Principal/Partner

alex@cityarch.com

Alex believes great design enhances every project. His wide array of efforts and experience has gained him a holistic understanding of design, project implementation, detailing and communication with consultants, city officials, and most importantly, the client. His experience and passion for design led him to urban planning where he can practice his design beliefs at a neighborhood scale. As a project manager, urban designer and architect he has been involved with the creation of city master plans, mixed-use developments, redevelopment plans, large infrastructure projects and streetscape designs. He takes great pride in the relationships he has fostered with clients and his ability to earn a community’s trust throughout planning and design processes.

He believes that intelligent, effective and meaningful investments in public spaces and infrastructure have the ability to celebrate place, redefine a street or establish new identities. Many of the planning projects that he has facilitated have led to further investments in their communities. His approach centers on creating realizable initiatives that can be implemented immediately while building momentum and leading to change on larger scales.

Principal/Partner

john@cityarch.com

As a principal, John leads projects through all phases of development. His ability to consider building relationships at an urban design scale, combined with a passion for excellent design and understanding of construction detailing, results in innovative solutions that complement their context through a contemporary design language. John’s project approach centers on interactions and collaboration with clients to ensure their needs, objectives and visions are realized throughout the design process, and ultimately, the initiative’s implementation. This holistic approach is a mainstay of City Architecture, and John works tirelessly to promote this process for the firm.

John’s personal and professional beliefs are well represented in his work and have helped shape the firm’s ongoing commitment of community development and neighborhood revitalization through exceptional planning, focused values and inspired architecture. John’s ability to solve problems and envision concepts at multiple scales has led to the development of award-winning projects, and he consistently challenges himself and his colleagues to provide every client with exceptional service and unique design solutions.

Associate Principal

hbchew@cityarch.com

Benny has been an employee of City Architecture since its inception and has been recognized as an outstanding designer and project manager. Over the years, he has led a broad range of building projects including recreational centers, health care, housing design and planning, institutional work, offices, retail and city revitalization studies.

Benny has contributed a significant influence upon the design language, philosophy, planning strategies and quality control of City Architecture. He prides himself on design, production and  management of projects from conception to construction completion on all projects he is involved in.

Director of Construction

charles@cityarch.com

As a project manager responsible for construction administration and the development of construction documents, Charles is actively involved in the technical development of City Architecture’s projects. Utilizing his extensive understanding of construction technologies, materials and systems, he oversees the work in the field to maintain a high standard of construction quality. Charles performs quality control reviews of City Architecture documents prior to their release for construction. During construction the timely processing of information is critical, and Charles is consistently commended by clients and contractors for his responsiveness and professionalism.

Director of Design

stevenson@cityarch.com

Matt believes that every design problem presents unique challenges, and that those challenges demand design solutions that are innovative, unique and beautiful.  Matt studied architecture at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Other travels include Europe and South America absorbing culture, history and design.  His talents have led him to be involved in the design process from conceptual design through construction. He has worked on an array of project types from community centers, multifamily housing, mixed-use developments, and single-family residences. He strives to creatively incorporate a culmination of experiences and passion for design, place, technology and history into every project.

Associate Principal

katie@cityarch.com

Katie joined City Architecture in 2012 to apply her passion for community-oriented architecture and urbanism. She enjoys the unique set of challenges that individual projects present and thrives on finding solutions that are not only clear and concise but bring the most value to a project. Katie is involved in master planning, urban design, all phases of project development, presentation delivery, and marketing, as well as scheduling, staffing, and project performance. Katie is a natural leader with a passion for making positive changes in her community, which is evident in her civic involvements and volunteerism.

Associate Principal

mspencer@cityarch.com

Having joined City Architecture in 2011, Mathew’s role on the team has evolved to include project management and delivery as well as office leadership across multiple scales. With an interest in the contrast between historic and modern architecture and the impact historic preservation can have on the revitalization of a community, Mathew has managed several efforts utilizing historic preservation tax credits. Most of the projects he is involved in emphasize universal design, environmental responsibility, and a historic sensitivity. As a licensed architect, Mathew continues to enhance the greater Cleveland Community through both his professional work and as a resident of Cleveland’s WestEdge Neighborhood.

Director of Planning & Urban Design

michelle@cityarch.com

Michelle is an urban designer and planner with significant experience in the development of neighborhood and city master plans, corridor studies, streetscape designs and the development of design standards. Her work is characterized by projects that seek to rebuild the urban core and elevate the quality of life for our communities. She believes that collaboration is key to the success of any project, and Michelle seeks to work with clients, the community and other design professionals in an open, respectful and interactive process.

Senior Architect

erin@cityarch.com

Since joining City Architecture in 2015, Erin has been involved in all phases of project development and marketing, and has been involved with a wide variety of project types and sizes. She is passionate about renovation projects and the ability to reuse existing infrastructure in new ways. Prior to joining City Architecture, Erin earned her education at Ball State University and Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative where she focused on renovations within urban settings. She has traveled extensively taking in the urbanism of different cities throughout the world and learning about the history of each city’s form. Erin has completed projects ranging from streetscapes and urban plazas to historic building renovations.

Director of Production & Quality Control

pmigas@cityarch.com

Philip is an experienced multifamily architect who joined City Architecture in 2020. His experience includes work for Cedarwood Architectural, an integrated development group, and Marous Brothers Construction, a design-build group. Working on multifamily projects since 2005 has allowed him to work on over three million square foot of buildings located throughout the country. The diverse projects include high-end single family homes, condominiums, class A market rate apartment complexes, low-income tax credit apartments, senior facilities, HUD 221(d)4 projects, historic renovations, and high-rise buildings.

Philip’s focus is on designing quality buildings suited for the tenants while meeting the developers’ programmatic requirements. Philip enjoys the challenges of designing homes that have a positive effect on people’s lives and he appreciates that a residence is a part of a person’s identity in addition to being a home.

Senior City Planner

krysta@cityarch.com

Krysta believes in improving the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities through biophilically-conscious design, which incorporates nature and natural forms in the built environment. At City Architecture, Krysta rises to the challenge of looking at every project from different scales to develop creative design solutions. She is passionate about sustainability, and as a neighborhood planner, she is always looking for new ways to design and build thriving and sustainable communities for the people who live in them. As a homeowner and active member of her WestEdge neighborhood, Krysta is also personally invested in Cleveland's revitalization.

Designer

ptalley@cityarch.com

Joining the City Architecture team in 2020, Phill has a strong desire to provide assistance to people in his local community. He believes that as designers, we are uniquely qualified to be of use to those in need. Prior to joining City Architecture, Phill worked on a variety of projects including retail, assisted living, offices, single and multi-family residential construction in 20 different states. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University in 2009 following a study abroad Middle East. Upon graduation he worked as a consultant for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

Architect

casey@cityarch.com

Casey is passionate about people-focused design that cultivates community identity and places where people can flourish. Her experience as an architectural and urban designer includes an array of projects in community planning, educational design, streetscapes, multi-family residential, and historic renovations.

At City Architecture, Casey is involved in all aspects of project development, as she continues to grow her knowledge and understanding of architecture and planning.

Before joining the team, Casey earned her Bachelor’s degree at Ball State University and a dual Masters in Architecture and Urban Design at Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative. In her free time, Casey mentors high school students and enjoys exploring both urban and natural landscapes by bike or on foot.

Operations Coordinator

allison@cityarch.com

Allison is happy to have the role of operations coordinator at City Architecture so she can assist and learn in the processes of planning, design, and architecture with the firm’s team. Allison is passionate about equitable planning, a healthy environment, and improving the quality of life for all. She loves working with others and challenging herself.

Allison is from Ashtabula County; she attended West Virginia University and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Geography in 2018. Right now, she is pursuing her Master of Urban Planning at Cleveland State University. Allison’s goal is to become an Urban Planner and continue learning about how planners can best serve their community.

At City Architecture, Allison is excited to learn more about urban planning and design, experience Cleveland, and to have a positive impact on the community.

Designer

jmcmichael@cityarch.com

Jack recently graduated from Kent State University with a Master of Architecture. He was born and raised in the Cleveland area and has grown to love the city and its surrounding communities. Jack has a passion for helping people and has always tried to align his architecture with this passion.

From going on mission trips with his church to impoverished urban areas to exploring cities through school opportunities, he has developed a love for the urban environment. He is currently working toward his goal of becoming licensed through the Architectural Experience Program.

Having joined City Architecture previously as a co-op, he now joins the team as an Assistant Architect and looks to further his professional experience gaining valuable knowledge in the field. His interests include design that involves the community, historical preservation, and how our built environment effects everyday life.

Designer

jamie@cityarch.com

Jamie has joined City Architecture with a passion for community redevelopment through the means of both new construction and restoration. She believes that the function and beauty of architectural design has the ability to strengthen communities and impact social change. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Jamie appreciates the dynamics of cities and believes they too have the power to make an impact on society and the design profession.

Before joining City Architecture, Jamie received her Master of Architecture and Minor in Regional and Community Planning from Kansas State University in 2022. She has previously worked on projects in the healthcare and education markets and is excited to expand her experience in residential and urban design.

Designer

jblankenberger@cityarch.com

James recently graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Interior Design. Originally from Evansville, Indiana, he has moved to Cleveland to join City Architecture’s team. Having worked with the firm previously as a co-op, he returns now as an assistant architect currently working to gain licensure through the Architectural Experience Program.

James believes that architecture is an art form that can be used to improve the lives of those who inhabit and experience it, but only when properly designed to do so. He has a passion for residential architecture because of the direct impact it can have on the life of anyone living within that space.

“I am excited to become a part of the City Architecture family and the excellence they strive for with design. I am particularly thrilled to be able to work on projects that will make a difference to the residents of the Cleveland area, and I look forward to continuing the firm’s motto of ‘Create Space with Purpose'.”

Designer

slang@cityarch.com

Stephen graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in May 2023. Originally from Cleveland Heights, Stephen is excited to be back in Cleveland because of its unique architecture and historic neighborhoods.

He believes that architecture can advance communities and bring people together. Stephen is particularly interested in architecture that focuses on sustainability and community engagement. At City Architecture Stephen is excited to learn more about design through all stages of a project.

Student Intern

ETokarz@cityarch.com

Currently a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Cincinnati, Ethan is eager to contribute his skills and enthusiasm to our team through the University’s Co-op program. He is originally from Sagamore Hills, Ohio, and he is eager to learn more about the developing architecture in and around Cleveland.

Ethan’s interest in architecture is founded in his love for both artistic expression and science. The combination of various disciplines with a focus on innovative design has always been fascinating. He is excited to learn as much as possible through both observation and hands on experience.

At City Architecture, Ethan hopes to strengthen his skills and explore the various ways both architecture and planning can impact a community and promote further development.