My Story

About

Designs for Living was established over two decades ago as a weekend endeavor alongside my regular employment with an award-winning architectural firm in Florida. Over the years, both my expertise and this business have evolved significantly, resulting in its development into a full-time enterprise. Designs for Living offers a comprehensive range of services, including residential and commercial design, contract CAD drafting, sustainable building consultation, and field inspection.

My name is Charles (Charlie) Thoman, and I am the owner and operator of Designs for Living, LLC. I invite you to explore this website and consider the various services I offer. Whether it is through a custom-designed home, modifications to one of my existing plans, or collaboration with your design firm utilizing my detailed drawing expertise, I am confident we can achieve creative excellence together.

In 1984, I commenced my career as a junior draftsman at an architectural firm in Ocala, Florida. Under the mentorship of several skilled architects, I acquired invaluable hands-on experience that has spanned over three decades. This journey provided me with comprehensive knowledge of the inner workings of both architectural firms and the construction industry. Initially, all drawings were executed by hand using traditional tools. However, in 1988, the firm embraced computer-aided drafting and design (CAD), becoming one of the pioneers in the area. The software evolved from basic and generic to highly sophisticated, enabling us to produce complete sets of high-quality construction documents. Today, I continue to stay abreast of cutting-edge technology in this ever-evolving field.

Throughout my career, I have refined my drafting skills and deepened my understanding of building construction. I have also gained extensive field experience through site visits, construction inspections, project management, field meetings, and site reporting. These activities have provided me with crucial insights into the construction industry and highlighted the importance of collaboration between architects, owners, and contractors.

In the latter stages of my tenure with the architectural firm, guided by another exceptional architect, I integrated my passion for environmental protection into my professional pursuits. Initially, I participated in discussions on "green" building design. In response to client interest, our firm became a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and I pursued LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation. In 2006, I successfully obtained my LEED AP certification and served as the LEED AP for Marion County's first LEED-certified building, which achieved silver certification. As with CAD technology, I remain committed to staying informed about advancements in sustainable building practices.

Please feel free to contact me via the email or phone number listed under the contact tab to discuss my qualifications and how I can contribute to your next project. Additionally, I encourage you to review the testimonials on my home page to learn more about the experiences of previous clients.