The Future of Design: Sustainability, Innovations & Trends

How D.C. is designing its neighborhoods while also considering factors of sustainability, public spaces, health and wellness and new innovations and technology.

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  Eran Chen

  Since establishing ODA in 2007, Eran Chen has earned a reputation for mold-breaking designs that will deliver a better urban future. Having completed more than 50 buildings in just over a decade, he has become one of the most prolific architects in New York. Eran’s work has been widely published around the world and recognized by the AIA, the Society of American Registered Architects and others. In addition to guest lectures globally, Eran is a professor at Columbia University and New York University. His recent projects include the renovation of the former Postkantoor in Rotterdam, a mass-timber residential building in Washington D.C., and the conversion of a defunct parking garage into a public park and class A office building in Buenos Aires. His writings on architecture have been published in ODA’s book, Unboxing New York, and he is working with Rizzoli on an upcoming monograph.

  ODA

  Founder & Executive Director

  Eran Chen

  Founder & Executive Director

  ODA

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  Yolanda Cole

  Yolanda is the Senior Principal and owner of Hickok Cole Architects, a large commercial architecture and interiors firm located in Washington, DC. She has over 25 years of base building and interior design experience in a variety of project types from large-scale, mixed-use developments to small commercial interiors, both around the world and in the region. She is widely recognized for her leadership in the region’s business community and for her work on many award-winning projects in the commercial/corporate, government, and institutional markets. Prior to joining Hickok Cole Architects as a partner, Ms. Cole was a partner with Arlington-based LyrixDesign, which merged with Hickok’s firm to become Hickok Cole. LyrixDesign was one of the top 25 woman-owned and interior design firms in the region. She began her career with New York-based Kohn Pederson Fox Associates (KPF), where she was a senior designer of large-scale high-rise office buildings. While with KPF, Ms. Cole served as senior designer for the 1.2-million square-foot Chifley Tower in Sydney, Australia, where she lived for two years; and the award-winning Capital Cities/ABC headquarters in New York.

  Hickok Cole

  Senior Principal

  Yolanda Cole

  Senior Principal

  Hickok Cole

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  Erin McDannald

  Erin McDannald, CEO and co-owner of Lighting Environments and its sister companies, Elevated and Environments, has guided clients throughout the entire lighting design and construction process for over two decades. Trained as an interior designer, McDannald joined Baltimore’s New Design Light firm in the sales department in 2003 before becoming co-owner in 2009. Under her leadership, the company rebranded to Lighting Environments to reflect the company’s expansion into lighting technology offerings for all built environments. Honored as a 2022 Bisnow “Innovator of the Year” in commercial real estate, Erin is recognized as a top female leader in DC’s real estate field. Now a pioneer for IoT (Internet of Things) integration and building and workplace management, McDannald is leading today’s workforce through powerful digital transformation with the Elevated™ app. Elevated, a proprietary building management application, grants users unmatched access and awareness of their built environments. Elevated’s all-in-one interface supports interactive, engaging spaces and supports real estate ROI. Environments is an IoT integrator and software development company offering full-scale adaptable solutions that support businesses from end-to-end, from energy management to health monitoring. With every development and service, Erin McDannald and the Lighting Environments brands continue to innovate for spaces that are expertly designed, well-connected, and flexible for each user and occupant.

  Elevated

  CEO

  Erin McDannald

  CEO

  Elevated

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  Shantee Blain

  Shantee Blain is Office Director for HKS Washington, D.C. As a project architect and project manager, she strives to bring creative solutions to complex Health projects including MRI suites and renovations. Shantee is passionate about the positive impact design can have on community well-being.

  HKS

  Office Director

  Shantee Blain

  Office Director

  HKS

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  Diana Horvat

  Diana Horvat has been practicing architecture for more than 30 years, with a focus on architectural interiors and a specialization in sustainable design. Her approach to projects is hands-on, ensuring teams focus on the client’s vision and priorities. Diana remains involved throughout the life of a project from site selection and programming through design and project implementation. She has extensive experience in innovative strategic planning for large-scale, fast-track projects and has successfully led programming, strategy, and design efforts for internationally prominent organizations.

  23/Consulting LLC

  Principal

  Moderator

  Diana Horvat

  Principal

  23/Consulting LLC

Creating & Designing D.C.: Projects, Partnerships & More

Learn how architects, designers and developers, work together to tackle client demands, overcome challenges in construction and design costs, and understand the project as a whole.

