Referral notes - Our work is entirely based on referrals - here are notes from a few industry partners that keep us going:

 

Mike and Team –

Wanted to extend our gratitude for your teams efforts to get us Occupancy.  This was a major team effort – from all sides of the spectrum – and the CSU FM team was a critical component!  We appreciate the extra hours, being available at all times of the day for phone calls, emails, and just overall moral support.  You all always brought positive attitudes and an “ease” to situations when things started to feel impossible.  A huge thank you to all of you! 

-Program Manager - Senior Director

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CSU has been a pioneer and leader around integrated project delivery and is highly regarded for quality work, fair and equitable dealings with the AEC industry. Owner of the Year for the Western Mountain Region is well placed and industry appreciates the opportunities to work with CSU as they continue to develop facilities to accommodate their research, teaching, engagement and extension mission.

-ENR Western Mountain Region – 2016 Owner of the Year.

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We greatly appreciate the integrated approach of developing schematic design, pausing and securing construction estimates prior to proceeding with the construction documents and permit set.  Lantern’s methodology leads itself to incremental cost exposure such that we were confident in a range of probably cost prior to proceeding with the rest of the design work.

-New Home Client(s)

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He’s the regional expert for complicated additions and renovations, being able to clearly illustrate the project in 3- dimensions takes the guesswork out of ensuring the load path makes it’s way through existing structure all the way to the foundation. The before and after approach to drawing organization makes it much easier to describe and capture the scope of work with the subcontractors. It’s apparent he was a former framer – the work simply makes sense.

-Residential General Contractor

 

We love working with them.  The only time Mike isn’t smiling is when he has fractured ribs from the bike wrecks. Even then he keeps up with commitments. He loves to ride his bike and occasionally gets distracted and hits light poles.

-Local Norther Colorado Contractor

 

Lantern retains the master builder approach to drawing delivery and is able to accommodate the structural engineering, electrical and mechanical drawings directly and within the same building information model. The sets are inherently coordinated and clearly integrated which alleviates change orders and delays during construction allowing us to maintain schedule and budget commitments. If questions come up, Mike is immediately responsive except when he is fishing.

-Light Commercial General Contractor

 

Mike teaches and mentors a handful of construction management and engineering graduate students and consistently receives outstanding and often unsolicited reviews from his students every year. He readily promotes the positive and delivers materials with an overarching sense of care (especially when stress ramps up over the duration of the semester).  Some refer to his class as the construction and technology boot camp for graduate students and others as challenging but fun. They all report out with a smile when discussing his class.

-Construction Management Department Head

 

They (Lantern Architects),  are always busy but they consistently do what they say they are going to do. They provide accurate scheduling information and attractive fees.  Even though they are often out a little further than we would like, it’s simply worth the wait, we don’t have problems during the builds.  Their new home designs consistently build and sell faster than the rest of our speculative portfolio.

-Residential Developer/ Builder – Speculative Homes - Colorado, California and Hawaii

 

Mike is a dedicated, creative, hardworking problem solver who has the ability to get a lot done and do it very well. He knows contracts, procurement requirements and associated paths with in the state system to promote efficiencies and get things done. He has been a critical team member in delivering the most robust capital development program in CSU's history. Mike is a trusted resource, fine strategist and advises around delivering not only award winning architecture (he often develops the design concepts himself) but also promotes and delivers high quality, sustainable buildings with low life cycle and operational costs.

-Upper Level University Administrator

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Leveraging his experience and relationships from the private sector, Mike was responsible for bringing the design build project delivery model to CSU. We delivered a number of significant projects using this strategy including the new biology building, medical center and the Michael Smith Natural Resources building addition to the Warner of College Natural Resources. This design build team based approach and associated contract responsibilities resulted in construction cost and delivery schedules that out performed our peers.

-Upper Level University Administrator

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In my 25+ years in construction, no other Owner has been more honest, genuine, caring and hardworking as Mike. He champions a “solution that is best for all” mentality. His design and influence on construction projects has transformed Colorado State University into a beautifully choreographed campus by giving it life architecturally that was not present 20 years ago. Mike has worked extremely hard as an advocate for the University.  He is a ‘class act’ who loves the place..

