In 2020, our team prepared to celebrate 35 years in business. On March 18, our office instituted a work from home policy, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This book is a celebration of our 35th year and the team that kept our culture moving forward as we spent a year in 35+ separate offices. Thank you to our staff, consultants and clients for a remarkable and memorable year in quarantine. - The Partnership
35 YEARS & THE PANDEMIC Culture can transcend time and place . . . as 2020 proved at PHILOWILKE PARTNERSHIP. The word “culture” comes from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin “colere,” which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. 2020 changed the way we work . . . but not who we are at PhiloWilke. Our culture kept us together within this brave new virtual world. The COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020 and challenged our world, country and company. Like a close-knit family, our PWP relationships have sustained us through this unusual year . . . our culture has bound us together even though we were not together in person very often. CHEERS TO TWENTY YEARS! PWP Partners (L to R) Larry Gawloski, Greg Johnson, Gregory Horan, Cathryn Horan, Steve Schultz, Melissa Edwards and Jennifer Young celebrate Cathryn Horan’s twentieth year at PhiloWilke.
HEART HEALTHY Not only our projects are healthfocused, our team likes to practice what we preach. At the office, the staff wears red in support of heart health awareness month.
PHILOWILKE PRESENTS In March 2020, the PWP Team attended a companywide communication session with Coach Connor.
WE BEGAN 2020... “With big dreams.”
We celebrated our 35th year of providing service to our
•
reasons to be grateful for their continued commitment to
•
•
•
January 2020 - Luke Christen and Kenneth Olson became Associate Partners at PhiloWilke. Megan and Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping down from the British Royal Family. South Korean thriller, “Parasite,” made history at the 92nd Academy Awards in February, as the first non-English language film to win best picture. The legendary Los Angeles Lakers player, Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.
clients this year and the pandemic gave us even more PhiloWilke. We look back from this year of unique events and emerge even more focused on the core values that provided the bedrock of our success for the first 35 years. “Working at PhiloWilke has been a great joy and you better learn how to shoot a rubber band quick. Our culture promotes an exciting, creative and innovative approach to design, which leads our teams to provide project solutions and designs that meet the needs of our Clients.” - Kenneth Olson Associate Partner CAREER FAIR Zachary Mitchell and Kenneth Olson, Red Raider alumni, attend Texas Tech’s architectural career fair.
THE YEAR BEGAN MUCH THE SAME It can be easy to overlook the world at large when you are facing a bold new threat from such a unique viral arrival (say that fast three times). While PhiloWilke adjusted to the new way of doing business, the world was struggling to address the pandemic within all aspects of life. The previous consistency of our social, physical and spiritual patterns were challenged all at once, both individually and as a society. The United States, like the rest of the world, has experienced many disruptions over its history and it has united us as never before. The 911 attacks, World War 1 and World War 2 each left a lasting imprint on our cultural landscape in ways that still impact us today.
JURRASSIC PORK Sarah Launikitis, Dante Sandoval, Lillie Graham, Ingrid Labrador and Kongci Chan won the most spirited team award at the 2020 IIDA Chilli Cook-off.
READY SET GO PhiloWilke team members participate in the 2020 Texas Med Run on February 8, 2020.
This novel Coronavirus is the latest in this series of unfortunate events which is testing the will of each person, as well as the overall fabric of our society. The way we live, how we purchase things, as well as the liberties we have come to know and cherish are all under constant evaluation and challenge.
STAYING ACTIVE (Left) Bundharic Taout, Kayla Kuhn and Corey Lynch attend GO West event (Center) Partner, Larry Gawloski, leads Friday Morning Yoga class in our office (Right) PWP Team educates young healthcare professionals at DeBakey High School
HOUSTON ON LOCKDOWN Against this backdrop, the Houston region experienced unique milestones like essentially every other part of the world. One of the most memorable developments within the early days of recognizing the virus, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was taking place. This event epitomizes the culture of our region as an educational and entertainment leader each year with a record setting attendance of over 2.5 million in 2019. As the 2020 event began to occur, a news report cited a case of the Coronavirus and quickly led to the cancellation of the entire event. This was, for many Houstonians, the first and most memorable realization that this virus and its impact might be different than anything we had experienced in a long, long time.
WASH YOUR HANDS 2020! Partner, Jennifer Young wins the virtual office Halloween contest dressed as our least favorite virus.
