AMY AGNE grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, a historic suburb of Boston where Revolutionary War reenactments were performed every year. She was drawn not only to United States history, but also to the historical architecture of Boston with its Colonial houses, brownstone buildings, and cobblestone roads. At a young age, Amy began to draw miniature floorplans of her bedroom and lug furniture around, quickly determining she was meant to study architecture. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Marketing. After interning with Historical Concepts twice, she joined Historical Concepts in 2023, where she is excited to be surrounded by the talented architects and artists she works with daily. Amy also volunteers for the Special Olympics through Best Buddies and for Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

CONNOR M. BINGHAM arrived at Historical Concepts as a summer intern in 2015 and started full-time in 2016, equipped with a diverse range of architectural education. Prior to graduating with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, Connor developed an appreciation for ornament and structure as architecture. These affinities quickly led him to the study of vernacular, traditional, and then classical architecture. As a graduate student at the University of Colorado-Denver, Connor was honored to be the recipient of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art’s Robert and Judi Newman Student Award, distinguished himself as a two-time Clinton Scholar, and served as the President of the Students for Classical Architecture-Denver Chapter. His recent proposal, Apprenticeship and Attitudes on Architecture: A Study of Architectural Education, earned him the 2020 J. Neel Reid Fellowship by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Connor notes that architects convey in drawings that which is not yet real. He loves witnessing the evolution of an idea into a built form.

Mary Elizabeth Bland’s path to architecture can be traced to her upbringing. Her father and grandfather were both civil engineers; she credits them with her early interest in buildings. Her deep appreciation for Classical and Southern vernacular architecture, however, springs from her childhood domain: she grew up in an 1840s Greek Revival home in western Tennessee. At Centre College, a small liberal arts school, Mary Elizabeth was able to study both math and studio art, a subject that first awakened her attraction to classical proportions. While studying abroad, she began to see architecture as perhaps a truer expression of culture than the fine arts; buildings were “living art that people could become part of.” This epiphany led Mary Elizabeth to enroll in the Master of Architecture program at the University of Notre Dame. Here, the graduate student’s purpose and past began to converge; she studied classical architecture throughout Europe, but also explored the comparatively contemporary classicism in her own back yard, the American South. Upon graduation in 2015, Mary Elizabeth eagerly joined Historical Concepts based on the familiarity of the firm’s work. In the firm’s portfolio, she sees her own history and a strong sense of place, something she intrinsically values and strives to create for others. She is the recipient of the 2019 J. Neel Reid Prize given by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Her research involved studying architecture and urbanism from the Hapsburg Empire in Central Europe, specifically in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest.

The New England environment in which he was raised inspired DAVID C. BRYANT’s interest in traditional architecture and building techniques. Dave spent a lot of time around vernacular farms with wonderful houses and outbuilding such as barns, corn cribs, well heads, and privies. Ultimately, his exposure to some of the finest examples of Georgian and Federal architecture in the country led Dave to pursue an education that combines engineering and architectural design with practical experience in the field of traditional timber frame construction. Dave has been with Historical Concepts since 1995. Dave is a Design Specialist who supports each studio, applying his extensive studies of the patterns and massing of small buildings, as well as his passion for historic, vernacular residential architecture, detailing, and construction methods to the firm’s projects, from initial schematic design through the construction phase. Dave possess a unique ability to detail interior spaces and he creates hand sketches of these details in support of many design development efforts. He has been an integral member of several Historical Concepts teams to receive residential accolades, including a Shutze Award in 2008. Dave is an active member of the Institute for Classical Architecture & Art. In his spare time Dave enjoys sailing a 34’ sloop and perfecting his home brew.

ALISON BUERSMEYER, unlike many of her colleagues, made a “very late” decision to become an architect. She received her Bachelor of Architecture degree with a concentration in Architectural Practice and Entrepreneurship from the University of Notre Dame. An internship led to G. P. Schafer Architect in New York, where she worked on residential projects throughout the US, from guest house barns in Maine and Newport Beach to apartment and townhouse renovations in New York City.

Ali has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, served as an Intern Coordinator at GPSA, and was a Resident Assistant while a student at Notre Dame. She enjoys cooking and is always trying new recipes for her roommates. A huge sports fan, Ali is a regular at her neighborhood Liverpool Football Club supporters’ bar early on weekend mornings. She has loved playing The Sims (one of the best-selling video game series of all time) since middle school; her mother credits her initial curiosity in architecture to her time designing houses in the game.

From an early age CHRISTOPHER CARRIGAN had an affinity for drawing and math, but it was not until high school that he was introduced to architecture and became “hooked on the balance of design and building science.” Chris first joined the firm after graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 2002. In 2005, he decided to take a leave of absence to pursue graduate studies in town design, eventually returning to Historical Concepts with a Master of Architecture from the University of Miami in 2006. Chris has a deep passion for traditional architecture and neighborhood-scale master planning. He has been active in numerous civic and professional organizations such as the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, and previously served as President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism. His generalist approach to architecture and master planning, along with his eye for detail, is well‐recognized within the firm and by his peers. Chris has contributed to several custom residential, civic, and urban design projects, a number of which received Shutze Awards, and previously served as an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Miami. Working remotely from a small town outside of Minneapolis, MN, Chris enjoys spending time with his kids on various outdoor activities, woodworking, watching baseball, and relaxing at the lake.

CHRISTIAN CULLINAN credits his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia for his appreciation for sustainable cities and memorable architecture. He was drawn to Historical Concepts’ penchant for placemaking and joined the firm in 2022. On projects and in his free time, he employs sketching by hand as a means to learn from the built environment and imagine new opportunities for it.

Prior to joining the firm, Christian spent three years at Robert A.M. Stern Architects contributing to several higher education and mixed-use projects. Drawing from his experience there working with large design teams and multiple project stakeholders, he takes great satisfaction in collaboration through all phases of the design process.

Christian is an active participant in his professional community. In 2021, he was selected as an Emerging Leader by the Society for College and University Planning, where he also serves as a Community Chair. He has been a mentor and instructor for the Architecture, Construction, & Engineering Mentor Program, the New York City College of Technology Career and Portfolio Workshop, the University of Virginia Summer Enrichment Program, and a lecture series on classical architecture that he co-organized. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame, magna cum laude, and was awarded a 2019 McKim, Mead & White Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art for his thesis project. He is a registered architect in the state of Georgia.

CHRIS EILAND became interested in architecture for the way it combines so many traditional disciplines such as history, geography, philosophy, the arts, physics, engineering, and even business into a “built product.” Chris first came to Historical Concepts as a summer intern in 2004. He completed not one, but two internships at Historical Concepts before joining the firm full‐time in 2006. Chris has a degree in architecture from the University of Notre Dame and considers himself a true “generalist” with a genuine interest in each phase of a project from schematic design and conceptualization to the construction phase. He appreciates that being a generalist means there will “always be something new to learn and apply to the next design problem.” Chris has contributed to a wide range of commercial, planning, and residential project types throughout the country. Outside of the office, Chris enjoys improving his own home and spending time with his family, especially his two young sons.

MATTHEW GAMBETTA acquired his appreciation of beautiful historical architecture while growing up in New Jersey and traveling with his family to Maine and cities in the Northeast. However, that interest didn’t become a potential career opportunity until he was a student in his high school‘s AP Studio Art program, when he realized that practicing architecture would utilize his artistic and drafting skills. He continued to take drawing classes and draw in his spare time while earning his Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the University of Notre Dame and while studying philosophy for a year in seminary with the Congregation of Holy Cross. After a year of seminary, Matt pursued a Master of Architecture degree at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., studying classical architecture and urbanism under James McCrery, where his passion for classical and traditional architecture grew as he explored Washington’s plethora of monumental and vernacular architecture.

Matt was drawn to Historical Concepts by its precedent-based design approach and emphasis on creating architecture rooted to places and climes, retaining traditional aesthetics and building practices while fulfilling contemporary needs. Matt took part in Historical Concepts’ Intern Program in the summer of 2021 and joined the firm in the summer of 2022. He is a member of the ICAA and spends his free time cooking (especially for crowds), reading, listening to jazz and classical music, and making the occasional day trip to new destinations.

IAN GRIFFEY always knew he wanted to be an architect. His grandmother was a realtor, and even as a child he appreciated beauty in architectural detail as he visited properties with her. His parents, avid do-it-yourselfers, have renovated nearly every house Ian has lived in, and he learned much about the architectural process by assisting with those renovations. But his traditional architecture “aha” moment occurred while studying for his BS degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Brigham Young University, where studying engineering revealed the value and importance of permanence, durability, character and harmony in architecture.

