Global design firm Perkins&Will recently appointed Principal and Managing Director David Dymecki to its firmwide board of directors. Entrusted with mapping out the organization’s future, Dymecki and new board members will work together to innovate and design for an equitable, community-centric world.
“Leadership succession is a natural and exciting part of our firm’s culture, and at a time of great change in the world—from climate to culture—it’s important that we have fresh perspectives on our board of directors,” says Perkins&Will CEO Phil Harrison. “Of course, we’re grateful for the contributions of our past board members, whose leadership has been instrumental to the success our firm enjoys today, and who have paved the way for a new generation of leaders.”
Since joining Perkins&Will in 2010, David Dymecki has played an instrumental role in building the firm’s Sports, Recreation, and Entertainment practice alongside the Toronto studio. A self-proclaimed sports enthusiast, Dymecki’s love for athletics has translated into many of his other projects, including the firm’s merger with Denver-based sports architecture firm Sink Combs Dethlefs —now known as Perkins&Will’s Denver studio—Fayetteville’s Piedmont Wellness Center, Savannah’s Enmarket Arena and Georgia State University’s recently completed Convocation Center.
In addition to sports and recreation, Dymecki is committed to giving back to the local community through Perkins&Will’s Justice, Equity, Engagement, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) program. The Atlanta studio’s emphasis on CoCreate—a firmwide mindset that encourages the cultivation of genuine relationships and partnerships with diverse partners and consultants—is particularly important to him.
As part of the firm’s approach to CoCreate, Dymecki and his team established a CoCreate Studio in the Atlanta office for local firms and affiliate organizations, such as the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and academic institutions, to work and gain access to large firm resources. The studio’s first full-time CoCreate partner moved into the space in August 2022.
“Over the past decade, Perkins&Will has been blessed with talent that has guided the firm’s growth, design quality, financial success, integration of research, and industry-leading initiatives,” says Dymecki. “My goal is to continue that tradition through developing a new generation of talent, providing unparalleled service for our clients, and strengthening our environmental and social stewardship through Living Design.”
The newly composed Board of Directors convened for the first time in October. Joining Dymecki in the new cohort are Principals Yanel de Angel, managing director of the firm’s Boston studio; Chris Hardie, design director of the Shanghai studio; Zena Howard, chair of the firm’s Cultural and Civic practice; and Lindsey Peckinpaugh, managing director of the Chicago studio.
Other members include Phil Harrison, Dana Waymire, Tyson Curcio, Meg Brown, Murali Selvaraj, Gina Berndt, Brodie Stephens, Kay Kornovich, Richard Marshall, Manuel Cadrecha, Tom Reisenbichler, and Andrew Frontini. Recent former members include Robert Brown, Peter Busby, Ralph Johnson, and Jean Mah.