Who are we?
ArchInc is a full-service, award winning architecture and planning firm founded by David M. Schuermann, AIA and Joseph P. Hagan, AIA in 1994. After 10 years with the firm, Valentina Shands-Puppione, AIA became a partner in 2014. Charles “Chooch” Pickard, AIA joined the firm as a partner in 2017. Joseph retired from the firm in 2019. The firm is currently staffed by five architectural professionals including the three licensed principals.
Valentina Shands-Puppione AIA, NCARB
Managing Principal
As an architect, Valentina designs and manages diverse projects ranging from renovations and adaptive re-use to new construction including commercial office spaces, mixed-use, multi-family residential, single family residential, retail spaces and more. Valentina excels at the process of transforming existing spaces for the use of new functions. The diverse portfolio of work at ArchInc has strengthened her creativity with spatial relationships and incorporating historic buildings with new design.
Valentina received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee in 2002 and obtained her architecture license in 2009. She has been heavily involved in the local and state chapters of the American Institute of Architects, serving as local chapter president in 2013.
Valentina is a member of the Junior League of Memphis, an alumna of Leadership Memphis, and honored with Memphis Top 40 under 40 in 2014. She became a partner at ArchInc. in 2014 and was elevated to managing partner in 2017.
David M. Schuermann, AIA
Founding Partner
David Schuermann was registered to practice architecture in Tennessee in 1981 after graduating with honors from the University of Tennessee. He received a gubernatorial appointment to the Tennessee State Board of Architecutal and Engineering Examiners in 2004, serving eight years, three as chair of the Architects Committee and two as Board Chair. He was appointed to the Downtown Memphis Commission Design Review Board in 2010, serving as Chairman for two years. In 2014, David was named by the City Mayor to the Memphis Minority Business Development Oversite Committee. He is the Chair of the University of Memphis Art Museum Board and a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2001, David attended the preservation conference “Classicism & Conversation- Comparative Preservation and Practice” sponsored by the American Institute of Architects in Rome, Italy. Renovation/restoration projects include: the Hunt Phelan House (Memphis, TN, 1828), the Leroy Pope House (Huntsville, AL, 1814), Lane College Historic District (four structures, Jackson, TN, 1905-1928), the Nicholas Gotten House (Bartlett, TN, 1871 ), Beverly Hall (Memphis, TN, 1904), and the Galloway Mansion (Memphis, TN, 1910). Commercial renovation/adaptive re-use projects include the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center (Huntington, TN), Union City Train Depot (Union City, TN, 1922), SouthBank (Downtown Post Office, Corinth, MS, 1913), the Condos at 89 South Front Street (Memphis, TN, 1850) and the Nettleton Codominiums (Memphis, TN, 1924). David was a founding partner of Architecture, Incorporated in 1994.
Charles “Chooch” Pickard, AIA
Principal
As an architect and urban designer, Chooch’s career in Memphis spans over 20 years in the private, non-profit and quasi-governmental sectors. His roles at the center of major developments and progress in Downtown and Midtown Memphis range from collaborating on the master plan for Main Street, selecting the site of the first Downtown Memphis Elementary School, staffing the CCC Design Review Board, acting as liaison to the Memphis Landmarks Commission, tracking/mapping all development and properties in Downtown Memphis, renovating multiple historic structures in and adjacent to the South Main Historic District, serving as the Executive Architect of the $40+M renovation/restoration of Court Square Center, authoring the Midtown Overlay, serving as the Executive Architect and Urban Designer for the French Fort Redevelopment Plan, and providing preservation consulting on numerous historic renovations.
Through two decades of work with the Tennessee Historical Commission and the National Park Service, Chooch’s expertise with Historic Tax Credits and the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation is a considerable asset for clients with preservation and restoration needs. He has earned preservation awards from the Tennessee Historical Commission, AIA Tennessee, Memphis Heritage, the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors of West Tennessee. His diverse career path including architecture, preservation, urban design, development, community engagement/facilitation and understanding of core city development gives him the ability to bring creative ideas, innovation and problem-solving skills to the team.
Robert A. Paulus, Associate AIA
Project Manager
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