William “Bill” Lakin founded Infinity Design Group (IDG) in January 1995. IDG’s wide array of experience is measured by outstanding skills and knowledge of its staff. Founder Bill Lakin’s staff includes seasoned veterans in the design and engineering field, capable of producing quality work for virtually any application.
IDG's approach is to have hands-on experience. Bill has a Virginia Masters Mechanical Mechanics Card earned from all his experience in HVAC construction. He also received scholarships from the American Institute of Plant Engineers in 1989 as well as from ASHRAE in 1987 and 1988.
Prior to founding IDG, Mr. Lakin was employed with local consulting firms, B & Z Services, Inc., and Universal Heating and Cooling. At the engineering firm, Mr. Lakin served on design teams providing some of the most efficient and complex system solutions; for example, ice storage, kathabar, heat recovery and several types of variable air volume systems. He has used Trane Trace Programs to produce loads, equipment selections and economic analysis for preliminary engineering reports, energy studies and contract documents. He has designed, tested, and implemented various special effect systems for Busch Gardens Entertainment Corporation. Mr. Lakin also designed fire protection systems, medical gas systems, mechanical rooms, ventilation hoods, dust removal systems and energy management systems. His clients include offices, schools, manufacturing plants, churches, theaters, convention centers, military facilities, hospitals, banks, shopping centers, colleges, and entertainment parks. He served as President of the Hampton Roads ASHRAE organization and received the Presidential Award of Excellence.
While employed with B&Z Services, Inc., Mr. Lakin designed a variety of commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. He provided project engineering for Virginia Power contracts and commercial refrigeration work. Additionally, he prepared proposals and cost estimates for federal government, state, and local contracts. Mr. Lakin gained valuable experience from the installation, balancing, troubeshooting, and maintenance of large commercial refrigeration systems. At Universal Heating and Cooling, he laid out and fabricated ductwork during college.
Under the direction of Mr. Lakin, IDG received an award from ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and the Hampton Roads ACRE. Mr. Lakin has also served as board member to the Hampton Roads chapter of ASHRAE.
Mr. Lakin received a Regional Design Award at the September 1997 ASHRAE meeting held in Washington, D.C. The award was given in recognition of the innovative design for the mechanical system renovation at the Tides Inn, located in Irvington, Virginia. Mr. Lakin’s innovative design modified the existing two-pipe distribution system to provide both heating and cooling. This arrangement significantly reduced the amount of demolition work required, while also reducing facility downtime. This design saved thousands of dollars and prevented having to replace the entire piping system, which would have damaged the historic integrity of the facility. As a result of the renovation, the Tides Inn has experienced lower utility costs and improved comfort levels throughout the facility.
Mr. Lakin's comprehensive education includes studies at Old Dominion University, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia.
