Barker Rinker Seacat (BRS) Architecture is announcing the retirement of David (Dave) Hammel on June 30, 2020 after a 43-year career at the firm. Dave has been instrumental at BRS since he joined in the firm’s sophomore year back in 1977. He helped spearhead the company’s recreation focus, working on some of the initial projects that laid the groundwork in this market for years, including Recreation Centers in Englewood, Loveland, Westminster, and the Fort Collins Senior Center.
Commenting on Dave’s impact at the firm, Craig Bouck, Principal, Strategy Partner, recounts,“Dave contributed his creative energy, insatiable curiosity and hands-on design approach to over 100 community recreation projects while at BRS. I believe there is no other architect that has dedicated more of their career to the innovation and evolution of community recreation center design than Dave. Dave’s legacy will not only be the impactful buildings he helped create, but also the the thousands of lives he has helped improve in communities across the country.”
Dave progressed in his time at BRS, initially hired in 1977 as an architectural intern. As a result of Dave’s attention to detail and easily approachable nature, he quickly became the Contract Administration guru within the office for many years. As he transitioned into a design role, and eventually became a Principal in 1988, he applied his depth of knowledge gained while in the field to his design work. Between 1990-1998, Dave served as the CFO for the office, bringing his conservative leanings to the firm’s financial health. Throughout his career, Dave was a true mentor to all of the architects in the firm – young and old.
Reflecting on his career and stride in recreation design, Dave states, “I can’t think of another building type that is as rewarding and challenging as Community Recreation.”
Katie Barnes, Principal, Managing Partner, warmly adds, “I was lucky to work with Dave when I first started at BRS in 1997 and I never stopped learning from him. His steady demeanor and technical savy were invaluable. We will miss Dave immensely.”
Dave, along with his wife Debbie, will remain in Colorado and will enjoy more time at their tiny home in Granby. The pair will be filling their days with competitive tennis matches, and Dave will be sharpening his amateur photography skills and relaxing with his easel and watercolors. They also foresee increased family time with their two children, Scott and Grant and daughter-in-law Jessica.
Images courtesy of Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture
