Geoffrey DeSmit

June 7, 2022 by

Geoffrey applies his ardor of architecture to every opportunity in an effort to improve the world in which he lives.

With over 15 years of professional design experience, Geoffrey approaches his work with a passion and drive to not only produce the best work that he can, but to push the boundaries and limits of those around him. Early in his career he was afforded the opportunity to work on projects of a large scale including The New Indianapolis Airport, The Palladium Center for the Performing Arts, and the Cummins LiveWell Center. This early experience on large projects imprinted on him how critical it was to be able to learn and adapt quickly and was a realization that no matter how large the project, a building’s success really is in the details.

Geoffrey is deeply involved in the local and state chapters of the AIA and took over as the Director of the Excellence in Architecture Program for AIA Indianapolis in 2015. He is a 2020 graduate of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, a rigorous national program with a growing number of state cohorts that develops core professional skills including entrepreneurship, firm management, client development, and community leadership. He was nominated by his peers and served as the Programs Executive Vice President for the 2022 Indiana cohort.

He believes strongly that it is the responsibility of all architects to ensure that our contributions to the built environment improve the quality of place and the lives of those around us. He is committed to the advocacy and practice of Sustainable Design across the entire spectrum of the practice and is dedicated to pushing exploring new technology and products to understand how they can make both ourselves and our building’s smarter and better integrated within today’s complex, global society.

Drew White

June 7, 2022 by

With a style that is rational, clean and honest Drew approaches his work with an expertise informed by over three decades of experience.

Drew is a leading designer of high performance work environments, buildings and places. His buildings are award winning and of national distinction. He began his career living and working in three architecturally influential cities: Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago. Each place taught him to value architecture and interior design as equals. He is inspired by his clients and community, by travel, and by the desire to create a modern aesthetic. Drew is a former regional representative to the National AIA Strategic Council, current Vice-Chair of the National AIA Archipac Committee, a past president of AIA Indiana and AIA Indianapolis, an Indianapolis Art Center board member, and a member of the Ball State University Architecture Advisory Board. He also serves on Goodwill of Central Indiana Foundation Board.

Complex urban assignments have benefited from Drew’s ability to work with a variety of interests. His interactive approach to working with communities benefits from both hands-on learning by clients and his motivational style. Drew focuses public discussion on issues critical to success. His ability to do this with colleagues is evident in his leadership and service within the AIA and growing a dynamic and successful national practice.

Drew has helped increase the Midwest region’s “design awareness”. In his role as president of both AIA Indiana and AIA Indianapolis, he elevated the public discourse about design. Increasingly, Drew is sharing his experience through lectures and writing. He is a leading contributor to the national reputation of the AIA as an advocate and voice for sustainable
design and social responsibility .

Doug Shoemaker

June 7, 2022 by

Doug believes that great design happens at the intersection of ideas.

Doug Shoemaker brings a wealth of knowledge to project teams with over 40 years of professional experience. Starting his career as a Landscape Architect, Doug was always captivated with how buildings functioned and appeared as a whole. With that fascination in mind, he earned his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign in 1996. This enabled him to be involved in complete design solutions, from building exterior and interior design and all the way to orientation, site design, and landscaping. As he approaches a project, Doug trains his keen eye to all aspects of the visitor experience, from how users approach a building to how they feel once they are inside. Doug’s diverse project and typology background allows him to ensure that all aspects of a building work in harmony within their contextual surroundings.

Doug has taken a leading role at STUDIOAXIS in mentorship and the teaching of others. He uses his extensive knowledge to collaborate on detailing solutions to ensure that all areas of the design fully respond to a client’s needs. Doug leads the QA/QC process at STUDIOAXIS working with all members of the studio. His attention to detail ensures a comprehensive documentation process with the goal of ensuring a construction process that is smooth and efficient.

Doug is deeply involved in his community, serving as a board member on multiple neighborhood and community organizations. He served as Chairman and on the Board of Directors for the Damien Center for over 20 years, an organization that supports people living with HIV/Aids in Indiana. Committed to giving back to the profession, Doug has sat on several review boards and crit session at Ball State University. He is involved in the Indiana Land Use Committee as well as being an active member of both the ASLA and AIA in Indiana.

Chris Hagan

June 7, 2022 by

Chris is a quiet leader who appreciates fast-paced, collaborative work.

Chris Hagan brings over twenty years of architectural experience in commercial design to his role as partner and project manager. His work spans across numerous building typologies including public-safety, k-12 schools, mixed-use, multi-family housing and parking facilities just to name a few. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree of science in Architectural Engineering which allowed him to unite his interests of the technical and artistic aspects of architecture.

At prior firms, Chris has completed retail, corporate office, and laboratory projects across the Midwest and South. Before his transition to STUDIOAXIS in 2007, he had the opportunity to live overseas and intern at a French architectural firm. This experience paired with 18 months of European travel honed his appreciation for sustainable design and modern aesthetic.

He is well organized and skilled at preliminary design, technical detailing, and project management. Chris is presently focused on studio leadership and organization as well as mentoring younger staff members.

Ashley Thornberry

June 6, 2022 by

Ashley has a deep desire to use architecture to have a positive impact on communities.

While having over 8 years of professional experience, Ashley Thornberry’s fascination with Architecture began at a young age and has never waned. Her perspective was shaped, in part, by road trips with her family where she saw firsthand how buildings were shaped by their contextual surroundings.

Ashley is a leader in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) from the city to the national level, currenting serving as the Indiana Young Architect Representative for the Young Architects Forum (YAF). She has a strong believe that mentorship is a two-way street and she believes she gets as much out of building strong relationships with younger architects as they do. Ashley received an AIA Special Service Award in 2017 and was a graduate of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program in 2020. She also serves as a board member for Rebuilding Together Indianapolis.

Her strong leadership skills and eye towards public service have led to her keen interest in Civic and Public Safety buildings. Ashley has worked on nearly a dozen fire stations over the span of her career and has used her deep study of the safety features and configurations of those spaces to become a leading voice in the sector. She has participated in numerous speaking engagements at Fire Station Design Symposiums as well as at both State and Regional AIA conventions.

Ashley brings a minimalist design style to her work, shaped by authenticity. Designing with the end user in mind, she is always examining how non-stakeholders will feel upon entering a building and believes that emotion is a crucial metric for good design. These considerations of how people will feel and experience a space shape many of her decisions.

Andrea Moore

June 6, 2022 by

Wearing many hats, Andrea serves as the Studio Coordinator in Indianapolis, ensuring day to day business operations run smoothly.

Andrea Moore’s 35 years of professional experience have seen her work in nearly every capacity at STUDIOAXIS. Serving as Studio Coordinator as well as acting as liaison for both consultants and clients when it comes to proposals and contracts, she is highly motivated and is driven to help the teams at STUDIOAXIS achieve success.

She has been deeply involved in the local Indianapolis community, serving as both Chair and Member on multiple neighborhood organizations, including the Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence Board (SENSE), of which she is a founding member.

Andrea’s love of art, music, traveling, and exploring places with rich history bring a unique perspective to the studio. She uses these passions, as well as her fantastic ability to communicate to enhance studio culture and drive those around her to look at problems from new perspectives.