Firm Profile

How does this benefit you?  In the past, districts undertaking a facilities project faced a number of challenges, processing cartons of bids, evaluating vendor capabilities, and coordinating a small army of consultants and specialists. They also found that keeping a facilities project on target required precision scheduling, meticulous job monitoring, and countless meetings. The result was a distracted and overworked staff.

Fortunately, that process is now a thing of the past. With The Design Collaborative, districts can provide the facilities their students need without facing costly overruns, sacrificing staff efficiency, or compromising educational programs. Districts choose only the specific services required; each project is specifically tailored to the client’s needs. All are then scheduled, coordinated, and monitored through a principal of the firm. This drastically decreases the likelihood of errors or miscommunications, and means a smoother transition for you and your staff.

CORPORATE PROFILE

The firm was originally established in 1939 by Mr. Gregory Ogden, Architect, and later evolved into Ogden/MacDonald, Architects and Planners, with Mr. James MacDonald assuming the ownership of the company in 1975. In 1986, the partnership DECO, The Design Collaborative, was formed to expand its professional services. The firm continued to evolve with the formation of The Design Collaborative, Architects and Planners, P.A. in 1991 with Louis DeLosso being appointed as president of the firm. Following the passing of James MacDonald in 1998, Drew Dingler and Linda Viventi, long standing architects with The Design Collaborative, along with Todd Kieninger, P.E. were appointed to Vice President positions. In 2009, Nicholas M. Dalesandro, P.E. assumed Mr. Kieninger's position as Vice President.   In 2015, Mr. Dalesandro relinquished his position as Vice President. In 2020, Drew Dingler became President of the firm while Louis DeLosso acquired the Vice President position and Linda Viventi took over as the Secretary/Treasurer.   In December, 2023, Louis J. DeLosso retired from his position with The Design Collaborative.

Associate engineers and consultants who work with The Design Collaborative are considered leaders in their respective professions. They have been selected because of their areas of expertise, longevity in business, and professionalism. Each has outstanding credentials and the professional capability of performing the required tasks.

COMPANY PRINCIPALS

 

Drew C. Dingler, AIA, NCARB
President

• Position:
  • President, Director of Architectural Services and Project Architect
• Education:
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bachelor of Architecture, 1985
• Registration:
  • New Jersey Licensed Architect # 21AI01088800, 1989
• Professional Organizations:
  • American Institute of Architects
  • American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter
  • American Institute of Architects, South Jersey Chapter
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

 

Linda M. Viventi, AIA, P.P., ASID, NCARB, LEED AP, BD&C
Secretary/Treasurer

• Position:
  • Secretary/Treasurer, Director of Interior Design and Project Architect
• Education:
  • Carnegie Mellon University, Bachelor of Architecture, 1984
• Registration:
  • New Jersey Licensed Architect # 21AI01090200, 1989
  • New Jersey Licensed Professional Planner, #33LI00653000, 2023
• Professional Organizations:
  • American Institute of Architects
  • American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter
  • American Institute of Architects, South Jersey Chapter
  • American Society of Interior Designers
  • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards