Agenda

Diana Darling

CEO & Creative Director

The Architect’s Newspaper

Darling is CEO, creative director, and co-founder of The Architect’s Newspaper, which recently celebrated its 20th year. The A|N media company consists of print and digital publications covering architecture and design news, as well as the Facades+ and TECH+ conferences. As A|N’s publisher, Darling won the AIA National Collaboration Award, Grassroots Preservation Award, and ASLA NY’s President’s Award. She began her publishing career as director of print production for The Gap’s European markets. She holds a BS from The University of Texas at Austin.

Kevin Johnson

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA, LEED AP

Kevin brings leadership to the firm’s design practice with 25 years of broad project experience including academic and research science buildings, healthcare, residential, commercial, and planning projects. With expertise in both architecture and landscape architecture, he takes a holistic view of projects to understand how buildings and their surroundings can work together most effectively.  

Kevin has a collaborative process that is guided by clear intent and decision-making. A skilled communicator, he believes that listening and asking effective questions are the key to a successful design. He uses detailed visuals in all forms of media, including diagrams, precedent images, sketches, computer models, and physical models to build consensus, while sharing information in a clear and understandable way.  

Kevin’s award-winning designs prioritize the human experience of the built environment. He enjoys knowing that his projects have a meaningful impact and always tries to incorporate spaces that promote human interaction wherever possible. He has designed projects for many university and institutional clients including Washington University in St. Louis, Howard County Community College, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Stephen Wright

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA

Stephen Wright is a design architect with over 38 years of experience creating unique spaces for learning and the arts. Working with the belief that student success is directly linked to the quality of academic spaces, he specializes in creating designs that enable social and intellectual interaction, interdisciplinary cross-learning, and artistic expression.  

Stephen is fascinated with the detailing and materiality that turns ordinary architecture into great architecture. A former classical singer, he approaches projects with a musician’s mind, interplaying light, materials, textures, and color to create spaces that delight occupants and visitors alike. He enjoys helping clients see greater possibilities for what their spaces can be and how their work can be enhanced through design.  

Since joining Ayers Saint Gross in 2016, Stephen has enjoyed providing opportunities for and sharing knowledge with the next generation of architectural leaders. Outside of the office, he serves as the chairman of the Washington Architecture Foundation, where he works to expand educational outreach programs for young people and colleges and universities. He is also active in local arts organizations, serving on the board of the Washington Bach Consort.

Stephen Wright

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA

Stephen Wright is a design architect with over 38 years of experience creating unique spaces for learning and the arts. Working with the belief that student success is directly linked to the quality of academic spaces, he specializes in creating designs that enable social and intellectual interaction, interdisciplinary cross-learning, and artistic expression.  

Stephen is fascinated with the detailing and materiality that turns ordinary architecture into great architecture. A former classical singer, he approaches projects with a musician’s mind, interplaying light, materials, textures, and color to create spaces that delight occupants and visitors alike. He enjoys helping clients see greater possibilities for what their spaces can be and how their work can be enhanced through design.  

Since joining Ayers Saint Gross in 2016, Stephen has enjoyed providing opportunities for and sharing knowledge with the next generation of architectural leaders. Outside of the office, he serves as the chairman of the Washington Architecture Foundation, where he works to expand educational outreach programs for young people and colleges and universities. He is also active in local arts organizations, serving on the board of the Washington Bach Consort.

Kate Kulpa

Associate Principal

Ennead Architects

Kathleen Kulpa AIA is an Associate Principal at Ennead Architects and a specialist in exterior façade design and curtainwall consulting. Her technical expertise has been integral to the development of many of Ennead’s large-scale projects from concept through construction, working across all typologies.

Billy Erhard

Designer

Ennead Architects

Billy is a Senior Associate and Project Designer at Ennead Architects. His work experience is split between designing cultural spaces for performing, visual, and interpretive arts and educational facilities for higher education, laboratories, and K-12 projects. Billy believes that thoughtful design can be a catalyst to allow new forms of artistic expression to emerge, make art more accessible to audiences of all kinds, and focus educational programs to be inherently collaborative and interdisciplinary.

Kevin Johnson

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA, LEED AP

Kevin brings leadership to the firm’s design practice with 25 years of broad project experience including academic and research science buildings, healthcare, residential, commercial, and planning projects. With expertise in both architecture and landscape architecture, he takes a holistic view of projects to understand how buildings and their surroundings can work together most effectively.  

Kevin has a collaborative process that is guided by clear intent and decision-making. A skilled communicator, he believes that listening and asking effective questions are the key to a successful design. He uses detailed visuals in all forms of media, including diagrams, precedent images, sketches, computer models, and physical models to build consensus, while sharing information in a clear and understandable way.  

Kevin’s award-winning designs prioritize the human experience of the built environment. He enjoys knowing that his projects have a meaningful impact and always tries to incorporate spaces that promote human interaction wherever possible. He has designed projects for many university and institutional clients including Washington University in St. Louis, Howard County Community College, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Aaron Alterman

Consultant Support Specialist – US & Canada

STI Specified Technologies

Aaron joined STI in 2015 as a Territory Manager in the Gulf South.  In 2018, he was promoted to the Curtain and Facades Specialist role, working with glaziers, fabricators, curtain wall consultants and perimeter fire containments contractors in the Midwest, Gulf Coast, Texas and Central Canada.   In 2024, Aaron became the Curtain Wall and Facades Consultant Support Specialist for North America, working with curtain wall consultants, architects, engineers and code officials.   

With over 30 years in a variety of fields in construction, Aaron has become a critical partner for many of the top CW Consultants in North America.  With his knowledge and expertise of perimeter fire containment systems for all types of construction including Mass Timber, backpan or non-backpan glazing systems, precast, GFRC, and Steel Stud/EIFS assemblies, Aaron can assist from design conception to project close out while meeting critical life safety requirements for a better project outcome.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Aaron is now a proud resident of the great city of New Orleans.

Greg Overkamp

Associate Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

Greg Overkamp, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP

Greg is an associate principal for Ayers Saint Gross, specializing in higher education, with a focus on community colleges. He leads projects from design through construction, managing budgets and schedules to build lasting client relationships. Greg prioritizes listening to clients and end users to create meaningful, functional spaces. He is also passionate about advancing architectural education, serving as an NCARB test reviewer and NAAB accreditation team member.

Will Gridley

Associate Partner

RAMSA

Will Gridley, AIA, an associate partner with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, specializes in higher-education building projects. He has played an integral role in academic building projects that transform campuses, including the Harvard Kennedy School Pavilions project, the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business expansion, and the new home of the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Within the student housing sector, Will has competed multiple projects from initial feasibility studies through construction.

Will’s work also includes student centers, libraries, lab facilities, fitness centers and strategic planning studies. Will earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University and a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University.

Kevin Johnson

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA, LEED AP

Kevin brings leadership to the firm’s design practice with 25 years of broad project experience including academic and research science buildings, healthcare, residential, commercial, and planning projects. With expertise in both architecture and landscape architecture, he takes a holistic view of projects to understand how buildings and their surroundings can work together most effectively.  

Kevin has a collaborative process that is guided by clear intent and decision-making. A skilled communicator, he believes that listening and asking effective questions are the key to a successful design. He uses detailed visuals in all forms of media, including diagrams, precedent images, sketches, computer models, and physical models to build consensus, while sharing information in a clear and understandable way.  

Kevin’s award-winning designs prioritize the human experience of the built environment. He enjoys knowing that his projects have a meaningful impact and always tries to incorporate spaces that promote human interaction wherever possible. He has designed projects for many university and institutional clients including Washington University in St. Louis, Howard County Community College, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Adrian Lowenstein

Founder

All Things Facades

Adrian Lowenstein is a Licensed Professional Engineer and business developer who holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Finance from the University of Delaware. He is a recognized voice in the facade and glazing industry, passionate about driving innovation and fostering collaboration across all project stakeholders. Adrian was named one of the glass industries Most Influential People by U.S. Glass Magazine and Emerging Professional by Facade Tectonics Institute Vitruvian Awards.

Adrian is the founder of All Things Facades, an independent consultancy and manufacturer’s representative firm dedicated to technical excellence and real-world execution in the building envelope industry. All Things Facades brings deep industry expertise, a vast network, and a relentless focus on quality and performance -bridge the gap between architects, developers, manufacturers, and contractors – helping projects move from concept to reality with precision, innovation, and clarity.

Jason Glatt

President

AWI

Jason Glatt is a senior leader in the architectural facades and glazing industry with a contractor-driven background focused on installation execution and project delivery. Based in the Washington, DC–Mid-Atlantic market, he has led facade and glazing scopes on complex commercial and mixed-use projects. His expertise centers on constructability, sequencing, procurement strategy, field coordination, and risk mitigation from preconstruction through installation.

Brad Carpenter

Senior Principal

SGH

Bradford S. Carpenter, P.E.

Brad Carpenter is a Senior Principal in Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.’s (SGH’s) Building Technology group in our Washington, DC office. Brad is experienced in investigating, rehabilitating, and designing building enclosure systems on historic and contemporary structures. Brad specializes in the design and integration of complex building enclosure systems, including waterproofing, air and water barriers, rain screen cladding, and all fenestration systems, with a focus on design efficiency, constructability, and performance.  He closely collaborates with designers and regularly leverages cross‑disciplinary capabilities at SGH to develop creative and thoughtful solutions to rehabilitation and new design challenges.

Brad has lectured extensively on the subjects of building enclosure investigation, preservation and rehabilitation, building science, construction materials, and building enclosure design for new structures in both industry and academic settings.  He has presented to numerous industry organizations, institutions and private companies and has lectured at Virginia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, The Catholic University of America, and as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Architecture of Howard University in Washington, DC, where he has lectured and developed courses on building materials, systems, performance, and design and construction methods. In addition to industry involvement in the Fenestration Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA, formerly AAMA), the Association for Preservation Technology International, and the Building Enclosure Council (Washington DC Chapter), Brad serves on the Board of Directors for the National Fenestration Rating Council. Mr. Carpenter has been with SGH since 2001 and currently serves on its Board of Directors.

Allie Carlson

Architect

Ayers Saint Gross

Allie Carlson, AIA Allie is an Ayers Saint Gross architect with more than ten years of experience across diverse project types, including higher education, residential, municipal, healthcare, and commercial projects. With a Bachelor’s of Science in Housing Studies from Virginia Tech and a Master of Architecture from Clemson University, she is adept at managing and balancing the needs of all project stakeholders, and she places strong emphasis on designing high-performance, functional spaces.

Raymond Shelton

Chief Sustainability Officer

YKK AP

Raymond is a global business leader with over two decades of experience in strategic communications, sustainability, finance and investor relations across the United States, Japan, and beyond. In his role as CSO, he oversees corporate communications, ESG strategy, and civic engagement to support the company’s ambitious growth and environmental goals. Prior to joining YKK AP America, Raymond held various executive roles with The Coca-Cola Company, including Executive Officer and Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications for Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan, where he contributed to critical transformation efforts for one of the top five Coca-Cola bottlers globally by revenue. He has represented multinational organizations at the highest levels, crafting compelling narratives and aligning stakeholders during periods of complexity and change. He holds an International MBA from the University of South Carolina, a BA in French from Vassar College, and studied Japanese at Waseda University in Tokyo. He is passionate about cross-cultural collaboration and mentorship.

Brian White

Technical Manager – Americas Insulating Glass

H.B. Fuller

Brian White is the Technical Manager for the Americas Insulating Glass team at H.B. Fuller Company, where he manages research and development and technical service for North America. Brian has been with H.B. Fuller for 10 years, starting as a scientist developing insulating glass sealants and gaining experience and familiarity within the fenestration industry. Currently, he is active in the Insulating Glass Manufacturer’s Alliance (IGMA), Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC), American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and supports activities in ASTM and the National Glass Association (NGA). He earned his B.A. in Biochemistry from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota.

Chris Heider

Business Development Manager

Longboard

Chris Heider specializes in exterior cladding and architectural design solutions across the Northeastern U.S. With a strong background in architecture and technical sales with a passion for elevating façade aesthetics, Chris partners with architects and builders to deliver sustainable aluminum systems that meet modern design and performance standards. He brings a hands-on approach to design-assist and project collaboration, helping clients navigate specifications and execution with confidence.

Louis Jin

Architectural Designer

Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Louis graduated from Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and joined Renzo Piano Building Workshop in 2016. He served as the on-site architect for the Whittle Schools & Studios Campus in Washington D.C., following the project from concept through construction. In 2020, he began working on the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins guiding it from its design phase through the current CA phase. Currently, he is helping lead the Tsientang University project in China.

