Archinect
Darren Sumner

Darren Sumner

Los Angeles / Miami, FL

 
View Portfolio

About 

I believe we can have leadership without titles, so wherever I am, my drive is internal and forward thinker.

DARREN SUMNER Specialties: 

  • Having projects Built - not just concepts
  • Real Estate Development
  • Architecture, Residential, Mixed-use, City and Master-Planning
  • 50% of work with International Clients and Business
  • Constantly exceeding expectations 
  • Writer / Author
  • Diplomatic Relations - negotiations for Sovereign funding

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a strategic design entrepreneur, Mr. Sumner's emphasis is on development, innovation and international business. His group with the Reinvention brand ensures all sectors of strength and success are together to offer best services globally. 

25+ years of professional architectural experience. I specialize primarily in high-end, custom residential, residential towers, Corporate offices, hospitals and 5-star hospitality projects. Have 18+ years of project management experience  through collaborative interaction with other fellow designers/architects.   

  • An amazing array of experience and positions I am proud of.
  • A classically-trained designer with all styles used in past.
  • Consultant and consultant drawing coordination
  • High-profile Client Negotiations & Management
  • Software Skills:
    • AutoCad
    • Sketchup
    • Photoshop, Illustrator & In-Design
    • Microsoft Office Suite
    • BIM, Revit, Rhino, ArchiCad
    • Award winning Hand-drawn renderings and illustrations initially then Computer 



Elsewhere:

Employment 

Reinvention Studio Inc., Los Angeles, CA, Chairman

The focus is on Development, Investments and International Relations.

COLLABORATE: We will entertain strategic partnerships, JV or alliances with other firms in design, venture capital, and development.
May 2020 to Present - International Relations & Diplomacy
April 2020 - Smart City #SC1, #SC2 begins planning phase
Dec. 2019 - present: NYC hotel acquisition with investors; buying 2-3 hotels and planning renovations.
Oct 2019-Dec 2019: Glendale, CA consulting
April 2019 to present: hotel acquisition deals w clients
July 2018 - June 2019: Completed residential project in California (6.5 acres)
Until July 2018 design consultant in Miami, FL
https://archinect.com/sumner2/project/highrises

Jul 2011 - current
 

Burdge & Associates Architects, Malibu, CA, US, Project Manager - Senior

Hired for a new resort project in Caribbean and to design new projects in Brentwood, Angeles, Beverly Hills and Malibu.
Wild fires burned my office and we were off work, then during rebuilding we laid off staff.

Aug 2018 - Dec 2018
 

DMK4, Inc., New Orleans, LA, US, CEO

Strategy, Design & Development Management
2011 - See our work at Open Architecture Collaborative (OAC).
2011 - Strategic Planning and Diversification; Urban Land Institute and Architecture for Humanity Sponsor
2011 - Sisters of Mercy - 100 acre Master-planning & Development process
2010 - City interviews and RFQ on $27M Convention Center with my California partner; Project was in KY.
2009 - Movie Studio Design & Program phases ($50M - Phase 1)

Jan 2009 - Jan 2012
 

Woodward Design + Build, New Orleans, LA, US, Design Director for New Office Headquarters

Project Goal: Darren Sumner was hired to design new $10M Office headquarters for Woodward Design-Build firm in New Orleans, LA.

From Concepts to Completion, Darren worked with each existing department of this 225-person firm and analyzed it. Then using workplace psychology and organizational management for optimal results. The eight (8) Sketchup and Autodesk Revit models were created until one (shown) was approved by Woodward executives, under the leadership of Paul Flower. Then, with the solar path, we rotated the building to shadow the facade to lower electrical output. See more below.
Once the in-house engineering began the MEP and Structural drawings, Darren fine-tuned the interior architecture using Revit to create the interior layouts and systems furniture, including in-house gym, eat-in kitchen with roofdeck all office, library and public areas.
Overall, this timeline was 10 months from time of hire until construction began. The project stayed under budget and was given LEED GOLD status for excellence. Looking forward to my next project!

Sep 2009 - Sep 2010
 

WATG, Orlando, FL, US, International Resort and City Designer

www.watg.com
I was recruited specifically to design numerous international resorts, residential and hospitality projects.
In-house architecture, master-planning and interior design with top-talent artists, storytellers, Architects and project managers.

See these projects listed below:
Trump Scotland - Scotland Golf: new golf course and clubhouse for proposed project. Conceptual work.
———-
Algeria - New Town Planning and architecture Competition. I developed the architectural style, patterns and look of the city. We received the commission, signed the final contract and moved into design development phase. Size: 1.1M Ha
————
Maldives - Design of New man-made Island in Arabian Sea with villas, 7 and 15 story condos, marina and retail with the late UAE president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayad. Design team of four. We designed the dry dock to hold "My Dubai" mega-yacht.
———-
Ukraine - Dniprovska Riviera in Kiev was a massive resort that includes residential, golf club, spa, hotel and master-planning adjacent to Jack Nicklaus golf course. My results: Design, management and design supervision of all residential (Villas and Estates), Golf Club & Spa, 15-story Hotel.
———
Dubai - Design, supervision and management of Jumeriah Garden City is a new man-made Island with Four Seasons resort, 5-story Condos, marina, clubhouses and estate villas. Hotel design of each piece with my efficient A+ team. See my current website for more images.
———
Turks and Caicos Islands - Providenciales / Emerald Point Resort - Design of exterior and assist with interior of 3-story Condos with cost of $7M each.

Office closed in 2008 and relocated to New York City. However, great work happened here with me!

Jan 2007 - Sep 2008
 

The Sater Group, Bonita Springs, FL, US, Director of Design

Custom Homes: Http://satergroup.com
Stock Division: http://saterdesign.com

Along with CEO Dan Sater II, Darren Sumner managed the operations and business development of the company along with client projects (all contracts, concept design and DDs) while managing the progress and quality of work produced by 20+ staff.
Award-winning residential design firm specializing in high-end custom home designs all over the world. Office located in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Shanghai, CN - work for Nine Dragons Estates with approx 1000 residential units and clubhouse. Over $1M paid in concept drawing fees.

Jan 2003 - Jul 2007
 

DCS Development Co., KY & FL, CEO

With offices in Louisville, KY, Bonita Springs, FL and Orlando, FL, the objectives never changed. To provide superior design, planning, management and development services to clients. 100+ projects in US and India.
Note: Reason for starting company: Mother Theresa was approached and blessed our projects that I designed and developed.

Jan 1997 - Jan 2007
 

Education 

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, US, Urban Design & Architecture

Major: Architecture, Planning with minor in Real Estate - Associates degree in Real Estate Economics.
I started out as College of Environmental Sciences.

After college over 20 years of professional work and 8 companies founded.

Jan 1991 - Dec 1995
 

Awards 

Awards 1993-2012, Award

1993 - Awarded 4th place worldwide for Competition - Chicago’s Cabrini Green Public Housing;
Published 2x in magazines with our team’s project designs. (301 entries by Architects, yet we
designed it same as 1st place firm); My hand-drawn rendering was used for magazine to represent project.
2008 - Project I designed was awarded most profitable for firm WATG
2011 - Published as feature story in Time Magazine on New Orleans
2011 - Published in AIBD Design Lines magazine as feature on “Designers going Abroad”
2012 - New Orleans Woodward Office - LEED GOLD Award

2012
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills