MEET OUR TEAM
DON BROWN
FABRICATOR
Don Brown was born in Lima, Ohio and called several cities home before his parents finally settled in Topeka, KS. His natural talent for engineering, design, and woodworking led him to Los Angeles where he established a career in the Motion Picture and Television Industry as a Hero Prop Builder. He has designed and crafted custom pieces for over 30 years and is inspired by nature, architecture, basketball, his family and 8 hours of sleep.
Nickname: DB
Favorite Movie: Cool Hand Luke
Favorite St. Louis Space: Shaw Park
Favorite Architects: Greene and Greene
Unbreakable Habit: Morning Coffee
Favorite Artist: Chet Baker
Favorite Quote: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” MLK
“SPACE has provided me with an opportunity to practice the art and craft of woodworking while collaborating with a talented, creative team through the design-build process.”
BRAD MAYER
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
With almost 30 years in the residential and commercial construction industry, Brad has learned that no project will go as planned but all can go well with the right project management leading the way. Being completely open and honest with the client goes a long way in making a good project into a great finished product.
Favorite Space in St. Louis: Busch Stadium
Last Concert Attended: Zac Brown Band
Favorite Musical Artist: Zac Brown
Favorite Sandwich: BLT
Unbreakable Habit: Morning Coffee
Favorite Restaurant in St. Louis: Any good Mexican restaurant with great Margaritas
“I decided to join the Space Constructors team after learning how closely the constructors team is directly involved with the Architectural, and design teams during the whole project process from scratch pad to completion.”
SHELLEY NIEMEIER
INTERIOR DESIGNER
LEED Green Associate, Associate ASID
Master of Arts, Saint Louis University
A researcher by training and temperament, Shelley works closely to uncover clients’ aspirations and history to develop interiors that are as special and unique as they are. Working closely with Tom, she always endeavors to create timeless spaces that will not need to be stripped of trendy materials and lighting in a few years to remain beautiful. Shelley makes every effort to incorporate materials in pragmatic ways to maximize the budget and longevity of use. She takes a “less is more” approach for visual simplicity and elegance, and reduced overall consumption of consumer goods whenever possible..
Favorite Authors: Samantha Irby, Anthony Bourdain, Nanif Abdurraqib, Ruth Reichl, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ask me for a nonfiction book recommendation, I got you.
Favorite Designer/Architect: Tom (duh). But I’m a big fan of Eero Saarinen and Oscar Niemeyer for their playful space-age elegance. I also adore Ray Eames for her pragmatic blend of function and timeless design, and I try to emulate her philosophy every day: “What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts.”
Confession: Our second daughter’s middle name is Gray. It’s a nod to Eileen Gray, Ray Eames, and — don’t tell Tom — Jean Grey, the X-[wo]man.
Confession Two: I’m a massive space nerd. I can rattle off the different American space capsules, rockets, and astronauts throughout history.
“SPACE embraces design challenges, and working through them with our team has made me a better, more clever designer. “Yes” and “Why not?” are phrases you hear a lot around here, and that optimism shines through in our work.”
TOM NIEMEIER
FOUNDER + ARCHITECT
Bachelor of Interior Architecture, Kansas State University
A Registered Architect with over thirty years experience in the design industry, Tom founded the firm in April, 2005. Tom conducts the overall management of firm, marketing, strategic planning, and design/coordination for various projects in the office in addition to working in the shop.
Tom lives in Webster Groves in a renovated 100-year-old home with his wife Shelley, and four wee Niemeiers. The kids frequently visit the office to make sure Dad has everything running smoothly. Tom is proud to hold multiple certificates from the Michael Scott School of Management.
Favorite Song: Beautiful Day – U2
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite Thing to Do: Playing catch with Ben
Addictions: Work and Family
Most Difficult Thing in Life: Balancing work and family!
Favorite Quote: “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist.” St. Francis of Assisi
“At SPACE, I have the most amazing job I could ever have hoped. I work with a creative and diverse group of people who can not only design solutions, but engage in actual fabrication and construction of the designs for a complete solution. We have built a reputation for some of St. Louis’ most innovative spaces, in a large part due to intense collaboration within our design-construction team. It has always been a dream of mine to be able to put together a group like we have today, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be in this position. Through SPACE, we can constantly experiment, test and explore our creative boundaries.”
