Awards & Civic Involvement

Awards

CBLH Design has been recognized throughout the years for our efforts in design throughout northern Ohio. We have been the recipients of American Institute of Architects Cleveland Chapter Design Awards for various projects. CBLH Design and its team have also been published in national trade magazines and local newspapers for our work. These areas of recognition support the fact that we strive to provide clients with appropriate design solutions that have a lasting impact on the community that is served.

A few examples of awards and recognition CBLH Design has received are:

Geauga County Public Library – Bainbridge Branch Library

  • American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Merit Award 2022, Architecture Category
  • NAIOP, 2022  Architectural Design Project of the Year

Geauga County Public Library – Thompson Branch Library

  • American Institute of Architects, North Carolina Honor Award 2022, Architecture Category
  • American Institute of Architects, Triangle Honor Award 2022, Architecture Category
  • American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Honor Award 2021, Architecture Category
  • American Institute of Architects, Southern Atlantic Region Honor Award 2021, Architecture Category

The University of Akron – Anthony J. Alexander Professional Development Center

  • American Institute of Architects, Cleveland 2020 Design Award of Merit, Architecture Category
  • NAIOP, 2021 Institutional Architectural Design Project of the Year

Kent State University – Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Tim Hunsicker (Retired Partner of CBLH), 2015 Recipient

Ritter Public Library – First Library in the State of Ohio to earn LEED Gold

  • Builders Exchange Magazine – Feature Article on Green Construction on a Budget
  • Properties Magazine – Feature Article on Lessons in LEED
  • Lorain Journal – Article describing the Library’s renovation and expansion
  • Elyria Chronicle – Article on the grand opening of the expanded library

CBLH Design Offices – First EDAC Advocate Firm in the State of Ohio

  • Healthcare Design Magazine – Article on CBLH Design, First in Ohio to become EDAC Advocate
  • Properties Magazine – Feature Article on Designer Digs
  • Properties Magazine – Feature Article on Environmental Solutions

Cleveland State University – Main Classroom Building – Student Services

  • Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. Award of Excellence
  • Outstanding Design for Renovation/Modernization – American School & University Magazine

Cleveland State University – Rhodes Tower Main Plaza:

  • Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Award – Stone Fountain Design
  • Stone World Magazine Feature Article on Granite Fountain
  • Concrete Construction Magazine Project of the Month

Spectrum Orthopaedics

  • Properties Magazine – Featured Article

Wadsworth Public Library

  • Community Vision Award

Cuyahoga County Public Library

South Euclid – Lyndhurst Branch

  • Cleveland Restoration Society Preservation Award
    American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Exceptional Accomplishment Award

Solon and Beachwood Branch

  • Properties Magazine – Feature Article on Beginning a New Chapter

United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland – Learning Center

  • Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Award – Masonry/Stone Work

Department of Veterans Affairs – Louis Stokes Medical Center

  • American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Honorable Mention Design Award

Case Western Reserve University

  • American Institute of Architects, Georgia Excellence Award
  • American Institute of Architects, Chicago Distinguished Building Divine Detail Interior Architecture Ten Year Award
  • Architect Magazine, Featured Article

I greatly appreciate the positive working relationship that we have shared with CBLH Design over the last 23 years. The firm's impressive leadership and staff have continued to provide personable service while delivering innovative and functional responses to our changing needs.

Former President and CEO of Medina Hospital

Our experience with CBLH Design has been outstanding. We have worked with two of the principals on our Richfield Branch (opened 2001) and Highland Square Branch (opened 2007). Marc and Tim are excellent listeners; they are able and willing to balance their design initiative with the functional objectives of the building owner.

Director Akron-Summit County Public Library

CBLH has developed into one of our leading architecture firms by carefully listening to our needs and consistently responding with creative and functional solutions. It is clear we are a high priority and they want to retain us as a client. They do this by providing excellent customer service and creative designs.

Former Director of Capital Planning and University Architect Cleveland State University

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With over 40 years of experience, Bill is widely recognized by his peers for his healthcare planning and design skills. Having previously worked for several national architectural firms, his portfolio includes a diverse variety of healthcare projects, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, and specialty care centers. His past clients include many of the country’s leading healthcare provider organizations.

Having lived and worked for the bulk of his career in Columbus, Bill now resides in Mount Gilead, Ohio. During his free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, as well as piloting his sports car around the Mid-Ohio course in Lexington, Ohio. A lifelong amateur astronomer, he recently built an observatory near his home, where he enjoys taking colorful astrophotos and showing others the beauty of the night sky.

