Chicago

Dionne Darling has been with The A|N Media Group for over six years. As A|N’s Associate Publisher, she manages A|N’s Texas headquarters and handles accounts in the West, Southwest and Europe territories. Dionne has over 28 years of direct B2B sales, management and business development experience.

Yugene Cha, AIA joined KSP in 2003 and became one of five new partners in 2020 to lead the practice forward. He stands at the forefront of redefining the live/work-place paradigm, with a practice ranging from large-scale commercial developments to complex cultural projects. He serves as the leader of KSP’s empowerment initiative, a role that focuses on creating a studio environment that inspires, equips, and empowers the firm’s next generation of design leaders to contribute at the highest level.

DDon Semple, AIA on joined the firm upon graduating from the College of Architecture, at Kansas State University, in 2006. As part of his education, he spent time studying abroad in Finland, taking in the works of great Scandinavian Architects like Aalto, Saarinen, Asplund, and Lewerentz. Along with his background in construction, woodworking and sculpture, Scandinavia left in indelible mark on Don; bringing to the fore an insatiable curiosity in the human relationship to light, form, environment, detail, and materiality. Throughout his years with the office, Don has been fortunate to contribute to a wide variety of projects at all phases of development. A few of the notable projects he’s worked on include the Spertus Institute, 1100 First Street, 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, Chicago Children’s Museum at Grant Park, Eisenhower Memorial competition, and the GSA Federal Office Building in Florida. Currently Don is working on projects for the Department of State, and our renovation of Franklin Center Lobby. Don teaches online classes for blackspectacles.com, and co–teaches with Mark Sexton at Northwestern University. He’s an active volunteer in his local community of Logan Square, leading the design efforts to rebuild the square toward a more pedestrian and bike–friendly urban hub.

Paul Schulhof is a partner at the architecture firm of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects + Partners (TWBTA). He joined TWBTA in 1999 and became the third partner in the practice in 2013. Paul has been a Partner on a wide range of projects including the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, the US Embassy in Mexico City, a technology campus for TATA Consultancy Services in India, the expansion of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, a dormitory for Haverford College, and award-winning houses in Connecticut and New York. Before joining TWBTA, Paul was an architect at Weiss/Manfredi Architects and at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners where he worked on the restoration of New York’s Grand Central Terminal. He received his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia. Paul has taught a graduate-level architecture studio at Yale University and has served as a guest critic at multiple institutions.

Azadeh Rashidi is a project manager and architect at New York based Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners. She holds both Bachelors and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Virginia, where she was also a lecturer. Previous to her work at TWBTA, she was an associate at WG Clark Architects and served as the project architect for several projects, including the award winning addition to the School of Architecture at UVA. During her time at TWBTA, Azadeh has been involved in several high profile projects, including the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago and the addition and renovation of Dartmouth College’s Hood Museum of Art. Currently, Azadeh is working on the renovation of David Geffen Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.

Elisa Testa is an architect and project manager at Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners. Elisa has a master degree in Architecture from the University of Genova, Italy and has been working in New York City since the year 2000. She joined TWBTA in 2003 and is currently managing the expansion project for the Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI. While at TWBTA, Elisa has overseen the development of the interiors for the U.S. Embassy Complex in Mexico City and was the project architect for the LeFrak Center recreational facility in Prospect Park, the TATA Consultancy Services Banyan Park Development Center and Recreation building, and for three New York Public School library renovations, sponsored by the Robinhood Library Foundation Initiative. Prior to TWBTA Elisa was at Helfand Myerberg and Guggenheimer, where she worked on the Swarthmore College Science Center and was project architect for a McKim Mead and White New York City Public Library renovation.

DDon Semple, AIA on joined the firm upon graduating from the College of Architecture, at Kansas State University, in 2006. As part of his education, he spent time studying abroad in Finland, taking in the works of great Scandinavian Architects like Aalto, Saarinen, Asplund, and Lewerentz. Along with his background in construction, woodworking and sculpture, Scandinavia left in indelible mark on Don; bringing to the fore an insatiable curiosity in the human relationship to light, form, environment, detail, and materiality. Throughout his years with the office, Don has been fortunate to contribute to a wide variety of projects at all phases of development. A few of the notable projects he’s worked on include the Spertus Institute, 1100 First Street, 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, Chicago Children’s Museum at Grant Park, Eisenhower Memorial competition, and the GSA Federal Office Building in Florida. Currently Don is working on projects for the Department of State, and our renovation of Franklin Center Lobby. Don teaches online classes for blackspectacles.com, and co–teaches with Mark Sexton at Northwestern University. He’s an active volunteer in his local community of Logan Square, leading the design efforts to rebuild the square toward a more pedestrian and bike–friendly urban hub.