GREG RASCHER
FABRICATOR
Greg was born and raised in south east Asia, moving to the USA after graduating high school in Manila, Philippines. As a boy he found interest in making his own tools and toys to aid in my various adventures.
Greg fostered and pursued his innate interest of materials, form, and craftsmanship into the fields of cabinetry, furniture, and construction. He has yet to outgrow his passion for making.
Favorite Space in St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden
Favorite Song: Karma Police by Radiohead
Favorite Quote: “What, at this moment, is lacking?” — Master Rinzai
NICOLE SAVILLE
ARCHITECT
Nicole was born and raised in St. Louis. She earned her Master of Architecture degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. After school she moved to Los Angeles and worked on a variety of commercial and residential projects, developing a special interest in restaurant and hospitality projects. She moved back to St. Louis in 2024 and is now a registered architect in California and Missouri.
Favorite Space in St. Louis: Forest Park
Favorite STL Restaurant and your go-to order: I have a sweet tooth and can’t say no to ice cream — specifically a Ted Drewes concrete!
Favorite Artist: James Turrell, Joseph Albers — I’m fascinated with their ideas on light and color.
Best Vacation: I love to go hiking in cool places. The Italian Dolomites is one of my all-time favorite places. I also love road trips to National Parks. I’ve been to 27 and I hope to see them all.
Have you ever met a celebrity? I sat next to Adam Sandler and his wife at a fancy restaurant once. He was wearing a hoodie and basketball shorts.
“I was drawn to SPACE because of the uniquely hands-on approach to architecture through the design-build process. In architecture school I was able to work on a few design-build projects, and I loved the opportunity to see a project through from start to finish. Working at SPACE allows me to be the detail-oriented person that I am, and I have already learned so much from the construction and fabrication teams. The collaboration between the design, construction, and fabrication teams makes me a better architect and allows us to deliver the best possible projects for our clients.”
RYAN SMITH
SUPERINTENDENT
Ryan has over 24 years of experience in the construction industry. He began his career as a carpenter before moving into the role of superintendent, where he honed his leadership and project oversight skills. With a proven track record of delivering complex builds on time and with precision, Ryan brings dedication, knowledge, and hands-on experience to every project he leads.
Best Vacation: Anytime my family goes to the Mountain House
Favorite Space in St. Louis: Busch Stadium
Favorite Superhero: Wolverine
Favorite Artist: Tim Burton
Favorite Song: School by Supertramp
“I enjoy working at SPACE because every project brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. The collaborative environment allows me to work alongside a talented team who share the same dedication to quality and innovation. Most of all, I take pride in contributing to projects that have a lasting impact on communities.”
COLE SUTTON
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Cole came to us from Drury as an intern a few years ago, and he CAME BACK! He’s a talented, detail-oriented guy who is adept at modeling and drafting construction documents. Also: he’s a wicked fast runner, often clocking more miles on one morning run before work than most people walk all week. He also enjoys watching Arsenal, and hanging out and playing frisbee with his dog, Penny.
Favorite Space in St. Louis: Tower Grove Park
Favorite STL Restaurant and your go-to order: Pantera’s Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Favorite Author: Wyatt Flores
Favorite Movie: Moneyball
Favorite Song: Kill a Word by Eric Church
“I work at Space because I love the team and enjoy being involved in every stage of a project, from design to development to construction.”
FRIDAY NIEMEIER
BARKITECT
Animal Protective Association of St. Louis, Graduate
Friday is the resident food moocher, overly sensitive alarm system, and snuggle bug. You’ll find her sleeping under a table, enthusiastically greeting you at the front door, or intently watching you eat your lunch.
Favorite Author: Margaret Atwoof
Favorite Singer: Billie Howliday
Confession: That mystery stain? It wasn’t the kids…it was me.
Nickname: French Fry
“BARK bark woof BARK BARK BARK BARK woof, woof, grrrrrrrr, bowowowowow, BARK BARK BARK!”
[Translation: “I love working at SPACE because I get lots of pats, and I get to meet new friends every day. (I especially like the food delivery people.)”]