As the leaves turn, we find ourselves looking back on an incredibly busy and rewarding summer. From celebrating diversity and inclusion and participating in notable industry events, to hosting engaging internal activities, our dynamic firm culture was strengthened.

DE&I Initiatives

Fostering a culture of inclusion is a priority at Valerio Dewalt Train, and this summer, we continued to spotlight our DE&I initiatives.

In May, we honored Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Matt and Priya gave presentations highlighting the impact that these communities have had on the architecture industry.

In June we celebrated Pride Month, by hosting an educational presentation that took us through the history of Pride, followed by a fun trivia session. The entire office dressed in rainbow colors as a colorful display of celebration and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Wrapping up the summer, we embraced Hispanic Heritage Month with a special presentation from Maria, who taught us about the rich history of corn and its cultural significance. As a team, we made arepas, learning how recipes can vary across different countries in Latin America.

Learn more about our DE&I initiatives by clicking below.

Industry Events

Our team’s participation in several industry events kept us connected to the latest trends and developments in architecture and design. This summer we returned to NeoCon, where our team had the opportunity to explore innovative products and solutions from hundreds of companies.

This summer, Sheri represented our firm at the AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) Conference in Calgary, where she connected with industry leaders and explored innovative strategies for designing sustainable environments that support species conservation and education.

Our San Francisco and Chicago offices participated in the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, a global running event combining fitness, friendly competition, and camaraderie.

A standout summer moment was the Facades Conference, where Principals Matt and Tom presented on the Ford Calumet Environmental Center’s kinetic facade. They showcased how sustainable efforts, including conscious material choices and onsite wastewater treatment, can combine with functional design to create a space that serves both people and nature.

Internal Education

Continuous learning is a cornerstone of VDT’s culture, and we launched  our Internal Architecture Lunch series. Hosted by internal staff members, these presentations featured the latest industry trends, best practices for drawing issuances, and construction administration. They proved to be a great way for us all to learn from each other!

We recently enjoyed a fireside chat with our Director of Operations, Heather Salisbury, where she shared her professional journey, personal life and family history, and lessons learned throughout her career. 

Our Culture Committee creates fantastic opportunities for us to connect outside of our daily work. One highlight is the "Keeping Up with the Cool People" series, where we learn more about our colleagues and what makes them unique. Mackenzie and Sandra, our office managers, took the spotlight this summer, giving us a peek into their lives outside of the office. 

Internal Events

In honor of the Paris Olympics, we hosted our own VDT Olympics, featuring everything from table tennis to mini-golf, fostering friendly competition and team bonding.

We visited several in-progress projects as a team, including the Shedd Aquarium and our newly completed residential high-rise, Solverre. These moments allowed our team to celebrate and reflect on the tangible progress of our hard work.

The highlight of our summer was our 30th-anniversary celebration, which brought together all three VDT offices for the first time! We headed out on a bus tour around Chicago where we saw some of our most significant projects, and ended with a party at Solverre. It was a milestone event that allowed us to reflect on our rich history and celebrate an exciting future.

Looking Ahead to Fall

As the seasons change and we move into fall, Valerio Dewalt Train continues to embrace both work and play with the same enthusiasm. With new projects on the horizon and more exciting opportunities to engage with both our team and the wider community, we’re looking forward to a season full of growth and success. We’re excited to celebrate our annual Halloween festivities, share gratitude during Thanksgiving, and embrace the joy of the holiday season, all while continuing to foster creativity and collaboration.