with the right mix of skills to serve clients and tackle design problems from every angle.
His consistent pursuit of new ideas and the evolution of architectural knowledge has led to expertise in project types that include design for seniors and those with dementia; design for people with physical and developmental disabilities; environments for healing and wellness; and supportive, low-income and market rate housing. Mentorship and staff development have defined Todd’s tenure at WJW, as has the drive to advance the firm’s designs and create environments that inspire, delight, and dignify their occupants.
Expertise
Sustainable design within an urban context; design for seniors, especially those with dementia; design for people with physical and developmental disabilities; healthcare environments for healing, wellness, and rehabilitation; adaptive reuse; building science best practices; detailing of building enclosures and materials; 3-dimensional visualization of spaces and environments; listening, absorbing, and synthesizing programmatic information from a wide range of clients and end-users; developing talent within the firm.
Key Focus
Pursuing creative design opportunities; teaching & empowering younger staff; and impacting the lives of the end users of our projects.
Research Interests
Housing and day programs for people with developmental disabilities; residential environments for people with dementia; sustainable design strategies for urban areas; daylighting strategies for building interiors; universal design strategies for people with physical disabilities; building science-based strategies for building enclosures; modular construction.
Passionate About
Cycling, backpacking and camping, traveling, music, political discussions, food/beer/whiskey, gardening and urban adventures. Volunteering with organizations such as Territory Design-Build to help provide opportunities for youth in Chicago.
Design is hard, especially when the quality of peoples' lives and communities literally depends on the creativity, hard work, and knowledge that we bring to our projects. That's why it's incredibly rewarding to use our skills and aptitudes to create outcomes which are so broadly beneficial to people.
