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Lake Residence
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Architekton is constantly exploring opportunities and potential for integrated collaborative design based on new technologies and organizational systems. We continue to refine our design process to better take advantage of the diverse experience and background of everyone involved in our projects. Concurrently, we are striving to discover and reinforce the passion of each of the people we work with - whether it is a search for meaning in design, the desire to serve our community, sharing knowledge and mentoring, or understanding the power of new software applications.
Environmental appropriateness and stewardship is an underlying theme in everything we touch. It is the basis for decision making on our projects, from orientation, material selection, and systems options, to understanding the entire life cycle of the building so that it can adapt as programs change. Sustainability also influences how we practice. We have located our office to encourage alternative transportation and have implemented extensive recycling and educational initiatives, as well as taking the first steps towards developing a paperless delivery system for projects.
As facilitators of change, we are creating management tools that go beyond the need to deliver highly accurate documentation for construction. We are looking at systems that facilitate knowledge-based decision making for our clients and deliver the clear, accurate information needed by the builders with whom we partner.
We understand studio culture as an important and dynamic part of how we work. There is a strong focus on personal development as architects and leaders, as well as establishing friendships and promoting open dialogue. This attitude of collaboration is what allows Architekton to constantly evolve and continue to develop original ideas about community and design.
John Kane is a founding partner and design principal with Architekton. Recognized by Architecture Magazine in 2002 as part of the AIA Desert School, a group of influential architects redefining desert modernism, John's designs are respected throughout the Southwest as a paradigm for an appropriate and sustainable architecture. Architekton's never-ending passion to be creative and innovative has resulted in more than 95 local and national citations for design excellence since 1989. John serves on the board of the Valley Forward Association. He is a member of the ASU College of Design Council for Design Excellence and a member of the Tempe Council Community Sustainability Committee. He is also a visiting critic and lecturer at schools of architecture around the country.
Joseph Salvatore currently serves as Architekton's CEO overseeing the company's operations. In addition, he serves as project manager on many of the company's larger projects and has amassed a portfolio of nearly half a billion dollars worth of construction. Projects involving multiple levels of client input and that require an extraordinary focus on resource management are his area of expertise. Generally, Joe's projects are complex involving significantly higher than normal layers of sub-consultancy. He has personally developed Architekton's management tools that keep these projects on schedule, properly staffed and focused on quality. His unique style of management places him as the client's champion during the design and construction processes; a role that every client finds invaluable. Joe was Architekton's Director for the Tempe Center for the Arts and the Surprise City Hall and Public Safety Facility projects.
Gregory Lambright serves as Principal in Charge of religious projects, corporate projects and Architekton's development projects. One of the founding partners of Architekton, he is well known in the Southwest for his capability to effectively navigate government processes to ensure a smooth project outcome. He has become an expert at coordinating large-scale building programs and coordinating complex municipal entitlement. Greg has worked to complete more than 2,500 private sector, governmental, and commercial type projects, while always maintaining a strong client service ethic. Currently, Greg is the Managing Principal for the design of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gilbert Temple.
Douglas Brown is a founding Principal of Architekton and provides stable leadership that helps to guide the company's long-term strategy and daily operations. Doug strives to understand client expectations. He knows change is a constant and delivering what the client expects requires flexibility and anticipating the unexpected. He is a mentor to Architekton's design talent and fosters technical growth by maintaining a high standard of quality work. Doug was responsible for developing the company's formal quality assurance and quality control programs. He recently oversaw the construction of the Tempe Transportation Center - a LEED Platinum Registered project.
As Director, Tom Reilly creates initiatives related to collaborative design management, client development and strategic growth. Tom devotes his energies and talents to ensuring that the buildings we create achieve their creative potential and operational intent while honoring the investment of the owner. While he manages a diverse range of projects, Tom has universal success in facilitating teams that understand and exceed client expectations. He inspires teams to envision the extraordinary and find cost effective, creative ways to achieve that vision. A Phoenix native, he spent four years in the Navy Seabees building military bases around the world. He returned to Arizona and worked as a carpenter before obtaining his architectural degree at Arizona State University.

