Justin A. Mihalik, AIA NCARB

J.A. Mihalik Architect, LLC31 Park Lane

Essex Fells, NJ 07021

Introduction

I graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology School of Architecture in 1993, and was

already working with the Port Authority of NY/NJ as an intern. I had worked in the field of architecture

since the summer before entering NJIT. It was very important to me that I work in the field while I was

achieving my degree so that I was well prepared and could find a permanent position once I graduated.

The Influences that Impacted my Career

The internship at the Port Authority was paramount for my career and continues to influence how I

practice architecture today. Specifically that all the buildings, such as the World Trade Center, Newark

Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and JFK International Airport, were major public

structures. It was exhilarating for me to be designing with the understanding that tens of thousands of

people each day would interact and experience these structures. Of course, you cannot interview the

client under these circumstances; in fact, you are the client as well as the designer. So the design

thought process was more difficult because the questions normally posed to a client had to be

answered instinctively instead. While at the Port Authority, a significant event took place that forever

changed my perspective on what it means to be an architect — the terrorist bombing of the World

Trade Center of 1993. I was one of the many who remained in the building and made the journey down

from the 73rd floor of Tower One to West Street. It was the first time in my life that I relied upon the life

safety design of a building. We are all aware of the damage that the building sustained and that it did

not collapse although some lives were lost. What struck me and has stayed with me is that it was the

building design, the architect’s design, prevented further loss of life. Architecture is not just about

aesthetic design, and the fancy details. First and foremost it is about the health, safety and welfare of

the occupants. Architects must consistently ask themselves if the design is as safe as it can be within

the client’s budget. In fact, our business is to educate the client about life safety and that building codes

do not provide the maximum level of protection, but the minimum.

My Career

I opened my firm in 1998 in Upper Montclair, focusing on building a clientele and a good reputation.

My works consisted mainly of residential additions and alterations. In the summer of that year, I hired

my first employee, a summer intern from Lehigh University. It is my belief that in order for architects to

remain at the forefront of the building industry, we must also instruct students on how to become great

architects. For this reason, I have maintained a position for an intern in my office every summer.

Shortly after that summer, I hired my first full-time employee and focused on growing the firm. Our first

important commission came in 2000. It was the rehabilitation and renovation of a 15,000 square foot

building in Boonton. The project was most challenging for me because it was the complete “gut” of a

100-year-old building constructed of brick masonry and wood frame. It was a mixed-use building with

retail stores at the main level and offices on the other four levels. The project took 18 months to

complete and two million dollars of the owner’s money. This project gave me the confidence that I did

have the talent to work with a client to create a vision, prepare the necessary construction documents

for construction, and then coordinate a construction process to make the design a reality. This project

brought together all aspects of my training and it was successful. Since that time, we have designed

and completed over 250 residential, commercial, retail and institutional projects totaling more than $50

million in construction. I currently hold licenses in the states of New Jersey, New

York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine, North Carolina and Florida. We have completed projects in

most of these states as well as other states in the field of retail design. I also hold a certificate from the

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (N.C.A.R.B.).

I made a tough, yet very exciting decision to join a larger practice after nine years of being a sole

practitioner. On January 1, 2008 I became a Principal of the firm Jarmel Kizel Architects and

Engineers, Inc. located in Livingston, New Jersey. I joined the firm as Principal in Charge of

Operations, and Principal in charge of the Retail Design Studio. I currently manage the retail rollout of

a major childcare development center, The Learning Experience, which is now in more than 12

states, and at the close of 2008 will have more than 80 centers in operation. Jarmel Kizel is one of the

largest and fastest growing architectural firms in New Jersey. It was bestowed with NJBiz’ magazines

New Jersey’s Finest award which honors New Jersey’s fifty fastest growing companies.