Upon receiving his M. Arch from the University of Notre Dame, Ian joined Historical Concepts in August 2020 after two internships with the firm. He spends his leisure time with his wife and daughter.

PAUL HAISLMAIER first came to Historical Concepts in 2013 as a summer intern and returned as a full-time member of the team in 2014 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Miami. Paul found the world of architecture through construction, building homes as a teenager in the family business. Experience in framing and finish carpentry instilled an appreciation for the planning needed to make a home feel right, and a fascination with how construction details come together.

A local class on the history of architecture, which examined the work of the ancient Greeks and Romans, solidified a burgeoning interest in traditional architecture. Paul’s education at the University of Miami, where he delved into the principles of vernacular and classical design, serves as a foundation for continued learning. When not working on residential designs or developer related projects, Paul enjoys the great outdoors with his family, playing classical violin, and working on home renovations.

HOLLIE HASTINGS grew up in the Turks and Caicos Islands, witnessing firsthand how the constructed environment can positively impact individual lives and an entire country. The building industry enabled the island to thrive; observing the large and small-scale joy it brought to the community always inspired her, and she realized she wanted to play a role in that industry to be a catalyst for change. Hollie joined HC in July 2021 upon graduating cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, earning her Bachelor of Architecture with a concentration in Architectural Practice and Enterprise. She is a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honors Society, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA), and recipient of the Ray Stuermer Memorial Award for Excellence in Design. Hollie is an avid hiker; treks in Wales and Costa Rica are among her favorites.

NAYUN HONG describes her path to architecture as “fortuitous”. Growing up in denser urban neighborhoods in Seoul, South Korea, and Honolulu, Hawaii, she was always interested in the built environment and the roles of buildings and infrastructure in activating public spaces. However, she wasn’t fully aware of that interest and its professional opportunities until she arrived at the University of Notre Dame where she discovered a program perfectly suited to her interests in placemaking. After receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from Notre Dame, Nayun joined the firm in 2022. She enjoys the opportunity to design at all scales through the firm’s wide range of projects, from studying the relationship between cabinetry and trim details to imagining the interstitial space between buildings as a new plaza. Nayun was a recipient of the Benton Family Foundation Scholarship for the 2023 ICAA Christopher H. Browne Drawing Tour, which was held in Venice. Outside of the office, Nayun enjoys solo traveling, playing the oboe with a local orchestra, and exploring Atlanta’s many neighborhoods on bike. She considers herself an amateur and experimental home chef, trying everything from her grandma’s Korean dishes to viral Internet recipes.

PAUL KNIGHT joined Historical Concepts full time in 2011 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has dual Masters degrees in Architecture and City Planning. Paul’s research on the link between legal codes and the built environment has been presented at several national conferences. Additionally, Paul is a founding board member and Executive Director of the Douglas C. Allen Institute for the Study of Cities, a non-profit organization that advances knowledge in the fields of urban design, landscape architecture, and architecture.

KELLEN KRAUSE, RA attributes his interest in architecture and urban design to academic settings of Cleveland’s historic Ohio City and Chicago’s Lincoln Park. Coupled with a BFA in Scene Design from DePaul University’s acclaimed Theatre School conservatory and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame, these experiences opened his eyes to the freedoms that walkable environments can offer. Having joined Historical Concepts in 2014, Kellen’s education and travels impress upon him that a mix of classical and traditional architecture, building type, use, and good urbanism are fundamental to a satisfying quality of life. Those lessons have been applied along the eastern seaboard and to award‐winning projects recognized by the CNU and ICAA. He is very active at the ICAA as an instructor and produces their podcast Classicism in Conversation. When not holding a pencil, Kellen can be found biking, playing piano, cooking, reading, or enjoying life out from under a roof.

LINDSAY LABUDDE believes her love of architecture is rooted in a gift from her grandfather, an engineer. Despite his advice on putting together Barbie’s Hawaiian Hut, Lindsay, who was unable to read at the time, recalls perfect results based solely on “looking at the picture on the box.” As she got older, her interest in toys faded, but not her interest in housing and construction. She says, “I think I’ve always had an interest in how people use space, and how spaces work together.” Lindsay joined Historical Concepts in 2004 after completing her degree in architecture at the University of Arizona. Lindsay’s role as a project manager allows her to focus on her passion; interior finishes and design, where “everything has its place.” Her understanding of iconic architectural forms and details was a contributing factor in Historical Concepts’ Shutze Award in 2012 for the design of a classical pool pavilion. When not involved in schematic design or providing construction phase related services, Lindsay can be found with her family or engaging in various athletic pursuits. Her bucket list includes travel along the Mediterranean coast.

SABRINA LEE grew up in Mundelein, Illinois and joined our team in 2023. Her love of architecture was inspired in part by her grandfather, who built his own home and several cabins in Wisconsin. While working towards her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, she added a minor in Italian and a concentration in Architectural Practice & Enterprise. Sabrina grew up dancing and was part of the Notre Dame Dance Company for all 5 years of her program. She is excited to be with Historical Concepts for the fact that the firm does both residential and planning work, and she is looking forward to helping clients of all types turn their dreams into reality. New to the city, Sabrina enjoys spending her free time exploring Atlanta, especially by way of the Beltline.

Originally from Austin, Texas, AVA LONGORIA joined Historical Concepts in 2023. During a childhood spent with her creative family, she loved to explore different neighborhoods with her mother, admiring the homes around her and dreaming of designing one someday. Ava studied at the University of Notre Dame, earning her Bachelor of Architecture with a concentration in Furniture Design, a course of study which not only heightened her appreciation for traditional craftsmanship but allowed her to acquire the fine woodworking skills needed to create her own pieces. As a teaching assistant at Notre Dame in hand drawing and watercolor rendering, Ava shared her enthusiasm for architecture as the ultimate connection between art and experience, not just to look at but to live in and create new memories. She is excited to be part of Historical Concepts, particularly for the firm’s emphasis on community and teamwork. In her free time, Ava loves to go to concerts with her family and friends.

Growing up in a military family, Evan Markley was accustomed to relocating frequently; his parents would purchase and renovate a home with each move, which influenced his interest in building design early on. Living throughout the United States introduced him to various local architectural languages, and he developed a deep passion for traditional design under the guidance of James McCrery at The Catholic University of America, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture and Master of Architecture with concentration in Classical Architecture and Urbanism. Evan took part in Historical Concepts’ Intern Program in the summer of 2021 and joined the firm in 2022. An avid sports lover, Evan played lacrosse for Catholic University while completing his master’s thesis on the integration of athletics and academics in the university setting.

CAMDEN MCCLELLAND was hooked on architecture the moment he heard it defined as “a profession in which science and art come together.” His interest in traditional architecture was solidified in college while studying the drawings of ancient buildings. Camden came to Atlanta and joined Historical Concepts in 2012. He graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2009, and worked for a number of years for firms in Washington State and Washington, D.C. Camden particularly enjoys the personal connections he has with his clients and contractors and says his favorite aspects of the design process are “working out the symmetries and axes in a plan”. He appreciates that some of the earliest design decisions, like those concerning massing or program, can have an impact on the smallest details, like the curve on a molding or the shape of a handrail, or vice versa. Camden, who is from the Pacific Northwest, can always be found with a hot cup of coffee within arm’s reach and thinks that Fall is the best season because it offers the perfect weather for sketching.

Originally from Birmingham, Michigan, LUCAS MISRA joined Historical Concepts in 2023. Earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame with minors in Theology and Digital Marketing, he was a Dean’s List student every semester as well as a teaching assistant in Graphics Drawing and for the Architectural Career Discovery program. Lucas received an Honorable Mention for Design Excellence from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for their collegiate design contest and is affiliated with the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU), the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, the Georgia Historical Society, and the Dante Society of America. When Lucas first discovered the work of Historical Concepts, he was immediately taken with the firm’s project photographs, sketches, and commitment to classical design. He wanted to be part of a firm that considered mentoring young architects a priority. An avid lover of Italian culture, he has read the Divine Comedy four times. Outside of work, you will find him baking or playing piano.

ASHLEY MORRISON attributes her early passion for architecture to an elementary school exploration of the Lockerbie Square Historic District in Indianapolis; its narrow cobblestone streets and eclectic 19th century homes were her first exposure to a “place with soul.” An appreciation for craftsmanship followed: Her college participation with The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community furthered her understanding of traditional building, offering her practical experience in techniques such as joinery, pargetting, plastering, stone carving, and thatching. After graduating summa cum laude from the School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame in 2017, Ashley joined Historical Concepts where she is immersed in an interest she discovered during her summer internship with the firm: architectural interiors. Ashley is keen to work on the parts of a home most intimately experienced, and has contributed to the design of the interiors for several homes in a variety of locations from the Northeastern coast to the Carolina Lowcountry. She is a new member of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. When not immersed in architecture, Ashley states she is an “aspiring and very non-professional chef.”

