Archinect
Mike Vander Ploeg

Mike Vander Ploeg

Denver, CO, US

 

About 

I have a passion for creating spaces and places that will have a positive impact in peoples present lives and future reality.  As a designer I strive to create “moments of impact” - moments that will transcend our everyday experiences and foster a stronger connection to each other and the world around us.  I believe that architecture is a medium which can facilitates those moments in our lives.

Employment 

Visioneering Studios Inc, Denver, CO, US, Principal Architect

In my latest role as Principal Architect, I effectively managed client relationships while overseeing both remote and in-house staff and managing project resources and schedules for multiple projects across the country.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:
• Cherry Hills Community Church, Highlands Ranch, CO
• Grace Place, Berthoud, CO
• LifeBridge Church, Longmont, CO
• Christ Community Church, Greeley, CO
• Red Rocks Church, Lakewood, CO
• Red Rocks Church, Littleton, CO
• Red Rocks Church, Arvada, CO
• Red Rocks Church, Golden, CO
• Crista Camps, Port Orchard, WA
• Santa Cruz Bible Church, Santa Cruz, CA
• Bay Hills Community Church, Richmond, CA
• New Beginnings Community Church, Cupertino, CA
• Journey Church, Bozeman, MT
• Parkview Christian Church, Orland Park, IL
• Parkview Christian Church, New Lenox, IL
• StoneBridge Christian Church, Omaha, NE

Aug 2015 - Nov 2017
 

Charles Vincent George, Naperville, IL, US, Project Architect

As Project Architect for this multidisciplinary firm, I effectively collaborated with other staff members and the Project Manager on high end residential remodels and new construction as well as various commercial projects including and automotive dealership and recreation facility. I delivered quality documents and designs while managing coordination of all engineering disciplines.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:
• Field’s BMW, Northbrook, IL
• Aurora Bank and Trust, Aurora, IL
• Cunningham Residence, Western Springs, IL
• Wood Residence, Greenwood Village, CO
• Washington Street Housing Development, Naperville, IL
• Private Residence, Burr Ridge, IL
• Private Residence, Key West, FL

Jul 2014 - Aug 2015
 

David F. Schultz Associates, Ltd., Barrington, IL, US, Senior Associate/Project Manager

As Senior Associate I effectively managed projects during all phases from the initial interview with the Owner through programming, design, documentation and construction.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Naperville, IL
• Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Palos Heights, IL
• Grace Bible Church, Elmhurst, IL
• St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, Libertyville, IL
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, IL
• Christ Community Church – Phase V, St. Charles, IL
• Christ Community Church – Phase VI, St. Charles, IL
• Christ Community Church – Phase VII, St. Charles, IL
• Lombard Bible Church, Lombard, IL
• The Chapel, St. Joseph, MI
• Ingleside United Methodist Church, Ingleside, IL
• Harvest Bible Chapel Lake Zurich, Lake Zurich, IL
• Northbridge Church, Antioch, IL
• Cross Lutheran Church & School, Yorkville, IL
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, McHenry, IL
• Everest Academy of Lemont, Lemont, IL
• Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, Palos Park, IL
• Naperville Christian Church, Naperville, IL
• Faith Walk Harvest Center, Carpentersville, IL
• First Assembly of God, West Chicago, IL
• Barrington United Methodist Church, Barrington, IL
• Fox Valley Church, West Dundee, IL
• Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake, IL
• Lakeland Church, Gurnee, IL
• First United Methodist Church, La Grange, IL
• St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, Downers Grove, IL
• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Dekalb, IL
• Peace Lutheran Church, Plainfield, IL

Nov 1999 - Feb 2014
 

Mekus Studios, Chicago, IL, US, Intern Architect

Working under the direction the the Project Manager and in collaboration with the design team, developed and documented designs for religious projects and funerary architecture including churches and master planning for cemeteries across the country.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:
• Winnetka Presbyterian Church, Winnetka, IL
• Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
• Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, Culver City, CA
• Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Phoenix, AZ
• All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL
• St. Augustine Cemetery, King of Prussia, PA
• Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery, Reno, NV
• Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington, DE
• San Fernando II Cemetery, San Antonio, TX
• San Fernando III Cemetery, San Antonio, TX
• Holy Cross Cemetery, San Antonio, TX
• Assumption Cemetery, Glenwood, IL
• Franklin Township Cemetery, Camden, NJ

Dec 1997 - Nov 1999
 

Cooper-Pruyn Architects, Chicago, IL, US, Intern Architect

Worked under the direct supervision of the firm principal to complete construction documents for industrial and commercial projects. Performed pro-bono programming and schematic design work for rural church congregation and successfully contracted and completed the project through construction administration.

PROJECT EXAMPLES:
• Grace Fellowship Church, Demotte, IN
• Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, IN
• Donlar Corporation, Peru, IL
• Elk Corporation, Dallas, TX
• Stir Crazy, Schaumburg, IL

Jun 1996 - Dec 1997
 

Education 

University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, US, BArch, Architecture

Aug 1991 - May 1996
 

Awards 

Varco Pruden "Best of the Best" - Christ Community Church, Kid's World Addition, Award

Christ Community Church's "Kid's World" addition received Varco Pruden's "Best of the Best" award 2 years running for the most creative use of their pre-engineered building systems.

2007
 

ALA Award of Merit - St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, Award

Award of Merit from the Association of Licensed Architects in recognition of superior achievement and professional design excellence for St. Lawrence Episcopal Church.

2006
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills