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Manuel Garza
Washington Boulevard Master Plan
Third Year Design Studio

“As a student of Tom’s 3rd year studio, the mental switch occurred and that all the complexities that come with designing a building were first highlighted. Tom has a great way of describing issues at multiple scales. He would address the class with a finite perspective, but allowed us all the realm to explore, oppose, question, and re define. His experience and knowledge of Historic Preservation and Restoration peeked interests across the studio. Architectural discourse after all was not just about the future. The past was very much alive. He would reinforce the importance of observing the past, that is understanding context, and integrating our designs in order to compliment that existing fabric. His loose but firm hand at walking us through the program inspired me to seek a similar role. After my completion of my bachelor degree, I teamed up with Tom and helped teach another studio on Preservation. His dedication and drive to connect us with other professionals once again exposed an entire new generation to the present issues Preservation Architecture encountered. I kept learning about the profession, and now I was learning about mentorship, patience, and dedication. I was very lucky to have established this relationship and will continue to question, oppose, and redefine my role in the profession as I collaborate with Tom on future en devours.”

Manuel Garza, MA Architects

Jeffrey Freund
Washington Boulevard Master Plan
Third Year Design Studio
 

Carlo Liburdi
An Architects Birdhouse - Reitveld’s Schroeder House
Second Year Design Studio

“Tom was one of the most influential studio teachers I had at UDM. His ideas and approach to teaching design stayed with me throughout school and have carried over into my professional career. I feel that his dedication to the student as well as to the profession has made me a better architect.”

Carlo Liburdi, UDM 2008

Mathew Denner
Belle Isle Conservatory Expansion
Second Year Design Studio

Anthony Kraatz
Theater of Light Research Institute
Second Year Design Studio

“Tom has had a positive influence not only in my education, but now as I progress in my professional career. I have taken the values that he instilled upon me seven years ago in my second year of the Masters of Architecture program at the University of Detroit Mercy. He made it a point to not only focus on architecture as a physical existence, but also to focus on the mental and qualitative effects it can have on people and their surrounding environment.

Anthony Kraatz, UDM 2004

Ivana Barasic
Light House Museum  |  Lake Erie, Michigan
Second Year Design Studio
 

Jessika Hicks
The Theater of Light Research Institute
Second Year Design Studio

Frank Majewski
Urban Infill - Bookends
Second Year Design Studio

“Tom fostered a unique studio environment. It was one which became multi disciplinary and collaborative in which learning from others proved critical to the development as a professional. He has helped me to learn leadership abilities and the importance of confidence and curiosity as a designer.”

Frank Majewski, UDM 2009

Steven Bloink
Identity Structures
Masters Thesis Studio

“In the eight months or so that I have gotten to know Tom, his highest quality is that of adaptability. He encourages students to design in their own distinct way, and provides an environment for students to discover for themselves their own method of design. While proficient in technical and design aspects, his ability to conform to the multiplicity of student's needs and adapt to their specific qualities makes his teaching style, not only unique, but extremely effective. For someone like myself who is interested in teaching architecture and theory in the near future, Tom’s adaptive style has influenced me greatly. I would hope to be half as effective as Tom was in drawing out the most creativity and best work from myself and other.”

Steven Bloink, UDM 2008

Nathan Buxser
Center of Research and Development
of Sustainable Fuels
Masters Thesis Studio

Kaitlin McVehil
Architecture of Experience
Masters Thesis Studio

“Tom possessed an extraordinary ability to accommodate each students specific needs, while balancing the requirements of a thesis, made him a great professor and mentor. Although my thesis path was out of the ordinary, Tom never lost faith in my abilities or passion for the project. He challenged me to think about each architectural gesture and ground those thoughts in the meaning of my thesis. Tom is a talented individual who is passing along a passion for architecture through teaching.”

Kaitlin McVehil, UDM 2008

Rachel Yoon Meyers
Transcending Space
Masters Thesis Studio

Kelly Minard
United Urban Experience
Masters Thesis Studio

Patrice Rios
The Smart City
Masters Thesis Studio

“My final year in studio was an eye opening year! I never thought I could accomplish an entire project on my own without someone holding my hand the whole way. Tom was by far the best studio instructor I could have asked for, he was there to inspire, not to dictate and I appreciated that. Not only did I learn how to design and present a well put together project, but I enjoyed it and was lucky enough to be in a great working environment with Tom.”

Patrice Rios, UDM 2008

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