MIKE ROGERS, LEED AP, IES
SENIOR PROJECT DESIGNER
mrogers@aedesign-inc.com
720.683.6865
Involvement
Member IESNA, previous member of the board of directors for Denver section, and past president of the section.
Denver Architectural Foundation - Doors Open Denver volunteer tour guide
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I grew up in Northglenn, Colorado. When I was a kid Northglenn was the furthest Denver Metro suburb to the north. We had a new mall, a bowling ally, a golf course and we were one of the first towns in the area with paved bike paths. I was a pretty typical kid, riding my bike, fishing, doing Boy Scout stuff.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND WHY?
The first Star Wars movie. The action, special effects, amazing sound track was entirely different than anything I had seen before. My friends and I went to see it four times when it was first released.
WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM VACATION BE?
I’ve never traveled outside of North America. I would love to tour Europe at a slow pace in the Summer. I would make a point to take in the landscapes, art, foods, and races in England, Spain, Belgium, France, Italy and Monaco.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULDN’T GUESS ABOUT YOU?
In addition to electrical engineering and lighting design, I’m a professional automotive photographer.
WHAT BOOKS ARE ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?
The Malta Exchange by Steve Berry
Crucible by James Rollins
Five Presidents by Clint Hill
48 Cars in 48 States by Travis Scanlan
The Peak of Racing by Chris Lennon
The Book of GOW by Mr. Bones, Ken Schmidt and John Suckling
WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE YOU HAVE EVER VISITED?
Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California for my honeymoon. This was some time ago, when it was less developed and had lots of forests and not so many condos.
WHO IS THE BEST BAND AND TO SEE LIVE?
Pink Floyd.
IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO, WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERPOWER BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT
Is there a superhero that creates and shares art to inspire others and get lost within? I think that would be a pretty cool superpower.
IF YOU HAD TO WATCH ONE SPORT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY
Automobile road racing from the 1950s thru 1972. During this period of time there were racing cars that were quite beautiful without being the carbon copy rolling billboards of today. I doubt you will ever see a NASCAR racing car from 2019 be anywhere near as valuable in 50+ years, as a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO is today (one sold in 2018 for $70 million). There was a huge amount of innovation and unlimited technical advances in some of the series, such as Can-Am.
YOU’RE THE STAR OF GROUNDHOG DAY, BUT YOU GET TO CHOOSE A DAY OUT OF YOUR LIFE TO RELIVE. WHAT’S YOUR DAY LIKE?
I wake up at my quiet (and quite fictional) secluded home in the foothills, watching the sun rise over an open meadow with brook running through it. I make blueberry pancakes and coffee for my wife and I for breakfast; and then head to the local road race course with my camera to capture a vintage car race. After the race, I come home and go for a hike or bike ride to calm back down. This is followed by a nice home cooked meal, perhaps Lasagna, because I could see myself enjoying my wife’s version of Lasagna every day for a very long time. After dinner I’d read a bit, and then off to bed to wake and repeat it all again the next day. No TV, no news, no worries.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE FAMOUS FOR?
Creating a lighting design for a world renowned museum.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELIEVE STRESS?
Hike, ride my road bike, fish, or take my camera and go explore someplace new.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT?
Well, it’s no longer around here, but I used to love to eat at Roy’s in Cherry Creek. I guess I’ll have to travel to Arizona or California to find the nearest Roy’s.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY?
Hiking in the mountains of Colorado. I like to get out and away from the crowds. There are some great, lesser known trails in Rocky Mountain National Park that I really enjoy. I’d tell you where, but then I’d lose the solitude.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Explore the world around me. Take in an art show. Visit a famous place. Get to know more about a historic structure and who designed it. Visit a museum.
