Welcome to
CREATE 3 ARCHITECTURE
Create 3 Architecture, PLLC (C3A) originated in 2004 as a moonlighting company to generate extra income for its owner, Jim Brodi. Working two jobs in 2012, Jim had to make a choice to stop moonlighting or quit his current position at a local architectural firm. For some time, Jim wrestled with the idea of becoming self-employed and finally decided to take the leap. Create 3 began to blossom into a boutique firm due to its creative design and genuine relationships with C3A projects and clients. C3A has project experience in medical, dental, multi-family, assisted living, restaurant, retail, residential, manufacturing, faith-based and adaptive re-use projects. C3A is licensed in several states.
Create 3 Architecture promises to work hard and make it our business to know your business and its process. While designing your project we will ask you the following:
Who are you?
Where have you come from?
Where are you going?
How do we help you get there?
Once C3A understands you and your business process and vision, we use our unique talents to provide you with a creative, budget-conscious and personalized design to fit your needs. As the project progresses, we will develop the design into meticulous construction documents with adherence to your budget and our team schedule. We will also be your advocate throughout the construction process and once its complete, continue our relationship with you. Our relationship extends beyond the design and construction process because once you are a client of C3A, you’re part of our family.
Meet The Team
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
jim brodi
Create 3 Architecture founder, Jim Brodi, knew as a child he wanted to be an architect. His drive led him down the typical path of a young aspiring architect. He earned a Master’s degree, wandered Europe, became licensed and worked in a handful of firms in the Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids area. After much thought and hesitation throughout these earlier years, he realized that he wanted to start an architectural practice where relationships are primary. He believes great relationships with project owners and project end users are vital and in order to achieve these relationships, there must be a primary foundation of connectedness with co-workers, contractors, consultants, and the community as a whole. Jim’s focus is to empower people through architecture and relationships in order to serve the needs of the community. Jim enjoys time with his wife, Diana, and his children. He enjoys camping, hiking, cross country skiing and traveling. He also enjoys a good “dad joke” and a peaceful sunny summer day at the lake.
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Patrick brechting
Patrick's background consists of more than 14 years working in the construction industry. His experience in architectural services ranges from residential renovations to multimillion dollar high rises. With a strong work ethic, Patrick has utilized his vast experience to lead design teams in the production of more than $200 million dollars of construction over the past five years. He attributes his success on these projects to his ability to openly communicate with consultants and contractors. This team mentality coupled with a strong technical background has placed Patrick in leadership roles throughout his career. He looks forward to working with you on his next big endeavor.
PROJECT ARCHITECT
ALISON FLEGEL
Alison has been working in architecture and construction since 2005 when she interned for a high end residential architecture firm in Vail, Colorado. Alison then utilized her multi-million dollar home experiences to manage projects for a custom home builder with offices along the esteemed 30A in Rosemary Beach, Florida as well in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Seeking to gain experience in other areas, Alison worked in the Cleanroom industry becoming familiar with the technicalities that specialized equipment and standards present. 2015 brought opportunities working for a larger commercial architecture/engineering firm and Alison has continued to manage commercial projects since. Being a self-proclaimed extrovert and people person has equipped her to not just complete projects but to thoroughly immerse herself into the people, processes, and places which lead to a lasting memory of the experience.
PROJECT ARCHITECT
emilie henry
Emilie began her architecture career in 2005 working on hospitality and public service projects in Las Vegas. She returned to Michigan and spent some time working in the Metro Detroit area before settling in West Michigan where her experience has been on entertainment and food service projects. Emilie is a licensed architect and sits on her community’s Planning Commission. She is passionate about putting together high-quality drawings and her strong attention to detail and high standards are a testament to that passion. Emilie especially enjoys taking a project from vision to reality and utilizing her proficiency in BIM (building information modeling). While Emilie’s previous experience has been on commercial projects, she is excited and eager to expand her horizons on new project types including multi-family, institutional, and residential. Job shadowing a residential architect during high school is what piqued her interest to pursue architecture, so working on a residential project would bring her journey full circle. Outside of work Emilie enjoys spending time with her family, playing golf, and watching football.
PROJECT MANAGER
NICOLE SZCZEMBARA
As a child, Nicole developed a love of architecture and design while watching her dad design and build the families two homes.
She is a detail oriented, resourceful, creative, and innovative designer. She has enjoyed learning and exploring new project types. A few of her favorite project types are Hospitality, Mixed Use Highrise and Residential. She studied Civil Engineering and Architecture at Lawrence Technological University where she received her Master of Architecture degree. Currently, Nicole is studying to become a licensed architect.
Outside of architecture, she loves exploring the history of old buildings, new cities and being outside. Specifically, Nicole loves soccer, baseball, hiking, biking and boating.
BUSINESS MANAGER
diana dildine
Diana joins Create 3 Architecture as her second career. Formerly a high school teacher of Physics for 18 years, Diana brings a strong knowledge of numbers, organization and leadership to the table. Prior to teaching, she lived in Nepal for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. With an innate passion for culture, creativity and communication, she finds herself in numerous roles at Create 3. As a self-prescribed doer of "everything but architecture," Diana finds herself in roles of business management, interior and website design, rendering, project photography and finance. She is a lover of music and takes great pride in filling the office space with music that inspires and uplifts.