Leadership

if you could build anything what would it be?

I love everything to do with space and exploration - I would love to be involved in designing the first human habitat on Mars or the Moon.

what would you be doing if you weren't a designer?

If I wasn’t an architect, I would have either opened my own brewery, or I would be working for SpaceX.

what excites or inspires you about your work?

The built environment is the backdrop to just about every memory in a person’s life. It is where we work, play, learn, experiment, etc. To contribute to that in even the smallest of ways is incredibly humbling.

If you could build anything, what would it be?

I would build an elaborate backyard lazy river.

What would you be doing if you weren't a designer?

If I weren’t in this field, I would establish and run a youth soccer organization.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would trade places with Gaston Tong Sang, the mayor of Bora Bora.

What excites or inspires you about your work?

I am inspired to help shape the built environment around us and the everyday places that people live, work, and play. 

What would you be doing if you weren't an architect?

 I would truly enjoy being a City Planner for a small walkable town with history and charm.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would trade places with a 4 year old. It would be exhilarating to wake up each day with nothing on my to-do list but to play, ask 1,000 questions just for the sake of curiosity, take an afternoon nap, and make new friends.

WHAT'S SOMETHING NONE OF YOUR COWORKERS KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Never in my life have I ever had a cavity...knock on wood! 

WHAT'S YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF DESIGNING OR PLANNING?

As a child I would always be playing with Lincoln Logs and Legos, and I would build houses and other buildings. I loved to create cities on my grandparent's kitchen floor out of masking tape, and I would drive little cars around my 'city'.

IF YOU COULD BUILD ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would love to design and build a beautiful lake home.

what's your first memory of designing?

I spent hours as a kid designing with Lego, building elaborate homes for American Girl dolls, blanket forts, and would use all the cheat codes in Sims to trick out my virtual home designs!

IF YOU COULD BUILD ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

A vintage trailer/tiny house boutique hotel full of kitsch, art, and amenities!

WHAT'S SOMETHING NONE OF YOUR COWORKERS KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I am very (very!) distantly related to Benjamin Franklin!

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T IN THE ARCHITECTURE FIELD?

Professional Organizer. I find my Zen by finding homes for things and I am secretly in love with my label maker.

If you could design anything, what would it be?

The family cabin – though we can’t bring ourselves to tear it down and rebuild, for fear of losing all of the engrained memories, it is a dream of mine to create a haven, along with my brother, for this and the next generation of Johnson’s, just like my Grandfather and his brother did.  

WHAT EXCITES YOU OR INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I love solving problems. Nothing makes me more proud than understanding that my team made a decision about every aspect of a design, and that I just need to more clearly define that decision to ensure a great outcome.

if you could relive any moment of your life, what would it be?

My wedding day! We had so many great friends and family surrounding us at one time, and many great memories were made. I wish I could go back and make more!

what would you be doing if you weren't in the interior design field?

It is my dream to be Carrie Underwood, so I would probably be following that dream and trying to make it big!

what excites or inspires you about your work?

I love problem solving. Being able to take pieces of a puzzle and organize them in a way that functions properly, while being aesthetically pleasing, is my favorite part of design!

What's your first memory of designing or planning?

Lego’s, Lego’s, Lego’s. Even as a child I was obsessed with putting things together and making my own designs.

What would you be doing if you weren't a designer?

I would love to design and operate a great bistro/bar.  Food and drink are such an important part of cultures around the world, and it could be a great creative outlet. 

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

My wife, so I could see if I’m really as awesome as I think I am! 

what's your first memory of architecture?

As a kid, I probably built one hundred different buildings with Lincoln Logs and LEGO's. I could sit there and play with them for hours with no problems!

WHAT would you be doing if you weren't in architecture?

If I did not pursue Architecture as my career, I would probably be doing some sort of Engineering.

if you could build anything what would it be?

I would build my dream house on a ranch somewhere in Arizona. Maybe someday this will come true!

What's something none of your coworkers know about you?

During my college summers, I was a swimming instructor for toddlers. It was very fulfilling and a ton of fun.

What's your first memory of designing or planning?

My first memory of designing and planning would be playing with Legos and building forts in the living room as a kid.

If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

A blind individual, so I could experience my surroundings in a different way. This experience would provide me with insight on how to improve the way spaces are designed to accommodate the needs of others.

what's your first memory of designing?

One of my first memories of designing was recreating my childhood house in Sketchup and redesigning my mom’s kitchen. Little did I know that I would build a career doing something that made me so excited as a kid.

if you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

If I could trade places with anyone for a day, it would be Twins third baseman, Josh Donaldson. I would love to know what it feels like to hit a homerun at Target field.

What would you be doing if you weren't a designer?

If I wasn’t pursuing becoming an Architect, then I would be a mechanic. I love working with cars, problem solving and taking things apart to learn how they work.

what's your first memory of designing?

My first design project was an elaborate series of snow forts and tunnels on my elementary school's playground!

what would you be doing if you weren't in the architecture field?

I would enjoy being a general contractor, working with a team of tradesman on-site.

what's something none of your coworkers know about you?

I once bungie jumped off a bridge in Zimbabwe!

What would you be doing if you weren't a designer?

I would love to be either a Board Game Developer crafting strategic and exciting masterpieces, or a National Geographic Photographer roaming the hidden gems of the world!

WHAT EXCITES OR INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR WORK?

Witnessing the delights of clients experiencing a unique and custom space for the first time is always exciting. I am continually inspired by projects that encompass both symbolic and beautiful architecture with dynamic shadows and light - it truly enchants me!

WHAT'S SOMETHING you absolutely cannot do?

I am unable to frown during an Abbot and Costello film!

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T AN ARCHITECT? 
I enjoy wakeboarding, photography and playing guitar! Although I enjoy these things, I am actually not good enough for people to line up and pay me for those services, so it's probably best that I am an architect. 

WHAT'S SOMETHING NONE OF YOUR COWORKERS KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I almost died in the ocean trying to impress my wife on my honeymoon.

WHAT EXCITES OR INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR WORK?
The field of architecture requires a vast spectrum of skills, knowledge, and talents. From building science to building relationships, from the art of the pen to the art of observation and from problem solving to technical implementation; I think it's the spectrum itself that excites me. I’m inspired by the idea of the renaissance architect who disciplines him or herself to provide a well-rounded value to each and every client!  

What would you be doing if you weren't a designer?

I really enjoy the outdoors, so I think I would become a Forest Ranger in Alaska.

What's something you absolutely cannot do?

I believe that I can do anything as long as you put my mind to it, except for licking my elbow!

Favorite quote?

“If you don’t learn from your mistakes, there’s no sense in making them” – Harvey Mackay

if you could relive any moment of your life, what would it be?

Definitely a tie between my wedding day and the days my two children were born.  No question.  And maybe the last Twins Championship Game we were at last fall!

WHAT would you be doing if you weren't in human resources?

I really think after living in this quarantine I could become a chef! 

what's something none of your coworkers know about you?

I know a lot of trivia, particularly related to pop culture and music.  And unknown “B” actors, the ones who are in movies and no one can figure out who they are, I often know.

What excites or inspires you about your work?

Call me crazy, but I really love the time just before a project is issued. Although it can be stressful, seeing the days, weeks, months (years!) of work we’ve put in with our clients come together is so rewarding. I’m also very deadline driven and do some of my best work during crunch time!

What's your first memory of designing or planning?

Looking back, most of my childhood play focused around design and planning spaces). From elaborate multi-room forts that filled the basement of our home to LEGO neighborhoods, home-made Barbie mansions and virtually through computer games like The Sims, I loved creating spaces for “people”.

What's something you absolutely cannot do?

Try as I might, I absolutely cannot throw a Frisbee. Not even on the Wii…

What would you be doing if you weren't IN MARKETING?

I would probably be a personal chef here in the states or live somewhere in Europe and start my own restaurant.

WHAT is something none of your coworkers know about you?