-Senior Superintendent - Design Build Partner

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I have known Mike personally for many years and have been working with him in various capacities for more than a decade. In that time, Mike has proven
himself to be a visionary in the industry, spearheading the acceptance of the design-build approach for higher education projects.
During his time at Colorado State University, Mike has become a leader of higher education campus across the state and a leader in the construction industry. He has successfully procured, designed and completed multiple complex jobs and has positioned the University among the best in the country.
Beyond his stellar credentials, I know Mike to be an honest, fair, driven professional of high integrity. He is a master builder of both projects and teams. I give him my highest recommendation.
-Regional Vice President - Design Build Partner

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I have worked with Mike for over twenty years as a design consultant at Colorado State University (CSU). His design skill, strategic thinking and dedication to excellence has elevated the quality of the CSU campus, and I believe he would be a tremendous asset to any institution. When Mike started as the University Architect at Colorado State University, the campus did not have a clear architectural language. The campus architecture was inconsistent and uninspired. Mike brought a unified vision to the campus which honors CSU’s mid-century modern history while enhancing a strong sense of place through the consistent use of natural materials, contemporary forms and innovative detailing. He started the CSU Design Review Committee encouraging a proactive and effective design discussion with design consultants. This has resulted in the beatification of the campus and has no doubt contributed to CSU’s continued growth. In addition to design strength, Mike has strategically managed the growth of the CSU campus. He is dedicated to collaboration and believes deeply in an integrated process that encourages designers and the general contractors to work together to bring maximum value to CSU. It is this dedication to integration that led Mike to utilize one of the first Design/Build Lump Sum contracts in Colorado for a higher education project; the CSU Biology building. Mike and his team created robust bridging documents that were issued to the industry as part of the procurement process. My team was lucky enough to win the commission and as part of the project goals, we tracked data throughout the project. The data allowed us to compare the level of integration to other delivery methods, and it showed that the Design/Build Lump Sum project was faster, more productive, provided more value to CSU and resulted in an award-winning building for the campus. Mike’s strategic vision inspired the process and collaboration that fostered this highly efficient and award-winning outcome for the University.

-Principal Architect, National Multidisciplinary Architectural Firm - Design Build Partner

While many Universities struggle to keep up with technologies utilized in the market, Mike and his team consistently lead their peers. Mike believes in continuous improvement and recognizes that technology is a strong tool to achieve this goal. Mike personally uses 3D modeling software in his design process and encourages his internal team and A/E consultants to push the envelope of technology on CSU projects. Based on my experience, this has resulted in more effective communications with CSU user groups which allows for faster decision making and thus more effective design schedules.

​ -Principal Architect - Design Build Partner

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Planning, designing, and building projects involves a multitude of decisions. Mike has the foresight to keep an eye on the bigger picture while making the best decisions along the way. He is always looking for better ways to collaborate and create value. Mike’s Building Information Modeling initiatives have helped his clients visualize conceptual designs as well as communicated his vision to guide design teams. In his time on campus, Mike has been instrumental in bringing world-class design and procurement methodologies to Colorado State University. This is evidenced by the vast improvements in the quality of the architecture and his proven track record for delivering project on time and on budget. Over the years, I have witnessed Mike’s tireless work ethic and desire to constantly improve processes and outcomes. He has a unique ability to challenge those around him to find better solutions and his passion for integrated project delivery is contagious. Under Mike’s leadership, his teams are empowered to leverage their individual and collective talents.

- Construction Manager - Design Build Partner

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Mike's enthusiasm, positivity and happy attitude were fascinating. Like a coach, he was motivating to my classmates and me. Mike’s pedagogical acumen, sense of humor, capacity for story telling and passion for design-build, the case study CSU projects and the use of new technologies was contagious.  In completing the coursework, our cohort was able to leave anxieties behind and felt much better prepared to enter the construction industry and be productive from day one. 

- Fulbright Scholar, Construction Management Graduate Student