Damir "Founding Intern" Vukovljak

Quianka "Q" Johnson

Mona "Lux" Luxion

Carly

Rashmi Ramaswamy
Rashmi has been working as an architect in Chicago for 12 years, and has a diverse background in architecture, education and a strong personal interest in public housing issues and environmental.

Rashmi has worked for 9 years at McBride Kelley Baurer, a Chicago architectural firm, as project manager and Senior Associate. She has been involved in several projects in Chicago for non-for-profit t clients including a campus for at-risk teen youth, a transitional shelter for women, HUD 202 senior housing and a daycare facility. She has also worked on an assortment of faith based projects and has extensive experience with corporate clients including IBM and Wrigley. Her work at the Wrigley building has ranged between urban design/master planning, building restoration and preservation to tenant build-outs. These projects have given her an understanding of the complicated processes involved in securing funding and meeting regulations.

Rashmi has led MKB's sustainable effort, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. At a personal level, she is committed to women's issues and affordable housing. She serves on the boards of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, and archi-treasures, and is a member of USGBC, Chicago Chapter Programs Committee.

Michael Newman
Mike has been an architect in Chicago for 14 years, and worked previously in Boston and Philadelphia. His work has focused on design innovation for issues of sustainability and affordability in housing and social justice projects. Other concentrations have been on constructability and professional practice topics.

Mike has worked for 12 years as Senior Associate at CAPA, a well-known Chicago architectural firm, on projects including affordable housing, community planning designs, commercial and institutional projects, and market rate developments. His work there most recently has been on inventive sustainable projects such as Tryon Farm, a 150-unit development in Michigan City, Indiana. Since leaving CAPA, Mike has designed a series of units of housing, and is currently working on several sustainable market rate projects.

Mike has also a keen interest in teaching, and has been Adjunct Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago for the past 6 years, teaching design studios, building science and preparatory classes for architectural licensure. Previously, Mike taught at Archeworks, an innovative design school that develops solutions for projects focusing on social issues.