Allison Dvorak, AIA, CPHC, is a member of the AIA South Dakota Board of Directors, liaison to the Emerging Professionals and Communication committees, and an architect in Sioux Falls. She received her M.Arch from North Dakota State University and continues to develop her Master's thesis of researching and implementing design theories focused on human centered design through speaking engagements, design practice, and one-on-one client education. Allison lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, son and daughter.
As the town of Sioux Falls was built, South Dakota’s attitude towards architecture was grand, yet utilitarian. Sioux Falls Architecture is characterized by the Richardsonian Romanesque style by late nineteenth century architect, Wallace Dow. Being involved the politics of the Dakota Territory lead to Dow’s success, and he is given much credit to Sioux Falls’s…
A few weeks ago, fellow emerging professional and architect Sienna Wegehaupt and I were invited to SDPB to discuss Blueprint South Dakota with host of “In the Moment,” Lori Walsh. We were so excited to be able to share our thoughts for how this blog can become a space to advocate for design in our…
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls This year, the AIA South Dakota Emerging Professionals took part in a tour of the Habitat for Humanity’s Restore and group build to benefit the sixth annual ReStoration Art Auction. Members of this group were encouraged to tour the ReStore, located in Sioux Falls, to find objects that…
Recently, licensing for professionals has become a very publicized topic of conversation as it pertains to workforce development in our state. Last year, during the legislative session, former Governor Dennis Daugaard introduced the Temporary Licensure Compact Bill, aimed to streamline the process for reciprocity for all licensed professionals. This bill lost the vote in the…
Founded in 2017, the Sioux Falls Skatepark Association was created with the goal to bring a new skatepark facility to the Sioux Falls area. Within the past few years, this group has held various fundraising events, participated in community events, and developed their non-profit status to benefit those in the area who find an outlet…
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I have faced various challenges throughout my architectural career that made me question whether I was capable of “hacking it.” As a registered professional with specialty design certifications, my self-doubt was rooted not in my capacity to do the work, but rather in my tendency to second-guess how…
Have you ever seen an architect in action? Have you ever wondered what an Architect’s desk/house/car/process looks like? I’m excited to begin this monthly series of “Architectural Working Conditions” featuring all the wonderful South Dakota architects, designers and the like! This month features the attendees of the 2018 Design in the Hills, a small convention…
When you think of what an architect does every day, what comes to mind? We draw? We create? We use our extensive math skills to design beautiful buildings, functional buildings, and -with our current volatile market- expensive buildings? My desk has a pile of beautiful pens, a construction calculator, and a computer with the newest…
In response to national and regional advances in disaster preparedness, AIA South Dakota had begun to develop a Disaster Assistance Program by connecting with AIA National and other State components to create the protocols for our volunteer architects to respond in case of a major event (tornado, floods, forest fires, and winter storms) in our…
Meet Stacey Zwetter Keller AIA Wisconsin’s Disaster Assessment Program Coordinator Not only is Stacey a Senior Project Architect at Mead & Hunt, Inc. in Middleton, WI, but she is visible in the profession and the community through her service as the AIA North Central Region Young Architect Regional Director, past president of AIA Southwest Wisconsin,…