Archinect
Donald Schweter

Donald Schweter

New York, NY, US

 

About 

Employment 

Navillus Contracting, New York, Design Build Executive

• In charge of Design Build projects $15M-$60M from procurement through commissioning and turn over.
• Research and identify which potential Design-Build contracts to pursue
• Building professional teams and obtaining all agreements and commitments of required personnel.
• Writing and compiling all Submittals of Qualifications (SOQ) as well as Proposals to answer RFPs (Requests for Proposals) as part of 2-step process.
• Worked with agencies such as DDC, MTA, TBTA, NYCHA, DOT, etc.
• Building the Design Build team with the best experience and qualifications to ensure shortlisting.
• Attend and administer all meetings, including private team-only meetings to address concerns. This includes site visits to discuss RFP and required 30% submittal, design concept, and scheduling for submittal and narrative writing from each of the team members.
• Apply Architecture experience and background in creating and compiling scope items along with assembled team into cohesive narratives, resumes of key personnel, and organizational charts amongst others. This includes all narrative creative writing.
• Apply Architecture as well as construction experience into early zoning, building code, fire code, etc., restrictions into the SOW for the creation of the 30% Design Submission as part of the second step, of the Design Build process for the RFP/Proposal Submittal.
• Detailed site visits and documentation with Architecture, Engineering, etc., Team members to address potential scope issues, phasing, scheduling, as well as major subcontractor tradesmen to help licensed professionals better understand the cost and schedule associated with certain types and scopes of work.
• Successful in scope of work change with NYCHA to eliminate existing non-conforming Electrical rooms as the project budget was fixed at $15 million.
• Successful in scope of work change with MTA C&D to eliminate expensive structural roof additions and changes to replace two escalators. Accepted proposal to deliver all escalators through existing failing glass block facades and replace all with translucent fiberglass wall system. Project Budget $32.5 million
• Providing professional advice for various issues that arise from the contracting portion of the office. Varying from overall scope and project approach, planning, to construction issues in the field that differ from the approved drawings due to different owner contracts.
• Design Team Lead Manager for both the Architects and the Professional Engineers as well as all consultants and subcontractors. Establishing timelines, deadlines for scopes of work both prior to proposal submittal as well as after Contract Award.
• Lead management continues through Construction Documents phase, for example: spotting potential opportunities to save time with pre-construction activities such as all preliminary construction set-up as well as looking at the potential of a pre-demolition phase to address hazmat as well as scopes of work that are not currently utilized or necessary.
• Leading team of estimators for the Price Proposal submittal. Identifying materials and potential subcontractors for pricing and potential lead times for both professional estimators and schedulers to submit a complete proposal that answers and/or exceeds the RFP requirements

Mar 2021 - current
 

Larry Schweter contracting, CITY ISLAND, Carpenter

Carpenter, house framer, and mill worker for multiple types of projects including Hamptons residential projects, Historical restoration and renovation of churches, historical designated sites, old farm houses, barns, etc. Hands on experience from demolition through punch list. activities also include creation and installation of running millwork and custom cabinetry, cedar shingle roofing restoration and replacement, window restoration, exterior cedar siding, exterior trim, research of original trim through pictures and recreation of various elements. House framing for beach front houses along Dune Road in Westhampton Beach through points between and including Amaganset as well as Sag Harbor. Historical restoration of old structures within north shore of long island Old Field to out east through Seatauket and Stony Brook. Other responsibilities were to manage lists for ordering supplies as well as planning and gathering of required tools for each man day. This position is still active and ongoing as is family business.

Jan 1980 - current
 

ZS Design Architect, PLLC, Westchester, NY, US, Owner

 Own/operate small design and architecture firm specializing in residential projects on complicated sites and/or complicated existing conditions as well as new houses and buildings, commercial and retail development projects as well as interior design, construction management,
 Procurement of new commissions, generating proposals, programing for various projects in Westchester, CT and NYC.
 Design of all projects.
 Mentoring assistants through drafting techniques, computer usage, drawing techniques, materials and methods as well as building code and department compliance.
 Architectural Review Board, Zoning Board, Planning Board, Coastal Zone Management submittals and hearings for projects.
 Construction Document package production.
 Bidding and negotiating phases include bid leveling and comparisons.
 Maintain work flow for various freelance draftspersons and interior designer.
 Client management and all after work evening meetings to suit client work schedules.
 Construction Observation and site meetings to keep projects running smooth.

Accomplishment
 Increased design awareness of my clients, staying involved throughout construction process to better serve my clients and better the overall end result.
 Maintained project flow to continuously have work since 2007.
 Successfully moved a historic house off its foundations and was first person in NYC DOB to file for such scope of work. Invented and developed means and methods drawings for the plans examiner and commissioner.
 FEMA / Coastal Design expert for new and pre-existing structures.
 Maintained reputation in tight knit communities that allowed me to grow my business.
 Ran business while being a stay at home father for two baby boys.

Jul 2018 - Mar 2021
 

Ismael Leyva Architect – New York, NY, New York, NY, US, Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manger. In charge of pilot projects for the Hurricane Sandy Remediation projects for NYCHA for over 70 buildings and the creation of 2 gigantic boiler buildings. Responsibilities include running of a staff to complete projects in a complete and timely manner. Creation of Basis of Design studies to help client and ILA develop scope of work for each of the projects and buildings. Design of structures, Design of flood barriers without effecting the egress, design of structural elements supporting 40,000 lbs of conduit on the outside of buildings. creation of new electric utility rooftop bulkhead enclosures for each building. Coordination between client, CM, GC and other agencies, such as DEP, LPC, SHPO, TA and DOT. Creation of design approach and leading team of engineers for each of the presented options within the Basis of Design. Coordination with Civil, Geotechnical, Structural, MEP, accoustic engineers as well as ACM/hazmat testing, land surveyor for topographical surveys,

Also wrote all proposals for additional agency projects from DASNY, CUNY, NYCHA, SCA, NYC EDC, etc....Coordination of staff time, deadlines, meetings, CA and site meetings, shop drawings, training staff on how to approach different aspects of each project and site specific nuances, Coordination of specs, bid packages, client reviews, client meetings, CA, shop drawings, and project close out.

