Mackey Mitchell Architects

05/29/2026

For Kevin Symons, AIA, returning to Illinois School for the Deaf as the Class of 2026 commencement speaker was a meaningful full-circle moment.

A 1999 ISD graduate, Kevin returned to the stage as an alumnus, mentor, newly licensed architect, and Senior Associate at Mackey Mitchell Architects. His message to graduates centered on persistence, communication, self-advocacy, and the support systems that help each of us keep moving forward.

Kevin’s story also reflects the perspective he brings to Mackey Mitchell’s Learning Environments Innovation practice. As a Deaf architect, his lived experience helps our teams think more deeply about how students, educators, and communities experience space, supporting design solutions that are inclusive, thoughtful, and grounded in belonging.

Congratulations to the Illinois School for the Deaf Class of 2026, and congratulations to Kevin on this meaningful honor.

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For Kevin Symons, AIA, returning to the Illinois School for

05/28/2026

For Cynthia Viets, architecture began as a creative path and quickly became a way to explore how spaces shape the way people feel, connect, and belong.

This summer, Cynthia joins our St. Louis studio as our newest intern. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she came to St. Louis to study architecture at Washington University in St. Louis, where she completed her bachelor’s degree and will begin her final year of graduate school this fall.

Cynthia is especially interested in the ways architecture connects wellbeing, climate, storytelling, and user experience. During her internship, she is looking forward to learning more about professional practice and seeing how ideas move from the studio into the built world.

Learn more about Cynthia: https://www.mackeymitchell.com/our-firm/ #/our-people/cynthia-viets

05/27/2026

Six exams. Eighteen days. One major milestone.

Please join us in congratulating Joe Engelhardt on completing the Architecture Registration Exams! Passing all six ARE divisions in just 18 days is an incredible achievement, and it reflects Joe’s focus, persistence, and deep commitment to the profession.

We’re grateful for the thoughtful perspective Joe brings to our team and excited to celebrate this well-earned step on his path to licensure.

Congratulations, Joe!

05/27/2026

Creating pathways into design starts with opening doors.

Mackey Mitchell Architects is proud to continue our support of KU Design Camp for the fourth year, helping provide scholarships for high school students interested in exploring architecture and design at The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design.

Through hands-on workshops and the experience of campus life, Design Camp gives students the opportunity to build creative confidence, strengthen their portfolios, and begin imagining a future in design.

We are also grateful for Principal Jordan Gatewood’s continued involvement as Mackey Mitchell’s representative in KU’s Community Excellence Alliance, which brings firms together to support access, success, respect, and belonging within the school community.

Thank you to KU School of Architecture & Design for creating opportunities that invite the next generation of designers to learn, create, and see what is possible.

Learn More: https://arcd.ku.edu/design-camp

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We are grateful for the places, stories, and communities that help carry their memory forward with dignity and care.

05/23/2026

Some architectural interns arrive with a strong portfolio. Ain Jun brings that, along with a playlist, a chef’s eye, and a maker’s mindset.

Ain joins us from Syracuse University’s School of Architecture and Renee Crown Honors College, where he is studying architecture and exploring how thoughtful design can support people with diverse needs. He is also an active member of Alpha Rho Chi, the national fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. Born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Ain brings a creative perspective shaped by fabrication, music, cooking, and a deep curiosity about how spaces are experienced. This summer, he will be learning alongside our Learning Environment Innovation team.

Learn more about Ain: https://www.mackeymitchell.com/our-firm/ #/our-people/ain-jun

05/19/2026

Got specs? Chris does!

Today, our very own Christopher Wilson joins Green Ink: Writing Sustainability into Construction Specifications, hosted by Missouri Gateway Green Building Council in partnership with Greater St. Louis Chapter CSI.

The conversation will dig into how sustainability goals move from good intentions to clear, coordinated construction requirements that support greener buildings from design through construction and beyond.

Cheers to clearer specs, greener outcomes, and the thoughtful coordination that makes both possible.

05/14/2026

What does it take for a school to stay responsive, competitive, and deeply supportive of students as learning needs continue to evolve?

At Visitation Academy - Saint Louis, that question shaped the transformation of approximately 14,000 square feet of former dormitory space into a dedicated home for middle school learners.

The completed renovation includes nine new classrooms, a commons area, flexible gathering spaces, and locker bays along a daylit corridor overlooking the courtyard. More than a space upgrade, the project reflects a strategic investment in student experience, supporting evolving teaching methods, informal connection, and a stronger sense of belonging during a formative stage of learning.

As the first implementation phase of Visitation Academy's Master Plan, the renovation also speaks to a larger challenge facing independent schools today: how to adapt existing campus spaces with purpose while strengthening enrollment, retention, and community.

Designed in close partnership with Visitation Academy leadership, including Middle School Principal Angie Jung, and brought to life with project partner PARIC, the Middle School renovation reflects Mackey Mitchell’s Learning Environments Innovation approach, creating spaces that support the whole student while helping schools plan for what comes next.

Learn more about this project: https://www.mackeymitchell.com/projects/middle-school-renovation/

05/13/2026

Please join us in congratulating Kevin Symons on becoming a licensed architect!

This is a tremendous accomplishment, and one made even more meaningful by the depth of experience, dedication, and perspective Kevin brings to his work every day. Since joining Mackey Mitchell in 2009, Kevin has been an invaluable part of our team. As a Senior Associate and BIM Manager, he supports projects across the firm with technical expertise, steady problem-solving, and a thoughtful understanding of how design tools can strengthen the way we work.

Kevin’s impact also extends well beyond BIM leadership. As an Illinois School for the Deaf and RIT National Technical Institute for the Deaf graduate, he brings lived experience and critical insight to Mackey Mitchell’s Learning Environments Innovation market, helping our teams better understand how spaces can support communication, accessibility, belonging, and connection.

Kevin’s path to licensure reflects years of persistence, talent, and commitment to the profession. We are grateful for the many ways he continues to shape our work, mentor our teams, and contribute to spaces that serve people with care and purpose.

05/12/2026

Please join us in welcoming Marshall Karchunas back to Mackey Mitchell Architects as a Design Associate.

A St. Louis native from Chesterfield, Marshall first became part of our team as an architectural intern. He now returns with a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, along with experience across healthcare, education, research, and public building projects.

Marshall brings a thoughtful approach to design, shaped by his interest in technology, workflow innovation, and the careful translation of client needs into well-crafted spaces.

Welcome back, Marshall!

Learn More About Marshall: https://www.mackeymitchell.com/our-firm/ #/our-people/marshall-karchunas