What We're Celebrating
Three cheers to some stellar accomplishments!
Celebrating our Professional Landscape Architects this Month!đł
We want to recognize the visionaries behind our outdoor spacesâour talented landscape architects on Professional Landscape Architects Day!
At LJC, our professional landscape architects are shaping resilient, inclusive, and inspiring environments that elevate daily life. Their commitment to public health, safety, and beauty helps us create stronger, healthier communitiesâone thoughtful design at a time.
Celebrating Earth Month 2025
This Earth Month, weâre proud to be a piece of something biggerâworking alongside Clayco, CRG, CDE, Concrete Strategies LLC, and Ventana to create a more sustainable future, one meaningful step at a time.
As stewards of the built environment, we recognize every project is an opportunity to reduce impact, restore ecosystems, and reimagine what it means to build responsibly. From high-performance buildings to resilient landscapes, our collective efforts are helping shape places where people and the planet thrive.
đ𧊠Explore our Earth Month initiatives and add your piece to the puzzle.
What We've Won
Celebrating Projects That Have Won Awards or Been Recognized!
Designing for Whatâs Next: First Bank Headquarters Honored with CREW-St. Louis Economic Impact Award đ
Weâre proud to celebrate the First Bank Headquarters receiving the 2025 Economic Impact Award from CREW-St. Louisâa recognition that highlights both the project's architectural excellence and its contribution to the regionâs growth.
This new headquarters in Creve Coeur reimagines the modern banking workplace. Designed to foster collaboration and innovation, the campus features a full-service retail branch, commercial office space, and a dynamic central innovation hub. Seamless indoor-outdoor connections throughout the building support wellness, flexibility, and engagement, reinforcing First Bankâs commitment to its people and community.
LJC Wins 3x ASLA Central States Awards! đđđ
Weâre honored to be recognized by the 2025 American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Central States Awards across three categories, celebrating the power of landscape architecture to shape meaningful places.
đ¸ Honor Award â Design (Unbuilt)
Prairie Sculpture Park | A dynamic expression of land art and ecology, designed to immerse visitors in a living canvas of prairie and sculpture.
đ¸ Honor Award â Design (Built)
SCAD Atlanta: Sculpting an Urban Campus | Transforming urban space into a vibrant, pedestrian-first experience that bridges learning, creativity, and community.
đ¸ Merit Award â Planning & Analysis
Clinton Peabody Redevelopment Plan | A vision for resilient, equitable housing that honors the past while building toward a more connected future.
These awards inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and creating spaces that enrich communities.
Award-Winning Design: CRG Atlanta Office Recognized by IIDA Southwest
Weâre proud to share that our Interiors team received an IIDA Southwest Award of Merit for the CRG Atlanta Office.
This project reflects a shared vision between our team and CRG, creating a workspace that fosters connection, innovation and growth. Thank you to our partners and collaborators who helped bring this space to life.
First Bank Project Wins CoStar 2025 Impact Award for Commercial Development of the Year! đ
The CoStar Impact Awards highlight commercial real estate transactions and projects that have transformed their markets over the past year. The construction of our new headquarters building created employment opportunities for more than 40 local subcontractors, helping foster economic growth within the community and reinforcing our commitment to giving back to the communities we operate in.
Cheers to all who worked on making this project a reality!
What We're Working On
WashU Child Development Center Coming Soon! đđ¤¸ââď¸
Celebrating progress! Congratulations to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and BJC HealthCare for their incredible commitment to advancing early childhood education and supporting the families of healthcare workers. We're proud to partner alongside Clayco and our talented LJC team to help bring this important vision for the new Child Development Center to life.
Read more about the project on our website.
đď¸ Reaching New Heights in Downtown Phoenix!
Recently, we celebrated the topping out of our Ray Phoenix project with our partners Ray, VeLa Development Partners, Clayco and Johnston Marklee.
This moment marked the completion of the buildingâs structural framework as the final beam was hoisted into place, symbolizing the collective effort, dedication, and shared commitment to excellence. Rising 26 stories above downtown, Ray Phoenix blends art, architecture, and lifestyle, featuring 401 luxury residences, curated public art, and amenity-rich design.
At LJC, weâre proud to be part of a team thatâs shaping a vibrant future for Phoenix through integrated design and creative collaboration.
