North American and global architecture and design firms have had a busy first quarter of 2025, with strategic new hires and promotions to leadership positions intended to provide a new depth of expertise and focused experience in markets including workplace, transportation, and healthcare, among others.
HLW Introduces New Leadership Team Members
Now entering its 140th year, global architecture and design practice HLW has announced new managing partners and principals and who will work with its global leadership team to continue expanding the firm’s creative talent pool, building on strategic relationships, and advancing into new markets and regions.
Ed Shim, AIA, NCARB, has been with HLW for two decades, driving growth in mixed-use and multifamily project development. Since joining the firm in 2012, Sejal Sonani, AIA, has extended HLW’s presence on the West Coast and strengthened its expertise in adaptive reuse and building repositioning. Bennet Dunkley, AIA, RIBA, has leveraged his international experience to mature HLW’s interdisciplinary culture and grow its presence in the education, healthcare, and critical facilities markets since 2018.
Joining the managing partners on the HLW leadership team are John Mack, AIA, FIIDA, senior partner; Cristen Colantoni and Bronte Turner, who have been promoted to senior principal; and Patrick Kinzler, managing principal.
JZA+D Expands Practice into Manhattan
Princeton, N.J.-based Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D) has expanded with a new office in Midtown Manhattan, marking a milestone in the integrated design firm’s nearly 20-year history. Founded by Joshua Zinder in 2006, the firm has gained a global reputation for sustainable and innovative architecture, interiors, and product/furniture design.
“JZA+D works across as many sectors and typologies as possible, because we believe firmly in the importance of cross-pollination of ideas,” Zinder said. “The results are innovative, modern and cost-effective solutions that are in demand widely.”
As principal in the New York office, Richard Perry, AIA, will bring to bear more than 30 years of experience with a variety of projects in the New York Metro region. With projects already in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Jersey City, the new office will enhance JZA+D’s regional presence and architectural client base. Recent projects include a gallery in Tribeca, a senior center in Queens, and design services for synagogues.
KAI 360 Welcomes Project Manager
Design-build firm KAI 360 Construction Services has hired Sean Creque as senior project manager in Dallas-Fort Worth .The minority-owned firm, which has been in business for more than 50 years, has Creque focusing on the DART Station Modernization and Metrolink Greenline Expansion projects.
Holding a master’s degree in architecture from Virginia’s Hampton University, Creque has 15 years of experience with design-build projects in aviation and transportation, ensuring quality, budget, and schedule adherence. As a former project manager with Beck Group, he handled multiple renovations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, while at Parsons Corporation he worked on commuter and metro rail projects.
Lawrence Group Adds Two New Hires
Design professionals Theresa Garavaglia and Gwen Comas have joined integrated planning and design firm Lawrence Group, headquartered in St. Louis.
A design industry veteran of more than 20 years, Garavaglia previously served as assistant project manager at environmental, architecture, and engineering firm Trileaf Corporation, as well as ArcVision Inc. and CASCO Diversified Corp., all in St Louis.
Comas has a bachelor of arts in architectural studies and master of architecture from the University of Kansas, where she also earned a graduate certificate in health and wellness design. Prior to starting at Lawrence Group, she was an architectural intern and designer at St. Louis-based CannonDesign.
Perkins&Will Elevates Workplace Practice Leader
After 13 years with international multidisciplinary design firm Perkins&Will, John Sadlon takes on the role of firmwide workplace practice leader. Previously leading the workplace team in New York and overseeing the firm’s regional workplace practice, Sadlon will work closely with global design directors to drive business strategy for continued growth and the delivery of innovative workplace strategies and consulting services.
With over 25 years of experience as a licensed architect, Sadlon has led complex projects, completing more than 10 million square feet of work across 48 cities in 12 countries. He is a member of the AIA, co-chair of the IIDA’s New York Chapter, and a past chair of the Design Professions Council of the Fetzer Institute.
“The business of design excites me most in my new role as firmwide workplace practice leader,” Sadlon said. “I’m inspired by the idea of ‘raising all boats’—empowering our clients to thrive by strengthening what’s already working and turning their challenges into impactful, future-ready solutions.”
*Announcements have been edited for length and clarity.
