Douglas Patterson, AIA, LEED AP

President | Taos

As President of Living Designs Group, Douglas has committed his practice and his firm to projects of a highest sustainable caliber. His talents in design, collaboration and management and his dedication as a sustainable design advocate have completed some of the largest and greenest projects in Northern New Mexico. His skills as a public presenter and negotiator have guided some of the most visionary land use approvals and developments.

Under his direction, Living Designs Group has fortified its commitment to quality sustainable design and has grown into a multifaceted firm. Living Designs Group has emerged as leader of sustainable development for the resort community and effectively addresses the development needs of schools, campuses, multifamily housing projects and commercial developments.

Douglas holds both a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University and a Master of Architecture from the University of New Mexico. He is a LEED accredited design professional through the USGBC, a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a licensed architect in the state of New Mexico.

David M. Henry, AIA

Architect, Project Manager | Taos

David brings a range of professional skills to his projects stemming from his interest in the holistic process of design through construction. As project manager, he carries projects from schematic design through contract administration withintense focus upon fulfilling the needs of the building users. From years of firsthand experience in the field, David applies an extensive understanding of passive solar design and alternative material applications.

David obtained his Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of New Mexico. An NCARB certificate holder as well as an AIA member, David is a licensed architect in the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Washington and New York. David is also active in the New Mexico Solar Energy Association.

Johannes Kolshorn

Architectural Designer | Taos

Johannes draws upon more than 12 years of work experience designing with architecture firms across the U.S.-from New York to Tennessee to California to Chicago. Over the past 2 ½ years with LDG, he has managed a variety of projects from single family homes to large-scale residential,  institutional and master planning  and development schemes. As a hands-on designer, Johannes especially enjoys integrating custom interior finishes into the homes that he builds and renovates-including his own.

A 1993 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Johannes has a 6-year Bachelor of Architecture degree. He has completed his NCARB certification and is studying for the licensing examinations. Additionally, he serves as chairperson of the Neighborhood Association Land-Use Standards Advisory Board.

Israel Padilla

Architectural &

Engineering Technician | Taos

At Living Designs Group, Israel fulfills a spectrum of responsibilities. His talents lend him to roles ranging from design to drafting and from the illustration of various engineered projects to construction management.

Israel has an extensive background in architectural and civil design, including training in AutoCAD. He enjoys construction, and currently is helping to build his community a new church-that he designed. Israel also teaches computer aided drafting and design at the University of New Mexico, Taos.

Sam Oberholtzer

Architectural Designer | Taos

During the winter of 2007, Sam was instructing snowboarding at Taos Ski Valley when the president of LDG discovered this boarder possessed other talents as well. Hailing pasty chef, cancer researcher and touring musician among his past professions, Sam had recently completed his graduate architecture thesis, 97% Oil Free: Speculations on a Post-Oil Los Angeles, in which he envisioned the technological requirements to sustain the city without oil, and had worked for a sustainable architecture firm in L.A.

Sam completed a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota (2000) which led him to a research position with National Institute of Health where his interest was piqued by the efficiency of integrated systems.Finding this interest to be well articulated through the design and construction of buildings, Sam pursued a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (2006). Practiced in every popular computer-modeling program, he deftly applies his study of integrated systems to measure the success of his design in architecture. In the absence of snow, Sam rides his bike instead.

Ashley Koger

Intern Architect | Taos

Ashley joined LDG in 2005 as a summer intern and could not resist returning full-time after completing her Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio in 2007. During college, Ashley instructed the first-year architecture computer skills class and at LDG she applies her strengths in AutoCAD, 3-D modeling, and graphic design to advance the design process through effective architectural communication. She has gained experience in all design phases through her involvement with the El Monte expansion, Angel Fire Country Club, various other projects and design competitions. Ashley admires the sculptural quality of Southwest architecture and enjoys working with clay in the pottery studio.

