AIA Detroit is pleased to introduce some new faces to our Board of Directors!

GET TO KNOW THIS YEAR’S BOARD MEMBERS:

TREASURER

Paul R. Wills, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Plante Moran

Bio:
Paul, a partner with Plante Moran Realpoint, specializes in preconstruction planning, program feasibility, and program oversight services. Paul excels in helping decision-makers define and meet key program success parameters, goals, and objectives. This includes assisting with the selection of design and construction team members, working with clients to achieve favorable designs within funding, and monitoring program progress.

Paul has more than 30 years of program management experience and has completed successful capital projects worth more than $5 billion. He has assisted numerous clients across Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida on more than 600 facilities projects involving building assessments, conceptual programming, bonding approval, and design and construction for educational facilities, municipal offices, law enforcement, fire and EMS, libraries, courts, recreation centers, and DPW facilities.

Paul received his Bachelor of Science (1996) and Master of Architecture (1997) degrees from Lawrence Technological University. He became a licensed architect in 2001. Paul is a LEED-accredited professional (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).

Paul regularly presents at industry sector conferences and seminars including CASBO, CASA, MASB, MASA, MSBO, MLI, MML, and MGFOA.

Paul volunteers his time mentoring numerous architectural students annually through the AIA mentorship program, LTU’s architectural alumni association, and co-chaired the Southfield Public Schools STEM Advisory Council for over 8 years.

 

AIA MICHIGAN DIRECTOR

Patrick Kanary, AIA, NCARB
SmithGroup

Bio:
Patrick is a licensed architect and senior project manager in the Detroit office of SmithGroup, where he brings a proven passion for management, leadership, financial success, and innovative design solutions to each of his clients and projects. Patrick has spent more than 20 years working in various specialties including Workplace, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Commercial, Retail, and Food Service. He has successfully managed diverse project teams to uncover clients’ passions and concerns while building consensus, creating a unified team vision, and delivering projects that exceed each client’s and team’s goals.

Patrick was born and raised in Midland, Michigan, among many Alden B. Dow-designed buildings. He viewed Dow’s homes as personal and exceptional examples of great design and was inspired to learn to create inspiring buildings and environments for others. He attended the University of Michigan (B.S. Arch. 1995 and M. Arch. 1997) and lived and worked in Boston, before returning to the Detroit area to raise his family. Patrick enjoys exploring and working in Detroit, spending his free time at Detroit Golf Club, working swim meets for his sons’ various teams, and supporting the University of Detroit Jesuit High School where his youngest son and his classmates and teammates learn to become men for others in the Jesuit tradition.

At this point in his professional career and personal development, Patrick wants others in the metro Detroit architectural community to benefit from his experience, knowledge, financial acumen, and advanced leadership skills so others can continue to develop advance, and learn from both his successes and missteps. Patrick is a thoughtful and patient leader who delivers added value and facilitates interdisciplinary, cross-functional collaboration among his teams and clients. He is eager to partner with the AIA Detroit Board of Directors to operationalize their Strategic Plan and continue to improve our profession and communities in metro Detroit.

 

AIA MICHIGAN DIRECTOR

Christopher L. Stefani
Lawrence Technological University

Bio:
Christopher L. Stefani serves as chief of staff at Lawrence Technological University,
where he manages high-priority programs to propel the university’s mission forward.

Over 8 years with LTU, Stefani’s work included a pioneering Early Middle College program – the first in the city of Detroit, which led to the expansion of LTU’s Industry-Sponsored Courses and co-development of the Innovative Pathways Initiative, which is working to increase access to a STEAM-based education for all students – from kindergarten through professional development.

An LTU graduate holding both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture, Stefani chose to grow his career at his alma mater. He previously served as LTU’s executive director of external academic initiatives (EAI); director of EAI for LTU’s College of Architecture and Design; associate director of LTU’s Detroit Center for Design + Technology and adjunct faculty member in the College of Architecture and Design.

Stefani also established The C.L. Stefani Company, a Detroit-based design group in 2016. In 2020, he was named one of Crain’s Detroit’s esteemed 20 in their Twenties. He is an active member of many professional organizations including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Michigan and Detroit, the Interior Design Coalition for Change, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Detroit Economic Club, and The Gaelic League of Detroit (Irish American Club).

Stefani, 33, resides in the city of Detroit and Port Austin, Mich. with his partner.

 

DETROIT DIRECTOR

Salvatore A. Moschelli, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, NCARB
Fanning Howey

Bio:
Throughout my 25+ year career, I have specialized in the design of high-performing buildings for K-12 and higher education clients with additional notable periods in residential, multi-family, and resort design. I have also stretched my entrepreneurial and leadership wings leading a for-profit construction company specializing in long-term disaster relief for NGOs in Haiti as well as leading AIA Detroit as interim Executive Director for a short time. Whether I am working with administrators, educators, or community groups, I excel at leading by listening, enabling others to act, and creating a shared vision. I’m passionate about sustainability and have led integrated design teams through the successful completion of multiple LEED Gold-certified buildings. I have recently taken on the role of Project Executive and brought Fanning Howey Associates back to Michigan as Managing Director where I am growing our portfolio across the state and enjoying the role as an Entrepreneur and Architect.