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  Martiena Schneller

  Martiena Schneller joined Hoffman & Associates in 2012, and as Senior Vice President of Design, determines design and quality standards across the company’s portfolio and manages the retail development division. With over a decade of experience, Martiena utilizes her architectural and urban planning background to guide her development and construction management role. Across her time at Hoffman & Associates, Martiena has worked on several notable projects including all residential units, office buildings and entertainment venues at The Wharf. Beyond her work on The Wharf, Martiena managed the public-private partnership with Montgomery County in Bethesda for two residential projects: The Darcy and The Flats, along with The Bower, a 137-unit condominium at The Yards and The Banks, a 10-story apartment residence located in the Southwest DC. She is currently focused on the company’s expanding portfolio including Seaboard Station, West Falls and Parcel B at Audi Field. Prior to joining Hoffman & Associates, Martiena served in architectural and construction management roles at Lukemire Partnership, EE&K Architects and Wiencek & Associates. Across her career she has contributed to the community by volunteering her architectural skills to projects for Habitat for Humanity, Christmas In April DC and District of Columbia Building Industries Association Community Improvement. Martiena is a LEED® Accredited Professional. She graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and the University of Maryland with a Master of Architecture.

  Hoffman & Associates

  SVP, Design

  Martiena Schneller

  SVP, Design

  Hoffman & Associates

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  Gayle Kirchmar

  Gayle Kirchmar is a Principal and owner of KCCT, a Washington, DC-based multidisciplinary design firm focused on planning, architecture, and interior design. Gayle has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in complex projects including secure facilities, office buildings, conference centers, training facilities and operations centers throughout the United States and abroad. An expert in mission-critical projects, Kirchmar’s interdisciplinary leadership delivers workspaces for KCCT’s clients that are imperative to national security operations. She is responsible for projects from concept through completion ranging in scale from small tenant fit- outs to entire campus redevelopments. Some of Gayle’s favorite projects include the Department of State Headquarters, OEM Conference & Training Center, Foreign Affairs Security Training Center, Navy Hill, and the FBI’s J. Edgar Hoover Building, where she was able to use her interest in finding ways to make existing structures blend functionally and securely with project parameters. Ms. Kirchmar received her Bachelor of Arts, Graphic Design from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and her Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech. Prior to joining KCCT in 2002, she specialized in community development and stabilization projects to facilitate Washington, DC’s ongoing renaissance, including the University of the District of Columbia renovations, the Mary Church Terrell House for Howard University, and the Ellen Wilson Community Center.

  KCCT Architecture

  Principal

  Gayle Kirchmar

  Principal

  KCCT Architecture

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  Russell Zung

  Mr. Zung is a Principal at MV+A responsible for the management and exceptional design delivery of many of the firm’s larger projects. Drawing on a broad range of experience with public and private projects in retail, multi‑family and office sectors, Russell can foresee challenges and provide meaningful solutions throughout project delivery. Russell’s responsibilities include management of all sub‑consultants, the development and delivery of project designs and facilitating communications with ownership, contractors, and tenants.

  MV+A Architects

  Principal

  Russell Zung

  Principal

  MV+A Architects

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  Ryan Altschul

  Ryan joined Cerami seven years ago, having built a far-reaching reputation in the Audiovisual industry blending technology design with his experience in management consulting, which is one reason why we all count on him for breakthrough solutions. On a typical day, Ryan provides road mapping on Unified Communications deployments and AV projects, as well as supports the Cerami team on multiple platforms, technologies, and workplace systems designs. Ryan has a head for technology strategy and a heart for AV design and blends them seamlessly as he leads Cerami’s Philadelphia office. He is humble about his role in helping to grow the Philadelphia skyline, but once you get him talking about the Drexel Academic Tower, Jefferson School of Nursing, Schuylkill Yards, Morgan Lewis, or Comcast, there is no stopping him. His influence reaches beyond the Philadelphia area supporting nationwide and international clients such as Fannie Mae, CIBC, Allergan/Abvee, Northwestern Mutual, and Dubai Expo 2020. Ryan’s goal is to leverage technology solutions that support the way people live and work leading with a people-first mentality.

  Cerami

  Associate Principal

  Ryan Altschul

  Associate Principal

  Cerami

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  David Benson

  With a dynamic start in my family's business at age 15, I embodied the values of hard work and faith. Transitioning from Electrical Engineering to Pre-Health at The George Washington University. Post-graduation, I committed to then Architectural Ceramics, Inc. In 2021 we rebranded as Architessa. Today, David continues to drive inside-outside sales, mastering individual and team dynamics, and contributing to remarkable growth. Over the years, I managed showrooms, embraced diverse roles, and gleaned insights from premier business groups like EO and Vistage. As Architessa's President since 2019, I lead strategic expansion, enhancing our nationwide commercial and residential footprint. Guided by strong values and a resilient spirit, I navigate challenges, believing in hard work and ambition.

  Architessa

  President

  Moderator

  David Benson

  President

  Architessa