D. Eugene Thompson - Pitcher

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA, NCARB
President/Sr. Architect

D. Eugene Thompson brings an innovative approach to architecture and design. Thompson, founder of the Virginia Beach-based firm Ionic DeZign Studios, has achieved distinction throughout the community as a theorist, artist, teacher, and architect.

Born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Thompson describes his home town as the “Cradle of Architecture”, where he grew up in the shadows of the Price Tower by Frank Lloyd Wright & Shin’en Kan by Bruce Goff-- inventors of architecture in their time… Their examples defy commonality and left a lasting impression, which continues to drive his creative engine; promoting his own new and sophisticated imagery.

Eugene received his Bachelors of Architecture from Oklahoma State University in 1989. He received the William Caudill Traveling Fellowship allowing further studies throughout Europe. He also received the Sydney Katz Memorial Graphics Award for his work in Van Alan International Design Competition for which he earned an Honorable Mention. He has completed extensive studies in lighting design, including those he received while attending the GE Lighting Institute.

 

Most recently Eugene has been working towards implementing ‘green design’ into several large development projects including office buildings, housing developments and entertainment facilities.  All of these projects will be dedicated to sustainable design and intend on becoming a major focus of the firm as these design concepts are incorporated to more of his work.

Thompson is firmly committed to the practice of architecture as a collaborative enterprise, where the architects and designers at Ionic DeZign Studios can foster the connective tissue between an owner and project; allowing for all to participate in the reinvention of architecture.

 

13 YEARS OF SUCCESS

It is hard to believe that we started IONIC over 13 years ago. A bit amazing at times when we realize it wasn't a planned agenda of beginning a design firm. It just kind of happened. Yeah, I know, you were hoping for some sort of giant planned organized development of a business plan sort of corporate agenda story.  Sorry to disappoint.
It just happened.

One day in the fall of 1999, I came home from work and told my wife I was going to quite my job....I had always told her that if I decided to leave the firm I was with that I would begin looking at other local firms.....it didn't quite happen that way. No planning, no preparation no searching for other work.  Just decided it was time to leave. Usually it is a good idea to find other employment before you give your resignation.  My method isn't highly recommended. But that was the way it happened.

We went to church the Sunday after my discussion with my wife, a normal occurrence with our family. I decided to ask the congregation for prayers has I intended to go in the next day to work and give my resignation. They thought I was a bit crazy.....brave, but crazy none the less. Prayers were certainly needed as we had four children and my wife was pretty much a homemaker. Yep, wisdom might not have been a major element of this decision but faith certainly was.

About four days later, I was coaching our boys in football when my team mom came up to me (she was team mom for the last five years) and said that she was impressed with my decision. Maybe that was her way of saying that I was crazy too. After all, I always wanted a full time job of volunteer coaching a recreation league football team for no pay.  Well, I do love football. She was the office manager of a major corporation and they were getting ready to do a full scale interior renovation of their local corporate headquarters.  Another friend and fellow coach was a general contractor and had offered to introduce me to several other architecture firms in the area if I was interested. Yet another football coach was a millwork fabricator and they all became part of the beginning of Ionic DeZign Studios. McDonald's Corporate office was our first project 13 years ago in downtown Norfolk.

I thank my friends Cheryl, Adam and Ron for supporting me and making sure I didn't goof something up on that firs project. I guess I should thank football too! Later still, a dad called my house to check when practice was scheduled for that evening and got a message saying to press one for IONIC, press two for Shaklee, press three for flute lessons and finally press four to reach the Thompson family. Yep, those early years we did all we could do to survive. Mike mentioned that he heard all the "stuff" on the answering machine and wondered what I did.  I guess I didn't do a very good at marketing back then  and had to explain that I was an architect. He mentioned that he might have a few things for me to do. That began a long relationship with many of our friends at Great Atlantic Properties. A few multi-family projects, a library, and office space and on and on. Thanks Mike for calling my house that afternoon!

That was 13 years ago when I worked out of my dining room in my home. The kids would interrupt their piano playing when the phone rang for business and then start right up where they left off once I set the phone down.  The dog would announce the arrival of the UPS or FEDEX man each day....who needs a doorbell? I painted the walls around me bright purple and the IONIC blue for inspiration....the same colors that now adorn our walls in Pembroke when we moved in 9 years ago.

We have grown a lot over the years.  Learned a lot too.  Made a bunch of friends and hopefully turned out a few really nice projects for our clients. Success is not measured by how much money you have  in the bank or even how many projects you have completed.  BTW we have completed nearly 1000 projects in these last 13 years. I believe it is measured by the relationships that you create along the journey. We have had a great journey so far.

Thanks again to all those that have supported us and we look forward to continuing our work for many years. We wish you the best from your friends at IONIC.

Be sure to look back at the blog over the next few weeks as we introduce the individual members of TEAM IONIC.
www.ionicdezigns.com

2012 Race for the Cure

October is finally here.  Not sure why I would say FINALLY, but 2012 has certainly flown by fast. This month is a busy month for IONIC as it has been a long time tradition to support the Race for the Cure. My mother-in-law is a two time breast cancer survivor so it has significant meaning to our family as I am sure it has with many others. Regaina and I got started running many years ago and the race came up on our agenda.  It was a fun group of people supporting a great cause. Shortly there after, we felt it was something as a firm that we needed to support. A little exercise and a little fun.

This year we joined forces with (AIA) American Institute of Architects and (WiD) Women in Design. Both are local Hampton Road Chapters that IONIC has active involvement in. A good group of people this time totalling 31 with 11 coming from IONIC.

The Thursday evening before, the team got together to celebrate, hand out race packets and congratulate those who contributed funds. Special attention to those in IONIC who helped with the event: Abby worked on the layout and design of the team t-shirt.  April was recognized as the most PINK!

A great time for all!
www.ionicdezigns.com

Mentoring Mayhem

The local AIA Hampton Roads chapter had their first annual "Mentoring Mayhem" event last night and it was a big success. The event was meant to share with the students from the local colleges professional thoughts an opinions about their resume, portfolio and the process that would best give them to obtain jobs once they graduate.  In an industry that has been hit hard over the last couple of years there isn't as many graduating in architecture as the past.  Many are changing their career paths to other directions to better obtain employment after school.  This was an opportunity for many of these young students to hear what professional architects, engineers and contractors had to say about seeking employment.  A large number of these professionals have been in the industry for many years and the students were eager to hear what each had to say and share.

With the number of individuals giving their time to mentor these young designers, all were able to get their varied opinions.  All architects see and do different things, so to hear options from numerous sources had to be beneficial to the students. There were students from Hampton University, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia.  A great turnout for a rainy evening. We even had individuals from NCARB there for support and DPOR about licensure.

I had planned on staying for only a short time but got wrapped up in the discussions and ended up speaking for over 3 hours.  It was great fun and I feel a great success.  I received all sorts of questions not only regarding their work but my work, how I got started, where I went to school, how long had I been an architect, was I the owner of my firm, how did I start the firm......A great fun and I hope we continue to do this event. Ionic DeZign will certainly continue to be part of this event.