American Institute of Architects

I have been a member of the American Institute of Architects since I received my license in New

Jersey in 1998. I have been actively involved on the Board with the Newark & Suburban

Architects, a Section of the American Institute of Architects since 2004 and have held the positions

of Trustee, Design Day co-chairperson, NJIT liaison chairperson, Continuing Education

chairperson, Treasurer, Delegate to AIA New Jersey, and this year I hold the esteemed title of

President. It is fulfilling for me to be actively involved with the Institute and to contribute to the

development of the AIA. As President there are three objectives that I am working on: the first is

outreach for which I have spearheaded an alliance with USGBC-NJ northern, which is the local

chapter of USGBC. We held a joint meeting that will become an Annual meeting, and will act as a

platform for the two organizations to share ideas and work together on sustainable issues that affect

the built environment. In addition to this meeting, it was my responsibility to reach out to local

government leaders to discuss important issues that affect the profession. I was able to meet with

Congressman William Pascrell of the 8th District, Congressman Donald Payne of the 10th

District, and Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen of the 11th District. The purpose of these visits

was to discuss a series of issues including Energy Efficient Commercial Building’s Tax

Deduction, Promote Healthy and Safe Communities Through Transportation Funding, Eliminate

Retainage Rules on Architects and Engineers, and others. The meetings were very inspiring and

beneficial because each of the Congressman were in support of the issues and so much so that

Congressman Pascrell picked up his phone to call one of his staffers to make sure that they were

following up to support a bill that the AIA is supporting. The second objective is mentorship for

students and emerging professionals who are studying and working to become licensed architects. I

am in the process of formally creating a program that will be known as “MatchArch” which will be an

online service that will allow students and emerging professionals to connect with a licensed

architect in their area who may act as a mentor. It is paramount that licensed architects and

members of the AIA fulfill an obligation that has existed since the beginning of the profession, which

is to mentor the architects of the future.

Meeting with Congressman

Pascrell during AIA

Advocacy Week

My third objective is social

responsibility. My section

recently held an international

competition known as “Live the

Box” which challenged

architects, designers, and

architecture students across the

world to design an urban mixed

use project utilizing shipping

containers. Here in New Jersey

our shipping ports have an

extreme surplus of shipping

containers that can be utilized for

other means and in this

case, housing. The competition

was a huge success receiving

well over 100 submissions from

more than eight countries. We

will be hosting an awards gala in

November to honor the winners

as well as talk about the

importance of urban design and

the importance that architects

play in solving social issues.

Meeting with Congressman

Frelinghuysen during AIA

Advocacy Week

I was commissioned this project in my second year of

practice, 2000, and it was a major turning point for my

career. It was the first adaptive reuse project for me and it

brought together my design and construction experience in

such a way that I never imagined. The project was a

sensitive project for the owner and the town of Boonton

because the town was pushing a redevelopment plan of the

downtown area and this building was the largest building at

the south end of Main Street. The building was built circa

1900 and we were completely gutting the building. The

client was very impressed with my first vision which was to

eliminate the separations between the three individual units

and open the floor plates. It was imperative for us to do this

because the building was being used for business offices on

the upper two levels and lower two levels. The Main Street

level was to be retail. Understanding the construction of the

building was paramount to achieve the open floor plates.

My relationship with the owner could not have been better.

He fully trusted my judgment in design and the construction

approach. He was adamant about putting the right materials

into the building and not comprising the purity of the

original construction.

Existing Main Street Elevation

The construction process took eight months to

complete. I was somewhat nervous about the

construction process because this was my

largest project to date. But I knew that my

experience in the construction field and the

documents themselves would allow the project

to move smoothly, which it did. Throughout the

project there were site meetings to discuss the

typical construction issues, but unlike other

projects, the meetings were very much

collaborative between the contractor, the owner

and myself. The chemistry of the team allowed

the project to flow smoothly. This situation

bolstered my confidence in my personal

abilities, but most importantly in the project

team. This project taught me how important the

project team is to the project and that the

relationship between the three parties holds the

key to the project being successful.