Giannantonio is Project Designer at Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R). Since joining the firm in 2015 he co-led the design and construction of the David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago and he is currently involved in the development of a major tech headquarters in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to DS+R he contributed to a wide range of architecture and urban design projects across Northern America, Asia and Europe including the MahaNakhon Tower in Bangkok (Thailand), the Harbin Opera House in Harbin (China) and others for both institutional and corporate clients. Giannantonio regularly lectures at universities and design events and he has been an invited speaker at conferences organized by the Chinese Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. He co-authored “A Map of Hutopolis”, a research book about the Chinese urbanization process, published in 2014.

Mark Chiu joined Thornton Tomasetti in 2015 and has more than 14 years of experience in design of all types of exterior façade systems with a focus on sustainable design. He has in-depth knowledge and a specialization in building science, focusing his work on thermal performance of facades, high-performance and climate-specific design, and testing/analysis of the building envelope. He has collaborated on several notable national and international projects consisting of complex geometries and intricate detailing, realizing challenging performance goals and material uses.

Patrick Loughran is a principal at Goettsch Partners, a noted façade expert and the author of two façade books: Falling Glass and Failed Stone. Licensed as both an architect and engineer, he serves in dedicated project leadership roles and is a key member of the firm’s technical group. An adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology and a regular national presenter, he has been quoted in The New York Times and served as the “glass expert” on the National Public Radio show “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2009, and he is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Richard Barrett is a senior technical architect at Goettsch Partners. He serves as a project architect and technical expert on a range of architectural assignments, with a focus on building enclosures and detailing. His project experience includes work throughout the U.S. and overseas.

Yugene Cha, AIA joined KSP in 2003 and became one of five new partners in 2020 to lead the practice forward. He stands at the forefront of redefining the live/work-place paradigm, with a practice ranging from large-scale commercial developments to complex cultural projects. He serves as the leader of KSP’s empowerment initiative, a role that focuses on creating a studio environment that inspires, equips, and empowers the firm’s next generation of design leaders to contribute at the highest level.

Jennie Tolfa, AIA is a Project Architect at AS+GG and is a major contributor to AS+GG’s cultural projects in Chicago, most notably the Steppenwolf Theatre Expansion and The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater where she was responsible for design phases through construction administration. She is enthusiastic about participating in local work in Chicago and believes that public architecture enrichens local culture and can have a positive impact on their communities. Jennie is passionate about seeing the design realized into the final execution in the field as well as the collaborative nature of the design and construction process. She has also contributed to AS+GG’s high-rise projects, including 830 Brickell, a 57-story office building in Miami that is currently under construction. Prior to joining AS+GG in 2014, Jennie worked abroad in Rome, Italy as an architectural intern at Luca Peralta Studio, where she worked on residential interiors projects and designed Torre Tintoretto, an award-winning first prize competition entry for social and sustainable housing project in Brescia, Italy. Jennie holds a Master of Architecture degree and Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan.

Brandon is a Project Architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects. Brandon was responsible for the design through construction administration of the ‘new’ glass elements of The Momentary – which is the adaptive reuse of a decommissioned Kraft Foods plant into a vibrant facility for exhibition and performance in Bentonville, Arkansas. He has led several other institutional and cultural projects including the Ryan Learning Center Renovation at the Art Institute of Chicago, Intrinsic School’s Downtown Campus in a historic high-rise, and the Elgin Math & Science Academy Campus expansion project. Brandon also contributes to the residential side of WKA’s practice and is currently working on a landmark home renovation in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and a new construction home in Michigan. Prior to joining WKA, Brandon worked as a Project Architect in Studio Gang’s Chicago office, engaged in large-scale residential projects including the 95-story St. Regis (Vista) Tower, featuring a custom flowing glass facade and unique form along the Chicago River.

DDon Semple, AIA on joined the firm upon graduating from the College of Architecture, at Kansas State University, in 2006. As part of his education, he spent time studying abroad in Finland, taking in the works of great Scandinavian Architects like Aalto, Saarinen, Asplund, and Lewerentz. Along with his background in construction, woodworking and sculpture, Scandinavia left in indelible mark on Don; bringing to the fore an insatiable curiosity in the human relationship to light, form, environment, detail, and materiality. Throughout his years with the office, Don has been fortunate to contribute to a wide variety of projects at all phases of development. A few of the notable projects he’s worked on include the Spertus Institute, 1100 First Street, 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, Chicago Children’s Museum at Grant Park, Eisenhower Memorial competition, and the GSA Federal Office Building in Florida. Currently Don is working on projects for the Department of State, and our renovation of Franklin Center Lobby. Don teaches online classes for blackspectacles.com, and co–teaches with Mark Sexton at Northwestern University. He’s an active volunteer in his local community of Logan Square, leading the design efforts to rebuild the square toward a more pedestrian and bike–friendly urban hub.