Meet Vaughn Dierks, a Principal at Wold and a prominent leader in the architecture industry, with over 30 years of design expertise. Vaughn oversees Wold’s education work across Tennessee, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to each project he leads.
As the firm’s National Educational Practice Leader, Vaughn is known for delivering innovative solutions that consistently exceed project goals throughout the design and construction process. His deep passion for school planning has made him a trusted advisor and an invaluable partner to school districts, guiding them through every phase of planning, design and implementation with unmatched expertise and care.
Having received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Washington University in St. Louis and his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Minnesota, Vaughn’s education and career have been built on a foundation of thoughtful leadership and a commitment to excellence.
To celebrate Vaughn’s remarkable 30-year journey at Wold, we sat down with him to explore the philosophies that have shaped his work and life. Here’s a look at his reflections on leadership, shifts in design through the years and the influence of his career.
How has Wold shaped your professional journey, and what has kept you here for three decades?
When I graduated, like many young architects, I imagined my career would revolve around the design process and the aspects of architecture that most people typically think of. But as I gained more experience and spent more time with the clients, teachers, administrators and students involved in the schools I was designing, I discovered a deeper sense of purpose in the work. I’ve always loved the design side of things, and I still do; however, with my dad being a teacher, and so many others in my family involved in education, it brought a personal significance to the work that elevated it to another level for me.
Beyond that, Wold has been an incredible place to grow and collaborate. I've had the opportunity to help shape the firm from the inside out, contributing to our mission and values, working across all our offices on firm culture and helping chart the course for our future. It's been deeply rewarding. I can’t believe it’s already been 30 years! It really does fly when you love what you do.
You’ve had a hand in designing so many spaces - do you have a favorite project, and what made it special?
I get asked that a lot. And yes, there are certainly projects I'm very proud of, and the work our teams have done is outstanding. We’re fortunate to have an incredible group of architects, engineers, interior designers and so many others who make everything we do look fantastic. The buildings we’ve created together are truly beautiful.
But the projects that stand out to me, the ones that feel really special, are meaningful for different reasons. One that comes to mind is helping the town I grew up in figure out how to address a sadly aging elementary school, the same one where I attended Kindergarten through 3rd grade. I had the chance to build community support alongside people who were part of my childhood, and then help design the new school where my nieces would later attend. That experience was incredibly personal and meaningful.
Every time I work in an area that sees me not just as their architect but as someone who's part of their community, that’s what makes the work special. Those are always my favorites.
If you could go back to your first day at Wold, what advice would you give yourself?
I’d probably say, “Listen… the leaders in this firm? They were a lot like you when they started out. And honestly, the reason they speak with such confidence now is because they want you to know they’ve got your back, even if they don’t always have the answers themselves.”
I don’t remember ever feeling scared or nervous. Wold gave me the freedom to run as fast as I wanted. It wasn’t until I became a leader myself that I truly understood what leadership means. It’s not just about drive, commitment or vision. It’s also about being responsible for the people on your team. That’s something I try to pass along to every new person who joins us: we’re here for you and we want you to succeed.
As you celebrate this milestone, what message would you like to share with your colleagues and clients?
I don’t know that there’s anything in particular I feel the need to share. I don’t really think about it that way. Sure, 30 years is a long time, but to me, it’s just a number. What really matters is being passionate about what you do and especially why you do it. When you have that sense of purpose, you don’t even notice the time passing.
If anything, I’d just want to say thank you to everyone who’s been part of the journey. For the stories, the memories, the friendships and the laughs along the way. It’s been a truly wonderful way to spend these years, and I’m excited for what’s still to come.
What inspired you to become an architect, and how has that passion evolved over the past 30 years?
Mike Brady from The Brady Bunch! I liked his job when I was a kid. But more seriously, when I was growing up, the old church we attended (built in 1900) was replaced by a very modern one while I was in elementary school. I remember being profoundly influenced by its design, which was done by Edward Sövik, an architect from Northfield, MN, who specialized in liturgical and modern worship spaces. I was completely fascinated by the abstract stained-glass windows, the sleek black granite baptismal pool, the flexible altar and seating and the contemporary enclosure for the organ pipes. Everything about it captivated me.
I remember thinking, if this is what designing buildings can be, creating spaces that look nothing like what you expect, that’s what I want to do. I decided in 6th grade that I would be an architect, and I never looked back.
To this day, looking at buildings is still one of my favorite things to do. If I’m traveling, you can bet there’s time set aside for walking the city and visiting places I’ve bookmarked on my ever-growing list of buildings I want to see. There will never be enough time to visit them all, but I’ll try.
How has your experience influenced the way you approach designing educational environments today?
When I was in 1st or 2nd grade, I remember being taken out of my classroom during reading and math time and brought to the hallway or cafeteria. I would sit with an aide who had me read aloud or work on different math problems because I already knew what was being taught in class. That continued through most of my elementary years. Those weren’t great learning environments, and it stuck with me. Later in high school, when I finished coursework early, I was sent to the library or whatever “study hall” was available. There was nothing more offered beyond that.
Those experiences were formative. They still influence how I think about education and the spaces we design for it. Every student should be able to learn at their own pace and in environments that support that. The standard classroom with rows of desks lined down long hallways is not the only way learning can happen. Educational design should be inspiring and engaging, as well as flexible enough to support learning everywhere.
