Chicago Architecture and Design Real Estate Summit

Krista’s experience in all phases of the design and construction process, along with her versatility working in many project roles has made her a valuable team leader. Her intrinsic optimism coupled with her technical skills and natural ability to decipher and solve complex problems is indispensable when working on the wide variety of challenging projects at Ross Barney Architects. Krista’s approach to architecture involves seeing ideas become reality by tenaciously working to maintain design integrity and project goals throughout the design and construction process. From reimagining a new gateway to the Lincoln Park Zoo to master planning and modernizing a mid-century girls’ school for Regina Dominican High School, Krista’s dedication to good design along with her commitment to her clients has guided and readied them as they build towards the future. At Ross Barney Architects, Krista leads by example; guiding, encouraging, and mentoring her teams. She enjoys all aspects of the architectural process and loves to share her experiences and provide learning opportunities to enhance the growth of younger staff.

Paul Schlapobersky is a Principal and Director of Planning and Urban Design, overseeing all aspects of the studios in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle. As an urban designer and architect, Paul brings to the firm nearly three decades of experience on a broad range of commercial, campus, and civic projects in the United States and abroad. Paul’s initial career focus on the design and delivery of high-quality individual buildings enables him to conceive of urban design projects literally “from the ground up,” accompanied by a deep understanding of technical requirements, as well as the ambitions and imperatives of clients. His collaborative design and management style fosters exploration and dialogue in diverse environments, facilitated by his belief that great ideas come from an open and dynamic design process; this allows Paul to create durable and timeless solutions that are inspiring and implementable. Prior to joining SCB, Paul held leadership positions at Sasaki, as well as Machado and Silvetti. His diverse portfolio of work includes industry-leading and award-winning commercial master plans and campus master plans, ranging from a few acres to several thousand. Notable past projects include campus planning for University of California, Berkeley and Case Western Reserve University. He also led the master plan of the 23 million-square-foot Kuala Lumpur International Financial District, now in its tenth year of build-out. Paul was also urban designer for the 776 Summer Street Innovation District in Boston and Lakeview Village in Toronto, both of which are models for the importance of sustainability and climate-change resilience. Paul received a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and a Master of Science in Architecture Studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Paul’s passion for his craft has led him to play a strong role in mentorship and education in the Boston area, where he often serves as a guest reviewer at MIT, Northeastern University, MassArt, and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. He has also led graduate-level design courses at MIT and Harvard, utilizing his expertise to contribute to the education of the next generation of urban designers. A licensed architect in Massachusetts, Paul is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Boston Society of Architects, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Brett Taylor is a Principal in Gensler’s Chicago office and a regional leader of the firm’s Government & Defense practice. He brings deep expertise in the delivery of complex mixed-use, office, and multifamily residential projects, with a career defined by managing large, high-profile developments in Chicago, the U.S., and internationally. His portfolio includes The 78, ONE Central, the E.M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, and the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva. A recipient of the AIA National Young Architect Award, Brett has been actively engaged in professional leadership, serving on the AIA National Young Architects Advisory Committee and the AIA Chicago Executive Committee for more than a decade. He has also served on boards at the Art Institute of Chicago and continues to support community initiatives through his volunteer work with Rebuilding Together. Brett holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Norwich University, a military college, where he also served on the Board of Fellows.

Ann has a rich 30-year career in award-winning commercial lighting and lighting design. In 2002, Ann established her own company specializing in LED-based commercial lighting fixtures achieving significant recognition, multiple patents and product design awards, including Best New Product of the Year. Following a successful tenure leading her lighting company, Ann returned to her roots as a lighting designer, driven by her enduring passion for architecture and light. Whether engaged in luminaire design or lighting system design, Ann’s commitment to excellence shines through her work. She is recognized as an industry authority, presenting at Lightfair International, Neocon, LEDucation, LED Specifier Summits, and Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) National Conferences.