âĄď¸ Read more!
Breaking ground at The Broad!
LJC is proud to serve as executive architect alongside Diller Scofidio + Renfro to expand this iconic contemporary art museum. This moment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapterâone that will elevate the visitor experience and expand access to world-class art in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.
In Chicago, a Former Steel Mill Looks to Make a Quantum Leap
As featured in Bloomberg, transforming the former US Steel site into the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is more than a $9 billion investmentâit's a rethinking of how technology, design, and community can coexist and succeed.
Weâre proud to see Eli Lechter, landscape architect and associate principal at LJC, share our vision for the PsiQuantum campus: a collaborative space that, with open space and design framework, has many opportunities. Rather than a secluded facility, a high-tech campus, designed to promote collaboration.
This is design that transformsâat every level.
Time Travel Back One Year Back at Hankook Tire in Clarksville, TN!
What a difference a year makes! In just 12 months, progress has transformed the landscape in Clarksville, Tennessee, where LJC and Clayco are leading the delivery of a 2.2 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art tire manufacturing facility for Hankook Tire.
Aerial views captured one year apart highlight whatâs possible through collaboration, innovation, and execution at scale. Today, steel erection is nearing 85 percent completion, with the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) structures close behind at 75 percent. Installation of insulated metal panels, structural decking, and membrane roofing is approaching 65 percent completion.
With more than 1,000 trade partners onsite daily, teams are actively preparing strategic areas of the facility for the start of the owner process equipment installation. Together, weâre tracking toward our next major milestone: First Tire, scheduled for mid-July.
Hereâs to the dedication, precision, and momentum driving this remarkable achievement.
Currently under construction, the Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis is a dynamic example of vision turned into reality
Guided by insights from the LJC-crafted campus Master Plan, our team is reimagining the structure through thoughtful architecture and adaptive reuse. The design balances historic context with future-forward functionality, creating an open, light-filled environment that fosters engagement between students, future students and their families, and alumni.
From curated material palettes to spatial programming that encourages connection, every design choice supports a unified experienceâwelcoming the next generation while celebrating those who came before.
Completion is set for 2025, and we canât wait to share more as the story unfolds.
âĄď¸ Learn more about the project!
What We're Up To
Take a look at what we've been up to this past month!
LJC Gives Back to Rebuilding Together âď¸
Our LJC team proudly participated in National Rebuild Day 2025, supporting Rebuilding Togetherâs mission to create safe and healthy homes. Coming together to serve our community reflects the collaborative spirit that drives everything we do. We believe that strengthening our communities is just as important as the work we design. Thank you to our volunteers for making a lasting impact.
Game On: Table Tennis Tournament Brings the Heat! đđĽ
Things got competitive at LJCâs Chicago office during our recent ping-pong tournament! Team members brought their A-game for some friendly rivalry, quick reflexes, and a lot of laughs. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped organize this fun eventâwe're already looking forward to the rematch!
Exploring Southeast Chicago with the Field Museum
Clayco and LJC partnered with the Field Museum for a powerful series of presentations and a roundtable discussion centered on Southeast Chicago. Through social, historical, and artistic lenses, the session deepened our collective understanding of the region and the 8080 siteâs role as a gateway to innovation, industry, and community. Special thanks to the Field Museum and all who participated in this meaningful dialogue.
ACLA Design By Diversity Day! đ¨đżâđ¤âđ¨đź
Our Clayco and LJC teams were excited to join the Architecture for Communities Los Angelesâ(ACLA) âDesign by Diversity" day! This event is an AEC-focused Block Party hosted at Pasadena City College that was free to the public and offered students, parents, professionals, and community members a chance to explore activity booths, mentor sessions, exhibitions, speakers, and more. Our teams had a great day sharing our expertise and were inspired by the talent in their community!
Alan Barker: Design Strategies for Making the Most of Challenging Sites
Our Chapter Madison project was featured in Student Housing Businessâa student housing community designed by LJC and developed by CRG.
In the âIndustry Voicesâ column, LJC's Alan Barker, AIA, LEED, shares insights on how design excellence can overcome challenging site conditions and complex programs, resulting in buildings that are both beautiful and financially viable.
