Managing Principal

Observant from the start, Zena’s cultural awareness developed from her experiences growing up in various communities across the country. Her recognition that the built environment significantly impacts the human experience informs her continued exploration of design experiences that nurture positive change.

Early in her architecture career, Zena adopted the view that great design should be accessible to everyone. In addition to creating a beautiful space, Zena leads projects that successfully navigate social issues of equity and justice—honoring history and memory and restoring lost cultural connections.

Project Designer

Ralph grew up on the South Side of Chicago, just down the street from Frank Lloyd Wright’s R.W. Evans House. He found the design of the house fascinating, and by the time he reached grade school, he had already decided to become an architect. Ralph eventually went on to design some of the most iconic buildings in Chicago and around the world.

He was inducted in 2015 into the prestigious National Academy of Design. Ralph’s projects have received more than 150 design awards, including eight national Honor Awards, more than 50 regional Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects and a Progressive Architecture Design Award.

Museum Planner

The son of academic parents, Derek grew up in a Los Angeles home steeped in scholarly inquiry. His mother emigrated from Beijing at the age of 16, and as a boy, Derek frequently traveled with his parents to Japan and China. PlannerLater, while pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts in Japan, the scale of Derek’s art projects became larger and larger until he realized that his creative talents were meant for architecture.

Derek’s experiences abroad as a cultural outsider guide his approach to design, informing his ability to question accepted norms and view library, cultural, and community projects with an analytical eye.

Senior Project Architect

Raised in Central and North America, Carl was exposed to a number of different cities growing up: From his earliest years in Mexico City–where he was born–to his grade school years outside of Detroit, Michigan, to his university studies in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Living in such diverse environments, Carl became fascinated with how people organize their communities and express their values through architecture. His interest in different cultures and urban geographies continue to inspire his design even today. Carl is always eager to translate a client’s

goals into a project that they find meaningful.

Designer

Todd’s family has been in the construction business for generations, and he grew up immersed in a world of making and building. At just fourteen, he entered the construction industry and practiced commercial construction, woodworking and cabinetmaking before enrolling in the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago to pursue his architectural degree. His love for the craft of building is at the heart of his successful approach to design, and evident in the projects he has led, from educational facilities to high-rise towers.

Landscape Architect

By the age of eight, Leo knew he wanted to be a designer. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, he was exposed to a vibrant design culture at an early age, and was encouraged to explore his creativity through the arts. That motivation, coupled with an analytical approach towards his work, was the perfect recipe for a career in landscape architecture. After a decade-long stint in academia, Leo returned to the drawing board, and continues to craft award-winning sustainable designs for the public realm.

Tactical and clever, Leo lives by three simple words when tasked with any new project: Inspiration, Intent, and Iteration. No two projects are the same, and the method by which a designer approaches any project should reflect its unique circumstance.

Creative Director / Local Projects

As Creative Director Eric focuses on designing intuitive and tangible interfaces around complex subjects. His recent projects include interactive installations for the The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Noticing Tools suite of learning apps for the New York Hall of Science, and the Body Metrics and BioDesign Studio permanent exhibitions at the Tech Museum of Innovation. Prior to joining Local Projects, Eric co-founded Plural Design in Chicago and developed interactive installations for a range of clients and contexts, including Eyebeam, Wired, and artist Anthony McCall.

Work from his independent practice has been exhibited at the Anthology Film Archives, the Hyde Park Art Center, 319 Scholes, Flux Factory, and Palais Kabelwerk in Vienna. Eric holds an MPS from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program and a BS from Northwestern.

Exhibit Design / Local Projects

As a Senior Strategist at Local Projects, Jenny works to develop innovative approaches to exhibition, experience, and mixed-media projects at the earliest stages of project development. This includes examining the ways in which multi-disciplinary design can facilitate and enhance education, interpretation, engagement, and storytelling. While at Local Projects, she has worked with a range of cultural organizations, including the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the Museum of Science and History Jacksonville, the United Irish Cultural Center, and more. She previously worked with artists such as David Salle and Joel Sternfeld, contributing to the development of numerous fine art exhibitions and publications.

Interior Architect, Exhibition Designer, and Underwater Archeologist

An equal love of the arts and the built environment has shaped Chris’ career as an architect, but his own personal interest and knowledge in nautical archaeology led him to win the design of the inside of the seminal Mary Rose museum in Portsmouth, UK.

This has led him to work with museum design teams to co-develop exhibition stories and content. As an underwater archaeologist, Chris has authored numerous papers on the excavation and preservation of historic maritime vessels and will be an invaluable resource in interpreting US Naval history, artefacts, conservation, and underwater archaeology. Assisting in the development of enthralling authentic naval immersive experiences.

Collaborator / Federal Practice

Amy leads the Perkins&Will Federal Practice, bringing a deep knowledge of the unique needs of government clients, an understanding of procurement and design processes, and a strong reputation for excellence in design and customer service. Her experience includes urban design, land-use planning, community development and urban revitalization with private and government clients including the General Services Administration, the Department of Interior, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Collaborator / Practice Lead

With more than 30 years of architectural, project management, and construction experience, Jeff has led large multi-faceted and multidisciplined teams. He has worked on a variety of project types including higher education, science and technology, federal, corporate, commercial, healthcare, and high-security. He is a key contributor in developing and executing all the components and goals of a project.

Collaborator / Designer

Having received her education in Asia, North America, and Europe, Yaqing possesses a deep understanding of the crucial role that cross-cultural communication plays in our lives. She leverages this knowledge to create architectural designs, using drawings, models, and videos to communicate visions for the future that connect and inspire people.

Collaborator / Designer

Keegan is the lead Design Technology Leader (DTL) and frequently coordinates the use of advanced design technologies on our most complex and innovative projects. As a specialist in software design tools, he has held training sessions in the DC and NYC offices to elevate staff design capabilities. Keegan is well versed in a wide range of digital modeling tools, visualization techniques, and computational design practices.

Collaborator / Designer

Growing up in a family with three generations of craftsmen, Travis developed an interest in the intersection of art and architecture. Armed with a Master’s degree in architecture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to an interest in designing inclusive and equitable places. His work spans a range of scales and contexts.

Collaborator / Branding, Logo, and Narrative Development

As knowledge manager of the cultural and civic practice at Perkins&Will, Kate works closely with design teams on visual and narrative elements that connect people to critical design ideas and solutions that positively impact our natural, built, and social environments.