About

Focused predominately on adaptive reuse, community facilities, and multi-family housing, Eli serves as a Project Architect and Project Manager in LRK’s Philadelphia Studio. A LEED Accredited Professional, he came to architecture through studies abroad in London and Copenhagen and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Eli’s other volunteer work includes serving as Chair for the Young Friends Board of EducationWorks, and pro bono projects for the Philadelphia Boys and Girls Clubs and Pennsylvania SPCA.

David B. Brownlee is an architectural historian at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is the Shapiro-Weitzenhoffer Professor. His seven authored and co-authored books include studies of English Victorian architecture, German neoclassicism, the architecture and city planning of Philadelphia, and the work of Louis Kahn, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. He has won most of the major publication prizes of the Society of Architectural Historians, and his teaching was recognized by Penn’s Lindback Award in 2001.

George L. Claflen, Jr. FAIA, is an architect, urban designer and teacher who has practiced in Philadelphia for more than thirty years. He has worked as Principal-in-Charge of numerous projects for the City of Philadelphia Capital Projects Division, completed preservation work with Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust and with Cheltenham Township, and had extensive public art project experience with Fairmount Park Art Association. In 2014, AIA Philadelphia presented George with its John Frederick Harbeson Award, presented annually to a long standing member of the architectural community to recognize their significant contributions to the profession.

A native of Puerto Rico, Verónica has made Philadelphia her home over the past twelve years. She firmly believes in everyone's ability to participate in a greater conversation; one that affects the way we live, and the pursuit to improve it. While studying architecture at Temple University, Verónica honed her passion for urban affairs into the creation of Building Relationships in Communities [BRIC]; a collective that creates stronger neighborhoods through inclusive projects and fostering relationships between traditionally separate communities. At Philadelphia LISC, Verónica is responsible for providing programmatic and administrative support to Equitable Community Development, Affordable Housing, and Economic Development. She serves as a continuing education instructor at Temple University and as chair for the Design Advocacy Group’s Equity Task Force.

As the founder, principle, and guiding influence of Viridian Landscape Studio, Tavis leads a team that works every day to make sure they leave more than they take – and have fun while they're doing it. Her belief in the essential and healing power of landscapes drives all of the firm's design projects and ecological master plans. A natural storyteller and gifted communicator, Tavis knows how to build consensus between diverse stakeholders and counsels clients on balancing long-term ecological resilience with memorable placemaking. Her work and ideas have helped reshape cities, transform college campuses, and improve lives for communities all over the country.

Allison is committed to creating landscapes that honor the health and wellness of communities, the environment, and humans. Drawing on a foundation in material science and studio art, Allison’s design approach is focused on thoughtful beauty rooted in evidence-based design. In addition to design work, she is presently leading an 18-month interdisciplinary field study funded by the Landscape Architecture Foundation, to develop new industry best practices of landscapes adjacent to air pollution point sources. A professional Landscape Architect in Pennsylvania, Allison earned a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) and a Master of Architecture (MArch) from the University of Pennsylvania, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physics, Math, and Psychology. She has practiced in Philadelphia for the past twelve years, overseeing numerous built projects throughout the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art Plaza in New York City, Carnegie Hall Roof Terrace in New York City, the Rotunda Landscape at the University of Virginia, and the Rodin Museum Gardens in Philadelphia. She presently is working on The Baylands in San Francisco and Brisbane, CA, addressing large scale environmental design and open space planning. Her experience has focused on working with cultural institutions, universities, developers, public agencies, and community groups, resulting in a diverse portfolio of design that champions wellness, meaningful narrative, and enduring beauty.

Emanuel Kelly, FAIA, is a Principal and co-founder of Philadelphia’s Kelly Maiello Architects (KMA), a minority-owned firm established in 1976. Emanuel (or Kelly as he is often called) received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Drexel University and a Master of City Planning and Urban Design from Harvard University. He is an AIA Fellow, a Charter member of the Philadelphia Chapter of NOMA and was the first African-American president of AIA Philadelphia. His distinguished career is inspired by his roots in the urban African-American experience, and is most notable for service within the industry, the education of future architects, and a sustained commitment to preserving and revitalizing our city’s communities. His achievements and memberships are many, his works are varied; from The President’s House at Independence National Park, to the New West Philadelphia High School and his current Rebuild work, he has delivered on the premise that design is for ALL.

Kat is an architectural photographer and environmental advocate. She has spent her career in the AEC industry, working with local and national firms to support their storytelling efforts both through project documentation and as a marketing strategy consultant. Her photography is widely published and award winning, and her favorite day of the year is shooting as the official photographer for PARK(ing) Day. She is an active member of Philadelphia’s architecture, arts, and environmental communities, and is happiest while engaged with community projects, including ongoing work with Sierra Club and PHS Tree Tenders. Along with Eli Storch, she leads the DAG Streeteries initiative, and is co-chair of the Public Space working group.

Nando has more than 25 years of experience in planning and designing for vital, sustainable districts and neighborhoods. His practice ranges from the city-wide scale of the project Omaha by Design, to district plans in the Philadelphia region and in cities as diverse as Atlanta, Buffalo, Jersey City, Kansas City, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Roanoke, Shanghai, and Seattle. Nando’s district projects include suburban smart growth strategies, transit-oriented development, brownfields redevelopment plans, green infrastructure planning, and urban infill projects. As one of the nation's leading designers of mixed-income communities, Nando has helped cities in 15 states with the planning and design of new neighborhoods—totaling nearly 10,000 new homes, and is currently working with cities to position their plans for HUD's Choice Neighborhoods Program. As an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania since 1996, Nando leads second year urban design studios focused on and housing and waterfronts.

Marsha advocates for public art, championing the ideas and energy that creative efforts bring to the life of a city. She has established major permanent commissions at medical, corporate, university and Percent for Art sites and at transit and performing arts centers. As director of Sculpture Outdoors, Marsha curated major exhibitions on public sites across the country. While serving as a member of the Mayor's Cultural Advisory Council, she founded The Artfront Partnership, which transforms vacant storefronts into dynamic destinations. She continues to serve on the Mayor's Public Art Advisory Council, a body which advises on matters related to public art policy. The Arts and Business Council has twice honored her, and most recently Marsha was awarded the Fleisher Founder's Award as "a transformative force in the Philadelphia arts community."

Craig is a principal of Schelter & Associates, a practice providing counsel and support to organizations promoting job creation and seeking to balance growth with environmental, design and community sensitivity. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Development Workshop, Inc., as a senior member of both the Urban Land Institute and Design Advocacy Group, and as a board member of the Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust. Craig formerly served as Philadelphia’s Planning Director and the Executive Vice President of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation

Laura is a transplanted Philadelphian who grew up “down the shore” in New Jersey. She has a B.A. in art history from Rosemont College and an M.A. in American studies-historic preservation planning from The George Washington University, and she worked for the New Jersey Historic Trust before moving to Philadelphia. Laura joined the City Planning Commission in 2006 after working as a planner with the City’s Historical Commission for 10 years. Now, as director of the Community Planning Division, she oversees a staff of 11 community planners and manages Philadelphia2035, the City’s first comprehensive plan since 1960. She was previously the planner for Center City, working with neighborhood groups and City agencies in shaping the development that occurs in the heart of Philadelphia. Laura was the project manager for the Philadelphia2035: Central District Plan, Market East Strategic Plan and the Callowhill-Chinatown North Plan. Laura represents the PCPC on two city boards – the Mayor’s Historic Preservation Task Force and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Art Committee – and works on multiple citywide planning efforts.

James is the director of architecture at Temple University’s Planning & Design Office of the Project Delivery Group. He is responsible for coordinating the design and planning of all major development projects for the University, which include the recently built Temple Athletics Complex, the Aramark STAR Complex and the award-winning Landscape Master Plan & implementation projects. Prior to joining Temple, James served as director of design & planning with H2L2 Architects/Planners. There he designed a diverse range of projects, both overseas and throughout the Philadelphia region, for private developers, secondary schools and universities. His clients included The American School of Paris, the American University in Cairo, Tower Investments, Bridgeman’s Development, The Center City District and Temple University. James has worked on several notable waterfront infrastructure projects including the master plan for the Paddington Basin in London, the Providence River Relocation & Waterplace Park projects in Rhode Island and the new South Street Bridge in Philadelphia. James also served as chair of the North Philadelphia Habitat for Humanity Strategic Planning Committee and he is a past winner of the Carpenters Company of London & Philadelphia professional exchange fellowship.

Over the course of her 20+ year career, Fon has led projects ranging from state-of-the-art academic facilities to the restoration of a late-19th-century station house. Her practical knowledge in sensitive interventions to existing heritage structures, as well as new construction in a historic context, is attuned to the evolving requirements of today’s occupants. Her designs adhere to the guidelines of the preservation community and building codes while recognizing the importance of evolving environmental and cultural concerns. Fon received the Young Architect Award from AIA Philadelphia in 2015 and served on the Mayor's Historic Preservation Task Force. She earned a B.A. from Syracuse University and an M.S. in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was the inaugural recipient of the David De Long Fellowship.