Zoning Studies for Mayor Bill Deblasio's NYCHA Nex-Gen sites. Developing a streamlined method to create site-specific zoning studies for new half affordable and half market rate apartment towers utilizing left-over F.A.R. on each site along with Mayoral overrides for height factor when needed.

Currently working with State University Construction Fund in re-vamping existing buildings for SUNY - ADA accessibility, energy code, roofing, facade restoration and historical facade renovation and adaptation. Other similar projects include those for DASNY (Dormitory Authority of the State of NY) for roof replacement at CUNY Queens College for nearly 100,000 s.f. roof and the lifting of existing dunnage to meet energy code requirements.

Oct 2014 - Jul 2018
 

ZS Design Architect, PLLC, City Island, NY, US, Owner - Architect

Self Employed for projects varying from high end residential additions and alterations to complicated Cotswold Tudors as well as waterfront development and application of FEMA guidelines to existing structures. Other projects include interior design, apartment renovations, as well as first Architect to develop a means and method for the NYC DOB of moving a structure.

Oct 2007 - Oct 2014
 

Robert Keller Architect, Larchmont, NY, US, Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager - high end residential single family waterfront houses, Manhattan townhouses, apartments, FEMA projects along waterfront for private homeowners, development. Responsibilities include Senior Technical person in charge of Construction activities, Senior Designer, interior design, Zoning analysis for all projects, attending all Zoning, Planning and Architectural Review Board hearings in evenings for projects, client management, invoicing, proposal writing, teaching draftspeople how to create construction documents that are complete and accurate for competitive bidding. Bid leveling and negotiation techniques to keep projects viable, Value Engineering with heavy emphasis on working knowledge of past and present construction experience.

Jul 2002 - Oct 2007
 

Milkie Hendrix Associates, New York, NY, US, Project Manager

project manager - rescued several accounts due to previous PM falling sick. Clients included 2 multi-national law offices, Jewish Board of Family Services, and various ongoing wall street accounts. Primarily involved with corporate interiors with concentration on interviewing client for growth/down-sizing numbers of employees, calculating required file areas, furniture requirements for each department, and overall square footage requirements. Confuting various site visits with clients to make sure the space they rent will work for them. Getting involved with Rent negotiations. Involved with preliminary design, construction documents, CA, Punch list, project close out. Other clients include DEA offices, IBT offices, Mintz Levin Cohen Ferris Glovesky Popeo, IMS Health, as well as the above mentioned. Each had several locations throughout NYC and one was international.

Jan 2000 - Jul 2002
 

Acheson Doyle Partners Architects, New York, NY, US, Project Manager

Draftsperson, model maker, presentation maker, renderings, interior designer, Architectural designer, construction admin, shop drawing and millwork specialist, Senior Partner's go-to person for special projects and design.

Rescued floundering projects with regard to NYC Landmark (interior and exterior) Metropolitan Club Penthouse addition, Public Assembly plans, New Certificate of Occupancy and complete modernization of building FA systems including elevators and egress, historical mahogany window replacement throughout, colonnade restoration, sidewalk restoration at colonnade, Boyette Residence in NE Connecticut (Hollywood producer), Miller-Boyette Manhattan loft offices (Produced Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, etc), Glimcher Residence Manhattan, Glimcher Residence East Hampton - published NY Times (original owners of the Pace Gallery).

Jul 1999 - Dec 1999
 

Stonehill & Taylor, New York, NY, US, Project Manager

Draftsperson, model maker, presentation maker, renderings, interior designer, Architectural designer, construction admin, shop drawing and millwork specialist, Senior Partner's go-to person for special projects and design.

High end residential, corporate interiors, medical projects include: surgical suite, primary care center, addition to NYC morgue, MRI centers, Hematology and oncology labs at Cornell, Columbia Presbyterian Acid Labs, PET scanner additions with existing building reinforcement for lead lined brick walls, presidential suite/penthouse, pediatricians offices, psychologists offices, OBGYN offices, Internal Medicine offices, Urology Center, 4 dialysis centers, etc. Historical restoration of cornices, FA safety upgrade at City Hal & DGS buildings, Public Assembly specialist for restaurant design for Plaza Hotel Edwardian Room, the American Place, Millenium Bway 1st floor as well as redesign and increase of egress for 6 floor conference center in same for 8 various types of uses (8 separate PA plan packages. Interior design for Hospitality, Residential, medical, corporate and institutional. Work done here published in NY Times several times.

Aug 1994 - Jul 1999
 

Education 

Pratt Institute Rome, Rome, Italy, BArch, Rome Program

Dec 1993 - Jun 1994
 

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, US, BArch, Profesional Bachelors of Arch. 5 year

Aug 1988 - Jun 1994
 

Suffolk County Community College, Selden, NY, US, Assosites in Architecture/Construction Management

Aug 1987 - Jun 1988
 

Awards 

Pratt Gate Recipient, 1st Place

Award for outstanding leadership and service to the Pratt Community. Only given once a year for past 80+ years at Pratt Institute.

1993
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills