Young architect, alumnus recognized for work designing civic-centered structures in northwest Ohio

Alex Schrinel '17 named Emerging Professional of the Year by Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

After receiving a prestigious award from his peers, Bowling Green State University alumnus Alex Schrinel '17 took in the moment, enjoyed the honor and the experience, and then it was time to get back to work.

Schrinel recently was named the Emerging Professional of the Year for 2022 by the Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

“It is humbling to receive this award at this stage in my career,” said Schrinel, who has been a licensed architect for just two years. “It is kind of surreal to be recognized for my work.”

He earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from the University in 2017 and after completing his master's at Miami University has served as an adjunct instructor for the past three years in the BGSU School of the Built Environment, teaching computer-aided design.

“This award is also exciting since it shows that people notice things I'm working on, and the projects our firm is working on,” said Schrinel, a registered architect with Buehrer Group Architecture and Engineering in Maumee, where he started as an intern while attending BGSU.

“It could be easy to take something in like this and then just coast, but for me, it just makes me push harder. I don't feel any different since I won an award – I plan to just keep doing what I have been doing with the intention to do more for the community – but not do more because of the award – it's just a personal thing to never be complacent.”

Schrinel said his BGSU education put the foundation in place for his professional success, especially through the co-op and internship program that serves as an incubator for developing invaluable workplace skills.

“Doing a co-op or internship is so critical to your development, and I know completing co-ops made me a better student and more aware of what I was learning in my BGSU education,” he said. 

"If it wasn't for having the opportunity to do a co-op at BGSU, there is no way I would have received this award. The co-op and internships expose students to a totally different world."

During his young career, Schrinel has worked on the design team for projects such as the Mott Branch Library in Toledo and the ProMedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo. He also has designed a variety of projects that involved transforming existing structures into buildings that presented an atmosphere for community engagement, including several libraries, the Magee Marsh Migratory Bird Center along Lake Erie and the Clay High School Performing Arts Center.

“It is important to create buildings and spaces that aren't transactional, but instead are transformational, so when they leave that space, the occupants emerge better,” he said. “I like to look at civic-based structures and consider how they can turn that community around and help it. Whether it's libraries, museums or performing arts centers, let's provide this community with what it needs and improve the community.”

Schrinel said he is excited to see Kokosing Hall, the new home of the BGSU School of the Built Environment, take shape on the campus and enhance the opportunities for future architects and construction managers to collaborate and learn side-by-side.

“There is a real practicality to that approach, and it will help the students immensely,” he said. “Every single day I work with construction managers, and I think it is super critical that you build this relationship between these two specialties. When you take classes with students in construction management, this arrangement will make much better architects in terms of how they apply themselves in the field, because you will already have that relationship built in.”

Schrinel, who got his start building things with Lego bricks, volunteers his time as a mentor at area high schools, serves as an officer in the Maumee Uptown Business Association and is a football coach for Maumee High School.

“I feel extremely fortunate to be able to wake up every day and work in what has been my dream profession since I was a child,” Schrinel said.