40 Under 40 winners: Meet the architects

Last week, the editors of Building Design+Construction named the winners of the 8th Annual "40 Under 40" competition. Of the up-and-coming AEC professionals to be named to the class of 2013, 18 make their living in the architecture profession, ranging from a sports facility specialist (Adam Stover) to an expert in the design of cities, districts, and large, complex architectural projects (Thomas Hussey).

To view the entire 40 Under 40 Class of 2013, see our landing page.

This year’s winners will be invited to join their 40 Under 40 peers—as well as other young professionals nominated by their firms—for three days of career development at our Third Annual BD+C “U40 Leadership Summit” in San Francisco, October 9-11, 2013. For more information, contact BD+C's Events Manager, Judy Brociek, at 847.954.7943 or jbrociek@sgcmail.com.

We'd like to thank our 40 Under 40 sponsors for their support of the awards program and U40 Leadership Summit:

1. PARADIGM SHIFTER

SMITA RAWOOT

Principal
Perkins Eastman, Mumbai

AGE: 39
BArch, Sushant School of
Architecture
MArch, Pratt Institute

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Experienced in urban planning and mixed-use developments, as well as buildings for K-12, higher ed, hospitality, healthcare, senior living, and multifamily housing. Worked in India for several architectural firms before joining Perkins Eastman in 2001.
Returned to India in 2009 to establish the firm’s office in Mumbai. The branch has found a niche developing culturally adaptive senior living community models, such as Tata Vasindh Senior Living, in Maharashtra (106 independent living apartments).
U.S. projects: Princeton (N.J.) Day School, Fine and Performing Arts upgrades; 835 Sixth Avenue, New York (54-story mixed-use tower with public plaza, urban park, jumbo multimedia screen, and backlit glass wall).

EXTRACURRICULAR
Author and presenter on senior living design in India, including a presentation at the ACRECONF sustainable design conference in New Delhi.
Participated in the 2011 Dream Run and a 2012 half marathon to raise money for the Salaam Bombay Foundation in Mumbai.

OFF THE CLOCK
Mixed-media artist—wood, nails, glass, wires, gesso, acrylic, and oil paint.
Favorite movie: “A Beautiful Mind.”

SECRET LIFE
Writes poetry; has had her work published under a pen name.

2. TEAM CAPTAIN

JEREMY A. BURGE, AIA, LEED AP

Managing Principal, Director
Clark Nexsen Architecture & Engineering, Washington, D.C.

AGE: 34
BArch, Virginia Polytechnic and State University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Youngest Managing Principal in the firm’s history; leads a staff of 15.
Turned the D.C. location into one of Clark Nexsen’s best-performing offices.
Representative projects: Command Suite, Building 1, 5th Deck, National Naval Medical Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center; Science & Engineering Building, Germanna Community College (LEED Silver), Fredricksburg, Va.; new Operation Smile world headquarters, Virginia Beach.
Registered architect in D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
Emerging Professional Honor Award, AIA Hampton Roads Chapter, 2008.
Principal of the Year, Society for Design Administration Hampton Roads Chapter.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Past VP, Hampton Roads AIA chapter; active in regional and national AIA.
Logistics Chair, Operation Smile Tool Box Bash fundraiser.
Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Blitz Build, Access Youth, and Canstruction.
Leadership Greater Washington, Class of 2013.

OFF THE CLOCK
Completed the Marine Corps marathon; plays tennis three to five times a week.
Favorite chill-out spot: Outer Banks of North Carolina.

SECRET LIFE
Must have access to a gym and breakfast at Chick-fil-A.

3. ASSOCIATION NETWORKER

ANDY YEH, AIA, LEED AP

Managing Principal
Fox Architects LLC, Washington, D.C.

AGE: 38
BArch, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As Fox’s youngest partner, opened firm’s first D.C. office in 2004 and has managed sustained growth with a staff of 40.
Portfolio includes high-end interiors, new construction, renovation, and landlord services. Has developed a strong specialty in association/nonprofit work.
Recent projects: 92,000-sf American Chemistry Council headquarters, 50,000-sf Nuclear Energy Institute Headquarters, 30,000-sf SoundExchange headquarters, 61,000-sf American Association for Justice headquarters.
AGC DC Metro Architect of the Year, 2012.
IIDA Mid-Atlantic Circle Pinnacle Award, 2011 (American Chemistry Council).
USGBC National Capital Region, LEED CI Office Project of the Year (BP America Government Affairs Office, LEED Platinum).
NAIOP Awards of Excellence, 2012 (three), 2010, 2009 (two), 2008, 2007, 2003.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Provides pro bono planning services and fundraising for the Sitar Arts Center, a community arts organization in Washington.
Volunteers with Jubilee Support Alliance and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

OFF THE CLOCK
Favorite movies: “Fargo,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Lost in Translation,” “Inception.”

SECRET LIFE
Audiophile, with particular fondness for drum and bass. “Half my music collection consists of electronic genres such as trance and techno, the other half is jazz. There’s nothing in between.

4. COMMUNITY SPARKPLUG

CINDY BENJAMIN, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB

Associate Principal; Operations & Finance Manager
LS3P Associates Ltd., Greenville, S.C.

AGE: 38
BArch, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Manages projects for clients in healthcare, higher ed, K-12, and worship sectors.
Specializes in fast-track, complex projects and “messy renovations.”
Promoted to Associate at Neal Prince Architects at age 32; moved into leadership role at LS3P upon merger in 2011.
Registered architect in South Carolina.
Young Professional of the Year, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Greenville Business Magazine, Best and Brightest 35 and Under Award, 2009.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Active in local, state, and national AIA.
With Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greenville Class 33, led the upgrade of facilities at Safe Harbor emergency shelter. Helped in raising $40,000 for Safe Harbor and procuring a delivery truck for furniture donations.
Chair-elect of the Greenville Chamber’s Leadership Development Board.
Executive Committee, Greenville Professional Women’s Forum.

OFF THE CLOCK
Can’t live without: a cold Diet Coke at 3 p.m.
Addicted to “Downton Abbey.”

SECRET LIFE
Her father invented a way to increase GPS accuracy from 1 meter to 3 centimeters.
Husband Brad was a member of BD+C’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2012.

5. CONFECTIONERY STORYTELLER

CHRISTIAN D. GIORDANO

Principal, Director of
Architectural Design
HLW International LLP,
New York, N.Y.

AGE: 39
BArch, University of Miami
MArch, University of California–Los Angeles

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Instrumental in rebuilding firm’s design portfolio during the recession.
Developed firm’s new specialization in broadcast and media/entertainment facilities, creating a “storyline” design methodology for these project types.
Recent projects: Ferring Pharmaceuticals HQ, lab, and manufacturing facility, Parsippany, N.J.; WPVI broadcast news/office facility, Philadelphia; HBO communications center, Hauppauge, N.Y; ESPN Digital Center II office, broadcast studios, and tech support space, Bristol, Conn.; Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Specialized Medical Centre, Casablanca, Morocco; four residential towers in Jersey City.
Society of American Registered Architects, Architectural Design Excellence Award.
AIA Long Island Chapter, Archi Award for Commercial Buildings, 2012.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Helped create the HLW Mentorship Program for young architects.
Active in architectural exhibitions and collaborations.

OFF THE CLOCK
Learned extreme cake decorating by watching TV shows like “Cake Boss.” Creations include a 20-inch-tall Elmo cake, a triple-tier Strawberry Shortcake cake, and an Angry Birds cake with hidden squawk device.
Owns more than 500 bootleg CDs of Bruce Springsteen concerts.

SECRET LIFE
Uncle Albert Lanzara helped develop the skin for the F-14 fighter jet in the 1950s.

6. STEWARD OF THE PROFESSION

EMILY GRANDSTAFF-RICE, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Associate
Cambridge Seven Associates Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

AGE: 37
BS, BArch, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
MLA, Harvard University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Diverse international design experience, including King Abdullah Financial District Science Museum and Geo-climate Centre and National Aquarium of Saudi Arabia.
Sustainable design leader at C7A.
Adjunct faculty, Boston Architectural College and Harvard Extension School.
Young Architects Award, AIA/Boston Society of Architects, 2008.
Knowledge Scholar, AIA Committee on Architecture for Education, 2011.
Dean’s Prize for Outstanding MLA Thesis, Harvard University, 2012.

