Principal
dan began his college education as a chemistry major, while also taking many courses in drawing and graphic design. his love of science and art eventually led him to change majors and pursue a career in architecture, a decision that has allowed him to satisfy his cravings for both.
dan's career has involved an oddly diverse set of projects including rodeo arenas, a zoo exhibit for great apes, and possibly the only architectural project in history to include the specification of a single, male beaver. but most of his experience is with architecture for humans in learning situations. from the very beginning of his first elementary school design in 1994, he found a fascination with educational projects that has remained unabated. designing learning spaces provides him the fulfillment of being able to positively impact a building's users well beyond the time they spend in direct interaction with the physical structure.
dan has been a part of D/P/S since 1998 and currently leads the design of higher education facilities for the firm. he is especially interested in understanding the relationship of environment to the success of learning, and how pedagogical differences impact those environments. he believes that design is not about style, but about the processes that occur inside and out, creating spaces that are about people, time, and location. while most everyone has gotten a speeding ticket, dan is the only person he knows who has been pulled over by a hook-and-ladder laden with fully-geared firemen. scowling, angry firemen.