News   

September 01, 2009

Westlake Reed Leskosky Announces Unified Innovative Technology Design

CLEVELAND, OHIO (FALL 2009)–Unifying its technology disciplines, nationally recognized architecture/engineering firm Westlake Reed Leskosky announces the appointment of Raymond A. Kent, CTS, Assoc AIA, LEED AP, EAVA, Associate, as Director of Innovative Technology Design Group

Westlake Reed Leskosky names practice leaders Darrell R. Ziegler, Associate, Theatre Technology and Raymond E. Heintel, PE, RCDD, Associate, Information Technology.

The Innovative Technology Design of Westlake Reed Leskosky expands and further develops the technology specialties of the firm as an integrated design practice. Unified technical specialties allow Westlake Reed Leskosky to enhance comprehensive services in audio visual, information transport, acoustics, security, performance and theatrical technical systems, lighting design, and specialized interiors to its corporate, educational, healthcare, performing and cultural arts, and governmental clients.

Raymond Kent, Director of the Innovative Technology Design, comments, "As a vertically integrated practice, Westlake Reed Leskosky has the ability to seamlessly provide for these technology systems as part of the whole building design, rather than an after-thought. Because we have the specialties in-house, we can control schedule, budget and product more efficiently."

Raymond Kent acknowledges how Westlake Reed Leskosky's integrated technology services respond to changes in the marketplace. "Technology permeates all aspects of our lives. In every market today, end-users are becoming increasingly techno-centric; the expectation of integrated technology in the workplace is rapidly becoming the norm. Retiring baby-boomers are being replaced by the millennial generation who has grown up with 200 cable channels, iPods and cell phones. They are the 'connected' generation – and, as designers, we need to create environments for them."

He continues, "We have an imperative to provide buildings that not only function well in a traditional brick and mortar sense, but also in the ways businesses communicate internally and externally. Designers need to provide clients the technology resources to achieve success efficiently in a global economy. For example, the implementation of a tele-presence video conferencing system can significantly reduce the need for costly corporate travel or provide distance-learning opportunities for the educational sector."

With offices in Washington, DC, Cleveland, Ohio, and Phoenix, Arizona, Westlake Reed Leskosky (www.WRLdesign.com) bases success and growth on comprehensive building design services with building specialization in health care, work place environments, cultural, and educational facilities. This expertise is delivered using Building Information Modeling with highly integrated specialized capabilities including LEED™/sustainable design, interior design, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, data transport/IT and technology design, security design, theatre technical services, acoustical, audio-visual and lighting services, assistance in historic and new markets tax credits, and cultural arts planning.

About the Practice Leaders
Raymond A. Kent, Director of Innovative Technology Design is an award-winning specialist in the design and specification of audio-visual, show control, lighting and performance systems. Raymond has worked in design and project management from New York to Los Angeles, with expertise in designing audio-visual systems for corporate, healthcare, educational and civic clients as well as theatrical and AV systems for performing and cultural arts projects. Innovative technology projects have included tele-presence, audio-visual conferencing, digital signage applications, paging and background audio systems, classroom media technology, and room automation systems. His background includes working as a professional in the entertainment industry; he has taught design and technology classes at the university level and is author of two books on technology systems as well as numerous technical articles in major industry publications. He has developed new control systems for dimmable RGB LED lighting over CAT5/6 cable using DMX512 protocol.

Theatre technology systems are key to the firm's national specialty in new cultural and performing arts centers and the restoration of historic theatres. Darrell R. Ziegler, Theatre Technical Services, draws upon performance in technical mastery that enhances the firm's work in historic theatre restoration and the design of new cultural and performing arts centers.

Directing over twenty-nine years of experience in theatre technology, Darrell's capabilities encompass the full range of systems design and implementation for new and renovated theatres, from rigging systems and stage lighting and dimming systems to stage lift and platform equipment. His project involvement extends from the performance of existing condition surveys and safety inspections to theatre equipment budgets, specifications and installations.

Another major component of the forward-thinking technology initiative is Unified Communications Systems Design, the convergence of audio-visual systems and information transport, and the trend to place more AV systems on the "network."

Raymond Heintel, P.E., RCDD, Associate, fuses the experience of a professional facilities management director with the role of project electrical engineer to bring an owner's viewpoint to the firm's design process. Understanding the effects of design o final outcomes, Ray brings 24 years experience and versatility involving facilities budgets, operations, maintenance, equipment and regulatory compliance for healthcare, industry, and large organizations including the Cleveland Clinic Health System. Ray has also developed depth in medium high voltage power distribution which he brings to benefit healthcare clients and other owners of large campus environments.