Stephen Pasquarello

Senior Associate

Ayers Saint Gross

Stephen Pasquerello, AIA

A senior associate at Ayers Saint Gross, Stephen is a skilled designer and detailed- focused architect who has contributed to the planning, design and documentation of many college and university building projects around the country. Stephen was an integral member of the design and documentation team for the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and managed the firm’s on-site construction administration activities for the project.

Jon Catania

Architect

Ayers Saint Gross

Jon Catania, AIA, CCCA

An architect at Ayers Saint Gross, Jon brings nearly two decades of experience in architectural design and construction supervision for numerous cultural, education, and institutional projects. Highly skilled in BIM technology, Jon works to ensure proper documentation for complex designs. His experiences range from new construction and historic renovation to interior fit-outs and master planning. He is effective in understanding the design intent while ensuring that life safety, constructability, cost, and other practical concerns are met. Jon believes in an inclusive, collaborative design process that is guided by collective understanding and decision-making.

Kevin Johnson

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA, LEED AP

Kevin brings leadership to the firm’s design practice with 25 years of broad project experience including academic and research science buildings, healthcare, residential, commercial, and planning projects. With expertise in both architecture and landscape architecture, he takes a holistic view of projects to understand how buildings and their surroundings can work together most effectively.  

Kevin has a collaborative process that is guided by clear intent and decision-making. A skilled communicator, he believes that listening and asking effective questions are the key to a successful design. He uses detailed visuals in all forms of media, including diagrams, precedent images, sketches, computer models, and physical models to build consensus, while sharing information in a clear and understandable way.  

Kevin’s award-winning designs prioritize the human experience of the built environment. He enjoys knowing that his projects have a meaningful impact and always tries to incorporate spaces that promote human interaction wherever possible. He has designed projects for many university and institutional clients including Washington University in St. Louis, Howard County Community College, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Kevin Johnson

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA, LEED AP

Kevin brings leadership to the firm’s design practice with 25 years of broad project experience including academic and research science buildings, healthcare, residential, commercial, and planning projects. With expertise in both architecture and landscape architecture, he takes a holistic view of projects to understand how buildings and their surroundings can work together most effectively.  

Kevin has a collaborative process that is guided by clear intent and decision-making. A skilled communicator, he believes that listening and asking effective questions are the key to a successful design. He uses detailed visuals in all forms of media, including diagrams, precedent images, sketches, computer models, and physical models to build consensus, while sharing information in a clear and understandable way.  

Kevin’s award-winning designs prioritize the human experience of the built environment. He enjoys knowing that his projects have a meaningful impact and always tries to incorporate spaces that promote human interaction wherever possible. He has designed projects for many university and institutional clients including Washington University in St. Louis, Howard County Community College, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Smithsonian Institution.

Stephen Wright

Principal

Ayers Saint Gross

AIA

Stephen Wright is a design architect with over 38 years of experience creating unique spaces for learning and the arts. Working with the belief that student success is directly linked to the quality of academic spaces, he specializes in creating designs that enable social and intellectual interaction, interdisciplinary cross-learning, and artistic expression.  

Stephen is fascinated with the detailing and materiality that turns ordinary architecture into great architecture. A former classical singer, he approaches projects with a musician’s mind, interplaying light, materials, textures, and color to create spaces that delight occupants and visitors alike. He enjoys helping clients see greater possibilities for what their spaces can be and how their work can be enhanced through design.  

Since joining Ayers Saint Gross in 2016, Stephen has enjoyed providing opportunities for and sharing knowledge with the next generation of architectural leaders. Outside of the office, he serves as the chairman of the Washington Architecture Foundation, where he works to expand educational outreach programs for young people and colleges and universities. He is also active in local arts organizations, serving on the board of the Washington Bach Consort.

Diana Darling

CEO & Creative Director

The Architect’s Newspaper

Darling is CEO, creative director, and co-founder of The Architect’s Newspaper, which recently celebrated its 20th year. The A|N media company consists of print and digital publications covering architecture and design news, as well as the Facades+ and TECH+ conferences. As A|N’s publisher, Darling won the AIA National Collaboration Award, Grassroots Preservation Award, and ASLA NY’s President’s Award. She began her publishing career as director of print production for The Gap’s European markets. She holds a BS from The University of Texas at Austin.