COVID-19 CHANGED THE WORLD Like the environments for healing and research that we design for our clients, the flexibility and adaptability of PhiloWilke became paramount this year. In midMarch, our office was dispersed into about 35 smaller “offices” around the city as we began to deal with the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Like most companies, our approach was to march on through the fog of this new reality, unsure of the ultimate duration or severity of this new virus and its impact on our livelihood. Relying on our proud history of technology as a core element to effectively serve our clients, we leveraged this part of our practice in ways never really imagined. In fact, our efficiency may have surprised us! THE WORLD WATCHES Monitoring the John Hopkins University map became a daily ritual for many as the pandemic spread across the globe.
HOUSTON ON LOCK DOWN One upside, less traffic.
2020 QUARANTINE “In these unprecedented times...” •
•
• •
In January 2020, the coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China. In a matter of months, the virus has spread across the globe to more than 20 million people. On March 13, 2020, Governor Greg Abbott declares a state of disaster for all counties in Texas. PhiloWilke began working from home on March 18, 2020. By April, 6.6 million Americans had filed for unemployment. Reaching the highest unemployment rate since the Great Depression.
As we patiently, (sometimes maybe not so patiently) watched the world pivot, we glued our eyes on the John Hopkins’ COVID-19 Resource Center Map. As we watched numbers rise, so did our fear, anxiety, and levels of uncertainty. To ease minds and continue to connect with our peers we launched trivia nights and recipe exchanges within the office. We knew that staying connected in whatever way possible would result in increased morale, better work-life balance, and a silver lining to the current dreary impact Coronavirus was having on the world. “It’s great to work with such a dedicated and fun group of people. A healthy team and a strong community atmosphere internally translate to the great service and quality product we provide for our Clients.” - Zach Mitchell Associate Partner
FROM ONE TO MANY Learning from our client’s desires of providing safe and infection-resistant environments, we created new protocols for delivering our design services within this brave new world. We quickly created over 35 home offices with each person embracing the need to modify their own physical, as well as mental approach to serving our clients. “At PhiloWilke our ability to adapt and learn allows us to remain flexible and productive. We are always on the lookout for ways to improve.” - Robert Babb Partner IN A VIRTUAL WORLD... (Left) Our team embraced the many different platforms to shift into working 100% virtually. (Right) Weekly Friday staff meetings helped our team stay in touch and provide a few laughs.
THE THREE AMIGOS Dana Wilke, Kevin TenBrook, and Roger Philo meeting in the Sage office.
Despite working from 35 offices, we created initiatives to instill a sense of connection internally. In June, the PhiloWilke Fitness Family was founded, this initiative consisted of challenges for both minutes and calories. While incentives for participating were enticing, we found that it was not all about the grand prize. It was about being a part of something bigger, something together, something we could share while being physically apart. The team was competitive as ever and found new ways to heckle one another – whether it be sending out an embarrassing photo, telling bad jokes, or dressing up in a costume during staff meetings. The PhiloWilke Fitness Family encouraged team unity while reminding us of the importance of mental health and movement.
LIFE DURING QUARANTINE “From online concerts to reading for pleasure” •
Social unrest and civil right issues were brought to the forefront of mainstream media in May of 2020.
•
Bear Hunts: Stuffed teddy bears hidden in yards for children to find.
•
Watch Parties became all the rage, offering the socially distanced version of “Netflix and Chill”
•
Live virtual work-outs regained popularity as people looked for a fitness alternative to their gym membership
THE NEW NORMAL
While the “New Normal” of working from home may not have been implemented for the reasons we once hoped, we choose to look at the positives that resulted. The team at PhiloWilke is more capable than ever to serve our clients and connect. We are grateful for the health, the resilience, the willingness to learn and grow and the imagination of all those we work with – 2020 tested us but we truly showed strength in many ways! “At PhiloWilke, we never stop learning and push ourselves to look for a new way forward. We have always searched out new technology and looked for ways to adapt and include it in our process, this mindset has allowed us to remain flexible. During the pandemic we were able to adapt and shift to a virtual platform, allowing our team to seamlessly transition to virtual work.” - Robert Babb Partner since 2021
ESSENTIAL WORKERS HEALTHCARE At the height of the pandemic lock down and work from the phrase essential worker took on a new meaning. The restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, schools and sport arenas closed, while the architecture, engineering and construction industry stayed open for business. But no one was more essential than the healthcare providers, who cared for our communities and stood against the virus on a daily bases.
