Meet the experts:

Backed by success stories from districts across the Midwest, our experienced experts have seen it all and will serve as your resource and advocate from start to finish. 
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Todd Cyrulik,
Principal
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Todd Cyrulik, AIA, LEED AP

Principal

Lead Designer

Director of the PreK-12 Design Group.
Todd has been a passionate designer and planner for BLDD for almost 20 years. He has spent his life devoted to improving the built environment around him and is dedicated to helping every project reach its full potential as an asset to the community in which it resides. Todd believes that the architect's supreme mission is to elevate the aspirations of everyone that comes in contact with the built environment, clients, users, community members and even pets.

​Todd's passion for planning and designing extends to his personal life as well. He enjoys serving alongside his neighbors and friends to plan community festivals, neighborhood clean-ups, and bringing Santa to town. He is also a former member of his local school board. Todd loves discovering new things and looks forward to sharing his passion for discovery with his entire family. In their free time, he and his wife, Angie, can be found trekking all corners of the United States in search of fun and memories with their own little group of explorers: oldest son, Evan and triplets, Claire, Owen, and Olivia.
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Damien Schlitt,
Principal
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Damien Schlitt, AIA, LEED AP

Principal

​Associate Director of the PreK-12 Design Group
Damien started with BLDD right out of graduate school and has been a part of the rapid growth the firm has been experiencing in the past several years. His focus and passion are in master planning, design and construction of PK-12 educational spaces and the impacts those environments can have on the learners of our communities. Damien works hard to further his own knowledge in the ever-changing landscape of the education field. With a deep passion for the importance of education and the ways in which it can directly and indirectly better a community, Damien looks to support his clients with forward- thinking creative solutions to their school facility needs. As a problem solver, he enjoys the challenge of the next project, the design opportunities that it provides, and the chance to help a district accomplish more goals, for less.
 
Damien is a lifelong learner - reading and exploring a variety of subjects - from education, sports, history, and finance, to his deep love of technology. A husband and father of two, he lives his life to provide for and enjoy every moment with his family to the fullest. Damien and his family find solace hiking or biking through the woods near their home, or kayaking the Sangamon, or countless other regional rivers with close family friends.
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John Whitlock,
Principal
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John Whitlock, AIA, LEED AP

Principal
John is someone to be counted on... you can count on him to be a valuable resource to you and your team, a leader that will make your vision a reality, a partner that will bring levity to any situation, and someone you'd like to have an adult cocktail with after a long work week.  John leads BLDD's Higher Education Design Group, but also has a passion for fitness and athletic facilities and an expertise in the design of secure and safe educational environments.  John will be your partner and friend from the conception of an idea to its ultimate conclusion. 

When John isn't developing 21st century learning environments, he is busy practicing what he preaches…reading a good book, watching his kids play a plethora of sports, water skiing, or playing guitar. You can be sure that John is always seeking solutions that will benefit and advance the education environment.
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Sam Johnson,
Consulting Partner
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Sam Johnson, AIA, LEED AP, REFP

Consulting Partner

​PreK-12 Design Group Consultant
Sam joined BLDD in 1986, and quickly found a niche in educational facility planning and design, As Director of the PreK-12 Design Group through 2019, Sam had the great fortune to work on incredible projects and work with amazing people across the Midwest. In 2020, Sam transitioned to a consultant role within the PreK-12 Design Group.

​Sam's life is full and he likes to bite off as much as he can chew. He sees life as a collection of experiences, with a new chapter written every day, so he works to create experiences worth living. Whether it’s exploring new places with his wife, traveling to visit family, playing trumpet in the office band, playing softball, waterskiing, listening to live music, working out, relaxing on his deck, following University of Illinois athletics, or any other activity that inspires, Sam is active. He enjoys growing, learning, and experiencing life. 

Featured Projects

  • All
  • Elementary
  • Middle School
  • High School
  • Remodel
  • New Construction
  • Athletics


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Innovations that make your project rock, every step of the way.
They truly understand PreK-12 architecture and its connection to instruction and the community.
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- Mike Maloney, Director of Operations, Davenport Community School District

BECAUSE LIFE DESERVES DESIGN

CENTRAL ILLINOIS​
CHICAGO
BLOOMINGTON, IL @ Co:Create
CHAMPAIGN, IL @ Sharespace
DUBUQUE, IA @ Idea Campus
FT. WORTH, TX @ Common Desk
PEORIA, IL @ The Nest
SPRINGFIELD, IL @ Innovate Springfield
ST. LOUIS, MO @ Cortex Innovation Community

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t:  844-784-4440