Mike started at RRMM in 1996 under an apprenticeship with firm founder, Arnold Rodriguez. He worked his way up from a CAD Draftsman to Partner and Director of RRMM’s Federal/DoD Studio. In addition to being a registered architect, Mike is also a LEED accredited professional and certified in Construction Quality Management for Contractors. He is currently the Treasurer for the AIA Hampton Roads Chapter.
Close to 100% of Mike’s career has been dedicated to providing design services for DoD and federal facilities. He is passionate about creating better spaces for U.S. Government and military entities. One of his most memorable projects was renovations and additions to Sabana Seca Military Family Housing in Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico. The on-base neighborhood was comprised of single-family homes originally designed by Heinrich “Henry” Klumb, who was one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s first apprentices. The houses were designed in the Wrightian style of architecture, which the renovations and additions had to carefully preserve.
Skills that Mike has developed that have proven especially useful in the federal/DoD design realm include project program development, writing design-build request for proposals, facilitating charrettes and concept development workshops, and contract management.
Mike’s interest in architecture was first sparked from his grandfather, who designed homes in Long Island in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. At a young age, Mike would look through old sets of blueprints to try to understand how the materials came together to create a living space. In addition to his chosen profession, designing and building is also one of Mike’s hobbies. One of his favorite design hobby projects includes a doghouse he designed for the 2019 Barkitecture competition at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens.