“Young Architect of the Year” Launches next-gen minority-owned Architect Firm in West Michigan

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["em"],["strong"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.purearchitects.com","target","_new"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.purearchitects.com\/","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"\u201cYoung Architect of the Year\u201d Launches next-gen minority-owned Architect Firm in West Michigan"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0,1],2,"Architecture duo aims to focus on sustainability and \u201coutcome-based architecture\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Zach Verhulst, the American Institute of Architects, \u201cGrand Rapids 2019 Young Architect of the Year,\u201d announced the opening of the area\u2019s next-gen minority-owned architecture firm, "],[0,[1,2],2,"PURE Architects"],[0,[],0,". Verhulst will serve as owner and Managing Principal of the firm, and fellow Lawrence Technological University alum Andrew Queenan will be the firm\u2019s Project Architect and Building Scientist."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1,2],2,"PURE Architects"],[0,[],0," will be headquartered in Grand Rapids, but will serve clients statewide, regionally, and nationally. \n\nAccording to national statistics, only 2% of all licensed architects in the country are black. \u201cI believe that we have a unique opportunity to apply a lens and perspective that most other firms currently do not,\u201d said Verhulst. \u201cI\u2019ve spent the last ten years designing and managing projects and people across the state, experiencing many different projects and client types. Inevitably, most firms approach projects with the goal of mitigating risk to maximize profits, oftentimes at the detriment of the project\u2019s potential. We are driven to do better. Our firm strikes a conscious balance between operational goals and aspirational ones, resulting in better experiences and design outcomes for our clients.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Prior to founding "],[0,[1,2],2,"PURE Architects"],[0,[],0,", Verhulst was an Associate and Project Manager at a large, full-service AE firm in Grand Rapids contributing to the success of significant projects for clients like Grand Rapids Public Schools, Spectrum Health, and Tech Defenders. He was also a member of the 2019 Class of Grand Rapids Business Journal\u2019s \u201c40 Under 40 Business Leaders.\u201d "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Verhulst and Queenan have plenty in common. Both are graduates of Lawrence Technological University and subscribe to a philosophy that \u201carchitecture has the power to improve the greater good of a place and the people that experience it,\u201d said Verhulst. \u201cPromoting and embracing sustainability in our practice is not an added service, but a core belief. This design thinking approach improves the connection between human and planetary health, which is very important to us and our clients.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cZach and I ascribe to the mantra of being like \u2018clouds and dirt\u2019, meaning we are able to simultaneously connect high-level ideas with the most critical details of a project,\u201d said Queenan. \u201cAnd there is a special kind of friction between us in how we approach and work through design problems, creating a sort of synergy \u2014 that\u2019s where the magic happens, our visions align and we trust each other to get things done.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"PURE already has clients and projects lined up in its infancy period of just three months, including active projects in Florida, New York, and Michigan, and expects a robust 2021. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Added Verhulst: \u201cWe are not your typical generalist firm, but rather one that embraces the idea that architecture can simultaneously improve a business\u0027s culture, bottom line, and our planet. Outcome-based architecture is one that specializes in identifying the \u201cwhy\u201d of the project while meeting tough schedules and tight budgets, and staying true to our clients and ourselves.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Verhulst and Queenan plan to work remotely for the time being. More information can be found at "],[0,[3,1],2,"purearchitects.com"],[0,[],0," or by calling "],[0,[1],1,"616.485.5715"],[0,[],0,". "]]]]}