Firm Profile
Principal Biographies
Copyright © 2001-2008 DP&W, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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We make the commitment to each of our Clients that the Principals of Deardorff
Pang & Weymiller will be personally involved in their project. This Principal
involvement brings the value of our experience, and our personal accountability,
directly to bear on the day to day progress of the work. This is true of every
project we undertake. This limits the number of Clients we can accommodate, but
in return, brings many years of experience to focus on the Client's specific needs.
The active leadership of the three Principals - each with their own areas of
expertise - has resulted in a commitment to seek long-term relationships with
unique Clients, rather than "chasing" specific projects or project
types. From the inception of the project, the Client is an integral part of the Team.
Our office is organized around a Team Studio concept. The Client, the Principals
of our firm, and the Principals of our consulting professionals comprise the
Project Team, which follows the project from inception to completion. The support
personnel for DP&W and for our Consultants are brought into the Team as
necessary, depending upon the phase of the work and of the schedule. Contact
is always with Principals. This means that present at every meeting are
the people with the most experience, the ability to make decisions expeditiously,
and quickly resolve any issues which may arise. This is true for the duration of
the project, from inception to close-out.
As the work progresses, the Contractor also becomes an integral part of the Team.
Emphasis is placed upon the importance of their personal commitment to the success
of the project, and the eventual personal satisfaction of every member of the Team
with a job well done. Our projects have won numerous awards. They were generally
not sought after, and are always a measure of Team effort on the part of the Client,
the Architect, and the Contractor.
The firm of Deardorff Pang & Weymiller is the result of a 1985 merger of two
noted firms: Russell Weymiller & Associates (Established 1977) and Porter
Pang & Deardorff (Established 1979) forming at the time the largest firm in
the East Valley. We are a "full service" Architectural firm in our
third decade of providing Architectural services in the southwest. Over 20 years
of design and construction experience provides a broad range of ability in
programming, planning, design, construction systems, and construction administration.
| Russell Weymiller | Principal In Charge | |
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Russell provides Overall Leadership to the Architectural and Engineering component of the Team. He will work closely with all members of the Team with an emphasis on Client Liaison, programming & scheduling, making sure that information flows smoothly and accurately among all members of the Team. Contact Information |
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| Yin Pang | Principal: Design & Production | |
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Yin provides overall direction to the Design Team establishing the organization of the physical spaces and Design Concepts to meet the users needs. Yin is responsible for oversight and coordination of the Architectural, Engineering components. Yin will coordinate the daily effort to keep the Design and Construction Documents for the project on time and on budget, working directly with the Construction component of the Team and the Owner at regular intervals. Contact Information |
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| Robert Deardorff | Principal: Construction Administration | |
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Robert provides Conceptual design input including the construction component selections for appropriate Materials and Systems to meet the project's needs and budget. Robert writes the Specifications for projects and is the representative for the Architectural & Engineering components during construction. Robert is also the liaison with the Owner and Construction components. Contact Information |
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Principal Biographies
| BOB DEARDORFF |
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"I believe that the client drives the project. Every client is different, with different expectations, budgets and needs. We want every job to be a "signature" job, but here we want that signature to be our client's and not just the current design fad. "This philosophy requires the personal involvement of all the partners on all projects. "We strongly believe in the team concept because one person can't wear all the hats, all the time and do all the jobs really well. We put our collective and individual knowledge and experience to work solving the challenges at hand. That applies equally to a single-family dwelling or a manufacturing facility for thousands of workers."
What's the best advice you ever received?
My mother told us early on that life is too short; do what you enjoy doing.
Did the advice work out?
I love architecture. There's nothing I'd rather be doing. It's not even work. Work is something you do around the house.
Remember your first car?
It was a '65 Chevy Nova. It was transportation.
What is your most prized possession?
My collection of family photographs from the mid 1800's on - 150 years of history.
What professional work brings you the most pride?
Several come to mind, among them the Tempe Performing Arts Center, the Intesys Technologies Complex, and Temple Emanuel of Tempe, but we're proud of all our work.
What do you enjoy most about the job?
I really enjoy the hands-on aspects; meeting with clients, contractors, solving problems in the field. I really like being there and seeing the project go up.
What are some of the misconceptions you encounter as an architect?
Most people have no concept of budgets and schedules. Neither one has to be outrageous.
Do you have a work philosophy?
Teamwork. Architects, clients, consultants and contractors are all a part of a team and should look at the project that way.
Does that always work?
Pretty much. We're not afraid to let professionals speak their minds. We're open to suggestions and we get better performance, better ideas and more satisfied clients that way.
Any advice to someone about to hire an architect?
Don't surrender your desires. It is, after all, your project. Don't be afraid of the driver's seat.
