Ideas + Updates

  • News

2023 year in review

As another successful year is wrapping up, we’re reflecting on all of this year’s accomplishments and looking forward to a strong start in 2024. Join us in revisiting our highlights throughout 2023 — a journey marked by growth, innovation, and determination. We are proud of each facility we transform and having it recognized within the…

Group of Bray employees who volunteered at habitat for humanity volunteer day in March 2024
  • Community

Volunteer Day

Here at Bray, we set out to design lasting solutions that shape lives and communities for the better. While this guides our day-to-day work with school districts and municipalities across the Midwest, our efforts extend beyond design and the markets we serve. As designers, we understand the impact safe and sustainable buildings have on communities…

2024 Women at Bray headshots for WIC Week and IWD
  • News
  • People

Women in Construction Week

In celebration of Women in Construction Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible women here at Bray. Across our four offices, 28 women contribute to our administrative, architecture, interior design, and marketing departments. Their exceptional talent, passion, and expertise not only propel our firm forward but also foster an inclusive and collaborative environment in…

Kari Uhlenkamp's employee spotlight graphic
  • People

Employee Spotlight – Kari Uhlenkamp

Kari Uhlenkamp, an architect in our Davenport, Iowa office, is celebrating one year with us. She leads and manages the projects through all phases. Currently, she’s designing Sudlow Middle School (Davenport Community Schools) and Bettendorf Community School District’s Alternative High School – Edison Academy. Growing up in a family of engineers, solving problems and building…

Joe Lopera employee spotlight graphic
  • People

Employee Spotlight – Joe Lopera

Joe Lopera, a construction administration representative, handles various responsibilities, including reviewing submittals, conducting field observations, and managing punch lists. Initially pursuing engineering in college, Joe shifted to architecture as emerging technologies like CAD (computer-aided technology) were discovered. “I fell in love with technology and the vast opportunities that came with architecture,” he shares. Joe enjoys…

Joe Frisch employee spotlight graphic
  • People

Employee Spotlight – Joe Frisch

Joe Frisch is a project coordinator at Bray and works on all phases of design, from predesign through construction documents. He is currently working on Oconomowoc High School as extensive work will be done to the facility.  From an early age, Joe’s passion for architecture was apparent. He remembers attending various architectural camps, specifically one…

Kylie Arett employee spotlight graphic celebrating one year at Bray
  • People

Employee Spotlight – Kylie Arett

Kylie Arett, a key member of the interior design team, engages in all facets of interior design for our clients. Whether meeting with clients, facilitating user focus groups, making furniture selections, or working on construction documents, she transforms clients’ visions into reality through thoughtful design. Currently, she’s working on projects with our Iowa team –…

  • News

happy holidays

You made this year even brighter — Thank you! This holiday season, we want to express our gratitude for your trust and support; it has been instrumental in making 2023 a successful and inspiring chapter for us. We look forward to creating more innovative spaces together in the coming year!

Graphic with Nathan Derks photo for Rising Young Professional of the Year award
  • News
  • People

Rising Star in the Industry

We are excited to announce that Nathan Derks, AIA, project leader and architect at Bray Architects received a Rising Young Professional of the Year award from The Daily Reporter. Nathan keeps pushing the limits for young architects and is a true rising star within the industry. Starting his career as a senior project coordinator at…

Josie May's employee spotlight graphic
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  • People

Employee Spotlight – Josie May

Josie May is the proposal and communication coordinator and is responsible for the coordination and creation of proposals. She also works on coordinating and creating interview documents (that occurs after we have been shortlisted and chosen for an interview by the client). Switching to the communications field in college after starting on a pre-med track,…

  • News
  • People

Moving + Shaping Bray

We are thrilled to announce the well-deserved promotions of our exceptional team members and welcome several recent graduates to our team as well as welcome back a former employee. This summer, we welcomed seven recent graduates from the following universities: Iowa State University, UW-Madison, and UW-Milwaukee. We also welcomed back Marcel Franz as project specialist.…

John Everitt in his one year work anniversary picture
  • News
  • People

Employee Spotlight – John Everitt

John Everitt is a project coordinator and is currently working on the North Fond du Lac (NFDL) School District project. John works on the predesign phase for many projects and recently expanded his workload on the NFDL project to include construction documents and design work. The architecture field was a decision he made in high…