Today, I work very hard upfront with the client

to get them to buy into the importance of the

“team”. As a result of this, I have much success

in delivering a quality project.

Completed Main Street Elevation Interior rear vestibule

404-408 Main Street

Boonton, New Jersey

Accredited Lock Supply

Secaucus, New Jersey

This project entailed the exterior and

interior renovation of 30,000 square feet

of space. Accredited Lock is the largest

supplier of door hardware on the east

coast. This project was challenging

because the showroom had to remain in

operation throughout the construction

process. The façade design was also

challenging because the façade was not

in the same plane. The main showroom

entry (to the right on the sketch) is

setback approximately 100 feet from the

entry to the training center on the left.

The answer was to marry the

architecture for both, similar canopies

and façade treatments.

The design approach was to allow the

materials of the building to be

exposed, an industrial feel, which was

appropriate due to the nature of the

business. The owner was very excited

about the concept. We incorporated

wood veneers on the column

claddings, the furniture, and the face of

the sales counter. We incorporated

metals throughout, polished concrete

floors and a polished concrete

countertop with inlay glass tiles. The

ceiling of the showroom was painted

black so it would disappear, while the

mechanical ductwork was bare

galvanized metal so it appeared to hover

amongst a black backdrop.

The project was completed in a little

over one year, in two separate phases.

The project cost was $2.5 million.

Initial rendering sketch

Main showroom entry

View of sales counter

View of mezzanine

View of training center entry

View of showroom

View of showroom

Detail photograph

Accredited Lock Supply

Secaucus, New Jersey

Initial design sketch

Salerm Cosmetica USA Headquarters

Clifton, New Jersey

Salerm Cosmetica is an international company that produces

and distributes its own hair salon products. They are presently

in over 10 countries world wide. This project involves the new

construction of their US corporate headquarters located on the

site of their present northeast distribution center. The building

is to be constructed in place of their existing one, attached to

two other existing buildings. The owner has created a very

modern and chic image of the company and desired the same

of the building. This was the first project that I implemented

the use of BIM technology as well as sustainable design. The

building incorporates a green roof, high performance glass, a

well insulated building skin, building management system that

integrates lighting and HVAC controls, recycling of roof water

for landscape irrigation, spray foam insulation, and additional

smart building materials. The building incorporates glass, metal

panels, and brick for the exterior elements. The program

includes: warehouse and truck loading, offices, corporate

dining, conference room, training room with raised stage, and

product showroom. The project is

currently under construction and is

slated for completion in the

summer of 2009. The project

budget is $4.5 million.

The Learning Experience

National Retail Rollout

The Learning Experience is a franchised childcare

development company now operating more than 40

centers nationwide. By the end of 2008, there will

be more than 80 centers operating in 12 states.

These are state of the art centers focusing on child

development from 3 months to 5 years of age. The

centers are designed as three prototypes: 11,000

sf, 12,500 sf, and 15,000 sf. Each center offers an

indoor playroom called Make Believe Boulevard

which incorporates a “main street” with building

facades representing a diner, fire

house, market, mechanic garage, and convenience

store where children can roll play. The playroom

incorporates an upper level that is accessed by

stairs and exits by way of a slide into a ball pit.

The largest center incorporates an enriched

curriculum called Jelly Bean Junction which adds

classrooms for science, art, dance, and a theatre

stage. Although the centers are designed as a

prototype, no two floor plans are alike. Each state

has licensing requirements which control

teacher/student ratios, and room size/student ratios.

Each design is also modified according to the

particular market that the center is located in. The

exterior building styles change depending upon

local architectural requirements. The building has

been purposely designed with a residential style so

that the children feel “at home” as well as the fact

that most centers are located in residential areas.

The construction process is managed in house and

is quite challenging not only because of the

geographic locations of the centers but also

because each center typically is built by a different

developer.

