Erik R. Majcher
Erik R. Majcher, S.E., P.E.
Managing Director,Vice President, and Treasurer
Education
- Career Discovery Program, Architecture; Harvard Graduate School of Design, 1999
- Bachelors of Science, Architecture; The University of Michigan, 2001 with Honors
- Masters of Science, Civil Engineering (Structural); The University of Michigan, 2004
- Graduate Certificate, Real Estate Developing; The University of Michigan, 2007
- Additional Studies, Welding and Fabrication; Washtenaw Community College, 2002 - 2003
Mr. Majcher has been with Robert Darvas Associates since 2003. He began his career working part time after receiving his Bachelors of Science degree in Architecture at The University of Michigan and while pursuing a Master’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering at The University of Michigan. After receiving both degrees Mr. Majcher began working full time at the firm, but his passion for knowledge remained and he began taking courses in welding and fabrication part time at Washtenaw Community College. Eventually, Mr. Majcher went back to The University of Michigan to pursue a graduate degree in Real Estate Developing while still working full time at the firm.
Mr. Majcher’s concentrated education in design, construction and developing, coupled with his abilities in 3-D modeling and technical drafting has allowed him to excel as a designer as he is able to understand and meet the range of requirements inherent in today’s professional environment. He has successfully designed and managed a number of projects, including the Ann Arbor Pittsfield Branch Library and the Ann Arbor Traverwood Branch Library, the thirty-story EnV tower in downtown Chicago, 201 Depot Street Office Building in Ann Arbor, University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture Lorch Column Relocation, University of Michigan Dearborn Engineering Building and the Romulus Recreation Activities Center, among others.
In his spare time, Mr. Majcher enjoys designing and building furniture. Some of his designs include chairs and wine racks made of bent wood, a technology created by Charles and Ray Eames. He also works on remodeling his 1950’s ranch in Ann Arbor, is an avid runner, skier and wakeboarder.
Robert M. Darvas
Robert M. Darvas, S.E., P.E.
Chairman
Education
- Diploma Civil and Structural Engineering; Technical University of Budapest, Hungary, 1952 with Distinction
- Doctoral studies toward D.Sc.; Technical University of Budapest, Hungary, 1952-56
Robert M. Darvas, S.E., P.E., the founder of Robert Darvas Associates, P.C., is widely known as an authority in field of structural engineering. During his almost sixty year career in the field he has received a number of design awards, chaired the Architecture program at the University of Michigan, published books on structural engineering and been involved in numerous committees that have helped shape the built environment.
After leaving Hungary in 1956, Bob worked in London and then later in Chicago for the firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, designing the dynamic structure of the Chapel at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, designated as one of the ten best buildings in America. He then became the structural engineer for Kaiser Aluminum Technical Services. In 1961 he became a faculty member of the College of Architecture at The University of Michigan and established Robert Darvas Associates, P.C.. Mr. Darvas is also an accomplished man in the kitchen and enjoys baking. He often treats the office to Hungarian delicacies.
Stephen M. Rudner
Stephen M. Rudner, P.E., R.A.
Vice President and Corporate Secretary
Education
- Bachelor of Science; University of Michigan, 1970
- Master of Science, Architecture; University of Michigan, 1972
Mr. Rudner has been with Robert Darvas Associates, P.C. continuously since 1972 after graduating with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Architecture from The University of Michigan. Early in his career, Mr. Rudner worked at the University of Michigan as an adjunct faculty member for the College of Architecture and Design from 1982 to 1987, during which time he taught courses in structural engineering.
When first employed Mr. Rudner worked primarily on the formwork, shoring and re-shoring design for the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant #2 in Monroe, Michigan. Since that time Mr. Rudner has designed a myriad of projects of many diverse types and has conducted numerous structural examinations of existing facilities to determine their structural condition and the feasibility of renovation or restoration. He is an expert on the evaluation of existing structures, and, current and historical building materials, methods and technology.
Mr. Rudner is married with two children. He is a sailing enthusiast who has participated in many sailboat regattas over the years, including a race from Cadiz Spain to San Juan Puerto Rico via the Canary Islands in 1992. Mr. Rudner was navigator for the yacht “Donnybrook” on that voyage which commemorated the route of Columbus’s first voyage. Mr. Rudner has also been known to accompany his wife, Mary Lou’s banjo and Mandolin on his guitar.
Kenneth J. Winters
Kenneth J. Winters, P.E.
Education
- Bachelor of Architecture; University of Michigan, 1966
- Master of Architecture; University of Michigan, 1967
Mr. Winters has been with Robert Darvas Associates since 1965, working two years part-time during school, and then taking a 3 year leave to serve in the US Army. Upon his return in December of 1970 he resumed his junior engineering and drafting duties full-time, and has been with Robert Darvas ever since.
As a graduate of Architecture from the University of Michigan, Mr. Winters became a registered Architect in 1975. Upon becoming a registered professional engineer in Michigan in 1979, he, along with two other newly registered engineers, became partners with Robert Darvas. With the growth of the firm, and many out-of-state projects, Mr. Winters became registered in a total of ten states.
In 1995 he was named Corporate Treasurer, a position held until semi-retirement in 2009.
Mr. Winters’ structural experience extends the distance from residential design, inspections, evaluations, and reports, to structural design and detailing of new buildings, additions, and renovations. Over the years his expertise has extended to commercial buildings, educational facilities, and municipal and community building additions and renovations.
In semi-retirement Ken is handling most of the residential inspections for the office, while enjoying more time to work around the house and travel to visit family and friends around the world.
Mr. Winters has called Ann Arbor his home for 48 years, with one son and two grandsons, who live in Las Vegas. His main interests outside of work are bowling, gardening, and technical reading. Ken has given extensive time to community service as a member and chairperson of the City of Ann Arbor Building Board of Appeals since 1994, and a member of St Thomas Catholic Church Finance and Construction Committees for the past 35 years.
Nadir Makhlouf
Nadir Makhlouf
Principal
Education
- Diploma of Architecture; Polytechnic School of Architecture, Algeria, 1981
- Master of Science, Architecture; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1984
After completing his undergraduate studies at the Polytechnic School of Architecture in Algeria, Mr. Makhlouf was awarded a full scholarship to study at any University in the United States. He chose the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and after completing his Master’s degree in Building Sciences at the University of Michigan in 1984 he began working as a draftsman at Robert Darvas Associates, P.C. He worked at RDA for one year and then moved to California and worked as a Junior Architect at Hoover Associate in Palo Alto California for another year. At that time Mr. Maklouf returned to Algeria to fulfill his two year military service requirement. During that time he served as a project manager on various design and construction projects for the Algerian government. After an honorary discharge, Mr. Makhlouf taught drafting and design for first year Architecture students at the University of Blida, Algeria.
In 1992 Mr. Makhlouf rejoined Robert Darvas Associates as a Junior Designer. He was involved with the design and detailing of numerous projects, including the Henry Ford Community College Library, Ashley Mews office building in Ann Arbor, Block 89 mixed used complex in Madison Wisconsin, Albion Science Complex at Albion College, and the Resurrection Life Church in Grand Rapids Michigan, among others. In 2006 Mr. Makhlouf became a principal at the firm.