INSIDE IONIC - Harry Harris

Inside IONIC

William Henry “Harry” Harris, III, AIA

Director of Religious Architecture

Based in our Richmond, Virginia office, Harry has an extensive architecture background and is known for establishing enduring, successful business relationships. In his current role with Ionic DeZign Studios, he is responsible for business development and client relations.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on several church projects in Virginia, which include additions to St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Lynchburg, a Master Vision Plan for Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Powhatan County and renovations to the Sanctuary at the Glen Allen Church of Christ. I’m also working on a new multipurpose addition to Bear Creek Baptist Church in Bakersville, North Carolina.

What inspires you?

Assisting our church clients in realizing their vision by enhancing their facilities to accomplish their mission and ministry within the church’s community.

How do you like to spend your free time?

From a young age, I have enjoyed sailing and I currently continue to sail the Chesapeake Bay whenever possible on my sloop, “Sapphire.” There is nothing more refreshing than manning the helm of a sailboat on a brisk day on the bay with all sails aloft.

Do you have a favorite quote or saying?

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”  Psalm 127:1

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I have had the good fortune to assist the youth of Richmond through my 35 plus years of service with the Kiwanis Club of Richmond. Our life safety programs for at-risk children and our annual Christmas party for the patients at the Children’s Hospital are always inspiring. 

Also, as a board member for more than 30 years, and a past vice president of Elk Hill Farm, Inc., a treatment program for at-risk boys and girls in the Central Virginia region, I have been inspired by its success. The program has grown from one campus treating 30 students, to five campuses treating more than 700 youth. Our design of the Singleton Chapel at the Elk Hill Goochland Campus continues to be my favorite Sacred Space design project.

This is the first in a series of “Inside IONIC” posts, designed to help you get to know the talented, innovative team at Ionic DeZign Studios.

3rd Street Bethel AME Church

Ionic DeZign Studios Awarded Historic Church Project

 

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc. has been awarded the contract to provide design services to preserve the historic Third Street Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. The church is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the project is being funded through a National Park Service grant. As part of the preservation of African American civil rights movement sites, Third Street Bethel AME Church was one of 39 projects in 21 states to receive funding.

The funds will be used to stabilize the 1856 Gothic structure, where trailblazing African-American Maggie Walker addressed the Right Worthy Grand Council of Virginia in 1901, saying, ”Let us awake” and urging them to “start and do good in our ranks,” establishing a bank, a newspaper and a business empire in Richmond’s African American community during the infancy of the Civil Rights movement in Virginia.

Be sure to follow up on our progress as we share along the way. Check out other church projects at www.ionicdezigns.com

We currently have offices in Virginia Beach and Richmond to better serve you.  757.499.3510

IONIC welcomes Leisa Melancon

IONIC welcomes our new marketing coordinator.

Leisa Melancon is an accomplished marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience. As IONIC’s marketing executive, she oversees marketing, communications and branding for the company. In addition, she plays an active role in business development, proposal preparation and event planning. As an active member of industry associations and organizations, she stays up to date on the latest developments in marketing, Leisa’s role on the management team is integral to the company’s continued growth and recognition. Her specialties include marketing strategy and planning, content development, digital marketing and branding.

Feel free to reach out to Leisa if you would like to meet and plan for your project development.

www.ionicdezigns.com

lmelancon@ionicdezigns.com

 

 

IONIC welcomes Soloman Peterson AIA

Ionic DeZign Studios is pleased to announce that Soloman Peterson, Architect, AIA has joined the Ionic team serving in the position of Branch Director in our Richmond, Virginia office located at 3307 Church Road, Suite 200. Soloman has relocated from Nashville, Tennessee to join the firm and will focus on day to day management of the office, management of projects and business development along with building and fulfilling client relations.  

 

Soloman has over 30 years of experience in the design professions, most recently serving as Director of Business Development / Senior Project Manager for Lose & Associates, a multi-disciplinary firm.  He previously served as Director of Architecture and Business Development with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates / Architects, opening and managing their Charlottesville, VA office, and prior to that served as Director of Architecture and Engineering with Lantz Construction Company in Broadway, VA. 

 

Soloman also operated his own practice based out of Charlotte, NC for nearly 20 years and the first project he completed was in 1986 for the Pearson Signature Dealerships Richmond Honda location. He is the Architect of Record on well over 100 Virginia projects including completed projects for Richmond Public Schools, Chesterfield County Government, Rockingham County Public Schools, and the City of Harrisonburg as well as a broad array of private projects; most notably including the recent renovation and expansion of the historic Wayne Theater for the Wayne Theater Association located in Waynesboro, VA.

 

Soloman excels at leading integrated project teams in the collaborative delivery of planning, architectural and branded environment projects and will be joined in the office by a staff of 2 registered Architects and 3 associates to serve the current and future clients of the firm in Richmond and throughout central Virginia.  