Deardorff is a graduate of Mesa Community College and Arizona State University, but his desire to become an architect surfaced well before college. "I knew from the seventh grade on. I just woke up one morning and went for it." In addition to his duties with the firm, he sits on the Town of Gilbert, Arizona Design Review Board which examines every commercial, industrial and multi-family project for the community. Leisure activities include reading the classics of literature and history, and roller blading. He is most proud of designing and building, almost single-handedly, his own home. "There's a certain pride you can get only by using your mind and your own two hands to create something of genuine value."
| YIN KA PANG |
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On the job, Pang is committed to the team concept. "Doing a good job is always important to me. It governs how I handle everything: services, scheduling, budgeting, making sure every job flows as smoothly as possible. A good architect stays in touch with his client's real needs, his consultants, new technologies and innovations, and, most importantly, with himself."
What is your proudest achievement?
Dobson Medical in Mesa, the Hill residence in Paradise Valley, Tempe Performing Arts, numerous homes, and just being able to help design and create outstanding projects.
Personally?
My family and its well-being.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Don't be a doctor. Also, approach life and problem solving with a sense of humor. It's important to treat people with respect.
What's the best advice you can offer?
Be honest, have integrity, and teach by example.
Any advice for an aspiring architect?
Be honest, be innovative but remember that innovation must have a function. It is important to carry through with what you believe is true and appropriate to the situation.
Describe your first car.
It was a Dodge Demon. It looked good at the time.
When did you decide to become an architect?
Pretty early on I knew I wanted a career that involved drawing. I used to practice by copying the artwork in comic books.
Where is the joy found in your work?
Definitely when the design is received well by your client, your peers, and in many cases the public. I enjoy being creative in creating quality spaces and esthetically pleasing objects.
What is the biggest misconception held by the public about architects?
Many people seem to think architects do not listen to their clients. Good architects have to listen. Here we want to listen. Also some people think of our services as a commodity instead of the significant investment it represents.
Any advice to offer someone working with an architect?
Be as specific as possible. By that I mean more than color, material, size, and textures. Speak up about your emotional needs, your feelings and the statement you want the structure to make. That's how your get a great design that will also bear the signature of the owner.
Pang was born in Malaysia. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, but recognizing his early interest in and commitment to drawing, suggested a career in architecture. He graduated from Arizona State University and today is a resident of Phoenix.
Growing flowers in his garden and spending time with his family are his most pleasurable past times.
| RUSSELL WEYMILLER |
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That basic philosophy has helped create, build and maintain one of the most respected architectural firms in Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun. It is a proven concept that applies equally to designing a home, building a performing arts center or striking out off-trail through the tall pines and hidden valleys of a natural wilderness area.
As a Principal, Weymiller's duties include business management, finance and marketing. "Our job here is to interpret our client's dreams and bring them into sharp focus, into reality. That's pretty basic, simple, but that doesn't mean it is easy. We have to become a visionary for every client, each with different needs, different budgets . . . different dreams. I am happy and proud to say that we do that very well."
Weymiller finds real joy in the challenge of the job, in dealing successfully with consultants and clients, and especially handling new problems, new technologies and new challenges. "Every job, every day is new," he says. "In a very real sense, we're explorers."
What is your proudest achievement?
Creating one of the most respected architectural firms in Phoenix.
What is the best career advice you've received?
He who writes the first letter loses. In a confrontation a letter just gives the other side ammunition. It's much smarter to deal direct. Pick up the phone.
What are your favorite leisure activities?
Hiking, skiing, fishing, camping and mountain biking. I enjoy being in a totally different environment. Entering the outdoors is a mentally uplifting experience.
Any other important interests?
I am a member and past Chairman of the Town of Gilbert, Arizona Downtown Redevelopment Commission where we oversee any redevelopment within the Heritage District.
Remember your first car?
A canary yellow, modified '49 Chevy Fastback with a 283 engine. I was a kid of the sixties.
What are some of your best projects?
A number come to mind: L'Auberge de Sedona is one that sticks out. We are an award-winning firm. In fact, we've received at least 15 unsolicited honors for various projects.
What is your greatest personal achievement?
Happiness.
Do you have a personal business philosophy?
Provide the best possible service to every client. That and to get paid.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
All of it, the broad scope of challenges and creating success.
Any advice for dealing with architects?
Whether you're building a home or reshaping a city block, get to know your architect personally. Understand that there is a very real communication process and participate in it.
Name the biggest misconception about dealing with architects.
Easy. People seem to believe that architects don't listen to their clients. Some don't, perhaps, but the good ones do, and it is reflected in the high quality of their work. We're good listeners.
Heading out off-trail is nothing new to Russell Weymiller, an enthusiastic outdoors man. "After graduating high school in San Diego I wanted to join the diplomatic corps," he says. Before committing his energies, abilities and the rest of his life to a career in diplomacy, he took the time to explore other options. An aptitude test pointed toward a different way of architecture. He struck off in a new direction toward Arizona State University and the school of architecture.
Copyright © 2001-2008 DP&W, Inc. All Rights Reserved.