Michael DiBlasi

ASTC, IALD

Partner

Minneapolis, New York

Michael is a partner and principal designer in the Minneapolis office and has been an integral part of Schuler Shook since its inception.

Michael began his career in technical theatre design, which is the basis for his theatre consulting work. His hands-on understanding of performance venue requirements, including technical, functional and aesthetic issues, provides an invaluable resource to the design of theatre facilities. His theatre consulting experience includes renovated and new performance spaces for professional, community and educational facilities.

Michael’s involvement in the project begins with pre-design and programming studies that help shape the immediate and long range requirements for the facility. His involvement continues throughout the project as Michael collaborates with all members of the design team to develop the project’s original vision into its successful completion.

Significant Projects

Project Name

Location

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

St. Paul, MN

Cincinnati Music Hall

Cincinnati, OH

Kings Theatre

Brooklyn, NY

Manhattan School of Music

New York, NY

Orchestra Hall

Minneapolis, MN

The Confluence Arts Center

Eau Claire, WI

Toronto, Canada

This complete renovation of the old New Yorker Theatre was almost all new construction. Working closely with architects Martinez + Johnson, Schuler Shook designed new lighting and theatre systems for the 665-seat theatre and provided input on catwalk placement, sightlines, and the data and power cable distribution.

Architect

Martinez + Johnson Architecture

Smart Financial Center

Sugar Land, TX

The Center for Victims of Torture

St. Paul, MN

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts

Minneapolis, MN

Tradewinds Buffet, Treasure Island Resort & Casino

Welch, MN

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

Milwaukee, WI

Des Moines, IA

Schuler Shook provided the interior and exterior lighting design and custom lighting fixtures for this retail shopping center and plaza. The lighting design was carefully crafted with the development of the retail center to create a warm and inviting quality that responds to the architecture. The lighting fixtures took their cue from the Prairie style architectural vernacular.

Illumination of ceiling planes, architectural details, and decorative fixtures provides a comfortable and engaging environment.

Architect

Callison

Isleta Casino / Hard Rock Hotel

Albuquerque, NM

Grace Church

Eden Prairie, MN

Colonial Theatre

Pittsfield, MA

Pantages Theatre

Minneapolis, MN

University of Minnesota - Rarig Center

Minneapolis, MN

Radisson Blu, Mall of America

Bloomington, MN

Cedar Rapids Public Library

Cedar Rapids, IA

Capella Tower

Minneapolis, MN

Boston Opera House

Boston, MA

St. Louis Park, MN

Excelsior & Grand is a mixed-use development, with 5 story buildings consisting of residential units, retail space, restaurants, and plazas. The development is centered along a 600 foot pedestrian-friendly, town green.

Schuler Shook developed a unique lighting approach to create a dynamic, yet unified interior and exterior lighting design for this multi-phased project. The exterior lighting design included landscape, building facades, balconies, entries, and sculptures.

Architect

Elness Swenson Graham

Education

BFA - Boston University

Organizations

American Society of Theatre Consultants
International Association of Lighting Designers
Illuminating Engineering Society
United States Institute for Theatre Technology
League of Historic American Theatres - Former Board Member
International Association of Venue Managers
Society for College and University Planning

Awards

Kings Theatre
- TITLE III ADA Sapolin Public Accommodation Award, 2015
- Building Design + Construction Platinum Award for Reconstruction, 2015
Saenger Theatre
- IES International Illumination Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award of Excellence , Indoor Lighting Design, 2014
- IES International Illumination Design Award of Excellence, 2014
Mayo Clinic Square
- IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2016
Tradewinds Buffet Treasure Island Resort & Casino
- IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2016
Target Field Station
- IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2015
- AIA National Honor Award for Regional & Urban Design, 2015
Radisson Blu Mall of America
- IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2014
Radisson Blu Warwick Hotel
- IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2014
Bigelow Chapel
- SCUP/AIA–CAE Honor Award for Excellence in New Campus Architecture, 2006
- SCUP/AIA–CAE Excellence in Campus Architecture Honor Award (national), 2006
- Faith & Form Religious Architecture Honor Award, 2005
- AIA Minnesota Honor Award, 2004
Minneapolis Convention Center
- IALD Award of Merit, 2003
- IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2002
St. Anthony Falls Office Building
- LEED Gold
- Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Historic Restoration Award, 2008
- Preservation Alliance of Minnesota Adaptive Reuse Award, 2008
- Preservation Alliance of Minnesota Award for Excellence in Sustainable Design, 2008
Midtown Exchange
- Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Award, 2006
Pantages Theatre
- USITT Merit Award, 2004
- AIA Minnesota Honor Award, 2003
- Minneapolis Heritage, 2003
Rainforest Café
- IES International Illumination Design Award
- IIDA Award
Cue Restaurant at the Guthrie
- Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award of Excellence for Interior Lighting Design – International Illumination Design Awards, 2007
- IES Twin Cities Illumination Design Award, 2007
Minnesota Judicial Center
- IIDA Award of Merit, 1996
Landmark Plaza
- AIA Minnesota Honor Award, 2002