David Quade

David Quade, AIA, NCARB, CSI joined Sinclair Hille Architects in 1995 and is a registered architect in ten states (Nebraska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia and Texas) with a well-deserved reputation for technical expertise in construction documentation and administration.  Known for his critical thinking and attention to detail, David ensures that projects are cost-effective, resilient, and maintain high design quality.  His hands-on knowledge of building technologies, lifelong interest and participation in construction related endeavors, and non-profit leadership in facilities administration strengthens his ability to perform at the highest level in a manner that is collaborative, practical and future minded while simultaneously maintaining the design goals and aesthetics established in early phases of a project.  David remains actively engaged in the local community through serving on the City of Lincoln Building Code Task Force, the Nebraska Capital Environs Commission and at his local church in worship and spiritual development ministries.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the field?

While securing work in an architectural office early in your educational process is a great opportunity, I would always recommend pursuing hands on opportunities to work directly in the field of construction prior to fully engaging your formal architectural career.  Hands on experience framing houses, installing landscaping, pouring footings, foundation walls, concrete flatwork along with personal pursuits in woodworking, drywall installation and finishing, flooring (wood, tile, sheet goods) installation, roofing, electrical and other trades have been a significant factor in making me the architect I am today.  Firsthand experience provides a treasure of knowledge that goes a long way in helping you understand how to detail material transitions and understand the general process of construction.  In addition to practical construction related experience, I highly recommend developing an active pursuit of knowledge.  Read trade articles, and be inquisitive.  Too many people try to figure it out on their own.  We are made for relationship.  Talk to people, ask questions about everything and approach life as though you have so much more to learn.

If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

This is a REALLY difficult question.  I love to travel and have so much of the world I still want to see.  I absolutely love the peacefulness and grandeur of the outdoors (farming, fishing, hunting, cycling, gardening etc.), but I also love the activity and buzz about the city.  If I want to just get away, enjoy creation and escape from technology, I would head to Alaska for a moose hunt.  If I want to experience people, history and the layers and textures of the city, I would love to head to Florence, Italy.

What’s your favorite part of the design process?

My favorite part of the design process is honestly the phase of Design Development.  I love to take the beginnings of a design, the plan, elevations and 3-dimensional imagery and figure out the unique aspects of the design that will drive the fundamental details for the project.  Identifying building controls, key details and relationships of materials and systems is extremely rewarding and critically important before you move into the formal documentation process.  A project’s potential success is often won or lost in how successful you are at thoughtfully and collaboratively working through the design development process.