Meet Mike Eichhorn: an architect and educational planner at Wold whose diverse career experiences and commitment to creating engaging learning environments make him a valued member of our K-12 leadership team. With an international background in architecture and a passion for education, Mike is dedicated to designing spaces that consider student diversity and promote collaboration and innovation at every step. His work is driven by a belief in the importance of service and the power of well-designed spaces that enhance lives.
After growing up always knowing he wanted to be an architect, Mike earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he also gained valuable experience in marketing, risk-taking and public speaking. After college, Mike worked at multiple downtown Chicago architecture firms, designing everything from Midwest summer homes to skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before joining the team at Wold.
I’m privileged to have gained multicultural design experience throughout my career. In the 1990s, I lived in Barcelona, Spain, where I worked at a Catalan architecture firm. Working there shaped my understanding of how people from other cultures view their work, the built environment and the world. I have found that opening my mind to other cultures helps me when designing public buildings where communities gather. It’s important to recognize the value of diverse points of view and perspectives in the design process.
School design should engage students, encourage collaboration and support their personal learning needs, and be sure to include lots of natural light and color and be easy to navigate for students and staff. Our team’s emphasis on collaborating with stakeholders in our communities also energizes me to do my best work and create spaces that benefit everyone.
Rapid changes in technology have become a very hot topic in the industry. Wold embraces technological advancements, incorporating sustainability and energy efficiency to make the buildings we design examples of our forward-thinking vision. Lately, we’ve reaped the benefits of 3-D visualization and the ability to incorporate new materials like ventilated rainscreens and prefabrication into the building process. However, we make sure to manage the evolving technological landscape while maintaining a human touch with our clients and ensuring they’re part of our process.
I’ve always been interested in childhood development, and I took courses on the topic in college that still serve me today. It’s important to consider how society brings up its next generation: Children spend a lot of time at school, and it’s the first public space they learn to explore. Schools should be a safe place where they can expand their exposure to new subject matter, learn new languages, study what interests them and more. Schools may also be the primary place where families connect with other community members, which underscores the need for educational spaces that accommodate more than just students and teachers.
Humans spend about 90% of our time indoors, meaning the quality of the built environment is key to well-being, productivity and health. Architects play a key role in the process of creating education spaces where people enjoy their work, learn in a safe place and socialize with their community in a positive way.
My family instilled in me that it’s crucial to give back more than you receive, and service to your community makes you a stronger individual. In my work, I make it a goal to put personalized care into my interactions with clients.
I strive for a work-life balance and aspire to always open myself up to new experiences. My family and I always try to make our vacations experiential and do things we can’t do in the Midwest. Our favorite highlights from around the world include skiing in the Rocky Mountains and hiking in the Pyrenees of Spain. We make trips regularly back to Barcelona to visit with old friends, celebrate holidays and whip up some mean paella and tapas.
I can’t see myself doing anything else. The shoe just fit me. But if I had to pick, I could see myself being a science teacher or professor with one of those corduroy jackets and elbow patches.
Be fearless. Don’t underestimate your skills when you apply yourself and work hard. Accept other people’s generosity with gratitude. Be a good leader, mentor and example to others. And listen to a lot of music with the volume turned all the way up!
To learn more about Mike Eichhorn, his experience and his insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members who bring our work to life.