Edward Bell

Project Manager | Taos

Ed has always loved architecture and construction. Combining them with his formal study of psychology, he has often enjoyed community theatrics, acting as well as set design and construction. Upon receiving his General Contractor’s License in 1987, Ed turned his passion into a profession. His field experience and improvisational skills have been quite handy at LDG over the past two years. Ed has a B.A. in Psychology from California State University (1971), Ph.D. Study in Psychology from the State University of New York, and a General Contractor’s License in New Mexico (1987). He has taught framing and blueprint reading at the University of New Mexico-Taos, and of late he entertains the idea of taking up graduate study in architecture.

Marty

| Taos

Since joining in March 2008, Marty contributes both his knowledge of innovative and energy-efficient technologies and his stylized skill of technical rendering to the practice of architecture at LDG. Following his formal studies of Drafting and Design Technology at Penn State University, Marty has acquired a range of experience in mechanical and design fields including such commissions as a naval architect's assistant on base in Key West, FL, a technical illustrator for Mack Trucks and designing compact-modular solar-structures.

Marty first came to Taos on a road trip in the summer of 1991 where he was inspired by Mike Reynolds' Earthship ventures. Under Reynolds, Marty co-developed many technical systems and illustrated the procedural drawings for Earthships including the first commercially-available voltaic inverter distribution system. Marty's talents extend to other fields as well. Each year since he co-founded the Taos Men's Adult Baseball League in 1992, Marty has brought the team to the World Championships. He is active with the Taos Sports Authority and sings in his church choir in Sundays.

Doreenda Martinez

Office Administrator | Taos

As a dedicated church member and piano player, Certified Notary Public, devoted wife and mother of two teenagers with 8 years experience in mortgage office management, Doreenda is incredibly talented at management and multitasking. A 1992 graduate of Taos High, she is an active local community member, currently serving as secretary/treasurer of the Lower Arroyo Hondo Mutual Domestic Water Association for the past 11 years and previously serving as secretary of the Arroyo Hondo Community Center for 3 years. In addition to maintaining the office and looking after the staff-including her brother Izzy-since August 2007, Doreenda continually manages to keep full the candy dish and a stock of milk for the espresso.

John Szerdi, AIA, LEED AP

President | Florida

John Szerdi began working on design/build projects for the founder of Living Designs Group, Tom Worrell in 1993. In 1998, John joined Worrell's Dharma Properties as Chief Architect where his efforts were vital to land acquisitions, master planning and gaining numerous planning and zoning approvals. During the same period, John focused on the design and implementation of water systems into many sustainable projects including El Monte Sagrado Resort in Taos, NM, Sundy House Resort in Delray Beach, FL, and the EcoPlex in West Palm Beach, FL.

In 2005, John expanded Living Designs Group to Florida with offices in the LDG designed EcoCentre, The Living Office Building in Lake Worth. LDG Florida has enjoyed commissions with numerous cities in Florida for green master planning and policy. John is a frequent guest lecturer at related conferences and seminars.

John holds a M.A. and a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Florida. A professional architect specializing in environmental and green building design, John is registered in Florida(1979), New Mexico(1998) and is NCARB certified(1998). A LEED accredited professional since 2003, John sits as Vice-Chair/Chair-elect of the Treasure Coast Palm Beach Branch of the USGBC South Florida Chapter.

Alain Dezii

Vice President | Florida

Since 1985, Alain Dezii has worked on numerous private and public-sector projects in South Florida, owning his own construction and consulting firm for 10 years. Alain was a team member with C.U.R.E in the development of the historical guidelines for the City of Hollywood, FL and in 2005/06 Alain was the architectural project manager for the Broward County South Regional Library, a LEED-Silver certified project. Since then, Alain’s involvements have included sustainable schools, office buildings and city projects. His primary roles at LDG-Florida are as a director, designer, and project manager.

Alain Dezii studied architecture for two years at the University of Talence in Bordeaux, France. He holds an Associate of Arts in Architecture and a Bachelors of Architecture Degree from Florida Atlantic University. Alain is a licensed builder in the State of Florida.

125 La Posta Road, Suite A | Taos, NM 87571
TEL: 575.751.9481 | FAX: 505.751.9483 | Email

1005 Lake Avenue, at the EcoCentre | Lake Worth, FL 33460
TEL: 561.623.2300 | FAX: 561.623.2304