Ryan Deveney, Assoc. AIA

Associate / Designer I

Ryan’s work as a designer is all about bringing things together. You see it in the way architecture weds his longtime passions, drawing and building things. Or in the way it merges his construction experience with his degree from Kansas State. Of course, you see it most in his designs themselves, as they merge detail with the big picture, seamlessly integrating input from contractors, clients, and coworkers into one comprehensive solution—all while helping everyone else to visualize the final product along the way.

That takes a lot of flexibility, an ability to “stay loose with the design,” as Ryan likes to say, until it all comes together. But make no mistake—from the moment he puts his favorite fat-tip Sharpie to the paper to the moment the last wall is painted, his vision unwaveringly sees the end result, because the end result never really changes: the best design possible for our clients.

Craig Deister

Principal

Craig describes himself as “old school”: he got interested in architecture by drawing on “old school”blueprints (the ones that smelled like ammonia) his dad brought home as a general contractor. He likes to stick to the tried and true drawing combo of a 2B pencil and 1000H paper (it lets him “feel something come together”). And his approach to his interactions with clients is equally as time-honored: a straightforward, honest, professional presence backed by hard work and diligent service. But the results of this “old school” approach are anything but outdated; instead, the simplicity allows him to deftly maneuver between design and running a client-centered business, and it gives him the flexibility to offer solutions that are always fresh and unique to each project.

In fact, that’s a major reason he founded BlueBike with John—to escape corporate red tape and indifference that stifle creativity. Sure, his time at HOK Sport was valuable, and gave him invaluable experience working on some of the biggest projects with some of the biggest names in the business. But he’s now freer to deliver a better product and more dedicated service by surrounding himself with designers who share his values and vision. He intends to continue growing BlueBike in that same way, developing it into a nationally-recognized studio. If the last six years are any indication, we’re well on our way.

John Greenlee, AIA

Principal

John states plainly and emphatically his goals for BlueBike: deliver a better product, at a better price, in less time, with a more enjoyable process for everyone involved. A tall order, to be sure, but his time as Director of Interiors and a Principal at HOK Sport + Venue + Event not only gave him the skills and experience to know it could be done, but also convinced him it should be done. There had to be something better than the corporate quagmire—so he left to found BlueBike with Craig. Now he enjoys the best of both worlds: his background in world-class projects means he can deliver unsurpassed solutions for even the most challenging projects, while the small studio allows him to do it more quickly and uniquely, without the heavy weight of corporate bureaucracy and greed.

Launching out on one’s own can be risky, of course, but the risks yield more creative and productive results. John says of his favorite tools (a black felt pen and tracing paper), “there are never any mistakes, only ideas.” The small, responsive studio lets him explore and cultivate those ideas to the benefit of the client. It also helps that he knows intimately the whole team of designers he and Craig have assembled, and can delegate assignments according to their individual strengths and interests. The result: consistently more well-matched and functional solutions than cookie-cutter agencies, done more quickly and efficiently—just like John wanted all along. And who wouldn’t enjoy that?

Emma Woodhull, LEED AP

Interior Architect/ Designer II

Ask Emma what her favorite design tool is and she might have a hard time narrowing it down. If we’re talking old school, it’s Chartpak markers that bleed just so to give even quick designs an always stylistic feel. But if we’re going new school, she loves the do-everything functionality of Adobe Creative Suite. Her answers speak to the versatility and range of her own do-everything ability and experience. She’s worked with and understands graphics, media, structural requirements and the manufacturing process, and can design anything from cabinets and custom millwork to entertainment venues and environmental graphics. So her designs benefit not only from the creativity that stems from such broad experience, but the functionality that comes from knowing the whole process. And BlueBike benefits from having such an innovative, versatile, and talented designer on our team.

Adam Whitener

Architect / Designer I

Adam is what we call a "student of life."  He's fascinated by so many things; art, science, history and people.  He's a constant learner and applies that extra knowledge to his architectural projects.  A strong believer in both beauty and function, Adam strives for solutions that address need and fulfill a certain sense of aesthetic duty as well.  He's drawn to architecture because of the opportunities it provides to combine people and places to create an environment for both social and special interaction.

Adam says, "there's nothing better than seeing initial sketches turn into a completed project."

Kara Raasch

Designer I

Kara has always had an intuition when it comes to people. She has a knack for knowing what they want even if they can’t put it exactly into words. Guess that’s why her favorite design element is color, a language she uses to capture and enhance a client’s mood, personality and style. It’s also why she got into design, because she loves helping people find the sanctuary they’re after but never knew how to find. But most important, it’s that ability to translate needs and desires into creative designs that makes Kara such an asset to BlueBike. And her people skills also help her work productively with the other creative people at BlueBike throughout the process from idea to image to tangible outcome. In short, Kara’s intuition turns challenges into solutions, problems into possibilities, and inklings into reality.

Detlef Diercks

Graphics Director / Designer I

Detlef has always been fascinated by great design, and its ability to stir up emotions in people. He believes that good design transforms the mood, energy and spirit of the people who interact with it.  It is with this is mind that he begins all of his projects, the end goal being a satisfied client and end user.  From an early age Detlef had a talent for creative problem solving; from building a Lego bridge for his hamster to designing and building the largest skate park in Nebraska while in high school. 

Trained as an architect, Detlef is now practicing the graphic arts for BlueBike.  He takes care of all the office graphics needs ranging from client proposal packages to environmental graphic design with some computer modeling and drafting thrown into the mix as well.   Detlef loves to experience life, by positively changing the world around him through his work.