Terminus Design Group was created to change the game. Recognizing the prevalence of outdated corporate ideologies in the field of architecture, we’ve rejected conventional norms. We distinguish ourselves by incorporating new, progressive, and personal approaches not just in the way we design, but also in how we interact with our clients and take care of our people. Gone are the days of cubicles, troffer lighting, and long hours; we believe that fostering quality design requires an environment where individuals can flourish. Our mission is to bring our clients’ visions to life by implementing fresh and creative methods in each phase of the design process.
Terminus Design Group believes in the power of disruption. We’re challenging the narrative of what a ‘typical’ architecture firm should be. Recognizing the importance of personalization in every project, we go beyond the generic, designing spaces built to evolve. While we may not adhere to the traditional suit and tie image, our approach is equally polished. Our end goal is to make a lasting impact not only on the built environment but also our clients, team members, communities, and the entire industry.
We are Terminus.
Chris Hunkele is a graduate of College of Charleston’s Historic Preservation and Community Planning program and received his professional Master of Architecture degree from Louisiana State University in 2012.
He has worked as a carpentry apprentice restoring old houses on the Charleston peninsula where he gained a hands-on understanding of building assembly. In Athens, Georgia, Christopher was part of a team that received multiple preservation awards from Historic Athens for exceptional design within the context of its local historic districts and outstanding rehabilitation of historic properties. In Atlanta, he has worked for a large multi-family driven firm where he learned the ins and outs of mixed-use ideology before moving on to a smaller, high profile office focused on historic preservation, adaptive use, and boutique multi-family.
In 2018 Christopher founded s/alt studio architecture co., a side hustle and moonlighting gig where he noodled on custom homes, accessory dwelling units, restaurants and bars, mostly in Coastal Georgia where he was raised.
Christopher is a music lover, avid golfer, Atlanta sports fan, husband, and proud girl dad living in Candler Park. However if the weather’s nice, you’re more likely to find him near the coast.
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Registered Architect | AIA | NCARB
chunkele@terminusdesigngroup.com
Neil Waddle is a 2010 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and in 2012 received his professional Master of Architecture degree from the University of Kentucky’s College of Design.
Neil grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with a close family and tight-knit group of friends. Sports were the focus of extracurricular activities growing up, but art was always in the background as a favorite hobby. It was clear that being a professional athlete was not going to happen from a very early age (some would say peaking with tee-ball), but that didn’t crush his dreams of becoming a professional designer!
Moving to Atlanta in 2012 created multiple employment opportunities that cultivated a diverse skillset and experience with many project types. It was necessary to experience different firms, leaderships, and meet some incredible people along the way to founding Terminus in 2021. Neil’s goal with starting Terminus was not only to create a successful design firm, but more importantly change the industry’s standards from monotonous corporate methods of operating to a new breath-of-fresh-air design firm that offers unique opportunities and immaculate vibes.
Life is too short to be corporate…
Neil lives in the Upper Westside of Atlanta in the Riverside neighborhood where he spends his days with his wife, son, and baby girl. When not watching or playing sports, you can find him enjoying the ever-growing Atlanta social scene with a cup of coffee and his family.
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Registered Architect | AIA | NCARB
nwaddle@terminusdesigngroup.com
Brian Whelan is a 2013 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University’s school of Architecture.
Brian is an Atlanta native, who has been fortunate to see his hometown grow and transform, just as he has throughout his years there. After graduating from Notre Dame, he returned to the south and jumped at the opportunity to begin his career at one of Atlanta’s top architectural firms. Throughout his nine years at the firm, he honed his knowledge of the design process, becoming directly involved with projects from the conceptual design phase through construction and close out. During this time, Brian worked through a wide variety of projects including multi-family, student housing, clubhouses, and general aviation storage hangars, FBO terminals, and corporate flight departments. This diversity allowed Brian to develop a strong client-first approach to project management, which he believes is the backbone to any successful venture.
Outside of the office, Brian is an avid rock climber, mountain biker, and backpacker. He and his wife have visited 17 (and counting) of the U.S. National Parks and spend their weekends romping around southeastern trails with their dog. Oh yea, Brian and his wife recently welcomed their first baby boy into the world!
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Registered Architect
bwhelan@terminusdesigngroup.com
Catherine (Cat) McDiarmid is a 2020 dual-degree graduate of Appalachian State University’s Interior Design and Building Sciences programs. In 2023, she graduated with her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).
Cat is from Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she grew up nestled deep in the woods between Chapel Hill and Saxapahaw. Growing up in such intimate proximity to nature, she gained an early respect and adoration for our natural world and the animals with whom we share it. When she wasn’t exploring the woods with her sister and the family dogs, she was often found holding a flashlight and other tools for her dad as they worked on cars, their house, and other projects. Meanwhile, her mother made sure the “craft cabinet” was always stocked with paint, markers, clay, and countless other tools and materials. She learned how to hold a tool and flex her creative muscles early in life and went on to take carpentry classes throughout high school where she further honed her skills and passion for making.
At Appalachian State, she gained diverse experience in both design and construction, participating in design-build projects, working part-time at a local cabinetry shop, and interning with a high-performance home builder. At UTK, she learned to combine carpentry skills with modern machining methods, furthering her love for making. She began her professional career in Atlanta post-graduation, working in Mixed-Use Design. Cat’s design approach is human-centric and world-focused. She believes in intentional design that prioritizes human experience and well-being while acknowledging the responsibility of designers to improve the world around us. Cat considers beauty and functionality to be equally important and seeks a graceful balance between the technical and aesthetic sides of design.
Outside of design, Cat loves the mountains, live music, comedy, trying new vegetarian food, and spending time with friends. She lives in North Buckhead with her significant other, their dog, two bunnies, and a friend from architecture school. In her free time, you can find Cat painting, rewiring outlets, and tackling other renovation projects in their 1955 mid-century ranch house rental.