EXTRACURRICULAR
VP/President-elect, Boston Society of Architects.
As BSA board member, helped oversee move to a new headquarters and exhibition space, three Executive Director searches, and the launch of the ABX trade show.
Spearheaded AIA Young Architects Forum “150 at 150” podcasts, highlighting achievements of AIA Fellows.
Developed free workshops to teach public school children about design, including model building with mentor architects.

OFF THE CLOCK
Activities: spinning classes, running.
Favorite cuisine: Indian (a taste acquired during a semester in Ahmedabad).
Listens to broadcasts from the BBC World Service to relax.

SECRET LIFE
Magician’s assistant at age 11: “I learned how to levitate, jump through paper, and escape from a locked box, skills that still serve me well today.”

7. ENVELOPE PUSHER

HEATH MAY, AIA

Vice President; Director, HKS Laboratory for Intensive Exploration (HKS_LINE)
HKS Inc., Dallas

AGE: 36
MArch, Texas Tech (undergraduate studies in biology, art)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Designs hospitality, commercial, corporate, sports, mixed-use, and retail facilities.
Registered architect in Texas.
Leads HKS_LINE, a team focusing on advancing architecture through new technology and methods—parametric and computational design, digital fabrication, high-performance cladding, advanced presentation technologies.
Recent projects: Hall Arts District Tower, Dallas (46-story office tower); W Tampa (30-story, 300-room hotel plus 450 condos and 350 apartments); Palomar Hotel and Condominiums, Milwaukee (750,000-sf hotel, condo, retail, and office complex, seeking LEED Platinum).
Working on projects in China and Qatar.
World Architecture News Commercial Building of the Year, 2012.
Dallas AIA Design Awards, 2010, 2012.
Washington, D.C., AIA Design Award, 2011.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Active in AIA, USGBC, and NCARB. Has served on several awards committees for AIA Dallas.
Co-chair, AIA Dallas Emerging Leaders Program, 2010.
ACE mentor.

OFF THE CLOCK
Activities: running, snorkeling, hiking, camping, longboarding, snowboarding.
Freelances as a bass player; also plays acoustic guitar.

SECRET LIFE
Penchant for minutiae: can recite his fifth-grade teacher’s Social Security number.

8. PRO BONO ACTIVIST

SARAH W. DIRSA, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, SEED

Project Designer,
Director of HOK IMPACT
HOK, St. Louis

AGE: 33
BA, Binghamton University
MArch, Master of Urban Design, Washington University in St. Louis

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Founding Director, HOK IMPACT, and firmwide Chair of Social Responsibility.
Developing protocols for HOK’s public interest design projects and employee volunteer efforts.
Core member of HOK’s Project Haiti, a pro bono design partnership with USGBC to rebuild an orphanage/children’s center in Port au Prince.
Recent project: Potentials Resale Boutique, a pro bono effort to create a store in suburban St. Louis to benefit Youth In Need.
Fellow, New Leaders Council St. Louis Chapter.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Helped get St. Louis selected to host the 2012 Next American City Vanguard conference of young urban leaders.
Founding President, SEED Saint Louis, a nonprofit aiding socially, economically, and environmentally positive communities.
Board VP, Isthmian Gallery, a New York nonprofit that showcases student artwork.
Mayor’s Vanguard Cabinet for Education, to improve St. Louis’s public schools.

OFF THE CLOCK
Hobbies: running, reading about public architecture, soul music (Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin).
Favorite spot: anyplace with white sandy beaches, clear water, and sunshine.

SECRET LIFE
Played classical violin for 12 years; performed at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall.

9. RETAIL RENAISSANCE MAN

CRAIG CHINN, CSI

Associate Principal
KTGY Group Inc., Irvine, Calif.

AGE: 39
BArch, MBA, MCP, California Polytechnic University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Started the Construction Specifications Institute Students Club at Cal Poly; served as student body president for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.
Experienced in multifamily architecture; named Director of Operations for four KTGY offices in 2006.
Registered architect in California.
Took over the firm’s Retail Studio during the 2008 recession; as of early 2013, the studio had more than 5.7 million sf in retail projects under contract.
Created design concepts for Fossil, Ross, Vitamin Shoppe, Sephora, Ashley Furniture, McDonald’s.
Pioneered the firm’s Mobile Design Studio (design hardware/software shipped to client sites in advance of project work) and proprietary Site Survey App (with partner Inspect2Go).