The Learning Experience utilizes the building itself

as a learning tool for the children by labeling each

and every item in the building such as, soap

dispenser, telephone, light switch, door, etc. This

project has literally been a Learning Experience.

Make Believe Boulevard

Typical prototype rendering

Rendering- perspective view 40 unit building

Rendering- perspective view 80 unit building

Redevelopment Project

Morristown, New Jersey

This project entailed the redevelopment of a

ten acre site know as the “Oxbow Area”

which is bounded by Spring Street, and

Center St. and Coal Avenue, and is bisected

by the Whippany River. The area is a low

lying site and extremely restricted to site

disturbance. The program includes the

following: two buildings of four stories and

80 units of residential, and one building five

to six stories with 80 units of residential and

ground level retail stores.

The area has multiple redevelopment sites

currently under construction and it was

important to the Mayor and Redevelopment

Board that the site incorporated architectural

elements prevalent to the existing residential

homes in the area as well as a modern sleek

approach to the mixed-use building. Parking

is provided on grade as well as in a parking

garage behind the mixed-use building.

This is a very exciting project due to its

historic setting and its impact on a site that

has been underutilized for decades.

The project is currently in the approval

process.

Rendering- side elevation

Private Residence

Smoke Rise, Kinnelon, New Jersey

This project was for a past client who came to

me with the challenge of designing a very large

addition/renovation to his home, and would take

advantage of the beautiful views of his rear yard

and lake. The initial reason he came back to me

was because the architect he chose to work

with, told him that there was nothing that could

be saved of the original home and that it had to

be demolished. The owner could not believe

that this was the only approach to the project.

Since we just completed renovating a historic

building in Boonton, he had confidence that I

could design the addition.

His vision was rustic, ski lodge-

like, timbers, large fireplace, with lots of glass

overlooking the rear yard. The project was

challenging on multiple levels, lots of rock, lots

of trees, and deep property setbacks.

The result was a success in that 50% of the

original first floor remained, the plan was

improved by opening rooms to one another, the

family room and kitchen have expanded views

to the rear as well as a private sitting room off

the master bedroom suite. The materials used

on the interior and exterior are all natural woods

and stone.

Existing home viewed from rear

View of completed entry

View of completed family room

View of completed front elevation

Abbreviated Project List

Institutional

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY,

UPPER MONTCLAIR, NJ

Dean Suite Renovations 4,000 sq. ft interior renovation

including private offices, general office

space, conference rooms, waiting areas.

Project cost: $250,000.

Core Technology Upgrades Installation of a new fiber

optic backbone connecting nine buildings on campus.

Consultant in charge of coordinating all penetrations and

paths of communication and mechanical lines.

Project cost: $2,000,000 est.

Commercial

ACCREDITED LOCK SUPPLY COMPANY

27,000 sq. ft. interior/exterior renovation incorporating a

new showroom, sales floor area, administrative

offices, training room facility, corporate dining

room, and executive offices. Project cost: $4,500,000 est.

TOWN & COUNTRY PHARMACY

8,000 sq. ft. interior/exterior renovation including a retail

pharmacy and doctor’s offices.

Project cost: $2,500,000.

404–408 MAIN STREET, BOONTON, NJ

15,000 sq. ft. multi tenant residential building with street

level retail shops converted into business offices and

upscale retail shops.

Project cost: $2,500,000.

Retail

ANN TAYLOR

Design architect for Ann Taylor Loft stores nationwide

ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 sq. ft.

TUMI

Installation of luggage and handbag displays within

existing luggage shops, 150–500 sq. ft. per store.

Locations nationwide

THE GAP STORES, INC.

Project Architect responsible for developing various Gap

stores nationally. Responsibilities included the

management and coordination of various

consultants, design development, contract documents and

construction administration.

HARLEY DAVIDSON OF BERGEN

COUNTY

Project Architect responsible for the

renovation and conversion of an existing

12,000 sq. ft. industrial building into sales and

service areas of merchandise and

motorcycles, warehouse space, office

space, and a meeting room.