A NEW TYPE OF LUNCH N’ LEARN A little sustenance for our healthcare heroes.
SNACK BREAK PhiloWilke and Austin Commercial provide snacks for The Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Campus.
It wasn’t long before those same healthcare facilities our teams just days before were attending project meetings in began to halt access as the case loads increased. As the rest of the world masked up and stayed isolated in their own homes, these nurses, doctors, clinicians and administrators reported to work among the uncertainty of the virus. We looked for ways to support from a distance, so we asked the question, “What do we want when overtime is the only solution to meet that deadline?”. The answer: snacks! But like everything, the demands of the pandemic threw us a curve ball, nurses were in need of ears savers. So, we learned that the simplest comforts are the most important.
HOPING FOR RELIEF The nurses at Hope Clinic showcase their 3D printed ear savers.
HEALTHCARE HEROES “Hey all you cool cats and kittens!” •
Some of the most over used words of 2020: COVID-19, uncertain times, unprecedented and social distancing.
•
Murder Hornets arrive in the US for the first time. Measuring up to two inches, the hornets can wipe out entire bee colonies within hours.
•
Toilet paper, all Clorox products, paper towels, hand sanitizer and N95 masks were all high valued items during the height of quarantine. Leading to shortages throughout the country.
DESIGNING FOR HOPE Asian American Health Coalition Hope Clinic completed design phase in 2020.
DESIGNING FOR FUN Vaughn Construction office design in 1999
STAYING CONNECTED Remaining dedicated to the PhiloWilke Core Values during this tumultuous year was something ingrained in all our decisions. To stay at the forefront of the industry the firm committed to connecting more than ever. If you know PhiloWilke you likely know that not only do we work smart, but we also play hard and this year was no different. Delighting in the journey that was 2020 may have been a challenge at times but we made sure to enjoy the ride by getting creative with our staff and client connections.
STAYING HEALTH-FOCUSED (Left) Houston Methodist Med/Surg project completed in April 2020. (Right) NuProbe laboratory project in design.
Client touch points were imperative – we knew that the
sharpen the resources available to the project teams to
A WORLD VIEW “The dumbest thing I’ve ever done was buy a planner for 2020.”
ensure the success. Tools such as Enscape (realistic 3D
•
Partner, Larry Gawloski retires, and we thank you for all your years at PhiloWilke.
•
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, trailblazer for gender equality, died September 2020.
•
The US and the Taliban reached an agreement for first steps in ending the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan.
•
The UK officially withdrew from the European Union.
time we had with stakeholders was precious, due to internet connection, increasing number of video meetings per day among other demands. The team worked to
rendering software), QR Codes/360 views, and Bluebeam allowed for seamless client, consultant, and project team interactions. Through the use of these technologies, we completed over 100 design packages in 2020 – all remotely. This is a testament to the importance of technology, communication, and collaboration. “At PhiloWilke, our goal is to help clients realize their vision through design. Clients’ success is our success.” - Yong Gan Associate Partner, Director of Design
HEALTHY CHOICES Houston Methodist Williowbrook Hospital MD Dining Renovation
HEALTH-FOCUSED ON SITE Architecture is a direct result of collaboration with clients and consultants to realize a vision. As we distanced ourselves physically, that collaboration transformed to adhere to the strict quarantine guidelines, while remaining dedicated to our clients and their projects. No matter the location the team remained on course and continued to pay rigorous attention to detail.
GROUND BREAKING YEAR The Memorial Hermann The Woodlands South Tower team experienced many milestones in a virtual setting.
SAFETY FIRST Julie Holder, Kenneth Olson, Ingrid Labrador and Catalina Morales mask up for a site visit
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Houston Methodist Clear Lake Medical Office Building
A TUMULTUOUS YEAR “As we look to the future”
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands South Patient Bed
•
January 2021 - Robert Babb became a Partner at PhiloWilke.
as the lock-down began. These two projects were
January 2021 - Yong Gan and Zach Michell became Associate Partners at PhiloWilke.
many stakeholders and clinicians. With a combination
•
•
Wildfires erupted from California to Washington state, burning millions of acres and displacing hundreds of thousands.
•
The price of oil dropped by 30% during 2020 due to the reduction of travel during the height of the COIVD-19 pandemic.