REBECCA PENDLEY interned with Historical Concepts in 2007 and joined the firm in 2008, after receiving her degree in architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Rebecca’s focus at the firm has been on custom residential design and the renovation of historic properties, where her membership in the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art has been invaluable. She typically joins a project at the beginning of the design process and follows it all the way through construction phase services, which Rebecca finds to be informative and rewarding. She particularly enjoys applying her skills in SketchUp and Photoshop to these designs. Rebecca credits her parents; her mother is an artist and her father is a civil engineer who “loves working with his hands,” for her interest in architecture; she believes the two professions are brought together in creating buildings and great places.

JESSI ROKICKI’s architectural origins lie in her family’s annual gingerbread house decoration party. At these get-togethers, a young Jessi was encouraged to think beyond the ornamentation, to consider structural additions or outbuildings which could be added to the scene. When Jessi traveled in Europe during college she saw “gingerbread houses” again, in the traditional architecture of Ireland, Belgium, and Holland, and remembered the “passion and joy” she had for design as a child. Jessi joined Historical Concepts in 2007, after receiving her undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She returned to Georgia Tech to pursue a Master of Architecture in Urban Design and Facilities Management while working for the firm. Since completing that program, Jessi has enjoyed coupling her interest in urban design with traditional architecture in an effort to make more satisfying and whole places. Jessi is an integral part of Historical Concept’s leadership team focused on production standards and applications, and her involvement with this area of practice allows her to participate in the mentoring and training of new staff. Jessi is an avid tennis player and was recently runner up for the city champion title in a local league.

MATT SCHAEFER joined Historical Concepts in 2017 after obtaining his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. Raised in a suburb of Toledo, Ohio, he cared deeply for the environment at a young age and spent a great deal of time playing outside and drawing. While at Notre Dame, Matt explored the juncture of sustainability and traditional architecture. He studied time‐honored methods of construction, historic patterns of city development, and the public health benefits associated with community planning approaches such as the New Urbanism. Now, Matt is pleased to work on projects at a variety of scales and environments, from the fine details of a home on the water to the master plan of a town on wooded hills. Matt is a National Parks enthusiast and enjoys his proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains with an annual camping trip each fall. He is also a devoted student of the father of landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted. On a nice weekend day, you can find Matt walking or running through Grant Park or Piedmont Park, two Atlanta gems designed by Olmsted’s sons.

ANDREW SEAGO acquired an early appreciation of Middle Tennessee’s charming vernacular buildings thanks to his parents and teachers’ insistence that beauty was an essential component of education. His love of classical architecture evolved during a school trip to the Parthenon in Nashville, and he has been pursuing that passion since.

Andrew joined the firm in 2020 upon receiving his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. While in school, his project with future wife and fellow Historical Concepts team member, Madeline, for a Seville, Spain master plan won a New Urban Guild award at the 27th Congress for New Urbanism. He is also the recipient of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art’s 2021 Philip Trammell Shutze Student/Emerging Professional award.

Andrew’s degree concentration in Furniture Design with a minor in Classics influences his pastimes as well as his career. He enjoys building furniture, sketching, and curating a home library with his wife and daughter.

MADELINE SEAGO always wanted to be an illustrator and artist. Homeschooled while traveling across the country in her family’s Airstream caravan, experiencing great cities and architecture firsthand was deeply influential in steering her toward architecture. After a summer 2019 internship with the firm’s New York and Atlanta teams, Madeline joined Historical Concepts in 2020 upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame. Her thesis proposal for a women’s boardinghouse in Manhattan was inspired by the Webster Apartments, where she lived during her internship in New York. The project won a 2020 Stanford White Student Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.

Madeline enjoys working alongside husband, and Historical Concepts colleague, Andrew Seago. While at Historical Concepts, Madeline and Andrew have been TAs for ICAA Drawing Tours in Washington, D.C. and Savannah.

Madeline loves spending time with her young daughter and husband – particularly playing with blocks. Madeline is on the construction side of things, her daughter is the demolition team.

At twelve years old, LORA SHEA decided the only logical way to combine her love of art and creativity (fostered by her mother) with her love of math and its practical applications (attributed to her grandfather, a former Bell Lab’s engineer) was to pursue architecture. She spent several summers while in college working in the construction field with her contractor father in order to understand how to build a structure before designing one. After completing her junior year of college, Lora worked at Historical Concepts as part of the firm’s 2013 summer internship program. A year later, after graduating from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in architectural engineering, she joined Historical Concepts full‐time where her affinity for design rooted in place, time, and culture thrived. At Historical Concepts, Lora has shared her interest in the impact of architecture on the environment in pursuit of sustainability with a like‐minded team. In 2016 Lora joined the office in New York City. Lora’s love for learning about history, art, and science takes her to museums and lectures throughout the city. Beyond architecture, Lora’s passions include painting, travel, and tending for a vibrant window‐sill garden.

Raised in Upstate New York, in an old farmhouse built in the 1860s, FOREST Q. SICKLES enjoyed the elegance of the details that rural America was built upon. He was drawn to the historic architecture and vernacular styles that populate the small towns of upstate New York for the sense of comfort and tradition they provide. Forest joined Historical Concepts in 2008. He received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from Andrews University which focused on traditional architecture. Forest’s graduate work focused on traditional urban design and the breadth of his educational foundation enables him to participate in both architectural and planning endeavors. Forest believes that a background rich in traditional architecture, vernacular design, and traditional urban design allows the architects at Historical Concepts to “create spaces that are loved for their scale, proportion, and walkability, emulating and building upon the places people love and are drawn to” when looking for a home and community. His project experience includes a wide variety of residences from small guesthouses to estates, campus planning, multi‐family housing, architectural guidelines for mixed‐use developments, and guidelines for historic downtown districts. Prior to joining Historical Concepts, Forest lead on a master plan and pattern book for the Michigan City, Indiana Governors’ Office, which included a calibrated SmartCode for the city’s downtown revitalization efforts and was recognized with a Charter Award from the Congress for the New Urbanism. He is a LEED Accredited Professional. When not at work, Forest enjoys spending time with his wife and four daughters, building wood furniture, camping and fly fishing.

JOSHUA SOARES has always loved building things from LEGO sets to sandcastles. He originally planned to be a civil engineer, but after his first year of college, he realized that Architecture was his true calling. He fell in love with the beauty of Classical Architecture during his travels to Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, which led to studying at the Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture. He is a member of the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) and The Institute of Classical Architecture & Arts (ICAA) and recipient of the David M. Schwarz Architects Thesis Fellowship Award. Joshua spends his weekends playing or watching soccer, 3D printing, and model making when he’s not designing or sketching. He also enjoys reading and audiobooks—he’s an ardent J.R.R. Tolkien fan and has spent two years reading his complete works.

LUCAS STEGEMAN is a man on a mission. Growing up in a small Amazonian village and extensive travel with his family gave Lucas a glimpse into a diverse range of architectural vernaculars and how each building tradition was adapted to suit climatic considerations and cultural aspirations; that experience led to his pursuit of a career in architecture. A recent graduate of Judson University, where he earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in architecture, Lucas believes architects are charged with capturing beauty through the creation and definition of meaningful spaces, and he is passionate about making beauty accessible to all. A relative newcomer to the Historical Concepts team, Lucas hopes to grow into the role of “translator,” conveying the aspirations of each client through timeless designs. Prior to joining Historical Concepts, Lucas worked as a Town Planner for Dover, Kohl & Partners in Miami, and even spent a summer as a roofer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The son of missionaries, Lucas spent his childhood in Guyana and Papua New Guinea but now calls Atlanta home. Outside of the office, he finds creative expression through writing, watercolor and bonsai.

TALIA STEINWALD grew up in Las Vegas with an innate love of physics, math, and history. She soon realized that architecture allowed for a combination of these disciplines while offering a chance to be creative. She first became interested in architecture by traveling to historic sites with her family throughout her childhood, intrigued specifically in how historic buildings created space and fit into their context, and served as backdrops for some of her fondest memories. Talia attended the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in real estate and a concentration in historic preservation. A Dean’s List student, she graduated cum laude and was a member of the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society. First learning about Historical Concepts from classmates, she admired the way the firm’s structures always seemed to belong, tastefully balancing the contemporary and traditional. After participating in a two-week intensive internship with the firm in the summer of 2022, Talia moved across the country to join the Historical Concepts team full time in 2023.