I’m an alumnus of Lawrence Technological University with a B.S. in Architecture and a Master of Architecture that I received in 2000 and 2006. I have been a member of the AIA since 2004 and an active volunteer since 2007. Receiving the Michigan Architectural Foundation’s President’s Scholarship inspired me to join and give back to the organization by volunteering. Over the last fifteen years, I have seen and participated in the immensely positive change that our chapter has undergone, and am grateful to the many people who have been a part of it. I was co-chair of the successful ARE-Timing bill with the AIAMI Government Affairs Committee which was a 2 1/2 year grassroots effort. As one of the past core committee members of the AIA Detroit Celebration of Architecture and past AIA Detroit Director of Sponsorship, I have facilitated sponsorship efforts that have raised nearly $400,000 in sponsorship over 6 years. Profits from which supported programming and initiatives for our membership and community. Most recently, I served as the AIAD Secretary for a year, and Treasurer for two years with my term ending in December of 2020. For many of these efforts over the last decade, I was awarded the AIA National Jason Pettigrew Memorial Scholarship in 2009 and honored to be the inaugural recipient of the AIA Detroit Associate Member Award in 2013 as well as the recipient of the 2017 AIA Detroit Young Architect Award.

AIA Detroit is at another pivotal period of change, as many chapters are across the country. Coming out of drastic changes in operations over the pandemic, skyrocketing costs of services that the chapter utilizes, and the strong focus of justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion, the chapter emerges with a new reinvigorated vision for the future in the strategic plan. However, unrelated to the new strategic plan, we’ve seen a drastic decline in our chapter committees and volunteers over the last five-plus years. The strong chapter committees continue to deliver amazing seminars and events, but the smaller ones have dealt with burnout, waning interest, or relevance. Increasingly, post-pandemic, “Belonging” has become an important component to reengage in our society. We long for friends, family, and colleagues. We have an opportunity to bring more connections to one another within the profession and AIA Detroit. I am excited to lead the way in connecting our membership in meaningful ways, supporting, empowering, and growing our volunteer base, and fulfilling the strategic plan by (re)building relevant committees, task forces, affinity groups, and events that bring us closer together with purpose so that we can all move forward with purpose together.

 

DETROIT DIRECTOR

Alina Osnaga, Associate AIA, NOMA

Bio:
I am an Applied Research Specialist and an AIA Associate at Albert Kahn Associates. I am a Master of Architecture candidate at Lawrence Technological University. Additionally, I hold a Master’s in Neuroscience Applied to Architecture and a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Computer Science.

I have a profound passion for design methodologies that place the human experience at the forefront within the built environment. My advocacy centers on design practices that prioritize people, ensuring that spaces are not only visually appealing but also contribute to the physical and psychological well-being of those who inhabit them. My mission is to create environments that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also genuinely enrich the lives of their users, promoting both their physical and mental health.

I strongly believe that my background in research and the multiple awards and scholarships in this field has equipped me with the skills to promote research and innovation within AIA Detroit.

I will support initiatives that encourage evidence-based design and integration of the latest scientific findings into architectural practice.

Previous to my current position, I spent a couple of years working in different aspects of the architecture field, in different countries, which has impacted my way of analyzing architecture. This experience included understanding the design process disparities between Europe and the USA, as well as the cultural nuances in user requirements. Today all my design iterations are created with the human experience in mind.

Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience at reputable firms such as Impronta, Sasaki, and as a solo entrepreneur.

My research was presented at conferences and in publications such as IEEE, EDRA, ANFA, Planetree International, and European Healthcare Design. My work was featured in publications such as CityLab – Bloomberg, Gather, and The Center for Conscious Design – Madrid.

 

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Patricia Roberts, International Associate AIA
Gensler

Bio:
If Architecture is all about the art of integrating diverse components into a balanced and purposeful whole, then the seeds for her choice of profession were sown deep in her blood and she has nurtured them diligently to be harvested today!

Patricia Roberts is currently a Technical Designer at Gensler, Detroit. Born and raised in South India, she received her Bachelor of Architecture and Interior Design from MEASI Academy of Architecture, Chennai, India. In 2013 she came to the United States to pursue a Master of Architecture from Savannah College of Art & Design, Savannah, Georgia, inspired by their holistic and interdisciplinary approach to design.

Patricia’s professional experience includes working for Cooper Carry, an Architecture firm in Atlanta while serving as a member of the Board of Directors for AIA Georgia from 2016 until 2020. Being on the board encouraged her to be a part of local communities beyond the office, and engage in programming including Equity in Architecture, where she worked to promote gender equality in the local A/E/C industry. She was also a member of NOMA, serving as the Marketing Director from 2017-2019.

As a child, Patricia was surrounded by architecture, often visiting the architecture firm where her father worked and construction sites. Playing with measuring tape and learning to draw with talk of scaffolding, columns, and cantilevers in her ear proved deeply influential. Today, she is still fascinated by how forms become structures and the many techniques and styles that can be utilized in design.

Patricia enjoys traveling, painting, tennis, and exploring Detroit in her free time.

 

AFFILIATE DIRECTOR

Elizabeth Barnes
MillerKnoll

Statement:
“As the Affiliate Director, I will make a positive impact by growing the industry awareness of AIA Detroit, as well as continuing to build our relationships with our partners. The AIA organization has allowed me to engage with my peers and celebrate all things Architecture and Design by providing amazing networking and professional development opportunities.”

Bio:

Elizabeth is a highly accomplished professional in design, sales, and strategic relationships. With a successful tenure at Herman Miller, she excelled as a Healthcare Sales & Application Specialist, contributing to dealer strategies and collaborating with designers, sales teams, and leadership. As a Strategic Relationship Executive, Elizabeth now works closely with key influencers to promote MillerKnoll products and address customer needs. With prior experience at Gensler, she led transformative projects for global Fortune 500 companies. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design, cementing her expertise in the field. Her achievements and dedication epitomize excellence in design and business.