For Alexis Rogge, a career in architecture was not defined by a single moment; rather, her professional journey unfolded through a series of opportunities, experiences, and relationships that shaped her approach to the field and guided her career.
Her time at DCCM began in the Fishers office during her final semester of graduate school, building on three years of prior professional experience. Although completing her master’s thesis while working proved challenging, the unwavering support from the architecture team made it possible to balance both. This experience taught Alexis an important lesson: people grow when given opportunities and are supported by those willing to share their knowledge.
Graduate School Art Museum and Thesis Design Projects
The first opportunity came with the Lebanon Fire Station 213 project, where Alexis worked under Public Safety Design Lead Vohn Wilson, AAIA. Early in the project, Alexis was trusted with selecting exterior materials for the building. Having that responsibility early on provided valuable hands-on experience and helped build confidence in the design process.
Another important factor was the architecture team’s willingness to help Alexis bridge the gap between architecture school and professional practice. While school provided a strong foundation, working alongside experienced architects revealed the technical knowledge, communication, and coordination skills required to bring a project from concept to completion.
After graduating, Alexis continued to grow as part of DCCM’s Justice Studio team, working on courthouse and jail projects throughout different phases of design and construction. Collaborating with clients, consultants, and contractors brought new challenges and expanded Alexis’s understanding of what it takes to move a project forward. As projects progressed, Alexis gained experience coordinating with different disciplines, working through design changes, and responding to challenges that arose during construction. These experiences helped strengthen Alexis’s technical knowledge while also developing confidence in communication, coordination, and problem-solving. Each project provided a new opportunity to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and better understand how the decisions made throughout the design process ultimately shaped the finished project.
Another opportunity to grow came through her transition to DCCM’s Architecture Studio. Alexis is currently helping to design an aquatic center in Georgia. This new building type introduces another layer of learning, from specialized design requirements and building codes to consultant coordination. Some of the most meaningful parts of her journey so far have come from the people she has worked with along the way. Mentorship has played a central role in developing technical skills that are not always taught in school, with mentors such as Justice Studio Project Manager Heather Lezon, AIA, providing guidance, encouragement, and the confidence to take on new challenges. These relationships have helped Alexis expand her technical knowledge while navigating new project types and responsibilities.
Each project and experience has helped shape Alexis’s understanding of architecture, not just as a profession, but as a career built on continued learning and collaboration.
Design, Develop, and Growing with DCCM
Looking ahead, Alexis is excited to keep growing within DCCM’s Architecture Studio while working toward becoming a licensed architect. Her long-term goal is to become a Project Architect or Project Manager, and to maintain the same process she started in graduate school: learning from others, taking on new opportunities, and finding ways to turn those experiences into meaningful work.
