WTA Through the Decades
From our beginning...
Our firm was founded in 1947 by Frederick E. Wigen. Leslie D. Tincknell joined the firm in 1958 and WTA became a Michigan Corporation in 1963.
Current partners of WTA Architects are:
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Paul A. Haselhuhn, AIA
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Kenneth C. Lemiesz, AIA
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Jason R. Goff, AIA
...to today
Our projects are diversified in size, use, and style of architecture. Our expertise can be found in designs for commercial, education, government, healthcare, housing, libraries, recreation, religion, and more.
Each and every project designed by WTA is highly important to our staff. We strive to create spaces that offer users an unparalleled design that is aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.
We offer sustainable design/green architecture with staff members attaining LEED Accredited Professional status by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Since the founding of our firm, we have been members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Each generation has been actively involved in membership and leadership at the local, state, and national levels.
WTA is a member of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, with staff members qualified as Preservation Specialists in the state of Michigan. They possess national 36 CFR 61 Designations in Historic Preservation as outlined by the United States Department of the Interior Guidelines for Historic Preservation.
Our legacy is proof of our commitment to quality designs for future generations.
In Memoriam
Fred Wigen opened his firm, Frederick E. Wigen, Architect, located in a small office on South Jefferson Avenue. This humble beginning was the origin for what is today WTA Architects. During his career, Fred was prominent in civic affairs. He was a legacy of keeping communities united from within. Such was the case when the tri-county communities embarked on creating a community college. Fred approached firms from Bay City and Midland to join together. The combined effort was successful, and the firms were awarded the contract to design the original Delta College. This was emblematic of Fred’s passion for both developing relationships and promoting this firm. After 29 years of leadership, Fred retired in 1976. Fred Wigen passed away on March 3, 2003.
On January 17th, WTA lost our irreplaceable Les Tincknell. His passing was deeply felt by those of us he mentored and worked with over the years. He was a man who led with integrity and kindness always. Les accepted a job offer from Fred Wigen, our founder, in 1958 and brought with him his deep-rooted values of family, profession, and community. Working with Fred, Les was named Director of Design in 1959 and became a partner at the newly-formed Wigen Tincknell & Associates in 1963. Les served as president of WTA from 1976 until his “retirement” in 1993, although he never stopped being an important member of our staff. For the remainder of his life, he continued using his time and talent to assist the firm with various projects and was always happy to help however he could.WTA will honor Fred and Les’ legacy by continuing to do work they dedicated their lives to, creating spaces of beauty and enjoyment to benefit others.
Through the decades, quality architectural designs have resulted in buildings that keep the past alive and provide for the future of our communities as our LEGACY continues.
