Daniel R. Spencer
www.danspencerstudio.com
612-875-0084 phone
dan@danspencerstudio.com E-mail
Statement of Purpose -

My life’s work is committed to creating a better community. We do not exist independent of the people we live with, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. I believe that we can improve all our lives through the implementation of our planning and design ideas. It takes a lot of creativity, and patience, to create great places for the next generation. We have to look not to the immediate wants or needs, but to the future of what we hope our community will become. This is our challenge.
Art + Architecture + Urban Planning Work -

My career as an architect has spanned more than 30 years of design, with a generalist approach that has taken me into many different project types. I have designed and completed single family/multifamily housing projects, school/university buildings, airports, healthcare projects, office buildings, restaurants/bars, youth centers, fitness centers, conference centers, banks, city/government buildings, and art galleries/museums. Over the years, I have been involved in both urban and suburban projects. My urban planning work has been critical to my expanding notion of the multitude of critical aspects that create great places. I have worked on a wide range of projects including the Minneapolis Light Rail Corridor (specifically at 46th, Lake and Franklin station areas), the Downtown Minneapolis Multi-Modal Station Area Master Plan at the new Twins Stadium, Urban Village in the Uptown area and Victoria Park in St. Paul.

In addition I have been part of a team teaching Urban Design/Context issues at the University of Minnesota – CALA. In Palm Springs, CA, I have focused my planning efforts on a City wide Pedestrian Plan.
My art work is focused on site specific pieces, relating the context/clients relationship with space and place. Recent commissions include paintings for a spa/clinic and private residences.

Professional Background -

I am a licensed Architect and Interior Designer in Minnesota and nationally (NCARB) certified. I am a Residential Designer in California.

Beginning in the early 1990’s, I created a business which grew from a small home/work situation, which with mergers and acquisitions became a 70-person architecture and planning office of one of the nations leading design firms. The many aspects of running a business are critical to understanding the financial, human resource and visionary aspects of any organization. Since 2001, I have created a new business that is focused on smaller projects in Minnesota and the South West.

Educational Background -

My educational background consists of a BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1976. I hold a Masters of Architecture from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (1982). In addition, I have taught Architecture courses at the High School and College level.
Community Work -

Growing up in a small town in Western Wisconsin, I learned at an early age from my parents that one individual can make a difference. They were, and continue to be, a model for me of volunteer work in a community. Since moving to Minneapolis in 1983, I have participated in numerous urban planning charettes and served on the State Design Team going out to small communities. I have served the City of Minneapolis on the Nicollet Avenue and Washington Avenue Task forces. I was involved in Round Table discussions on urban design, provide ongoing input on urban projects to city council members and have served for a number of years as a member of the Livable Communities Advisory Committee to Metropolitan Council. I also believe our community can been more beautiful and have participated in CUE, Minneapolis Beautiful, Minneapolis Arts Commission, memorial design/planning, public art juror, the development of the Avenue of the Arts and the Hiawatha LRT Line.
Non- Profit Work -

My non-profit work has gone hand in hand with my community work. I helped create and was the first board chair of a legal educational group in the late 1980’s. At the same time I was board chair of a small community arts organization. In addition, I have been involved with the YWCA, the University of Minnesota, Allina and Park House, churches and a youth center. I served as board chair/president in 1999-2000 of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. At the time it had 6 staff and $450,000 annual budget. I helped restructured the organization, train the executive director and lead a national search for a new artistic director. Due to my non-profit and community work, I was one of 20 individuals to participate in the 2001 – St. Thomas University “Renewing Community Leadership” program. I collaborated with Mathew Janczewski of Arena Dances for “Ugly” that was premiered at the Walker Arts Center in 2007. I currently serve on Foundation Board of Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs, CA.
Please feel free to contact me at 612-875-0084 with any questions.
Daniel R. Spencer, AIA
The following outline of my career includes both Firm Affiliation and a list of selected projects.
More information, projects or references are available.
Pre -1979
· R. W. Spencer Residence – Onalaska , WI – 1976
· Riverside Housing Project – Milwaukee, WI – National Award -1978
· Reik Building, Walker’s Point Historic District, Milwaukee, WI – 1978
1979-1983 –