•
The Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, were rescheduled to JulyAugust 2021.
Tower and Asian American Hope Coalition’s Hope Clinic were both in the peak design development phase complex in their own ways and required the input of of carefully crafted schedules, close team collaboration, video meetings, 3D models, and cardboard mock-ups the teams issued the design packages for both projects while working from home.
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION The Memorial Hermann The Woodlands South Tower team at the foundation pour.
A HOLLY JOLLY END TO 2020! Kenneth Olson, Steve Schultz, Vicki Seely, Jennifer Young, Greg Johnson, Robert Babb, Yong Gan, Luke Christen and Kayla Kuhn celebrate the holidays with a drive-thru meal pick-up in place of an in-person office party.
MASKING UP FOR A NEW YEAR As the holidays and new year approached, we knew we still wanted to find a way to connect with our team members and celebrate our 2020 successes. However, to do this safely, we needed to be creative. So, we catered meals from B&B Butchers and packaged them in branded coolers to have a “drive-up” meal pick-up. This drive-up approach allowed us to thank our staff in person for their positive attitudes and perseverance. Additionally, we hosted an interactive themed virtual party. Complete with a game of Clue “Who Whacked The Mole” with an Architecture spin.
WE ARE FAMILY (Left) Steve Schultz and Melodee Schultz spread some holiday cheer to Kathy, past Partner Vic Gelsomino’s wife. (Right) PWP holiday party was a virtual murder mystery tour.
Freezing temperatures and no heat. From February 13-22, 2021 the state of Texas stood at a stand still once again as a series of winter storms created a state wide power crisis. A massive electricity generation failure resulted in shortages of water, food, and heat. More than 4.5 million homes and businesses were left without power, with a reported 111 deaths contributed to unprecedented weather.
WINTER NOT SO WONDERFUL “2021 Snovid, brought Texas to a standstill” •
The 2021 Texas winter storm caused a massive electricity generation failure leading to more than 4.5 million homes without power.
•
Houston reached 13 degrees and maintained 44 consecutive hours of freezing temperatures.
•
An estimated 18 billion dollars in winter weather damages to the City of Houston.
“In 2020, we were able to truly embrace the “work hard, play hard” mentality due to the increased flexibility of remote work. PhiloWilke worked hard to incorporate team building activities such as a murder mystery, scavenger hunts, Kahoot trivia nights, and a cooking class that allowed us to unwind and have fun safely during the pandemic.” - Luke Christen Associate Partner
CATCH OF THE DAY Staff fishing trip circa 2004
HAVING FUN AT THE DRIVE IN! Daniel Serna and Robert Babb rigged up the office back parking lot for a socially distanced night out at the movies.
FEATURED PRESENTATION: STILL SOCIALLY DISTANCED Delighting in the journey is inherent in our culture, and this year was no different except we were delighting from a safe distance. At the height of the pandemic, we often found ourselves with cabin fever. To provide the staff with an excuse to get out of the house and a change of scenery, we hosted drive-in movie nights at the office. The beautiful thing about working with creative folks is their ability to create something fun out of something simple and a favorite past-time. Even though we all had watched just about every series and movie available to stream online, this was a great way to connect. The night was complete with popular movie theater candy, drinks, and food. PICNIC IN THE PARK An afternoon with a few sandwiches, a game of dodge ball and some conversation at the park.
AND WE’RE BACK IN THE OFFICE We’re back . . . after more than 14 months of quarantine and working from home, PhiloWilke began working from our office again. The transition from work to home over a year ago tested the resolve and technological prowess of our firm, but we believe we passed the test. Our success in flexibly handling the change from work to home is now reversing itself as we move back into the office. Our return to work approach includes having half of the firm working Monday/ Wednesday and the other half on Tuesday/Thursday, with everyone working from home on Fridays. This hybrid work approach caused by the Coronavirus is helping shape new ways of delivering outstanding design services to our clients. We appreciate the flexibility and dedication our clients have shown us throughout this difficult time and look forward to continuing our march towards whatever the “new normal” has in store for us!
THE GIFT OF ROBOTICS Bundharic “Gift” Taout hangs out with the Houston Methodist safety bot after her meeting.
LET’S CELEBRATE! The first week back in the office the team regroups to celebrate Shane Daves passing his ARE exams!
Our 35th Year 2020 - 2021