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Leadership

Observatory Drive is lead by Kevin Korpela, Architect:

Experience    Education    Community    Grants

* EXPERIENCE

Architect & Applied Artist: October 2000-Present
observatorydrive.com
, Wausau, WI
People * Projects * Possibilities
Mr. Korpela leads this idea services firm:
. Registered Wisconsin Architect
. NCARB Certified
. Master of Architecture
. Master of Art in Studio Art


Managing Member: February 2006-Present
Downtown Grocery.com
, Wausau, WI
"...Fresh Local Organic Grocery, Kitchen, Bakeshops, and an Everyday Farm Market"
Mr. Korpela is the founder an idea beginning in November 2003...
   ...or a local foods market to be located in Downtown Wausau.
. Created the business plan and found financing for the start-up.
. Restored the interior of a 1912 building.
. Runs the daily operations.
. Downtown Grocery is located on "Main Street" in downtown Wausau.

Architect: October 2004-March 2009
Becher Hoppe Associates, Inc., Wausau, WI
Engineers and Architects Improving Communities
Founded in 1954 with offices on the City Square 400 Block.
Mr. Korpela worked in this full-service mutliple-talent firm:
. Combined concept design and construction detailing.
. Worked as leader of the design team for many types of project.
. Served as the project lead and initial client contact.
. Organized and wrote marketing proposals for private, commercial, and institutional clients.
. Prepared facility reports and cost estimates for a variety of building types.
. Used hand-drawn sketch methods to quickly prepare conceptual designs.
. Used sketch methods with Adobe Photoshop and Autocad to prepare presentations.
. Prepared drawings from Preliminary to full Construction Documents using Autocad.
. Attended training sessions in the use of Revit.
. Observed construction and documented progress for clients.

--- Selected Projects:
. Renovaton/Addition: 14,000 SF addition & partial church renovation:
       - Saint Andrew Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI
. Renovation: partial demolition and renovation of a vehicle canopy:
       - Kannenberg Plaza Senior Living Center, Wausau, WI
. New Building: 5,800 SF facility for fire station & city hall:
       - Montreal Fire Station & City Hall, Montreal, WI
. New Building: 9,800 SF facility for a youth & recreation center:
       - Sokaogon Chippewa Boys & Girls Club, Mole Lake, WI
. Feasibility Study of an Historic School for a new community use:
       - Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake, WI
. Construction Administration for adaptive reuse of an Historic Village Hall:
       - Tigerton Main Street Village Hall, Tigerton, WI
. Color-drawings for bridge schemes in coordination with Becher Hoppe Highway Group:
       - Thoroughfare Bridge, Minocqua, WI
. Preliminary Design and Cost Estimate for an accessible entry with vehicle canopy:
       - Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Wausau, WI


Architect: 5/04-11/05, 10/98-6/02
theARCHITECTSltd.com, Madison, WI
Offering personal, high quality and responsive professional services.
Founded in 1989 by Steve Rice, Architect.Principal-in-Charge.CEO.
Mr. Korpela worked in nearly all aspects of this full-service firm:
. Combined concept design and construction detailing.
. Organized and wrote marketing proposals for private, commercial, and institutional clients.
. Used hand-drawn sketch methods to quickly prepare conceptual designs.
. Used sketch methods with Adobe Photoshop and Autocad to prepare presentations.
. Prepared drawings from Preliminary to full Construction Documents using Autocad.
. Observed construction and documented progress for clients.
--- Selected Projects:
. Adaptive reuse to convert schools into housing:
       - Wausau East High School, Wausau, WI
       - Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson, WI
       - Mineral Point Middle School, Mineral Point, WI
       - Janesville Middle School, Janesville, WI
. Renovation, historic three-story corner building:
       - Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI
. Addition/renovation, Central Services Building:
       - Wisconsin Veterans Home, King, WI-DVA
. New building for Playcare day-care center:
       - University Research Park, Madison, WI
. Exterior renovation of the classroom/cottages:
       - MacKenzie Environmental Ctr, Poynette, WI-DNR
. Various residential/commercial renovations/additions:
       - Southwestern Wisconsin projects.


Staff Architect: 9/02-9/03
Tavarez and Associates Architects, Inc., Madison, WI
Mr. Korpela developed drawings for all phases of design:
. Combined concept design and construction detailing.
. Used hand-drawn sketch methods to quickly prepare conceptual designs.
. Used sketch methods with Adobe Photoshop and Autocad to prepare presentations.
. Prepared drawings from Preliminary to full Construction Documents using Autocad.
. Observed construction and documented progress for clients.
--- Selected Projects:
. Addition, Grantosa Drive Elementary, Milwaukee
. Addition, Lincoln Avenue Elementary, Milwaukee
. Exterior renovation, Fieldhouse, UW-Platteville


Intern Architect: 1/97-1/98
State of Utah-DFCM, Salt Lake City, Utah
Mr. Korpela worked with the DFCM Director and Assistant Director:
. Developed planning and design documents.
. Prepared reports: A/E fees; Building cost estimates
. Researched program needs for detention facilities
. Checked references on A/E Firm Qualifications
. Made a context-model for a museum competition


Intern Architect: 5/94-8/95
Nova Group Inc. Architects-Engineers, St. Louis, MO
Mr. Korpela worked in many aspects of this full-service firm:
. Drew plans, elevations, details, and site plans
. Designed documents for many building types
. Color-rendered building elevations and site plans
. Discussed drawings with consultants and vendors


Co-Developer: 10/94-2/95
American Inn, Pearl Street, La Crosse, WI. Not built.
Mr. Korpela proposed renovation of a three-story historic building:
. First floor: hotel lobby and science/art toy store
. Upper floors: hotel rooms and suites
. Prepared cost estimates; Drew plans & perspectives
. Mr. Mark Olson, Mark Olson Fine Art, partnered with Mr. Korpela


Planner/Drafter: 4/91-4/94
GE Healthcare-Architectural Planning, Milwaukee, WI
Mr. Korpela provided services to assist A/E firms throughout USA:
. Drew installation documents for imaging exam rooms
. Designed preliminary layouts for new medical centers
. Discussed concerns with architects and engineers.

© Kevin Korpela, www.observatorydrive.com™