On January 22, 2017 two members of the RODE team, Katie Cressall and Ben Wan, were honored with first prize for their entry in the AIANH Emerging Professionals Design Competition (formerly the AIANH Intern/Young Architect Design Competition) at its33rd AIANH Awards Banquet at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford, NH. The competition provides a platform for interns and young architectural professionals to demonstrate their design skills as a means to "gain recognition and assist a community with their design challenges.”

This year’s competition challenged entrants to develop a design revolved around a hot-button topic of revitalizing the recently closed Rockingham Park in Salem, NH, into a small scale “inner city” or “lifestyle center”, which have started gaining popularity around the country outside of major cities.

In selecting Katie and Ben as the winning team, the jurors shared feedback on the success of their design saying, “overall, the jury found this submission to be quite strong. While the competition was open to interpretation on what community building, or buildings, the submitters wanted to incorporate, this team went above and beyond. Their project, dubbed the “Civic Mile”, introduces a number of community spaces, such as a library, performing arts building, child and elder care, and an art studio, among others. The number of building forms introduced were treated as one cohesive idea, and the way in which the team both integrated them into the site, and connected them to the surrounding area was elegantly done, and would be a great addition to any growing city."

For more information about Katie and Ben's winning project head to the AIA New Hampshire site.

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Our inaugural post for our new blog series that highlights our fabulous team kicks off with a little one-on-one time with RODE’s very first full-time employee: Ben Wan.

1. How long have you been at RODE?

7 years in June – the transformation of the studio over the years has been incredible and exciting to watch.

2. What attracted you to RODE?

My first exposure to RODE Architects was through our principal and owner here: Eric Robinson, who I was lucky enough to have as a professor in my final year at Northeastern University. Initially, I joined RODE to assist with graphic work and worked my way up to a full-time position on the team.

3. What projects are you currently working on?

I’ve had exposure to a variety of projects that RODE leads, including mixed-use, commercial, and residential developments. Some projects of particular interest that I am currently working on include the Appalachian Mountain Club headquarters, a design which is strongly informed by the organization’s fervent conservation and sustainability missions; 105 Washington Street, a Brighton project in partnership with a residential developer and two established Jewish institutions that is nearing construction; and 420 West Broadway, a redevelopment of an old South Boston theater.

4. What is your favorite building in Boston, why?

I love small, sacred spaces - universities in particular tend to create these - that provide a place of spirituality and reflection in otherwise fast-paced environments. Of course there is Saarinen at MIT, but also Safdie at Harvard and Office da at Northeastern. There are similar spaces in the Prudential Center and at Logan Airport. They are tiny gems that use abstraction to stay non-denominational and are, in my mind, always worth revisiting.

5. In your opinion, what is the most interesting facet of the design industry today?

I've listened to a few podcasts that explore how automation has hollowed out manufacturing employment, and whether the creative industries are next and should be concerned. There are many digital tools that allow architects to play with incredibly complex forms with ease, while also making more repetitive tasks less time-consuming. Is there a point at which the tide flips and the technology edges us out of a job? It may not seem likely in the short term, but we should keep one eye on the machines!

6. Where do you find your inspiration?

There is great benefit to taking time early on in the process to really understand the program and define its potential challenges. The temptation is always to jump right in and begin sketching, but by focusing in on the essential nature of a project you define the core basis of your design, and that can inform decisions throughout the entire project. The spirit of this kind of strategic thinking is really championed by RODE’s process.

7. Any fun facts about yourself?

I was a few pen strokes away from pursuing music performance as a major in college! I still play, and though it's mostly a hobby, I still see the value and overlap in creative pursuits. Design inspiration can come from anywhere so it's important to diversify your interests, and expose yourself to new art forms, ideas, and means of communication.

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RODE is proud to announce the promotion of five its team members to Associate. Each of the distinctive individuals are recognized for their dedication to the firm, superior client service and design ability, as well as mentorship and care for the profession. The promotions cover positions across the full range of the firm’s capabilities, from operations to interior design.

“Our team is a truly unique group of individuals, and we inspire each other to achieve success and find the most amazing solutions for our clients. This group in particular represents our best skills, attitude, and sense of service,” said Kevin Deabler, Principal. “It’s important to recognize our leaders as the breadth of our work is increasing. We see these promotions, our very first at RODE, as a critical step in forming the future of firm.”

Promotions include:

• Mike DelleFave, AIA, LEED AP has been with RODE since 2014. He brings more than a dozen years of experience to the firm and has dedicated himself to teaching within the firm and at local colleges. DelleFave strives to support the creative energy of the office and fosters collaborative connections across the studio. Key projects he has been involved in include Dorchester Brewing Co., The Flats on Savin, Forbes Street Townhouses, and the mixed-use development at 110 Savin Hill Ave. Originally from Smithfield, RI and now a resident of Dorchester, DelleFave holds a Bachelor of

Architecture from the Wentworth Institute of Technology and a Masters from the Pratt Institute.  

• Jessica Haley, Associate IIDA has been with RODE more than 5 years and brings 12 years of interior design expertise to the firm. Her unique approach has been realized in a range of project types including hospitality, multi-family, commercial, institutional, and academic research. Her award-winning design work has brought acclaim to the firm’s hospitality projects such as La Brasa, Commonwealth, SRV, Southern Proper, and the Cambria Hotel at 6 West Broadway. Originally from Peterborough, NH, now residing in Boston, Haley holds a BFA from Suffolk University and Masters in Interior Architecture from the Boston Architectural College.  
• Lucas Herringshaw, AIA, LEED AP has been with RODE for 3 years and in the industry for nearly 15. Herringshaw’s attention to detail, focus on design integration, technical expertise and project coordination help him lead complex projects including the soon-to-be-finished Cambria Hotel at 6 West Broadway and the anticipated boutique hotel at 150 Kneeland, among others. Originally from Slidell, LA and now a resident of Dorchester, he is a graduate of Tulane University with a Masters in Architecture.  
• Shelley Kolesar, PHR is responsible for the firm’s human resources, financials, and overall operations. Kolesar has been with the organization since 2013 and brings close to two decades of professional experience, including industry-specific expertise to help navigate the business forward. At RODE, she has presided over an exciting period of firm-wide growth and cultural transformation. Originally from Ballston Spa, NY, Kolesar now resides in Boston, and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.  
• Ben Wan was RODE’s first full-time employee and has been impacting the architectural design of the firm’s projects for more than 9 years. He has been a leading team member on RODE’s most complex, transformative projects such as Radian, DOT Block, 105 Washington Street Development, Commonwealth Kitchen at Pearl, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He also plays a key role in mentoring and fostering the firm’s culture and mission statement. Originally from Billerica, MA and now a resident of Malden, he is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Masters in Architecture.

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