How has educational architecture evolved over the years, and in what ways have you adapted your design approach to meet changing needs?
This is a huge topic and one that can’t be defined in one sitting. However, long before 2020, we were already having conversations with school districts and communities about creating learning spaces that supported a wider variety of learning styles. These included small group areas, flexible spaces outside of the traditional classroom, more hands-on approaches and opportunities for students to use technology and access information at their own pace.
There were some early examples of this when we were growing up. I took Calculus in high school with students from two nearby towns through a CCTV system. Libraries gradually evolved into media centers as computers changed how we thought about information and learning. But even with these changes, there was still a lot of resistance to adding spaces that weren’t traditional classrooms. People didn’t always see the value.
Then COVID happened.
Almost overnight, every school district in the country had to rethink how to educate students. Suddenly, everyone was forced to think outside the box, or rather, outside the classroom, about what learning could look like. I’m not advocating for students to be out of school. I believe strongly in the importance of social learning and development that happens when students are together. But what became clear to many people was that students can learn in so many different ways, in both large and small groups. Now, when we talk about these ideas, they’re just a natural part of the conversation. People understand the need in a way they didn’t before.
How has your background in performing arts and theater impacted the way you approach education design?
I think the most obvious impact is in communication. We often facilitate public meetings, sometimes in large rooms or in front of big audiences. In those settings, it’s essential to connect, not just through the clarity of the message, but also by tapping into the emotion of the topic and the room.
The word “storyteller” is overused, but in many ways, that’s exactly what we do as designers. With every project or plan, we’re identifying a problem, envisioning how it could be improved and then communicating that vision in a way that helps people see what we can accomplish together. That’s the story we’re creating together.
Who has been a significant personal or professional mentor in your life?
Both of my parents had a major influence on me growing up. My dad’s work as a teacher and coach shaped a lot of how I think about purpose and impact, while my mom instilled in me a deep appreciation for the arts. When I joined Wold, we worked closely with a psychologist for many years to help develop our leadership and professional skills. His background wasn’t in architecture. In fact, he had previously worked in ministry. He helped us build our thinking and communication skills and pushed us to become better problem solvers. As my role in the firm evolved, he and I continued to work together, especially as we expanded into new regions and focused on developing the next generation of leaders.
We still meet regularly to this day, and I continue to find him one of the most interesting and engaging people I’ve ever known. I credit him with playing a major role in my professional growth over the years.
How do you stay involved in the industry and your local community?
I actually enjoy going to educational conferences more than architectural ones. I find it inspiring to hear how educators are reaching students in new and meaningful ways. That’s not to say I don’t value the architectural side, because I do. But stepping outside the day-to-day and the specific projects we’re working on allows for a broader perspective.
When you have the chance to talk with people about the range of challenges they’re facing, you gain a deeper understanding of their world. And with that, you’re better equipped to support them through the work we do.
If you weren’t an architect, what career do you think you’d have pursued?
If I had known that being an Imagineer at Disney was an option, I would have jumped at the chance, no question. It would have been the perfect blend of my love for architecture, theater, creating meaningful spaces, storytelling and pure imagination.
What's something you've learned from the magical world of Disney that has influenced your approach to architecture or work?
The company philosophy still fascinates me, and the core values and beliefs that Walt established continue to be a strong part of it. A few years ago, one of my partners and I gave a presentation called "The Disney Way," where we related their approach and philosophy to what we do and how we can learn from it. The agenda was centered around a quote from Walt: “I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true.” Dream, Believe, Dare, Do. It’s a powerful formula for success and optimism.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Even though we love to travel all over, there are a few places we go to repeatedly. One is still Disney (World, Land, even Paris) with or without kids. Another is Mexico (it doesn’t hurt to leave the cold of MN whenever you can in the winter!). We also try to visit our cabin in WI whenever we have time, and love that our friends and family can join us.
What's something you wish more people would ask you about?
As long as it isn’t about me, I am happy. I like asking questions of other people, and usually ones about ideas or concepts as opposed to stuff. I like to throw out big topics that are off the beaten path and engage in conversations that aren’t expected.
As long as it isn’t politics... I don’t want to talk politics. Ever.
How has your leadership style evolved over the years, and what lessons have shaped it?
One of the development programs and approaches we use is through a program called “Insights” that helps you not only understand your own style and approach but also how to better see others’ approaches. We started this about 15 years ago and have done it ever since with all of our people. It is similar to a Myers-Briggs analysis and is based on Carl Jung’s work around attitudes (extraversion and introversion) and the rational functions (thinking and feeling). This is represented in individuals with four color energies (red, yellow, green, and blue) relating to these functions, respectively.
Through this process, I learned (maybe already knew) that I am INTENSELY driven and motivated (Red energy) in my extroverted, thought-based approach, and that I use enthusiasm and excitement to motivate others (Yellow energy). What I don’t have is much introversion or spending time on my feelings (Green energy). This awareness didn’t mean I kept going with that understanding; what it did was increase my attention to areas I wasn’t focused on, helped me relate to others in a more meaningful way in a style they could appreciate and be better at building relationships and teams. That has made me much more well-rounded and a more empathetic leader in the process.
To learn more about Vaughn Dierks, his experience and his insights, visit here. Our Focal Point series provides a behind-the-scenes look at the talented team members that bring our work to life.
