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t i m e l i n e
Spring 2009 |
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AMDG has new LEED Accredited Professionals!
Over the last few years, many AMDG staff members have been studying for the
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for New Construction
exam. Now, over 50% of the firm's architectural staff is certified. The
team's understanding of environmental building practices and LEED
certification procedures enables AMDG to pioneer further into the green
market. AMDG is thrilled with the team's accomplishments and their
leadership in energy and environmental design. Congratulations to
James Finney, Amy VandeStreek, Don Cok, Nathan Funk, Kyle Kuipers, and Adam
Westmaas for passing the LEED for New Construction exam! |
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May 9, 2009 |
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AMDG holds annual Spring Dinner
AMDG celebrated a year of hard work with their annual Spring Dinner in May.
A much anticipated event, the Spring Dinner provides an evening of
socializing, reminiscing, laughing, and enjoying good food for AMDG staff
and guests. This year's dinner was a more intimate affair than years past,
consisting of a catered dinner at the home of owner and president, Peter
Baldwin. The evening was kicked off with a fun activity where individuals
received a nametag, containing the name of a celebrity, and asked others
"yes" or "no" questions to try and discover their secret identity. Guests
enjoyed a delicious Italian buffet, and enjoyed the opportunity to interact
with coworkers, spouses, and friends. |
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January 30, 2009 |
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AMDG holds annual winter retreat
AMDG's 2009 corporate retreat was held at the Family Recreation Building, an
award winning facility designed by the firm in 2006. This year's retreat
focused on the team's analysis of the firm's strengths and weaknesses, and
sought to identify areas of success, as well as areas that require
improvement. Following small group discussions and sharing of thoughts, the
group reconvened for an afternoon of fun and games, including a basketball
competition, and culminating with the beloved dodgeball tournament. |
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February 7, 2008 |
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AMDG holds annual winter retreat
AMDG's annual retreat was held at the
Yarrow Golf Club. The team spent the day going over and analyzing the firm's
areas of growth and areas for improvement.
Team-building activities centered around the Wii, including baseball,
boxing, tennis, bowling, and golf. |
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July 28, 2007 |
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AMDG holds annual summer picnic at Millenium Park
AMDG
held its 11th annual summer picnic at
Millenium Park in Grand Rapids, MI. Team members, family and friends gathered
to enjoy burgers and brats and games including a fishing game for infants
and toddlers, a water relay, and a mini-marshmallow father-daughter-or-son
flick. An intense washer toss tournament for the adults concluded the
picnic. It was a beautiful day near the beach and a great time for
fellowship. |
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June 29, 2007 |
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Cal Jen, AMDG Founder, redirecting
After 15 years with AMDG Architects, Inc., Cal retired.
He is redirecting his passions in several areas including
teaching, ministry outreach, consulting, and perhaps writing. Cal, as
our founder, leaves a legacy
of conviction, commitment and compassion in all he did at AMDG. |
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May 22, 2007 |
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Grand Rapids Christian breaks ground on gym
"A groundbreaking ceremony
took place Tuesday [May 22] for the construction of the new north gymnasium
on the campus of Grand Rapids Christian High School. Grand Rapids
Christian has received gifts and pledges totaling more than $25 million from
more than 2,500 donors. It surpasses the goal of the Get Healthy
funding initiative, which benefits all seven Grand Rapids Christian school.
Through the Get Healthy funding initiative, Grand Rapids Christian Schools
fully fund[s] the capital of the gymnasium and the new athletic stadium,
which [was completed before] the [2007] football season." (The Grand
Rapids Press, May 25, 2007)
"We are very blessed to
have so many generous donors. These gifts represent the next
generation of Grand Rapids Christian Schools leadership." (Tom DeJonge,
Grand Rapids Christian Schools Superintendent) |
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April 13, 2007 |
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AMDG holds annual spring dinner
AMDG held its annual Spring
Dinner on Friday, April 13, for all team members and their spouses or
parents. As Cal Jen plans to retire this summer, the dinner was arranged to
honor him for
founding AMDG and for the values he has built into the firm. On behalf
of AMDG, Jim Finney and Tom Sinke created a video expressing gratitude to Cal for the
mentor, friend, husband and father he has been to so many. Other
attendees of special honor included Cal's mother, siblings, wife and
children. The night
was also highlighted with a skit presented by his kids, leaving the audience roaring. The evening concluded
with an exchange of thanks between Cal and those honoring him. It was
a moving and delightful event. |
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February 2, 2007 |
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AMDG holds annual winter retreat
AMDG's annual retreat was held at the
award-winning Family Recreation Building. The team spent the day reviewing
the firm's growth and areas for improvement. Brent Dykstra and Peter
Baldwin were celebrated for ten years of service at AMDG.
Team-building activities included bowling, shooting baskets blind-folded and
playing shuffleboard. |
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March 2006 |
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AMDG wins 2006 A.I.A. Grand Valley Honor
Award. A.M.D.G. Architects and Mike Schaap Builders won an award for
the Family Recreation Building project. Peter Baldwin and Brent Dykstra accepted the honor at an awards ceremony hosted by A.I.A. Grand Valley.