I was the tallest person in my class out of both boys and girls until the 4^th grade.

if you could build anything, what would it be?

A ski-in/ski-out house. My family really enjoys skiing, and I would love to design and decorate a custom ski home. I’ll decide on the location whenever that time comes!

If you could relive any moment from your life, what would it be?

I would go back to when I got my first bicycle.  Back then, I could go anywhere that my little legs would take me.

What would you be doing if you weren't an architect or interior designer?

If I weren’t in this field, I would be building custom wood furniture.

What's something you absolutely cannot do?

As hard as I may try, I cannot lick my elbow, even if it has a little of my favorite barbeque sauce on it.

if you could relive any moment of your life, what would it be?

November 4, 2016 – Chicago Cubs win World Series.

what would you be doing if you weren't in the accounting field?

I would be a professional cook in an Italian Restaurant.

what excites or inspires you about your work?

Being able to provide management with accurate financial information so they can make informed business decisions.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T IN THE ARCHITECTURE FIELD?

Standing on my feet at odd hours in a sweltering kitchen slinging dishes with the best of them.

WHAT'S YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF DESIGNING?

Once upon a time I participated in the Young Inventors Fair, and I created a universal armrest attachment for movie theater chairs that could hold both a drink and round popcorn tub. I updated it the following year when the theaters in my area switch to bagged popcorn, that included an arm to allow the bag to swivel laterally between two seats for maximum sharing! A few years later cup holders had become standardized accoutrement in all the theaters…ahead of the curve!

WHAT'S SOMETHING NONE OF YOUR COWORKERS KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I hold two black belts in two hard styles of martial arts but have studied four and am proficient with three martial weapons, the Bo, the Si and the Nunchaku. The first black belt I earned when I was 13 in Song Moo Kwan Taekwondo, which at that time made me the youngest competing black belt in Minnesota. The second black belt I earned when I was 22 in Ishinryu Karate. After suffering a groin injury at a tournament I switched to the noble sport of boxing, I still train regularly but do not compete.

What excites or inspires you about your work?

I enjoy the problem solving nature of the work. Working within each project’s set of parameters (site, scope, budget, etc.) to address the needs of our clients is really rewarding.  We create spaces that improve the lives and experiences of those who use the buildings.

What's your first memory of designing or planning?

In high school my Dad would bring me open office plans and ask me to draw in cubes, offices, bathrooms, break rooms etc. to see if a space was feasible.  I suppose it saved him from paying an architect if a space didn’t work. Now I am the guy trying to get paid.

What would you be doing if you weren't an architect?

I would probably be a mechanic. I enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together, and figuring out how it works and why it broke. I am usually fixing something on my car as it is.  Plus, who doesn’t like buying new tools?

What excites or inspires you about your work?

The fun, unique personalities at MH are inspiring; we are an eclectic, talented staff that clearly loves what we’re doing and the people we are working with!

What's something none of your coworkers know about you?

One of my passions is music.  I play the piano and am currently learning the mandolin.

If you could relive any moment from your life, what would it be?

The day my kids, Lizz and AJ were born—they have been the greatest blessings in our lives!

what would you be doing if you weren't in the architecture field?

I would probably be building something with my hands either in construction or engineering.

If you could build anything, what would it be?

I would love to design and build my own off the grid lake home in Northern Minnesota or Wisconsin.

if you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

I would swap places with a soccer player playing a game in the World Cup. Playing a game in that type of environment, and representing your country, would be an unbelievable experience.

What excites or inspires you about your work?

The people. Clients, coworkers – all. I work hard to turn our services into good relationships. It’s a great feeling when a client sees the hard work & understands the great value it brings to their workforce – their people, through the environment we’ve developed as a complete team.

What's something none of your coworkers know about you?

Nothing. I tend to tell everyone too much – it’s all out there. Most of my coworkers have heard all my stories too many times…

If you could build anything, what would it be?

A very deluxe croquet set;  maybe with ash handles, bubinga mallet heads, some minimal rich color details. Real nice. I love those backyard leisure games….

if you could relive any moment from your life, what would it be?

