BROOKE WEGENER
Koch Hazard Architects
SAY IT LOUD - SOUTH DAKOTA Exhibitor
South Dakota Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I have been fortunate to have had excellent coaches and mentors who have inspired and challenged me to work hard and continue learning.
BROOKE WEGENER
Bio:
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Brooke played NCAA Division I soccer and received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. From there she worked in the Collegiate Athletics Media Relations industry for eight years, traveling all over the country, before relocating back to South Dakota. Brooke has been working in the architecture and design industry for over 10 years. She resides in Sioux Falls with her husband, children and dog.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I knew nothing about design when I responded to an online job posting for a Marketing Coordinator position at an Architecture and Interior Design firm. I have grown to appreciate the role design and the built environment play in everyday life.
What do you do?
I am a Partner at Koch Hazard and have been with the firm since 2011. I lead the marketing, public relations and community development efforts, while assisting with HR, and the programming phases of projects, including master planning and studies.
What excites you in the work you do?
Every day is different. I enjoy driving around our state and seeing the projects we have worked on. I have a larger appreciation for design when I travel, understanding the amount of work and people it takes to make buildings possible.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I have been fortunate to have had excellent coaches and mentors who have inspired and challenged me to work hard and continue learning.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I don't have one accomplishment or achievement that I am most proud of. Currently, I enjoy educating people, advocating for the design profession and talking to children and young adults about design and how fulfilling it can be.
Featured Project Name:
Augustana University Housing Master Plan Update
Featured Project Location:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Featured Project Completion Date:
2018
Role in Featured Project:
Brooke served as the Project Coordinator for this Master Plan Update on the Augustana University campus. She led the master plan document coordination amongst the design team, organized project milestones and assisted the design team with client communication, as well as a documenting the existing dormitories on campus. Brooke assisted the University in publishing the document and distributing to students, parents, faculty/staff and stakeholders.
Featured Project Description:
Brooke Wegener worked with a team of individuals to update the 2008 Housing Master Plan. The update included a 4-year outlook addressing housing trends, current and projected student population, parking and considerations for all current AU housing types including campus residence halls, apartments and theme houses. The document includes existing building conditions, current bed and bath counts, student surveys, and an analysis of current and projected enrollment figures and parking needs.
Photography Credit:
Jacob Urban & Guillermo Cebrian
Featured Project Name:
Parker School District Existing Facilities Study
Featured Project Location:
Parker, South Dakota
Featured Project Completion Date:
2020
Role in Featured Project:
Brooke served as the Project Coordinator for Parker School District Existing facility study. She led the existing facility study document coordination amongst the design team, organized delivery date for document deliverables and assisted the design team with client communication. Brooke led the staff survey distribution, collection and data analysis for the project. She assisted the School District in publishing the document.
Featured Project Description:
Brooke worked with a team that reviewed the Parker School District’s existing facility, growth trends, curriculum and goals. The study assisted the District and its school board with choosing between renovating the existing campus (various building ages) versus construction of a new building or a combination of both.