Ayres Associates (Formerly Larson, Hestekin, Ayres) Eau Claire, WI
· Intern Architect/ Project Designer of numerous projects including:
· Marinette Marine Corporate Headquarters, Marinette, WI
· University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire – Art Gallery
· Graham Riverside Office/Residential Development, Eau Claire, WI
· Eau Claire County Airport – WSAIA Award -1983
· Charter Bank Building, Eau Claire, WI
· Altoona City Hall, Altoona, WI
· South Side Junior High School, Eau Claire, WI
1983-1989 – RSP Architects (Ritter, Suppes, Plautz Architects), Minneapolis, MN
· Architect/Designer of numerous projects including:
· Ann Sullivan School, Minneapolis, MN
· American Ex. Training Center/Oakridge Conference Center, Chaska, MN
· Edenvale Executive Center, Eden Prairie, MN – NAIOP Award – 1988
· Multi family housing, Austin, Texas
1989-1991 – Buetow and Associates, St. Paul, MN – Vice President/Design
· Anoka County Government Center, Anoka, MN
· Oakdale City Hall, Oakdale, MN
1991-1993 – Daniel R. Spencer & Associates, Minneapolis, MN
· Bledsoe/Grady Residence, Chaska, MN
· Anderson/Peterson Residence, Chaska, MN
· Figlmiller/Lotz Residence, Edina, MN
· Wheeler-Hildebrandt Interior Design, Minneapolis, MN
1993-1995 – Spencer + Paeper Architects, Minneapolis, MN – Principal
· 1300 Lagoon Building- CUE Award
· The Doctors Uptown Clinic – Allina Health Systems
· YWCA – Uptown and Downtown, Minneapolis, MN
· Planned Parenthood Uptown – NAIOP Award- 1994
· Urban Planning/Minneapolis Arts Commission committee
1995-1996 – The Wheeler Group (Merged Spencer + Paeper and Wheeler-Hildebrandt), Minneapolis, MN – Principal
· Midwest Behavioral Health Center, Fargo ND
· University of Minnesota – Bell Museum Renovation
· Park House, Minneapolis, MN
· District 202, Minneapolis, MN
· Key West AIDS Memorial – International Competition First Place Award
· HomeStyles Corp Headquarters, St. Paul, MN
· Urban Planning – Uptown, Nicollet /Loring Planning
1996-2001 – Perkins & Will (formerly The Wheeler Group), Minneapolis, MN – Principal
· Urban Planning and Architectural Design includes:
· West Group, Eagan, MN
· University of Minnesota – Lillehei Heart Center
· MIA – Avenue of the Arts, Minneapolis, MN
· Minneapolis Public Library, Minneapolis, MN
· Nicollet Avenue Business district
· Uptown Urban Village
· Edmundson/Cox Residence. Medina, MN
· DeLasalle High School
· Hope/Ventura Village – Urban Planning
· Blake High School – Art/Music/Gallery Addition
· Lunds downtown Mineapolis – Urban Planning
2001 – Present – Architecture + Urban Design Studio
· Metropolitan Council Urban Design/Architectural consultant
· University of MN – SALA –visiting crit – WTC/Urban Design Studio
· North Star Multi-Modal Transit Center – Urban Planning
· YWCA – Uptown Master Planning, Minneapolis, MN
· Uptown Row – Retail/Office Development – RMF Entities
· Pleasant Avenue Condominiums – Zan Associates
· Emerson Avenue Townhomes – RMF Entities
· Brainco Advertising School, Minneapolis, MN
· Urban Village – Lander Group, Minneapolis, MN
· LanderGroup offices, Minneapolis, MN
· Village in Mendota Heights – RMF Entities
· Webalowksy Residence, Edina, MN
· Forsythe Residence, Minneapolis, MN
· Sween Residence, Minneapolis, MN
· Erlandson Residence, Minneapolis, MN
· Uptown Dermatology and Skin Spa, Minneapolis, MN
· Kline + Venne Cabin, WI
· Olsen ‘Vangen’ Retreat, Western WI
· Ihlenfeld Residence, Palm Desert, CA
· Lander Residence, Palm Springs, CA
· Beebe + Cass Residence, Rancho Mirage, CA
· Northwest Eye Clinics, Various locations, MN
· Warehouse conversion, St. Paul, MN
· Private Residence, Brentwood, CA
· Ocotillo Avenue 5-plex, Palm Springs, CA
· Bledsoe + Grady Residence, Carefree, AZ
· Gillespie Residence, Palm Springs, CA
· Martinez + Van Sooy Residence, West Hollywood, CA
· Engebretson Residence, Wayzata, MN
· Stamps + Winegar Residence, Little Canada, MN
Visit www.danspencerstudio.com

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