ALLYSON VINCENT made good on a promise to herself by joining Historical Concepts in 2013. Allyson is originally from a small town in southeast Georgia that has a charismatic main street defined by a classical post office, a town hall, a Carnegie Library, and stately antebellum homes. There she was raised to respect history and tradition. As a child, she spent a lot of time with her older brother creating “a whole haphazard Lego town complete with neighborhoods, a main street, and, of course, a few spaceships” and realized that towns and spaces can be designed. These experiences led her to Georgia Tech where she began working on a degree in architecture. She took part in a traditional architecture studio sponsored by Historical Concepts and determined she would work for the firm one day. Later, Allyson attended the University of Notre Dame and obtained a Master in Architecture with a Classical Architecture Concentration. After graduating she stayed in Chicago, working on historic renovations and rehabilitation projects for several years. Eventually, she returned to Georgia and fulfilled her aspiration to become a member of the Historical Concepts team. Allyson appreciates a variety of project types and is especially passionate about exploring the impact of architecture and the built environment on our quality of life. Outside of the office, Allyson enjoys spending time with her husband and four sons, as well as running half marathons and doing renovation projects on her 1920s home.

RYAN YURCABA can vividly recall his first exposure to architecture at age 4, when his father and grandfather, “armed with little more than determination”, designed and built the family home. He credits observing this process with awakening his desire to create. His passion for traditional design is rooted in his upbringing in Beaufort, South Carolina, and solidified in his work over the past twenty-five years.

A graduate of Clemson University (1999) and University of Notre Dame (2004), Ryan’s favorite projects focused on the intersection of architecture and planning. For seven years, he led a planning team at Urban Design Associates (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) undertaking master planning and infill projects nationally and abroad.

Ryan’s career started with Historical Concepts in 1999 and he returned in 2013, bringing with him a deep understanding of how “local tradition” can evolve places with authenticity. Today he heads the firm’s Planning Team supporting the design efforts of each studio. He is a Certified Planner, a member of the American Planning Association, and is an involved member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism.

KATHERINA ZDRAVKOV first became interested in architecture at the age of ten, influenced by her father’s work in civil engineering and her fascination with drawing and designing space. This interest grew alongside her love of art and math, and she came to recognize the study of culture as a pillar of well-contextualized architecture. Before joining Historical Concepts in 2023, she attended Notre Dame’s School of Architecture for her bachelor’s degree, earning a supplemental Italian Studies major and a Real Estate minor. The program’s classical teachings and emphasis on urbanism and vernacular design’s role in place-making attracted her to Historical Concepts, where she can share these passions and collaborate in the creation of home and place for each client. In addition to designing, Katherina takes great joy in studying languages such as Bulgarian, Spanish, and Italian. In her free time, she sketches, runs on the Beltline, and explores Atlanta. Katherina is a LEED® Green Associate™ and a CNU Accredited Member.

A third-generation employee, GINNY STERN has unique perspective on the company’s history; you could say that architecture and design is in her blood. Says Ginny, “Growing up, the design process was an integral part of family life. Seeing work evolve from a napkin doodle at family dinners, tagging along on the annual company trip - I got to experience Historical Concepts’ projects from a young age - and in all phases, from sketch to construction!” Ginny relishes her role in collaborating with the team and assisting with telling similar project stories through digital portfolios. Her grandmother Linda Strickland is our original “ambassador of cheer”, and Ginny approaches each day with the same positive attitude.

Ginny received her bachelor degree in Industrial Design from Appalachian State University with a focus in Product Design and has a background in Furniture Design and Interior Design. An accomplished equestrian, Ginny has ridden competitively and for fun all of her life and relishes both city and country life.

LAURA STRICKLAND has been an integral part of the Historical Concepts team since 2005. Laura’s degrees in public relations and business administration come into play daily in her duties as Office Manager. In addition to the management of the office and its administrative team, Laura enjoys the role she plays in the firm’s recruiting efforts. As a mother of two “twenty-something” children, she finds it easy to build a rapport and give friendly advice to those entering the workforce. She has a competitive streak that reveals itself in fantasy football and Monday night trivia. When she needs a quiet moment, Laura heads out for a trail walk or snuggles on the couch with her black and tan dachshund, Hershey.

