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People Creating Places | Mark Gandy
January 1, 1970 • All, People
PEOPLE CREATING PLACES
People Creating Places is Schemmer’s blog about our professionals, the people who create the places where you live, work, and play.
Mark Gandy, AIA
Mark Gandy is Schemmer’s Senior Project Architect in our Oklahoma City office. His credentials include:
- Licensed Architect in five states
- NCARB Certified
- American Institute of Architects
What kind of projects do you work on?
I enjoy working on faith-based projects, dealing with worship centers all the way to education and office spaces, including master planning for
- churches
- auditoriums
- children’s areas
I have also managed and designed multiple projects in healthcare, children’s healthcare, senior living, research laboratories, and research greenhouses.
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Who or what inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
As a child, I loved art, drawing, and building. While stationed in Alaska during my elementary school years, I would build small cities in the basement of our house. I also remember looking at books in the library and was inspired by the design and created spaces of Frank Lloyd Wright. Years later, I was fortunate as one of my first professional influences in methods of design and style of thinking was Bill Howard, an Oklahoma City architect, who trained at Taliesin, Wright’s studio and school in Arizona.
What is the best advice you can give to someone just starting their career?
Don’t allow others to tell you what you can or can’t do.
Don’t settle; find and work for a firm with a team that is encouraging, helping you grow and build your career.
What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
God has blessed me with my family, kids and grandchildren, being able to continue to be parent, mentoring them, enjoying life, and looking forward to the future of their families
If you could go back in time, what one piece of advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?
Have confidence in your abilities, and do not allow negative people to influence that confidence.
Don’t be afraid to be different.
Don’t compromise your beliefs.
How do you feel your work enhances your community?
I have had the good fortune to work in downtown settings, first in Oklahoma City and now in our Schemmer firm in Downtown Edmond. Being involved in Central AIA, the Rotary Club, Edmond Chamber of Commerce, and other community and non-profit organizations has allowed me to contribute with an architectural perspective. Architects see things a little differently, looking at the big picture and helping to solve problems creatively. The community is open and wants architects working alongside city, government, and private professionals.
What is one past project that you are most proud of or enjoyed working on the most?
This is difficult, because there are so many of them. The Children’s Center in Bethany, a pediatric rehab center, was very special due to the impact of design on children. Seeing the children, even with their disability, being able to interact with the light and “outdoors” from inside the facility, was very satisfying. Nurses and caregivers also spoke about the impact of architecture. Architecture is about bringing joy, peace and comfort.
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DESIGN WITH PURPOSE. BUILD WITH CONFIDENCE.
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