OLC announces the retirement of Donaldo “Doni” Visani, marking the conclusion of a distinguished 40-year career with the firm. Doni joined OLC in January 1986 and has played an integral role in the firm’s evolution, contributing to decades of meaningful projects focused on recreation, wellness, hospitality, and community-centered design.
When Doni began his career, architectural practice looked very different. Design ideas were sketched by hand, drawings were drafted on vellum and mylar, and communication relied on face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and mailed documents. Over the years, Doni witnessed and embraced transformative changes in technology, project delivery methods, and building systems - from the introduction of CAD and digital communication to today’s advanced modeling tools and performance-driven design standards.
While the tools of the profession evolved, Doni’s design philosophy remained constant. Throughout his career, he emphasized careful listening, thoughtful design, and a strong sense of responsibility to clients and the communities OLC serves. Early in his tenure, Doni worked on projects that would later become central to OLC’s identity, including a recreation center in Montana and a hospital-based wellness center in Chicago. These experiences shaped his long-standing commitment to client-focused design and to creating environments that support health, connection, and quality of life.
As he prepares for retirement, Doni is concluding work on projects such as the Englewood Recreation Center Renovation and The Beach Club at The Aurora Highlands - fitting milestones that reflect a career rooted in collaboration, technical excellence, and thoughtful problem-solving.
Beyond project work, Doni has been part of OLC’s long-standing engagement in the professional and community landscape, including participation in national conferences, industry organizations, and philanthropic efforts aligned with the firm’s values.
“OLC has been more than a firm to me. It has been my professional home and a shared journey defined by respect, integrity, and enduring relationships. Thank you for being part of that journey,” said Doni.
OLC extends its sincere gratitude to Donaldo Visani for his 40 years of dedication, leadership, and service. His contributions have left a lasting imprint on the firm and will continue to influence its work for years to come.
“For 40 years, Doni has been a positive, hard-working “influencer” at OLC – long before “influencers” were a thing! He was, and still is, a thoughtful, dependable, and deeply committed leader even as he was growing the skill sets needed to be fully up-to-date with all the tools a modern Architect needs to excel at his chosen profession. Even today, he is my go-to problem-solver for all things perplexing. It’s been a privilege to work alongside him for these many years. He may be leaving us now but his impact on this firm will endure,” said Hervey Lavoie, Co-Founder, OLC.
