Architecture Week is a chance to celebrate the creative and technical work that shapes the spaces where people live, work, and connect, always with purpose. Across DCCM, our architects are addressing everyday challenges through thoughtful design, collaboration, and a practical approach to problem-solving. This year, we’re honored to feature Michael Garringer, Alexis Rogge, Sanjay Patel, Heather Lezon, Tyler Huettig, and Zach Isaacs — six DCCM architects whose experience, perspective, and commitment to excellence reflect the strength of our team and the work we do across the country. Representing different stages of their careers, each brings a unique insight into the profession and the work that drives it forward. Their Q&As below offers a closer look at the people behind the project designs, insight to their experience, and the perspectives they bring to architecture every day. Job title and location: Michael: Director, Architecture – Fishers, Indiana Alexis: Architectural Graduate – Fishers, Indiana Sanjay: Senior Project Manager, Architecture – Fishers, Indiana Heather: Project Manager, Justice Studio – Fishers, Indiana Tyler: Project Manager, Multi-Family Studio – Fishers, Indiana Zach: Project Architect – Fishers, Indiana What does being an architect mean to you personally, and how has that meaning evolved throughout your career? Michael: Being an architect, to me, is a blend of creative expression, technical problem solving, and a responsibility to positively shape human experience. Over time, my perspective has evolved from the excitement of designing individual solutions to a deeper appreciation for the lasting impact architecture has on people, systems, and communities. Today, I see the role as one of stewardship—balancing innovation with sustainability and ensuring our designs deliver meaningful, long-term value. Alexis: Architecture is looking at the world with a different lens. A combination of art, math, and science coming together to shape how people experience space. My great-grandfather was an architect and I love that I get to follow in his footsteps. Sanjay: Design has the ability to profoundly touch people and impact lives in deeply personal ways. Over time, the methodology and tools may evolve, but the fundamental core values remain the same, rooted in creating spaces that serve people and support the way communities live and connect. Heather: When I started my career, I wanted to be an Architect to design super cool buildings that belonged in magazines. I wanted to reinvent the ideas behind modern architecture and bring back characteristics that made ancient Roman buildings so beautiful. Now, I’m thinking less about what I can design and more about how people are using the spaces we create. I have found, more and more, that great architects can design spaces that non-designers can still appreciate. Any building that the end user thinks its beautiful, functional, will last more than 15 years, and offers the opportunity for growth is a great building. Tyler: Being an architect means more than designing buildings. It is about shaping human experience. In the end, architecture isn’t just what people see, it’s what they remember. I have learned that experience can be created at any scale, from a modest 1,000-square-foot apartment unit or a 120,000-square-foot recreational facility. Zach: Being an architect to me is about providing the best service to our clients and the positively impacting the communities our designs are located. My passion for architecture has evolved throughout the years from a more technical, detail-oriented pursuit to a more holistic, project impact pursuit. As I’ve progressed in my career, it’s become more about others around me and not so much myself-about how I can help, lead and teach others. What inspires your creativity as an architect, and where do you find design inspiration today? Michael: Design is everywhere, take a moment to experience the environment around you: the way light filters through space, how materials age, and how people instinctively interact with their surroundings. I draw inspiration from observing these moments, where architecture subtly shapes experience without calling attention to itself. Today, creativity comes from listening to place, purpose, and performance, and finding harmony between function, innovation, and the human experience. Alexis: My creativity is rooted in sketching and painting, where ideas start organically and evolve through exploration, and I’m constantly inspired by travel and the chance to experience different cultures and architectural styles. I also draw inspiration from the everyday—observing the buildings around me and how people move through and interact with those spaces. At the heart of my design approach is a focus on the end user, always thinking about how thoughtful, intentional architecture can enhance experiences and make people’s lives better through the built environment. Sanjay: Look to nature, squint and take in a different perspective, inspiration is all around you. Heather: I love solving problems, so my creativity is not always at its best with a blank canvas. I enjoy hearing what the client wants to see, understanding what the contractor believes is feasible, and learning how the end user wants to interact with a space. Bringing those viewpoints together and creating something everyone can agree on is where the design process really comes to life for me. Tyler: Being around creative people and problem solvers is always inspiring, but I find my strongest design inspiration comes from the places and cities I visit. Experiencing different environments and how people interact with spaces firsthand helps shape my perspective and often sparks ideas that I can bring back into my own work. Zach: Design inspiration can come from anywhere at any time. I could see a unique form or pattern, or hear a unique phrase it may spark a bit of inspiration. I also enjoy viewing nature, cities, and structures from across the world for unique perspectives on how to design. Literature also impacts how I think and how I address architectural design and leadership.” What is your favorite project you’ve worked on, and why? Michael: One of my favorite projects was the Newfields (formerly IMA) Gallery Addition and Renovation. This project accelerated my growth early in my career by exposing me to complex design and constructability challenges. Notable
