VergesRome Architects | New Orleans Architectural Firm

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Stephanie Calamari, AIA

Partner

Stephanie Calamari joined VergesRomes Architects in 1997, as an intern architect. She earned her professional registration in Louisiana in 2005, and in 2008 she was named as a Partner in the firm.

Stephanie has gained relevant project experience in the areas of due diligence, permit coordination, zoning issues and zoning appeals. She has interfaced extensively with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and GOHSEP to facilitate planning and achievement of project objectives in hurricane recovery projects and projects requiring wetlands determinations.

Stephanie serves as liaison to the firm’s Information Technology consultants to provide the VRA team with the latest software, hardware, network, FTP, BIM and digital rendering resources, and the appropriate training.

Team Member Since: 1997

Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Newcomb College
Tulane University

Master of Architecture
Tulane University

Licensed Architect in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina


Richard W. Fenner, AIA

Partner

Rick Fenner, who joined the firm in 1981 and became a Partner in 2003, has worked as a designer, project architect, specifications writer, estimator and project programmer.

While away from office duties, Rick enjoys traveling, particularly to the mountains. Visits to historical sites with family, photography, and walking make for a great companion with architecture. He grew up in Columbus, Indiana, known for its rich architectural heritage as the “Athens of the Prairie.”

Team Member Since: 1981

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture
Ball State University

Licensed Architect in Louisiana


Michael J. Roussel, AIA

Partner

Michael leads a wide variety of projects at VRA, including educational facilities, restaurants, retail, commercial, automobile dealerships, self-storage facilities, religious facilities, recreational facilities, and housing.

Mr. Roussel rejoined the firm in 2002 as Project Architect after working with Morton Verges Architects in 1996. He became a partner in 2006. Prior to returning to VRA, Michael gained experience on projects including speculative office development, retail and commercial projects, branch banks, primary and secondary educational facilities, religious structures, low income housing, and recreational facilities as well as projects for clients such as the US Postal Service, the National Park Service, the State of New Mexico, the New Orleans Aviation Board, the Housing Authority of New Orleans, and the New Orleans Recreation Department.

Team Member Since: 2002

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture
Louisiana State University

Licensed Architect in Louisiana


Ernest E. Verges, AIA-E

Principal Emeritus

Mr. Verges is Principal and President, Emeritus of Morton Verges Architects. He is an active participant in production, design and quality control. In 1956 Mr. Verges joined the firm of H.T. Underwood & Associates, becoming an associate in that firm two years later. In 1963 the firm name was changed to Underwood-Verges & Associates, Inc. where he was a partner in charge of design and document production. Upon the death of H.T. Underwood in 1966, Mr. Verges assumed full responsibility for the firm and subsequently changed the name to Ernest E. Verges & Associates, A Professional Architectural Corporation, in 1968. The firm continued to grow and in 1985 the name was changed and he became President of Verges Associates Architects. In 1991, John Morton, AIA, joined the firm and the name was again changed to Morton Verges Architects.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: He has kept abreast of the ever-changing technology in the architectural field. This has included seminars, workshops, academic training in the following: Roofing, Handicapped Accessibility, Life Safety Standards, Professional Liability, Aspects of Construction, Syndication of Real Estate, Real Estate Development, Marketing Architectural Services, Energy Analysis and Conservation, Judicial/Court Seminar.

SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION: New Orleans Chapter A.I.A. Past President; Louisiana Architects Association, Past President, Past Vice President and Board Member; Various Committees of New Orleans Chapter A.I.A. and Louisiana Architects Association; Board Member Gulf States Region A.I.A.; Member National A.I.A. Practice Management Committee; Member Louisiana Institute of Building Sciences; Member Louisiana Building Energy Conservation Advisory Board; Board of Directors Construction Industry Association; Member Construction Representatives Association. In 1999, Mr. Verges received the Medal of Honor from AIA Louisiana which is the highest honor awarded by this professional society.

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY: Active Member International Lutheran Laymen’s League Past Vice President and Regional Governor; Gulf District Lutheran Laymen’s League, Past President and Secretary; Mid City Kiwanis Club Past President; Louisiana State University Alumni, Jefferson Parish; Concordia Seminary Regents Council; Active Member Metairie Country Club; Louisiana State University “L” Club; Louisiana State University Alumni Federation; L.S.U. School of Architecture – Advisory Committee.

Memberships:  American Institute of Architects

Education:
B.S. Degree Architectural Engineering
Louisiana State University

U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology​

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Registered to practice in Louisiana.


Michael Zaloudek, AIA, LEED AP, CDT

Partner

Michael is a project architect with extensive experience in the healthcare and commercial markets. He provides client advisory services focusing on current market trends and evolving regulatory guidelines. Michael enjoys tackling the unique challenges each project presents and responding with innovative solutions.

His portfolio with VergesRome Architects features masterplan studies for hospital renovations and additions, brewery and automobile dealership renovations, additions and new construction and commercial office building renovations. Previous to joining VergesRome, Michael’s experience in the healthcare architecture and planning fields include several national and international hospitals ranging in size from small renovations to replacement hospital facilities, medical planning, brewery research and design and technical/engineering coordination.

Out of the studio, Michael enjoys biking through New Orleans’ pothole obstacle course to explore the parks and local crafts manifested in the media of architecture, food and drink. New Orleans has over a dozen craft breweries and he enjoys exploring new venues as they emerge. At home, he enjoys harvesting fresh, local vegetables and herbs that he and his wife Alexis attend to in their garden.

Team Member Since: 2017

Education:
Masters in Architecture,
Tulane University

Licensed Architect in Massachusetts