Please feel free to reach out to us if we can assist you in any way with your architectural or interior design needs. www.ionicdezigns.com

Here are a few pictures from the construction site at St. Bridget's Middle School n Richmond Virginia. The finishes are going down and looking very colorful. KBS is handling all the construction on this DHR project involving the conversion of the old 1908 Westmoreland Baptist church into the new school.

Congrats on the entire team working on this one. We should see the furniture coming soon and wrapping up the end of the project. Great job!

Performance Hall 

Exterior of Historic Church

Colorful Classroom

Another Colorful Classroom

Eugene discussing lighting concerns

old windows

Floor patterns in lunch room

IONIC DEZIGN STUDIOS is an award winning architecture - Interior design firm with offices in Virginia Beach and Richmond. We do work in 15+ states currently and focus on Restaurant, Retail, Financial, Office, Religious and Custom interiors.

www.Ionicdezigns.com

LEADERS IN ARCHITECTURE WANTED

LEADERS IN ARCHITECTURE WANTED

IONIC is a rapidly-growing Virginia Beach-based architecture and interiors firm. We pride ourselves in giving employees the opportunity to take their careers in the direction of their dreams. We’re looking for a creative person with initiative to lead our newly acquired Richmond firm: WHHA + Ionic DeZign Studios. We work on a variety of project types including retail spaces, restaurants, hospitality facilities, corporate offices, mixed-use and commercial buildings, financial institutions, municipality projects and religious architecture.

We are looking for applicants to fill the role of Production Leader for the Richmond office. Applicants must be capable of multi-functioning, assigning and coordinating all work in the Richmond office and in synchronization with our Virginia Beach office. The position requires a healthy knowledge of construction and the ability to converse/discuss with contractors during the Contract Administration phase.

This position requires:

·       Strong leadership qualities

·       Organizational Skills

·       Presentation Skills

·       Managing Fiduciary Properties of Projects

·       Coordinating Schedules

·       Assigning Work

·       Creating Construction Documents

·       Time-Management of Staff

·       Applicants must be capable of working on multiple projects in various phases simultaneously while managing project and staff coordination.

Qualifications Summary:

·       Completion of architectural degree program

·       Applicant must be licensed or actively seeking licensure

·       Minimum of 8 years professional experience

·       Experience creating construction documents required

·       Proficient in AutoCAD

·       Knowledge and proficiency in Revit preferred

·       Able and willing to work in a team environment

Please send your current resume and references to info@ionicdezigns.com

VISIONEERING: The Strategic Master Plan

34+ years working to help the church leaders in our community plan for their VISION. Planning and answering their questions about their facility's needs and potential is what churches really need. Real solutions for real issues tailored specifically for your church's unique set of concerns.

The way our team of professionals help churches find solid solutions incorporates interaction with your mission team or building committee by leading them through a process to develop their VISION or Strategic Master Plan. A Strategic Master Plan is a detailed building analysis and conceptual site design with estimated costs that can be implemented in phases over time as the church continues to grow. Some typical steps in the VISIONEERING process to develop the Plan include:

1. Assess existing resources and limitations - current facilities, land, municipal zoning constraints, building code impacts, financial position.
   

   
   
   
2. Compare your church's vision and mission - determining if the churches goals are in sync with the facility's ability - physically and financially.
3. Analyze your church's growth trends, programs and age distribution - this can determine how to properly prepare. You wouldn't want to build four new classrooms if it is expected that eight will be needed.
4. Identify unique opportunities and potential threats that can be expressed in a Master Plan.
5. Develop a comprehensive phased building program which includes renovation areas as well as new construction. Each space should reference square footages and occupancy capabilities.
6. Provide design options to consider that include site planning including parking, utility studies, circulation needs, worship programs, exterior and interior architectural ideas as well as furniture needs.
   

   
   
   
7. Develop consensus on a final plan with leaders and stakeholders
8. Map out an implementation process and time frame
9. Provide marketing renderings and plans to be utilized in Capital Raising Campaigns.
10. Coordinate municipality approval processes for both civil and building permit requirements. Some locations require zoning review with often need to be voted on by city council. This could take a lengthy period to obtain approval.
11. Identify and help retain needed consultants (i.e., local engineers, acoustical audio-video-lighting, etc.) Our team handles all of these contractual relationships.
12. Contract Administration implemented (selecting local general contractors, schedules, phases, etc.)

Not every church requires all these steps to develop a Master Plan. However, they should certainly review each and ask themselves whether there might be an issue. Being a good steward of your blessings means you never leave any stone unturned......or question unanswered. The result of your VISIONEERING process is that your important questions are answered and you will have a well thought out plan which can be implemented in order to provide for your growth within realistic financial constraints.

Don't trust your family to the inexperienced or those that have little invested in your passion. Allow us to be the good STEWARDS of your VISION. 

WHHA + Ionic DeZign Studios
www.WHHAdezigns.com
www.ionicdezigns.com