Office Administrator ZAHIN MAHBUBA has always been a people person, motivated to serve communities in need and be a catalyst for positive change. She was drawn to Historical Concepts because she believes the work environment will further hone and support her development and aspiration to leave a legacy. Zahin joined the team in the summer of 2022 and is already well on her way to achieving that goal.

A graduate of Hollins University (Roanoke, Virginia) with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a minor in Economics, she was President of the Entrepreneurship Club and was an international student peer mentor for three years. As a Stanford University Innovation Fellow, she co-taught a first-year class on sustainability and social innovation. Zahin has also volunteered at Feeding America and domestic violence shelters and is a fervent advocate for refugees and resettlement through her work with numerous refugee agencies.

Zahin’s student awards and recognitions include the Hollins University 2022 Sarah M. Cook International Studies Award, Global Commitment Scholar, and induction into Phi Beta Kappa and Omnicron Delta Kappa honor societies.

Zahin considers herself a global citizen; she loves to travel and explore new places. When she has down time, she loves curling up with a good book or jamming out to some Afrobeats while cooking.

GAY GIORDANO recently joined Historical Concepts as the Office Administrator in our New York office. Having worked for many years in the classical architecture field as well as at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, she is excited to support the staff as they create the designs she has long admired. Gay has a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from The New School for Social Research. She is also a professional writer specializing in architecture and design and is the co-author of Illusion in Design: Trends in Architecture and Interiors (Rizzoli), New York Living: Re-Inventing Home (Rizzoli), and author of a poetry collection, “Waking from So Rich A Nightmare”. She was raised in New York City and the Bahamas and lives with her husband, who she met in the middle of a field in Ireland.

LAURIE PATE joined Historical Concepts in 2000 as a general office assistant. Over the years she has advanced into her current position as the firm’s Accounting Manager. Laurie now handles all of the firm’s day-to-day bookkeeping activities and related special projects. This past year, she was instrumental in implementing a new integrated project management and accounting package and is responsible for ongoing employee training and support. Laurie is also charged with information technology logistics and management for both the Peachtree City and Atlanta offices. This includes the purchase, installation, maintenance, and licensing of all technology related equipment. Laurie also helped establish the IT basics for staff prior to the opening of the Historical Concepts office in New York. When Laurie is not occupied putting her considerable skills to work at Historical Concepts, she is likely to be found doing one of three things; knitting scarves and other accessories, enjoying the company of her family and dogs at the lake beside her house, or walking. Laurie is a dedicated power walker and averages at least 25 miles a week.

JACOB MORRISON joined Historical Concepts’ Atlanta office as Business Development Coordinator in 2022. Growing up with a father who remodeled homes and restored classic cars, Jacob has always admired historic architecture, good design, and the art of craftsmanship. Originally from Fenton, Michigan, he graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Finance and worked for a few large companies before he realized he wanted to be part of a smaller company where he could join a team of talented, passionate people who shared his love of classic architecture. He is a member of the Georgia Trust, and in his spare time, he loves to walk through historic and well-preserved neighborhoods, many off the beaten path, and renovating the house he shares with his wife, Ashley.

LESLIE DAILY joined Historical Concepts in 2005. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science from Kansas State University in Apparel and Textile Marketing, but she calls upon her Master’s degree in Human Resources in her part-time role as Administrative Coordinator at Historical Concepts. In that capacity, Leslie is responsible for the company wellness program, the maintenance of multiple employee benefits programs, and ensuring that Historical Concepts employees understand each of those plans. When not involved with projects for the firm, Leslie enjoys traveling with her husband Aaron, visiting her twins in college at their alma mater, Kansas State University, and playing pickle ball and golf with Aaron.

LINDA STRICKLAND has been dedicated to Historical Concepts from day one. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Linda taught school for eight years and was a junior high school, elementary school, and special education teacher before going into business with her husband, Jim, Historical Concepts’ founder. Linda first served as his right hand in his custom home building company and then as business manager when Jim founded Historical Concepts in 1982. Jim credits Linda’s keen intellect, practical insight, and business sense for much of his success. Today, Linda is the upbeat receptionist and greeter at our Peachtree City office. Part office mom, part First Lady, Linda is devoted to family, friends, and fitness, and also brings her warmth and compassion to her role as a volunteer at the local hospital. Linda says her role in the business now is “extremely rewarding because of the interaction with our intelligent, creative, and clever staff members; as well as our interesting and enjoyable clients.”