Eric Heidel is only a bowler once a year, but he made a fantastic co-chair for our Bowling Ball Committee, along with Greg Hart. A registered architect, Eric graduated from Drexel University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude. Now, he spends most of his spare time with his band Bleed Radio Bleed (he’s the guitarist), recording their first album. Eric first got to know the Collaborative by participating in the Bowling Ball and went on to volunteer on the redesign of two college access centers run by the Philadelphia Education Fund. For him, the value of community design is in the fact that connecting neglected communities with design can help people “appreciate neighborhood features and provide an incentive to fix up neighborhood treasures.”

Eric was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and he recently started work at the firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson.

Congratulations to Eric and Greg for pulling off another successful Bowling Ball!

Collaborative Volunteer and Bowling Ball Co-Chair Greg Hart

Graduate Architect Greg Hart’s first introduction to the Collaborative was attending our annual Bowling Ball four years ago, and he’s been a part of the event ever since. So it’s fitting that he’s now leading the Bowling Ball Committee, along with fellow volunteer Eric Heidel. As Co-Chairs. Greg and Eric have put their heads together to find creative ways to make the Bowling Ball environmentally-friendly and extend participation in the event.

Greg graduated from Drexel University in 2002, and he’s currently studying for the AREs. He has volunteered on several projects with the Collaborative. His most memorable project was creating a Master Plan for Renewal for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Greg recalls that the Victorian – era church, “was structurally sound but needed extensive masonry repairs and stained-glass and lead window restoration … I was exposed to historic preservation on a level I hadn’t been before.”

When he’s not helping out at the Collaborative, Greg can be found jogging on Kelly Drive or rooting for Philly’s new soccer team, the Philadelphia Union.

Here’s a heartwarming story that illustrates, once again, why we love our volunteers.  Michelle Robinson Architects wanted to sponsor a bowling lane this year, but Michelle was unavailable to bowl on the day of the event.  Michelle offered to share a lane with another firm or donate it to a group.

Enter stage right: Nicholas Moose of the AIA Associates Committee. Nick really wanted to bowl, but was having difficulty finding a firm to sponsor his team of young architects. Wallah! Nick and the Associates AIA committee now have a team sponsor and couldn’t be happier.

You too can be a ghost bowler! If you’re interested in sponsoring a lane or otherwise contributing to the Bowling Ball, Carryn can help you out.  Get in touch by sending her an email at email hidden; JavaScript is required

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