At Nacht & Lewis, we believe that great advice has the power to shape careers, inspire creativity, and drive success. That is why we have asked our team to share the best advice they have ever received. Whether it’s the importance of continuous learning, viewing challenges as opportunities, or honing listening skills, these insights reflect the core values that drive us daily.
Lorenzo Lopez, Justice Leader
Early in my career, a client told me, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Since then, I’ve sought out clients and teams that truly appreciate the contributions of all members dedicated to project success.
Mike Parrott, President
Remember that life is unpredictable; it can take you or your loved ones away at any moment. Therefore, cherish every moment, every person, and every opportunity you have.
Peter Dahlmann, Senior Project Coordinator
Always work harder than your boss.
Mike Smith, Public Safety Leader
In architecture, effective communication is crucial, and one key lesson I’ve learned is the importance of transparency. Throughout my career maintaining infrastructure that supports technology resources, I’ve observed that people dislike being kept in the dark. Our firm provides essential resources that others rely on.
When responding to requests, it’s common to think, “I’ll gather the information and email them back.” However, the person waiting doesn’t know if this will take minutes, hours, or days. Often, unforeseen tasks arise, delaying what initially seemed like a quick response. It’s important to communicate upfront if there will be a delay. This lets them know their request is acknowledged and gives them a realistic timeline to expect. This simple practice can prevent small issues from snowballing and affecting other tasks.
James Hicks, Project Coordinator
It’s easy to become absorbed in linework, graphic elements, or digital models these days. Early in my career, a project manager advised me to envision myself as the contractor. This advice has stuck with me, prompting me to regularly step back and assess whether what I’m drawing or modeling is constructible. While we may not always know every detail of how building components will fit together, adopting this mindset during the design phase has proven highly advantageous for me.
Michele Hausauer, Project Architect
Every line you draw matters. Early in my career, our now-retired Director of Design, Andy McPhearson, emphasized the importance of communication in construction documents. He taught me that we convey information through our digital pencils. When drawing details, it’s essential to use lineweights, linetypes, colors, hatches, and transparency to enhance communication. In the age of digital drawings, many details and plans lack depth and nuance, appearing flat. Andy’s advice reminds me that every line, no matter how small or seemingly minor, serves a purpose and should be optimized to effectively communicate architectural ideas.
Eric Sifuentes, Accessibility Leader
Shannon Griswold, Design Technician
