Dan Lavoie is an Associate at KCCT. Dan began his tenure with KCCT as an intern in 2002. Today, as our most recently appointed Associate, he serves as a project manager in KCCT's international studio, where he provides architectural design services for rehabilitation/renovation and new construction projects for US embassies and associated tenants. Dan believes that an architect’s “product” is not just the appearance of a building. It encompasses everything from an eye-catching design to a profitable bottom line and even the mentorship of the next generation of architects.

What made you want to be an Associate/Architect?

“When I was young, I was good at math. Still today, people inaccurately equate math with architecture and so everyone always told me I was going to be an architect when I grew up. I was interested in building model airplanes, putting together puzzles, or reorganizing the furniture in my bedroom. These kinds of parameters, direction, and problem-solving-based hobbies have nothing to do with math but are very applicable to architecture and building construction. When learning how a building really got put together, I realized that there are so many different players needed to make it all happen. At the front of the line, organizing all of these different trades, unifying the team in a coordinated effort, and being the ultimate person responsible for leading that team… is the architect. I wanted to be that person.”

What project are you most proud of at KCCT? Why?

“I can almost categorize every year at KCCT by the major project that I was involved in. Every new project receives the benefits of lessons learned from the ones that came before it. This generally means that the most current is the most successful. Therefore, I believe that the New Consulate Compound under construction in Casablanca, Morocco is my best work to date.”

What motivates you at work? 

“Taking pride in my product is my biggest motivation. To be clear, I believe that an architect’s ‘product’ is not just the appearance of a building. It encompasses everything from an eye-catching design to a profitable bottom line and even the mentorship of the next generation of architects.”

How has KCCT helped you in your career development?

“KCCT IS my career. They started fostering my growth as an intern in college and have continued to provide me with mentorship and opportunity for nearly 20 years. Much of the work that we do is extremely specialized, and that skill set is quite marketable to our clients and partners.”

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