When my daughters were babies. Time moves so fast, and I think there are times where I could've been more in the moment.

WHAT excites or inspires you about your work?

Designing a space that is equal parts form and function. Creating a meaningful environment that people have a daily relationship with and creating a space that reflects them as a brand, supports their culture and demonstrates their values. Books, traveling, art and food are a few things that spark my inspiration for designs!

what's something none of your coworkers know about you?

I sewed all of my prom dresses!

WHAT would you be doing if you weren't an architect?

I would be restoring classic wooden watercraft. I think their craftsmanship and uniqueness are like works of art, not to mention they make a statement on the lake!

what's something you absolutely cannot do?

I can't eat any form of seafood, even though I love to fish.

WHAT EXCITES OR INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy becoming partners with clients and providing them a focused and committed service.  I like managing all aspects of the project, from the initial design all the way to construction completion.  I work hard and am passionate about making the firm's impact go beyond a building - it takes more than bricks and mortar to build a lasting relationship with client.

What excites or inspires you about your work?

 I love the collaboration of all of the thoughts and ideas of each person on the project team that goes into designing a space.  The sharing of knowledge that is needed to create a space to best suit the end user is very rewarding.  It is so incredible to begin a project with client’s ideas of what they like and how they work and share the knowledge I have gained over the years, and then begin creating a new space to accommodate those needs and to finally be able to walk into the completed space that is unique to that group of people. I guess in the end it is the thoughts and dreams of people expressed in the built environment that inspires me.

What's your first memory of designing or planning?

 In junior high I began designing and building custom furniture with my father.  It was a great hobby to share with him.  I still use many of those lessons today.

What would you be doing if you weren't an architect or interior designer?

I would be retired.  I love what I do for a living and cannot imagine doing anything else.  I have been very lucky in life to have my work and my passions align so well.

WHAT'S SOMETHING you absolutely cannot do?

I cannot whistle. I've tried and tried, but no matter how hard I practice, it's a skill that is beyond my abilities. 

What's your first memory of designing or planning?

I remember I would always rearrange my room as a kid, trying to maximize the small amount of space I had! I think my favorite memory, though, is the tree fort I built in the woods behind my house with some neighbor kids. We would pack food and have picnics up in the tree and just enjoy the outdoors. I can't say it was very elaborate or structurally sound, but it was up to our neighborhood kids' "code"! 

WHAT EXCITES OR INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR WORK?

The impact my job has on others is what I find most exciting about my work. Being a designer gives me the opportunity to improve how people live their lives by designing spaces that maximize work efficiency, promote healthier lifestyles, and present aesthetically pleasing, comfortable environments to be in.

What excites or inspires you about your work?

I love problem solving! I was the guy who liked the word problems in math class.

If you could build anything, what would it be?

I suppose like many people, I would like to build a new house. I am going to build a new outhouse at the cabin next year, so that’s pretty good too.

What’s your first memory of designing or planning?

I designed fishing rod holders that we are still using 40 years later

What excites or inspires you about your work?

No two days at work are ever the same!  I enjoy the variety of projects that I get to work on and the people I work with.

If you could relive any moment from your life, what would it be?

I would relive both of my kid’s first birthdays. It was such a busy time in our lives and I feel like we weren’t truly able to enjoy the events.  I’d like to do it over so that I could really take in all of the special details and moments.

What's something you absolutely cannot do?

I could never remove a dead mouse from a trap! Don’t get me wrong – I’m glad to have caught him, but the whole trap goes, mouse and all!  YUK!

what excites or inspires you about your work?

Being curious by nature, I am inspired by the process of design and that I learn something new every day. There are always new products on the market, details to research, better solutions for our clients that I find to be the most exciting and rewarding part of the work I do.      

What would you be doing if you weren't an interior designer?

I would be an Art Teacher for elementary school students. This is where I started by taking courses in college until I found my passion for Interior Design.

what's something non of your coworkers know about you?

I LOVE to FISH!! I have caught-and-released a 50” Musky on Lake Minnetonka!