Welcoming the Next Generation of Designers đ
Top 3 photos shown: We hosted graduating seniors from the Interior Architecture program at Columbia College Chicago as part of their Career Week. We kicked off the visit by sharing our firmâs core valuesâbecause we believe great design starts with a strong foundation.
It was an inspiring afternoon of connection and conversation, led by Lamar Johnson, who offered insights into building a meaningful career in the architecture and design industry.
Bottom 3 photos shown: We recently welcomed interior design students from Purdue University, led by Professor Yong In, for a studio tour and engaging conversation at LJC.
Mike Emerson kicked off the visit with an overview of LJC, CRG, and Claycoâhighlighting the powerful opportunities that come from working as a vertically integrated enterprise. Nicole Vandermyde and Cambrie Barowski followed with an inside look at what a day in the life of an interior designer looks like at LJC, sparking thoughtful dialogue and insightful questions from the students.
Weâre always inspired by the curiosity and passion of the next generation of designers.
Step inside Boston Consulting Group (BCG)âs new home at 360 N Green.
LJC was proud to design this dynamic workplace in collaboration with an incredible team. Take an exclusive look at their stunning headquarters at 360 N Green.
đš: Sterling Bay
Geophilia: Exploring Design Through the Lens of Geology đż
LJCâs Fatima Garcia was recently featured in Geophilia, a fictional magazine released by Arizona State University that brings together artists, architects, and geologists to explore our relationship with rocks and the landscapes they shape.
Fatimaâs team contributed a design study for a retirement home near Patagonia, Arizonaâdrawing inspiration from the enduring presence of local rock formations. The project reflects on how architecture can honor and coexist with the natural environment, creating human dwellings that feel grounded in time and place.
Congratulations to Fatima on this thoughtful and imaginative collaboration!
Double Takes Around the Office đŻââď¸đ
You know itâs a good day at the office when youâre constantly doing double takes. Twinning has officially become a trend at LJC, and weâre loving every moment of it! Snap a pic with your twin and send it to us at news@theljc.com.
On The Boards! đ
We love to see some of the latest and greatest design work happening within our offices.
On The Boards is a great way to show your colleagues your project presentations and join in on collaborative discussion on new design spanning all of our practices!
Swinging into a New Season: LJC St. Louis Softball is Back!đĽ
Weâre back in action! The LJC softball team kicked off the season with a strong showing, great team spirit and plenty of big plays. Excited for a fun and competitive season ahead!
Interested in playing or cheering us on? Meet us at Forest Park every Wednesday and send Coach Stumpf an email stumpfr@theljc.com.
USGBC Arizona Women in Green Panel đ
The first USGBC Arizona event was hosted in our Phoenix office, featuring women trailblazers that are focused on green-building in our city. Our very own VP of sustainability, Alana Spencer, led an insightful panel discussion alongside Senator Lauren Kuby, DLR Group's Diana Gonzalez, and Heather Lennon from Imagine Develops/Imagine General Contracting. They spoke about the importance of pursuing green best practices in our designs and projects. Together, they highlighted the power of diverse leadership, innovative thinking and collaboration in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive world.
PHX Interiors Team Goes to Prom on the Water!đđ˝ đ
Phoenix Interiors attended the 2nd Night on the Water event. This year's theme was #BacktoProm which meant we had to dust off some of our dresses and give them a fun night dancing away on a boat cruise! We had a wonderful night hosted by Atmosphere Commercial Interiors, Steelcase, ShawContract, and Wholesale Flooring.
Celebrating Women in Architecture! đş
LJC and Clayco were proud to serve as Advocate Sponsors for the Chicago Women in Architecture Spring Brunch at RPM Events. It was an inspiring morning honoring the outstanding women who continue to shape and elevate our industry. Thank you to CWA for bringing our community together for such a meaningful event!
Lights, camera, contracts!đĄ đĽ âď¸
Our Contracts team is here with a special message: if you have any questions, big or small, weâre ready to help. Donât hesitate to reach out to Shannon Riddle, Istvan Walker, and Jessica Statz.
Spring Workshop in the Ville, Greater Ville, and Kingsway East!đą đź âď¸
Weâre honored to collaborate with the Ville, Greater Ville, and Kingsway East communities in shaping a bold vision for the future. The energy, creativity and commitment shared during the Spring Workshop were truly inspiring.
