David Heide Design Studio

Architectural history has been a passion of David's since long before his career began. With an emphasis on architectural and interior design history, he received a bachelor of architecture degree from Drake University after studying classical languages at Macalester College. He performed post graduate studies at both the University of Minnesota and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. This extensive educational background has provided David with extensive knowledge of late 19th and early 20th Century decorative arts, furnishings, and finishes.

A strong believer in the benefit that good design brings to the community, David has always worked to preserve the design integrity of the city in which he lives. He served for five years on the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission, and chaired its design review committee for three years. He founded Saint Paul’s Grand Avenue Design Guidelines Task Force, prompting the mayor to add him to the Neighborhood Honor Roll in 1996. Until recently, he also sat on the board of the Historic Saint Paul Foundation.

Concurrent with his education and public service, David worked for ten years on historic preservation projects for MacDonald & Mack Architects. He departed in 1997 to found David Heide Design Studio, which carries on his endeavor to preserve our historic treasures.

A native of western Minnesota, Mark earned both a bachelor of science in architectural studies and a bachelor of architecture degrees from North Dakota State University. For eleven years, he served as an architect for Mooney, Henning, Metz & Associates of Fargo, North Dakota, where he was directly responsible for the design of mechanical and electrical systems on numerous projects. His skill at efficiently designing these systems is a necessity when attempting to integrate modern conveniences into or even conceal them in design styles that predate their inception.

Beyond his abilities in these areas, Mark was also an architect in private practice for fifteen years prior to his employment with us. He facilitated every step of the design process, and his work encompassed interiors and landscaping as well as numerous new residences. His experience in more modern styles of architecture and commercial work further diversify our collective abilities.

With over 20 years in the interior design industry, Anne brings a range of experience and proven talent to the position of Director of Interiors. After earning a degree in Interior Design from Kent State University, Anne worked as a Senior Designer at 3D/International Architects in Houston and Ellerbe Becket in Minneapolis, with projects as varied as Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and an Apple Computer office in the Twin Cities. Prior to joining our Studio in May 2008, Anne specialized in residential design as Principal of Newman Design Studio. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Designers West Magazine, Interiors Magazine, and Contract Magazine and has been honored with awards from IIDA and the AIA (Houston Chapter).

Educated in interior design at the University of Wisconsin, Michael worked as a visual merchandizing and marketing specialist for two major retailers before joining our Studio. His broad knowledge of interior design, textiles, furniture, color, and finishes informs much of our portfolio. Drawing on a large network of resource contacts, Michael regularly locates unique and hard-to-find items such as art-glass lamps, antique and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, and specific pieces of architectural salvage. Items are hand picked to unify the project as a whole as well as meet the budgetary and aesthetic needs of the client.

A Senior Design Associate, Brad joined the Studio in December 1999 shortly after receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. He has worked as designer and project manager on a wide variety of historically based projects and has special expertise in the design of cabinetry, millwork, and interior details. While earning his degree in architecture, Brad also studied comparative literature, preparing him to take on occasional writing assignments in the Studio.

Concurrent with his studies at the University of Minnesota, Chris gained hands-on knowledge of building techniques during three years of residential construction work and three years of landscape construction. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture with a minor in landscape architecture in 2002, after which he ran his own remodeling company for two years. He joined our Studio in March 2004. As a Senior Design Associate, Chris plays a major role in project scheduling, management, and design.

A 3:00 a.m. decision while studying calculus led Vaughn to architecture. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2001 from the University of Minnesota, he went on to graduate studies, also at the University; in the course of this program, he studied abroad in Portugal, Spain and Italy. Seven years as a professional painter and foreman, followed by a stint as an intern at Wold Architects and Engineers, have given Vaughn a broad range of experience, which he has put to use as a Design Associate in our Studio since January 2006.

After over ten years of experience as the Marketing Director for a Minneapolis architecture firm, eight years of retail sales, and a master's degree in painting from Pratt Institute, Gera joined the Studio as the Manager of Business Development in February 2010. At the Studio, she is responsible for publicity and marketing, graphic design, and new client communications. An award-winning home brewer, in her free time, Gera has taught classes on how to judge beer, organized contests, and designed promotional materials for a local home brew club.

A broad array of talents is brought to our team by this 2003 Carleton College graduate. With past experience as a college newspaper editor and a sharp eye for misplaced apostrophes, Doug takes on many marketing and business development projects. He has been with our Studio since June 2005.

As office manager, Diane oversees numerous administrative functions including, but not limited to, scheduling and company finances. She has worked at our Studio since 2001.

Photos courtesy of
Roy Blakey