EXTRACURRICULAR
Developed a co-op education program with Cal Poly, giving seniors work experience at KTGY; guest lecturer for 12-unit course.
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute.
Continuous work with Cal Poly CAED Construction Sciences Forum.

OFF THE CLOCK
Hobbies: snow skiing, wine tasting, growing organic vegetables.
Has a movie-style popcorn machine at home.

SECRET LIFE
Grew up on an Idaho horse ranch; developed a talent for dowsing, or “water witching.”

10. SUSTAINABILTY MENTOR

CANDACE SMALL, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC

Architect
SmithGroupJJR, Chicago

AGE: 29
BS, Bowling Green State University
MArch, Illinois Institute of Technology

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Healthcare planner and LEED expert.
Serves on the SmithGroupJJR Client Advisory Board for nursing education, explaining the latest trends in education and simulation to allied health professionals and educators.
Recent projects: Emergency Department and GI expansion, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital; Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Center for Advanced Care; Roosevelt College of Pharmacy interior build-out (Outstanding Design Award, American School & University magazine); Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center.
Registered Architect in Illinois; assists other employees in completing exams.

EXTRACURRICULAR
National Chair, USGBC Center for Green Schools.
Helped write the LEED BD+C 2009 exam; reviews CE courses for the Green Building Certification Institute.
Author of an international review of sustainable rating systems published in the journal of the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
Instructor, Upward Bound summer program for low-income high school students. Mentor, East Village Youth Program.

OFF THE CLOCK
Loves yoga, books, and her husband’s fresh pasta and sauce.
Favorite read: “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things.”

SECRET LIFE
Universal donor: regularly donates blood platelets.

11. SPORTS INSIDER

ADAM STOVER

Senior Associate, Director of
Product Development
Populous, Kansas City

AGE: 33
BInteriorArch, Kansas State University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Has designed interiors with a total value of more than $1 billion for the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and collegiate clients.
Projects include work at Arrowhead Stadium, Great American Ballpark, Kauffman Stadium, Marlins Ballpark, University of Phoenix Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Heinz Field, and Bridgestone Arena.
In 2010, was tasked with expanding the firm’s work into product design and development.
Ten-year Alumni Honoree, Kansas State University College of Architecture, Planning & Design, 2012.
IIDA Annual National Chapter Awards, Excellence in Special Event Graphics (first place).

EXTRACURRICULAR
Launched contract furniture line with Martin Brattrud, 2010.
Conference speaker, Association of Luxury Suite Directors.
Guest lecturer and critic for KSU.
Past Director of Communications, IIDA Kansas City Chapter; Mentor, 2012-13 IIDA Mid America Chapter’s Leading the Way program.
Co-founded Boulevard of Dreams event benefiting the Dream Factory of Greater KC (wish-granting nonprofit).
Board Member, KC Century (anti-cancer cycling event).

OFF THE CLOCK
Activities: long-distance running, furniture design.
Favorite spots: Newport Beach, Palm Springs, Calif.
Favorite film: “Hoosiers.”

SECRET LIFE
Has a collection of more than 150 never-used shot glasses.

12. BIG GREEN APPLE

JAMES STAWNICZY, AIA, LEED BD+C

Director of Sustainability
Lend Lease, New York, N.Y.

AGE: 38
BArch, Pratt Institute

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Leads sustainability and LEED training for major property and infrastructure solutions firm, in addition to working with clients in pursuit of green projects. Hosts LEED and Green Building Intranet Portal for Lend Lease staff; has developed templates for construction plans, material tracking, and contract language.
Recent work (as designer and/or LEED leader, all in NYC): Thurgood Marshall U.S. Courthouse (35 stories, 730,000 square feet); The Brompton (luxury 202-unit condo development); Mount Sinai Medical Center, Center for Science and Medicine (450,000-sf translational research building); Columbia University Manhattanville Development, Phase 1 preconstruction.
USGBC NYC Urban Green Council Service Award, 2009 (for developing construction management training module).

EXTRACURRICULAR
PLANYC-Green Codes Task Force (two-year effort with the Mayor’s Office).
NYU School of Continuing Education (lecturer, LEED exam prep).

