Justin A. Mihalik, AIA NCARB

J.A. Mihalik Architect, LLC31 Park LaneEssex Fells, NJ 07021

IntroductionI 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 CareerThe 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 CareerI 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 ArchitectsI 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 StreetBoonton, New Jersey

Accredited Lock SupplySecaucus, 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 SupplySecaucus, 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, andproduct 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 ExperienceNational 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 ProjectMorristown, 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 ResidenceSmoke 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 ListInstitutional

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

EducationNew Jersey Institute of Technology,

School of Architecture, Newark, NJ

Date of Graduation: May 1993

Bachelor of Architecture

Award: Design Related to Construction and Engineering