Hospitality

RADISSON HOTEL, ENGLEWOOD,NJ

Various facilities upgrades including ADA

accessibility, exterior canopy and entry

redesign, health club upgrades.

PRIME HOSPITALITY CORPORATION

AmeriSuites Hotel 125,000 sq. ft. nine-story

building consisting of 152 guest

suites, meeting rooms, laundry and food

accommodations. Project Architect responsible

for design development, coordination of

contract documents, and shop drawing review.

Project cost: $5.1 million.

Project Locations:

Secaucus, NJ., Topeka, KA, Albuquerque, NM

, Oklahoma City, OK

Industrial

UNITED STATES GYPSUM CO.,

PORT REDDING, NJ

15,000 sq. ft. of new employee dining

facilities, training room with kitchen

facilities, and management offices. Project

cost: $500,000.

Commercial

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

Project Fix-Up Retail driven alteration

program for existing Post Offices in the

Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Project Architect in charge of design, contract

documents and construction administration.

Projects included upgrades of main lobby

areas, lighting upgrades in workroom, A.D.A.

accessibility and compliance, masonry and

brick restoration, and the investigation of

building failures.

Project cost(s): $300,000 – $900,000.

Abbreviated Project List (cont.)

Transportation

BOSTON-LOGAN INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT

International Gateway Addition and alteration to the

existing terminal. Building program included new

ticketing hall/check-in counters, retail hall, meeter/

greeter hall, renovate existing departures lounge,

new arrivals/departures roadways. Produced details

of the exterior wall systems, interior finish systems.

Project cost: $300 million.

NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Automated People Mover Remote Stations Project

involved the design of four monorail stations at

approximately 12,000 sq. ft. per station. Designed

various details and handled design alterations during

the construction phase.

Project cost: $742.0 million (overall project cost)

Canopies at Remote Stations 6,100 sq. ft. of exterior

canopy at two stations. Responsible for the design,

coordination and preparation of the contract

documents.

Project cost: $650,000.

JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT: REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

American Airlines Terminal Buildings:

Redevelopment of Frontage Area Scope of work

included 62,000 sq. ft. of exterior canopy,

realignment of existing roadways,

crosswalk/walkway areas, drop-off and pick-up

areas for both on-airport and off-airport

transportation. Responsible for developing the

design and contract documents for the elements of

the frontage area: bus shelters, windscreens, and taxi

dispatcher’s booths. Involved in the development of

various details of the exterior canopy.

Project cost: $43.5 million

LA GUARDIA AIRPORT

Central Terminal Building: Remodernization

Renovation of existing building into a multi-level,

16,000 sq.ft. atrium space encompassed by 50,000

sq.ft. of retail spaces and 30,000 sq.ft. of concession

and airline spaces. Assisted in the design of various

interior and exterior elements by performing various

materials studies and the investigations of color

schemes.

Project cost: $47.0 million.

Professional Organizations

■ American Institute of Architects

■ The New Jersey Society of Architects

Treasurer, 2009-present

Delegate, 2006-2008

■ AIA Newark and Suburban Architects

President, 2008

Board of Trustees, 2004–2009

Design Day Co-Chairman, 2004

Continuing Education Chairman, 2005

Treasurer, 2006-2007

President, 2008

■ United States Green Building Council

Member, 2004–present

Professional Licenses and

Certifications

■ New Jersey License AI13989

■ New York License 027468

■ Pennsylvania License RA 402349

■ Connecticut License 10431

■ Maine License ARC3160

■ North Carolina License 11621

■ Florida License AR 95150

■ N.C.A.R.B. Certification 55,923

Education

New Jersey Institute of Technology,

School of Architecture, Newark, NJ

Date of Graduation: May 1993

Bachelor of Architecture

Award: Design Related to Construction and Engineering