Mike is a graduate of Kent State University where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Architecture. Prior to starting his design career, Mike earned a Bachelor of Quality Management from the University of Akron. He spent 12 years in the automotive and aerospace industries focusing on quality systems, statistical analysis, Total Quality Management (TQM), LEAN and continuous improvement. Mike drives continuous quality improvement for CBLH’s clients by applying this experience to architectural project implementation.

In his personal life, Mike is an ardent fan of baseball and football. He loves to cheer on his daughter from the stands or coach from the sidelines as she plays travel volleyball and other school sports.

Fun fact – Mike pitched for the Akron Zips baseball team as a scholarship athlete. 

Brian T. Hennies

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Director

Brian is a native Clevelander and joined CBLH Design in 2009 after working in Los Angeles and Chicago. He is a registered architect in the state of Ohio and a LEED Accredited Professional through USGBC. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2004 and Master of Architecture degree in 2005, both from Kent State University. Brian enjoys movies, playing soccer and spending time with his wife, and two daughters.

Fun Fact: You’ll often hear Brian quoting movies as part of his regular vocabulary.

Natalie Symon

IIDA, EDAC, LEEP AP BD+C

Director

Natalie Symon leads our Interiors department. She joined the firm in 1977 when Don Spice, founding partner, hired her on the spot. She began work the same afternoon of her interview and has been delivering vibrant and functional interior designs to CBLH’s clients ever since.

Natalie earned her degree at Massey College and holds NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certification.

Natalie maintains the firm’s commitment to providing sustainable design solutions and also believes in incorporating natural spaces when possible. She holds a certificate of merit in Healthcare Garden Design and is a member of: the American Horticultural Society, Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the UK, as well as the Cleveland and Chicago Botanical Gardens. Natalie is also nearing completion of her final project from King’s College in London to receive her Certificate in Garden Design.

Outside of the office, Natalie enjoys spending time with family and her dog Kiki, the last of her show dog line. She is also an avid Equestrian showing horses in Equitation and Pleasure Classes (English Saddle Seat) year-round. When Natalie chooses travel, she enjoys visiting family and friends in Hawaii.

Marc is a 1979 graduate of Kent State University where he received a Bachelor of Architecture. With over 40 years of experience, Marc has guided numerous projects throughout Ohio to successful completion and has directed the design efforts of the company since his hiring in 1985. His passion for design brings his knowledge of past experience together with the challenge of each client’s needs to create truly unique solutions.

His dedication for volunteering is evident in his involvement in many professional organizations as well as in his community. He is a current member in the Strongsville Chamber of Commerce, past board member of the Strongsville Schools Foundation and the American Liver Foundation, and a volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation.

Marc enjoys the competition of all sports and spends as much time as he can with his family. His wife, Jane, three adult children and a growing number of grandchildren make life exciting.

Favorite quote – “No man ever stepped in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man” – Heraclitus

Scott G. Weaver

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Principal

Scott is a graduate of Kent State University and a LEED accredited professional who specializes in healthcare and library architecture.  He is a high energy design professional who brings enthusiasm and passion to every project he is involved in.  This mentality helps clients connect better with their project and brings out the best experience for the entire design and ownership team.  Whether leading a cutting-edge healthcare facility or a library designed for the community it serves, Scott brings the same dedication to all his projects.

Jeffrey J. Valus

AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Principal

Jeff, a graduate of The Ohio State University, is a Principal at CBLH Design. His background includes the design and management of healthcare, educational, library and institutional projects. A resident of Medina, Jeff is a born leader and mentor. He enjoys guiding others by passing knowledge and inspiring emerging professionals in the workplace. His aspirations for the company are to embody culture into the organization by cultivating a creative, energetic atmosphere with a healthy work/life balance for the staff. Outside the office, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, skiing, golfing, and vacationing in the Outer Banks.

Fun fact – When Jeff was 12 years old, he was struck by lightning!

Michael D. Liezert

AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED AP

Principal

Mike is a 1988 graduate of Kent State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in architecture and began his career at CBLH Design over 30 years ago. While maintaining accreditations and certifications in sustainable and evidence-based design he became board certified by the American College of Healthcare Architects in 2006. Mike’s focus has been the design of healthcare spaces that improve lives and patient outcomes thru thoughtful design as well as firm management oversight. Outside of the office he enjoys traveling, golf, spending time outdoors camping with family and friends and overnight canoe trips on the Allegheny River. Mike resides in Medina County with his family.

Fun fact – Mike’s musical tastes are at both ends of the spectrum from heavy metal to classic country… but not much in between.