Author: Frank Zilm

Since graduating in 2015, I have been working at HOK in Kansas City. During my time at HOK I have continued to work in the same Collegiate Recreation studio I did as a health and wellness intern. I have gravitated towards the technical side of architecture and focus mainly on developing the details of the project and continuing to see the project through construction. A majority of my time since graduation has been working at Ole Miss as well as the University of Wisconsin working on two new recreation centers they are building on campus.  The Ole Miss rec center is shown here (courtesy of HOK). [email protected]

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The Health and Wellness program paved the way for my career at Hoefer Wysocki. After the 7-month internship ended, I stayed on part-time while finishing my last semester at KU and was hired on after graduation. The Health and Wellness program jump-started my career and I continue to grow in my skills and knowledge every day. I’ve been able to take on leadership roles at work, volunteer in my community, and pass my first ARE exams. I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to start my career with an internship and am proud to work for the Healthcare community. The project shown here is the Nellis AFB dining facility (courtesy of Hoefer Wysocki). [email protected]

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I’m a Client Manager at BRR Architecture. Prior to BRR, I worked at PDG where I began my professional career, starting as an intern for the Health & Wellness Program. The lessons I learned during the program propelled my knowledge and understanding of people and the built environment, lessons I still use today.  While my education and early career focused on healthcare design, I ventured to a new tract when joining BRR. I currently lead a team of design professionals working on a national retail program. Day to day, I’m involved in all facets of design and client management. The project shown here is the Munster, Indiana, Dialysis Center. [email protected]

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From hospital design conceptualization abilities to international mass-scale venue facilities; while my Health & Wellness path was unconventional to most, the real-world exposure to the field during my 5th Year is what molded a dynamically well-rounded skillset that is rare for architects this early in their career. Working as an intern while exploring through the lens of a student allowed me to experience other facets of industry projects, including education and community-based work. Which inadvertently led me to finding my passion in impacting human interconnection within the built environment and pursue that dream daily as a proud member of the Venue Group with Populous. The project is the Brown County Wisconsin Expo Center. (courtesy of Populous) [email protected]

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The Health and Wellness program prepared me to start a meaningful career in architecture. It provided me with options to go to architectural competitions and conferences across the country that pushed me out of my comfort zone and provided great networking opportunities. After graduation, I accepted a position with SPT Architecture, the firm I interned with through the health and wellness program. Since joining SPT Architecture, I have worked on a variety of projects including department remodels of Wesley Medical Center, I’m especially proud of the new MRI department project (project shown), a hospital in New Mexico, and multiple schools around Kansas. [email protected]

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I graduated from the University of Kansas School of Architecture in 2010, and was lucky enough to be a part of the very first Health and Wellness program. This opportunity allowed me to obtain an internship with HOK in Saint Louis, MO.  I am still working at HOK, and have had the opportunities to work within many departments. However, my focus has been in the Healthcare and Interiors sectors. To this day, my passion for design always comes down to the people living in the space, and I believe every design decision can directly affect one’s health and wellbeing. [email protected]

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The Health and Wellness Program through KU connected me with an amazing company (Lawrence Group). I have remained here from internship to the present, and obtained my license along the way.  As an integral member of the healthcare department, I have had the opportunity to participate in the design and construction of two major replacement hospitals, multiple new-construction outpatient specialty clinics, and grown into role of lead architect for similar interesting healthcare projects.  The Lawrence Group and KU helped me establish foothold in the market as an expert in wellness design and I look forward to a long career exploring this passion. The project shown is the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatric Center (courtesy of The Lawrence Group). [email protected]

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Specialized healthcare courses in the H&W program enabled me to immediately be actively engaged in the planning and design of a range of projects- a professional sports health facility, an entirely pre-fabricated hospital concept, two medical office buildings, several outpatient surgery centers, and a major children’s hospital masterplan. The project is a medical office building in North Carolina (courtesy of the Beck Group). [email protected]

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With my professors as valuable mentors, I participated in informed design research towards building healthy communities. I had vast industry exposure through educational webinars & internship placement with various healthcare experts and participation in the 2017 ASHE PDC Summit Design Challenge in Orlando. On the academic front, I enjoyed a fantastic studio opportunity concerning real critical access healthcare projects in rural environments- both local and international, and support towards EDAC certification. I remain infinitely grateful for the robust foundation KU’s H&W program has provided for my relatively young career, especially towards my engagement in allied industries: science & technology, laboratory design and pharmaceuticals, while not working on healthcare projects- at my current role at HDR Inc. [email protected]

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