OFF THE CLOCK
Dedicated gardener—particularly water gardening, which provides “a secret oasis” within condo living. Also loves cooking, skiing, aviation.
Favorite spot: El Calafate, Argentina.
Favorite food: Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

SECRET LIFE
Once featured in the New York Daily News for his sand castles: “They all resemble Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.”

13. SCHOOL SPECIALIST

CODY CARPINO, AIA

Senior Associate, Project Architect
NTD Architecture, Auburn, Calif.

AGE: 34
BS (Architecture), Washington
University in St. Louis

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Started his own graphic design business in high school.
Acquired architecture license before age 30; registered in California.
Specializes in design of K-12 projects, including work overseen by California’s Division of the State Architect.
Representative projects: $17 million San Antonio Elementary School; 32,000-sf Ashland Youth Center (first LEED Platinum building in Alameda County); modernization projects for Alum Rock UESD, San Jose.
Wrote business plan for the firm’s eighth office, which opened in last year in San Jose.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Leadership Auburn, Class of 2013; leading design team for the class project: street frontage improvements for Gold Country Fairgrounds entry.
Past Co-chair (architectural design), Sonoma County Habitat for Humanity.
AIA Emerging Professional; active with ASLA and RECON Networking.
Tutors elementary students in algebra and calculus.

OFF THE CLOCK
Hobbies: golf, mountain biking, yoga.
Favorite flick: “The Shawshank Redemption.”
Makes “really good” French toast.
Favorite spot: Florence, Italy.

SECRET LIFE
Was saved from a fire in his duplex when Olive, a dog he was watching for his neighbors, barked him awake in the middle of the night.

14. URBAN VISIONARY

THOMAS HUSSEY, AIA, LEED AP

Associate Director,
City Design Practice
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Chicago

AGE: 33
BArch, University of Southern California
MArch, Harvard University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Expert in the design of cities, districts, and large, complex architectural projects.
One of the youngest Associate Directors at SOM.
Recent projects: master plans for developments in Beijing, Tianjin, Wuhan, Panama, Brazil, Riyadh, Mecca, and Cairo.
Co-manages a studio of 30 in Chicago; indirect leadership responsibility for groups in Shanghai, London, and New York.
Licensed architect in California and Illinois.
Worked with IBM Smarter Cities to help SOM co-found the Urban Systems Collaborative, an independent nonprofit dedicated to advancing intelligent city infrastructure.
Winner, Urban Land Institute/Gerald D. Hines Urban Design Competition, 2006.
AIA National Urban Design Honor Award, 2011.
AIA Chicago Honor Award, 2011.
AIA National Young Architect Award, 2013.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Active in the Urban Land Institute and in AIA’s Regional and Urban Design Knowledge Community.

OFF THE CLOCK
Favorite food: Texas-style BBQ (smoked brisket and sausage).
Amateur travel agent: helps friends find great deals and interesting itineraries.

SECRET LIFE
Grandfather raised prize turkeys in Iowa and Texas, once supplied the White House’s Thanksgiving bird.

15. CYCLING COUNCILMAN

MICHAEL KELLY, AIA, LEED AP

Principal of Project Development
KCBA Architects, Philadelphia

AGE: 37
BArch, Syracuse University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Worked at multiple architecture firms in Pennsylvania and in the United Kingdom.
Joined KCBA in 2006, specializing in schools and places of worship; made Principal in 2012.
Recent projects: Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Sea Isle City, N.J. (new 1,000-seat sanctuary); Slatington (Pa.) Elementary School expansion and renovation; Wilson Area Intermediate School, Easton, Pa., expansion and renovation.
Advisor to the firm’s Emerging Professionals Group; developing a resource library for professional exams.
Registered architect in Pennsylvania.
Young Architect of the Year Award, AIA Philadelphia, 2011.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Elected to the Chalfont (Pa.) Borough Council; previously chaired the borough’s planning commission and served on its parks committee.
Co-chair, AIA Philadelphia Regional Architects Committee, 2011. Also active in NCARB, including review committee for revisions to the Architect Registration Exam.

OFF THE CLOCK
Favorite activities: biking through the countryside and travel, particularly in Europe.
Favorite food: ribs at Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse.
Favorite movie: “Rocky II.”

SECRET LIFE
Father marched in the Penn State Blue Band and has returned to perform in the homecoming game halftime show for 43 years running.

