Staff (Soleil West Architects)

Staff

Kevin Balciar, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Principal Architect & Owner

33 Years of Architectural Experience

Bachelor of Science, Architectural Studies at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Masters of Architecture: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Member of the American Institute of Architects

Registered Architect: New Mexico (1882), Arizona (18714), Illinois (001-010524), and Nevada (2534)

Certified by NCARB

Licensed Interior Designer: New Mexico (121)

Peace Corps Volunteer: 1974-76, Benin, West Africa

Member Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI)

LEED Accredited Professional (2009)

Kevin has been project architect and designer for various architectural firms in New Mexico and Illinois, since his graduation from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1979. Kevin formed Soleil West in 1992. He is responsible for the design, site planning, programming, and management of Soleil West's projects.

Kevin's early career began with Peace Corps as school architect for the Ministry of Education in Benin, West Africa. He also coordinated U.N.E.S.C.O and the U.S. Embassy's school construction effort in that country

Many of Kevin's projects have been multi-story buildings on limited area, urban sites, such as the 187 unit Paul G. Stewart apartment complex in Chicago. He is involved in historic preservation and adaptive reuse of existing structures. He was recently the planner for the Santa Rosa comprehensive plan. A new zoning ordinance and land use map are the fruits of that planning effort.

Kevin has been project architect and designer on the following:

Throughout his career, Kevin has been responsible for the overall management and coordination of the architectural and engineering disciplines. He prepares and presents Public School Capital Outlay requests, legislative requests, presentations in support of local bond elections, and other funding requests.

J. Arthur Blessen, PE

25 Years of Architectural Experience
16 Years of Engineering Experience
Member: Structural Engineer’s Association of New Mexico
Bachelor of Architecture:
Texas Tech University

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering:
University of New Mexico

Registered Architect:
New Mexico (2559), Arizona (38872), Utah (4730898-0301), and Nevada (4770)

Professional Engineer:
New Mexico (13481), Utah (4730898-2202), and Nevada (014734)

Art has been project architect, structural engineer, and civil engineer for various architectural and engineering firms in Albuquerque. He began his career in architecture after graduating from Texas Tech University in 1985, with his degree in architecture. Art worked in a local architectural firm for several years before returning to college in 1992 at the University of New Mexico to complete his degree in engineering. He graduated from UNM in 1994.

Art has worked on many different types of facilities as both the project engineer and project architect. His projects have included telecommunication sites, offices, warehouses, schools, and manufacturing facilities. Art worked at Soleil West between 1992 and 1997, and returned to Soleil West in 2006.

Art has contributed to the following Soleil West projects:

Laura Wegener

Intern Architect

5 Years of Architectural Internship Experience

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture: University of New Mexico (2007)

Laura has worked at Soleil West since her graduation from the University of New Mexico in 2007.

Laura is responsible for project schematic design, design development, construction document production, project submittals review, as well as interior design coordination. Laura also generates project 3-D modeling, presentation boards and informative brochures.

Laura has contributed to the following projects:

Tabatha English

Office Manager

6 Years of Architectural Drafting Experience

2 Years of Office Management Experience

Tabatha has worked at Soleil West since 2006.

Tabatha began work at Soleil West as a CAD Technician, and has contributed to the successful completion of many of the firm's projects.

In 2010, Tabatha became the office manager of the firm. She assists with the overall management and coordination of projects, as well as office filing and organization.