Here at Sketchworks Architecture, we have over 129 years of combined experience. That’s right, we go waaaaay back. So, we wanted to share with you the inner workings of our team and exactly who we are. Read on to meet us.
The Boss: Steve Shulfer
Steve is the CEO, partner and big kahuna of Sketchworks Architecture. He has over 25 years of architectural experience and is both a member of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED Accredited Professional. He received a Bachelor of Science in architectural studies from UW–Milwaukee and is a licensed architect in six states.
Steve’s wide range of experience includes over one hundred projects for clients in many different industries. His knowledge of construction methods and his management skills make him an excellent team leader.
Fun Fact: Steve is our office “Ironman,” having competed in Ironman Wisconsin in 2013 and 2017.
The Pro: Brad Koning
With over 20 years of experience, Brad is the executive director of project development and partner of Sketchworks Architecture. Brad received a Master of Architecture from UW–Milwaukee and is a licensed architect in seven states. He is both an American Institute of Architects member and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards certified.
Brad’s projects have ranged from large corporate research laboratories to small tenant improvements. His roles in design, construction documentation and construction administration have polished his skills as an architect and offer a wide range of technical experience and problem solving skills while leading large and small project teams.
Fun fact: In his spare time Brad enjoys restoring and customizing automobiles and motorcycles.
The Keep-It-Together Champion: Erin Summers
With over 10 years of combined management experience, Erin oversees all of the daily activities as our Director of Operations. She handles our accounting and administration, as well as marketing and project management support.
Erin has a background in healthcare administration and non-profit work, transitioning into the design-build field in 2011. She received her BBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, an MBA in Project Management and a Masters in Organizational Leadership from CSU.
Fun Fact: Erin is an avid world traveler and hiker. She is also an oil painter and enjoys volunteering to teach children’s art in the community.
The Master of Angles: Nick Badura
Nick brings over 10 years of design experience as one of our Project Mangers and has been with Sketchworks Architecture for three years. He has a Master of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
He is working towards becoming a licensed architect and is certified in AutoCAD, Sketch-Up and REVIT. At Sketchworks, Nick specializes in our hospitality and multi-family residential projects. He was also the lead designer on our award-winning AprilAire project for Best Office Renovation in the InBusiness Commercial Design Awards.
Fun Fact: In his spare time he enjoys golfing, cooking and spending time with family.
The Legendary Leader: Kirk Biodrowski
Kirk brings over 15 years of design experience to our team as a Project Manager. He has a BE in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Master of Architecture from UW-Milwaukee.
Kirk is highly skilled in both AutoCAD and REVIT, and has extensive experience working both independently and within teams. He was lead designer of the award-winning Roast Public House project for Best Small Retail for the InBusiness Commercial Design Awards and Best Of competition for IIDA-Wisconsin.
Fun fact: Kirk enjoys recharging by competing in obstacle/mud races like Tough Mudder.
The Team Player: Miguel Rea
Miguel is an architectural designer contributing over 16 years in experience to the Sketchworks Architecture crew. He is REVIT certified and specializes in CAD. Miguel brings experience in all aspects of the architectural process from conceptual design through construction documents.
Miguel has awesome interpersonal and communication abilities for presenting to groups and individuals, and is pretty darn efficient handling multiple tasks during project workflows.
Fun Fact: Miguel lives in the Madison area with his wife and two daughters and enjoys coaching soccer in his free time.
The Drafting Dude: Ross Treichel
Ross brings a diverse background as an architectural designer to the Sketchworks Architecture team. With experience in landscape and hospitality, Ross launched into the design field with an associate of science in drafting and design technology.
Ross is experienced in AutoCAD and Revit, and has contributed to several of our multi-family residential projects, as well as retail and specialty projects.
Fun Fact: Ross lives in the Madison area with his wife and is the proud father of twin boys.
THE HISTORY BUFF: CLAIRE BRUNNER
Claire joined our team in 2017, bringing four years of experience as an architectural designer to the Sketchworks Architecture team. Graduating with honors from UW–Milwaukee with a Bachelors of Architectural Studies in 2013 and a Masters in Architecture in 2015, she then spent time studying abroad in Japan before returning back to Madison to start her professional career.
Claire is experienced in AutoCAD and Revit, and is proficient in ComCheck energy performance reporting. She has contributed to several of our retail buildouts and projects, and is always detail oriented and an excellent team player.
Fun Fact: Claire studied historic preservation in graduate school and frequently travels to tour historic homes, plantations and her extended family in South Carolina.
THE WORLD TRAVELER: ERIC KOM
Originally from South Dakota, Eric recently moved back to the Midwest from the Washington, D.C. area. Prior to his architecture career, Eric, Architectural Designer, was an Air Force engineering officer. He spent seven of his ten years stationed overseas with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His assignments included base planning, construction and maintenance, service contract oversight, operational readiness and disaster management. He holds advanced degrees in architecture, real estate development and business administration.
Eric is well-versed in classical architecture, neighborhood planning, project management, team building and operational leadership. He not only tackles design tasks, but engages in the administrative side, building our details library and establishing operational standards and quality control methods.
Fun Fact: Eric has been to four continents, but has yet to visit all 50 states.