Integrated Design Solutions

Our team is looking forward to joining this year’s MiAPPA Conference to share insights on the future of higher education, technology, infrastructure, and the evolving role of our campuses and communities. As institutions adapt to changing student expectations and rapid technological advancement, thoughtful design and strategic planning are more important than ever.

If you’re attending MiAPPA this year, we hope you’ll join our team as they share their expertise and insights.

COAA-MI hosted its annual Project Bus Tour this week, with this year’s theme, “From Campus to Capital,” showcasing seven impactful projects across mid-Michigan.

The tour included three projects at Michigan State University, including the IDS/HGA-designed Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation, along with three projects in downtown Lansing and one at the State of Michigan Complex in Dimondale.

IDS was also honored to be recognized as an annual Silver Sponsor of COAA Michigan. Delaney and Jeff attended on behalf of IDS and enjoyed the opportunity to connect with industry peers while exploring transformational projects shaping education, community, and innovation across the region.

This month, we’re celebrating the pets that keep our team smiling long after the workday ends.

From loyal dogs and curious cats to colorful birds and adorable bunnies, our team’s pets are an important part of the IDS family. Whether they’re joining virtual meetings, waiting by the door after work, or providing a little extra comfort during busy days, they make life better in so many ways.

Thank you to everyone who shared photos of their furry (and feathered) companions with us this Pet Month!

Please join us in congratulating Adrian La Tona on receiving the AIA Michigan Young Architect Award!

This recognition celebrates emerging leaders in the profession who are making a meaningful impact through design excellence, leadership, and service to the architectural community. Adrian’s passion, dedication, and commitment to the future of architecture continue to make a lasting impression across our industry.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement and look forward to all that’s ahead. Congratulations, Adrian!

We are so proud to share that our Past President and Chairman, Chuck Lewis, has been awarded the AIA Michigan Gold Medal Award!

The Gold Medal isn't just about a career... It's about impact. Chuck's impact is everywhere: in the relationships he's built with clients, the professionals he's mentored, and the way he's shown up for this industry year after year through leadership, advocacy, and volunteer service.

Chuck has always understood that architecture is bigger than design. It's about service, accountability, and leaving things better than you found them. He does all of that, and then some.

Congratulations, Chuck. This is incredibly well-deserved!

Team Member Reflection:

May's Core Value at IDS is Integrity. We have asked Senior Project Manager, Andrea Everett, to reflect on her role and what this means to her.

Integrity isn’t just a value on a mission statement, it’s a daily practice.

For project managers, it shows up in the moments that aren’t easy:

• Owning mistakes instead of shifting blame
• Having difficult conversations with honesty and respect
• Managing budgets and schedules transparently
• Giving credit to the team and taking responsibility when challenges arise
• Making decisions based on what’s right, not what’s convenient

Teams notice when leaders choose accountability over excuses and professionalism over pressure. That consistency builds trust, and trust is what keeps projects, partnerships, and people moving forward together.

The strongest project managers don’t lead by having all the answers. They lead by modeling integrity, especially when the stakes are high.

Yesterday, our mechanical interns had the opportunity to tour the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital alongside fellow IDS employees. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, there couldn’t have been a more meaningful time to visit.

The Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital will make a lasting impact by providing care and support to individuals who need it most, and that’s all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital team.

But don’t just take my word for it, our interns had incredible feedback from our visit!

"My favorite aspect of the site visit was seeing how the work we do in office translates to the job in real time. Joe Cruz was extremely helpful in not only pointing out elements of design to us, but also explaining the logic behind them and giving us an opportunity to interact with them when applicable." – Faith Lowry (Intern)

“This site visit really reinforced the technical concepts I have been learning at IDS through Revit and drawings. Actually seeing all the components we design in person was really cool. My favorite part of the visit was going onto the roof of the site, and getting to walk inside of an Air Handling Unit!” – Brianna Romzek (Intern)

“My favorite part was how awesome of a job Joe Cruz did explaining how all the equipment operated and how he showed us not only the mechanical aspects but the architectural as well.” – Lane Burnett

“Today I got to understand just how many design considerations go into a project like this. It was crazy to see how much thought needs to go into even the simplest components to make up this entire project.” - Roman Colon

WE ARE HIRING!

Great talent thrives where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.

We believe strong teams are built through mentorship, collaboration, continuous learning, and meaningful opportunities for professional development.

We are committed to creating a culture where people feel challenged, trusted, and inspired and where rewarding careers can truly take shape.

If you’re looking for leadership, flexibility, culture, and opportunity, we’d love to connect.

Learn more about working for IDS and open positions by going to our website www.ids-michigan.com/careers

IDS wishes all the incredible teachers out there a very Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

This time of year takes a special kind of energy, and you continue to show up with heart, patience, and a commitment to your students that truly makes a difference.

We’re grateful to work alongside educators to design spaces that support the incredible work you do every day.

Wishing you a strong finish to the school year and a well-deserved summer ahead. ☀️ You are appreciated!

Team Member Spotlight:

Working alongside Jeff Bonk, Higher Education and Development Leader at IDS, is truly impactful.

Jeff brings insight, energy, professionalism, and authenticity to every engagement. He breaks the ice with his signature humor and tackles complex challenges head on, creating an environment where ideas flow and meaningful progress happens.

His expertise spans integrated project delivery, lean methodologies, facility design and planning, post occupancy evaluation, sustainability, and strategic and capital planning.

What truly sets Jeff apart is his commitment to the people around him. As a trusted advisor and dedicated mentor, he leads with both knowledge and integrity. Additionally, he contributes to broader industry thought leadership. If you missed his recent presentation at COAA, it is well worth connecting with him for insights.

Jeff Johnson and Jeff Bonk are heading to Denver for COAA Connect, where they will be contributing to conversations that are shaping how projects are delivered and improved across the industry.

Jeff Johnson will be facilitating Topic Tables, an interactive and fast-paced session designed to spark meaningful dialogue. Participants will rotate through discussions on key issues impacting owners and their partners, surfacing shared insights and emerging trends.

Jeff Bonk will present on Post-Occupancy Evaluations (POEs) as a framework for continuous improvement. Using a higher ed case study, he will explore how feedback and performance data can inform better planning, design, and operations, helping owners get more value from their facilities over time.

If you will be in Denver, be sure to connect and join the conversation.