16. JURIS ARCHITECT

JOSH FLOWERS, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

In-House Legal Counsel
Hnedak Bobo Group, Memphis

AGE: 35
BArch, JD, University of Tennessee

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Since joining HBG in 2005, has spearheaded the firm’s expansion into development, construction management, and historic preservation.
Recent projects (Memphis): $43 million Beale Street Landing; $40 million Westin Beale Street (architect, legal counsel).
Instrumental in ownership transition from founding partners to next generation of leadership.
Implemented contract procedures to enable the firm’s transition to BIM.
HBG Employee of the Year, 2009.
AIA Tennessee Presidential Award of Excellence, 2012.
Memphis Business Journal, Top 40 Under 40, 2012.

EXTRACURRICULAR
National Knowledge Director, AIA Young Architects Forum, 2013-14.
President, AIA Memphis, 2012.
Actively involved in NCARB, Association of Corporate Counsel, ULI Memphis District Council, USGBC, and CSI.
Approved instructor for AGC Certificate of Management in BIM.
New Memphis Institute Fellows Program, 2011.
Pro bono attorney/mediator, Community Legal Center of Memphis.
Assisted the nonprofit Juvenile Intervention and Faith Based Follow-up organization.

OFF THE CLOCK
Hobby: hiking.
Favorite reads: “The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt,” “Thinking Fast and Slow,” “The Warmth of Other Suns.”
Favorite spot: The Sognefjord, Norway’s longest fjord.

SECRET LIFE
Spent a semester studying architecture and urban design in Krakow, Poland.

17. BRIDGE BUILDER

MARK A. SCHWAMEL, AIA, LEED AP

Project Manager
Gensler, Chicago

AGE: 37
Bachelor of Fine and Professional Arts, Cleveland State University
BArch, MArch (urban design), Kent State University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Designer for retail, commercial, automotive, and hospitality projects, as well as large-scale urban redevelopments.
Recent work: 800,000-sf McCormick Place West Expansion, Chicago; 105-acre Sacramento Arena District; 60-acre Johnson Controls Redevelopment, Glendale, Wis.; numerous jobs for Bank of America and Toyota.
Studio LEED coordinator; IDP and ARE coordinator and internship mentor.
Licensed architect in Illinois.
Selected for Gensler Nextgen leadership development program.
House captain for Gensler’s annual pro bono Rebuilding Together program.
AIA Chicago Presidential Citation, 2009.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Associate Director of the Board, AIA Chicago.
AIA Illinois Regional Associate Director for the AIA National Associates Committee. Lobbied state licensing board for improved ARE timing legislation.
Regional Director, Young Architects Forum.
Co-founder, AIA Chicago Bridge program, uniting emerging professionals with AIA Fellows.

OFF THE CLOCK
Played baseball at Cleveland State; now enjoys golf.

SECRET LIFE
Appeared as an actor in “Oceans 11,” “Stranger Than Fiction,” and “The Lake House.”  

18. MR. COMMISSIONER

JAMES SINK, LEED AP BD+C

Senior Project Designer, Associate
HMC Architects, Los Angeles

AGE: 37
BArch, California State
Polytechnic University
MArch, Harvard University

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Joined HMC in 2010 after stints at other firms, specializing in the design of higher education projects, particularly student residences.
Recent work: 400-bed student residence at California State University–Northridge; 490-bed student residence at Cal Poly Pomona; LA Trade Technical College, Construction Technology Building; $60 million Sutter Hall residential facility, California State University–Chico.
Licensed architect in California.
Participates in HMC’s Undercurrents group, a platform for cross-
pollination of ideas through inter-
studio communication, internal lectures, charrettes, and seminars.
Recipient of awards from the City of Claremont  (Calif.) Architectural Commission.

EXTRACURRICULAR
Chair, Architectural Commission of the City of Claremont (second term).
Volunteer home tour docent for Claremont Heritage.
Invited juror for Cal Poly’s architecture design reviews.

OFF THE CLOCK
Hobbies: electric guitar, golf, Lego building (with children), yard work, and solo woodworking (used SketchUp to design a play kitchen for his children).
Favorite food: a perfectly cooked In-N-Out Burger.

SECRET LIFE
As 17-year-old Eagle Scout, glissaded down the Conness Glacier after a 13,000-foot climb of Mt. Conness.