"The jury felt that this project was the most successful exterior
design of all the submittals. Beautifully proportioned, the project
has a clarity of design elements and details. The massing solution is
very clear and simple, in contrast to the house it serves. The
exterior palette gave it a strong relationship to American barn traditions
and yet the exterior overall solution was fresh and varied'."
AIA Grand Valley
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April 22, 2005 |
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AMDG holds annual spring dinner
AMDG
team members along with their spouses or parents gathered together for the
annual AMDG Spring Dinner. As is tradition, the event started with a
tour of one of AMDG's recently completed projects, the MVP Sportsplex.
Dinner and entertainment followed, starting with an acoustical performance
by Tom Sinke. The interns then displayed their musical talent by singing the
new AMDG song, to the tune of YMCA. Finally, the evening closed with a time
to honor and celebrate Nancy Zeilstra, who has worked at AMDG for 5 years. This years
Spring Dinner was definitely a success and enjoyed by all. |
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October 11, 2004 |
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AMDG honors this year's scholarship recipient
AMDG Architects is pleased to recognize Atsen "AT" Bulus as this year's
recipient of the AMDG Scholarship at Calvin College. Cal and Peter started
the scholarship in 2000 to support women and minorities pursuing the field
of architecture. AT, whose family is from Nigeria, is currently a junior at
Calvin and enjoys playing a number of sports. AMDG congratulates AT and is
pleased to be able to help him in his studies!
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August 21, 2004 |
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AMDG holds annual summer picnic at North Beach Park
AMDG
held its 8th annual summer picnic at North
Beach Park near Grand Haven, MI. Team members, family and friends gathered
to enjoy a delicious lunch and games for all ages, including a water balloon
toss on the beach. Each person also received AMDG soccer jerseys to
emphasize the importance of working as a team. It was a beautiful day at the
beach and everyone enjoyed the fun and fellowship.
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August 4, 2004 |
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AMDG recognizes its first LEED Accredited Professionals
Jessica Mataverde
and Pam Danckaert recently took the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) exam and are now LEED Accredited Professionals. This
signifies that they have demonstrated extensive knowledge of green
(environmentally friendly) building practices and familiarity with LEED
requirements, resources and processes. Jessica and Pam will be important
resources to the firm as the industry continues to encourage green design.
AMDG is proud of their accomplishments, and happy to have the firm's first
two LEED Accredited Professionals on staff. |
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May 10, 2004 |
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Pamela Danckaert, Associate AIA, joins AMDG Architects
Pam joins AMDG as an Intern
Architect. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from
Lawrence Technological University, and her Master of Architecture degree
from the University of Michigan. Pam has worked with CBI Design
Professionals, Hobbs + Black Associates, and most recently, Nudell
Architects. |
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April 16, 2004 |
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AMDG holds annual spring dinner at Ridgeview
Industries.
AMDG held its annual Spring
Dinner on Friday, April 16 for all team members and their spouses or
parents. The dinner was held at one of AMDG's recently completed projects,
Ridgeview Industries, to give everyone a chance to see the results of their
hard work. Valerie Robinson and Tom Sinke provided the group with some
after-dinner musical entertainment, along with a special surprise vocal
appearance by Peter Baldwin and Brent Dykstra. The evening culminated in a
time to honor and express appreciation for Michael Hofmann, AMDG's newest
Associate. Team members thoroughly enjoyed their evening and the chance to
meet their colleagues' family members.
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March 31,
2004 |
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Consultant David Bouwsma is leaving for China
Consultant David Bouwsma is leaving AMDG today
to return with his family to their work in China. David and his wife,
Cathleen, will be addressing the needs of people in rural communities there.
Cathleen, a nurse practitioner, will serve and care for leprosy patients,
while David has been asked to teach architecture in a local university of
science and technology. The AMDG team's thoughts and support go with the
Bouwsmas as they prepare to follow their calling to China. |
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January 23, 2004 |
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AMDG holds annual retreat
AMDG's annual retreat was held at Grand Valley
University's downtown Pew Campus. The team spent the day looking back over
the year's accomplishments and also looking forward to the coming years.
Considerable time was spent developing a strategic plan and prioritizing
goals for the next 3-5 pivotal years. |
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October
1, 2002 |
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Michael Hofmann, AIA joins AMDG Architects.
Michael Hofmann joins AMDG as a Project Architect. He received his Master of
Architecture from Columbia University and his Bachelor of Science from the
University of Michigan. He has since worked with Steven Holl Architects,
Minoru Yamasaki Associates, and most recently Studio B Architects in
Birmingham , MI. |
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November
11, 2003 |
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AMDG Advisory Council meets
The advisory council members met with Cal and
Peter at the Madison Square Inn for their yearly gathering. They reviewed
the past year's accomplishments and helped the firm look ahead to its goals
for the coming years.
