Bio:
The great designer, Mr. Bickerstaff founded Ubiquitous Design, Limited as a Jr. in college. He now has over 25 years of direct project management. He completed numerous award winning design projects throughout the Northeast Ohio region. He has played significant roles in the design of the Northeast Ohio HQ. for the Red Cross, City of Cleveland Greenhouse, medical facilities and most importantly the exclusive design of the African American Cultural Garden. Our portfolio is incredibly diverse in scale and scope.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I was encouraged by my French teacher to select a career path, providentially, when acclaimed Mr. Robert P. Madison- the first licensed AA architect in OH -gave a career day presentation to the entire student body at the school he designed.

What do you do?
I wear a myriad of hats as the Owner of a small, yet visionary firm. My focus is securing and successfully completing meaningful architectural projects. I am a designer at heart- always seeking and envisioning how our world could be improved.

What excites you in the work you do?
The impact that my work has on the lives of others. From the couple seeking to create their Dream Master Bedroom after the departure of their children to enhancing and expanding Operating Rooms to treat NFL players to get them back onto the field.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
Nature and children. The purity and innocence of both informs my creativity by allowing me to begin the design process with a sense of boundless energy and uninhibited curiosity. This philosophy is imperative as I embark on each commission.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Obtaining my professional license. While matriculating through Washington Univ. I perceived to have been marginalized- recommended to “transfer to the School of Social Work or a Community College”. Upon passing my examination, I was vindicated.

Featured Project Name: 
The African American Cultural Garden
 
Featured Project Location: 
Rockefeller Park Cleveland, OH
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
Phase One Past Pavilion Spring 2016

Role in Featured Project: 
W Daniel Bickerstaff, II was the sole designer, preparing all architectural drawings from Concept sketches through detailed Construction Documents. He also provided robust construction oversight
 
Featured Project Description:
Thematically the design captures the essence of the African American experience from our departure from our homeland to our aspirational future in this country. Universally, the three pavilions focus on our Past, Present and Future. The symbolic Doorway and Corridors of no return eloquently humanizes our foreparents experience. The Present Pavilion address the need to gather collectively and the Future Pavilion allows for intimate contemplation- all the while water being the connective tissue.

Photography Credit:
W. Daniel Bickerstaff, II and Scott Pease Photography