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November 14, 2003 |
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Lon Morrisson, AIA, joins AMDG Architects
Lon joins AMDG as a Senior Architect. He
received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Ball State University and
has more than 16 years of experience, most recently in a position at
Spectrum Health.
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October 31, 2003 |
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Lynn Lidstone celebrates her last day at AMDG
Lynn is leaving AMDG after working for 5 years
as an Office Manager. She will be pursing her dream of making glass and bead
jewelry full time from her home. We have deeply appreciated Lynn's hard work
and we wish her well in her new business venture.
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October 27, 2003 |
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Beth Bell joins AMDG Architects
Beth joins AMDG as an Office Manager, after
completing her Communications degree from Calvin College.
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September 8, 2003 |
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Huynh Tran joins AMDG
Huynh joins AMDG as an Intern Architect, after
completing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of
Michigan Taubman College of Architecture.
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August 2003 |
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Rick Broene celebrates his last day at AMDG
Rick is leaving to pursue his Masters Degree in
Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He has worked for
AMDG Architects three times; June 2001 - August 2001, January 2002 -
August 2002, and February 2003 - August 2003 for a cumulative of 1 1/2
years. We will all miss Rick , and wish him luck at Harvard.
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July 7, 2003 |
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Russ Kinder joins AMDG Architects
Russ joins AMDG as
an Architecture Intern, after receiving his Masters of Architecture
from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
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May
5, 2003 |
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Emily Hikade joins AMDG Architects
Emily joins AMDG
as an Architecture Intern after completing a Bachelor of Science in
Architecture from the University of Michigan Taubman College of
Architecture.
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April
10, 2003 |
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Lydia Kamps joins AMDG Architects
Lydia joins AMDG as an Administrative Assistant.
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March 15, 2003 |
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AMDG wins two 2003 AIA Grand Valley Honor
Awards. A.M.D.G. Architects and Mike Schaap Builders won an award for both the Cottage on Lake Michigan and Guest Cottage. Peter Baldwin and Brent Dykstra accepted the honor at an awards ceremony hosted by the A.I.A. Grand Valley.
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March 15, 2003 |
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Designing a Home with a Mission
Cal Jen's article entitled "Designing a Home with a Mission" was featured in
the February issue of The Banner, the official publication of the Christian
Reformed Church.
The Banner, vol. 138, pp 024-027, February 2003
Visit
The Banner online to read a full text
version of Cal's article.
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November 27, 2002 |
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Ken Van Iddekinge joins AMDG Architects
Ken joins AMDG as an Accounting Manager.
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September
30, 2002 |
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Valerie Robinson joins AMDG Architects
Valerie Robinson joins AMDG as an Architect Intern. She recently completed
her Bachelor of Science in Architecture at University of Michigan.
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August 17, 2002 |
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AMDG Architects 6th annual picnic
This year's picnic was at Kirk Park in West Olive, MI. Staff and their
families spent the afternoon enjoying the playground and beach, as well as a
great summer cookout.
Interns Rick, Kevin
and Cameo, are leaving AMDG this week to continue their education. At the
picnic each was recognized for the outstanding work they have done this
summer.
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August 14, 2002 |
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David Karle
joins AMDG Architects
David Karle joined AMDG as an architect intern. He completed his
undergraduate degree in architecture at the University of Michigan in April,
2001. David recently completed a two month travel excursion in South-East
Asia.
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August 1, 2002 |
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AMDG Architects celebrates its 10th anniversary
Staff, family, and friends gather to honor Cal Jen, the founder of AMDG. The
afternoon included an outpouring of gratitude, a fitting tribute to Cal and
his family for their dedication to AMDG throughout the life of the firm.
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August 1, 2002 |
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AMDG Architects commissions artist
AMDG commissioned artist Cheryl Wassenaar, a professor at Washington
University in St. Louis, to construct a piece of art designed
specifically for the office. The piece utilizes an AMDG construction site
sign and re-presents it with a new interpretation.
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July 15, 2002 |
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Jessica (Ruck) Mataverde joins
AMDG Architects
Jessica (Ruck) Mataverde joined AMDG as an architect intern. She completed her graduate
degree in architecture at the University of Michigan in April, 2002 and was
awarded the AIA Henry Adams Certificate. Jessica will complement the present
AMDG staff with her combination of practicality and creativity. |
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April 26, 2002 |
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Don Cok named Associate at AMDG Architects
Don Cok was named associate in recognition of his significant contributions
to the growth and success of the firm. In addition, Don's responsibilities
have expanded, allowing him the opportunity to play an integral role in the
future success of A.M.D.G. Architects.
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March 16, 2002 |
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Peter Baldwin named young architect of the year by AIA Grand Valley The award recognizes proficiency
and exceptional accomplishments in and contributions to the profession by an
architect. The architect must be 40 years old or younger at the time of the
award and have been a member of AIAGV for a minimum of three years. |
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