Thank you to all the residents, leaders and partners who continue to guide this important workâyour insights are the heart of this process. Weâre excited to keep building together and canât wait to see whatâs ahead!
Rankin Technical College Architecture Student Showcase
Last Friday, a group of LJC designers and architects had the privilege of attending the Ranken Architecture Student Showcase at Ranken Technical College.
The morning kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Jody Sowell, President and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society, who shared a powerful message about the rich history and pride of St. Louis â a perfect backdrop for the studentsâ work reimagining the St. Louis Place neighborhood near the future NGA West site.
It was incredible to see the continued growth of Rankenâs Architecture Program and the high caliber of work produced by their students. The creativity, thoughtfulness, and technical skill on display was truly impressive.
We also want to give a special shoutout to Summer Jaggli and Nick Scholz, two of our outstanding interns at LJC, who were among the graduating seniors presenting. We are so proud of the contributions they've made to our team this past year and excited to watch their careers continue to flourish.
Thank you to Ranken for hosting such a meaningful event, and congratulations to all the students on their achievements!
Who We Are
A monthly Q&A to help you get to know what some of your LJC colleagues are up to outside the office!
Get to know Christopher Ching!
LJC Office: St. Louis
Title/Role: Senior Associate
Focus: Architecture
School(s): Clemson University (B.A. in Design), Washington University in St. Louis (M. Arch)
Professional affiliations: AIA St. Louis, HavenHouse St. Louis, ACHA, Cub Scouts, Meramec Elementary PTO
What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
Before kids, my wife and I started off with two doggies, Lyla and Kilo, which mean âcome hereâ and âgo awayâ in Fukienese. They are 18 years old now and are still with us.
Whatâs the most fun youâve had on a trip or vacation?
In college, I took a mini grand tour of Italy. We were only expected to visit art museums, take in the architecture, and keep a sketchbook. That trip came at the right time for me. I had been drawing all my life, deepening my faith, and just starting to discover this whole new world of architecture. A few of us even got to attend Pentecost mass at the Vatican with Pope John Paul II.
What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
My first job was in high school cleaning stringed instruments at a local music store. It was something familiar since I played the cello from fourth grade through college. Not only did I get to make these beautiful instruments look even better, but I got to have fun with friends while doing it. On days when I was alone, I listened to NPR, which started my lifelong love of public radio.
What movie can you watch repeatedly? What makes it so special?
Clue. Itâs a cult classic. I watched it for the first time with my brother and sisters on VHS. The plot, dialogue, comedic timing, and multiple endings make this a fun and smart movie. Weâve watched it together since then but on DVD.
Say hey to Sarah Doriani!
LJC Office: St. Louis
Title/Role: Principal
Focus: Interiors
School(s): Univ. of Missouri - Columbia
Professional affiliations: Newly, ULI
Whatâs your most niche, non-work-related interest?
I love to drawânot seriously, mostly illustrations and occasionally watercolors. I donât do it as much since having a kid, but now that sheâs older (3), weâre getting into art projects together.
What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
Warm sun, fresh air, a mix of effort and easeâstructured plans and spontaneous moments. I'm with my favorite people, and by day's end, a little dirt and sunscreen on my skin means it was a day well spent.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
In 4th grade, after realizing a pop-star career wasnât happening, I decided Iâd be an interior designer. My interest was piqued when my mom brought home a Laura Ashley wallcovering book with matching borders (this was 1994). What stuck with me most was how the adults around me took my interest seriously and helped expand my view of design.
Meet Meghann Duran!
Whatâs your most niche, non-work-related interest?
F1 â attended my first race at the Japanese Grand Prix a couple of weeks ago! Reach out any time to talk F1 leading up to, during, or after â Iâm all ears and wonât hold back. I grew up around cars and racing, so I love all things âfastâ!
Whatâs a book youâd recommend to just about anyone? Why?
Anything by Sally Rooney; i.e. Normal People, Conversations with Friends, etc. The way she captures characters, their development, and relationships to one another is divine.
What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far?
Folding king-sized fitted sheets like theyâve just been removed from their packaging. But in all seriousness, my four-year-old daughter, Elliott.
Name three songs that best describe you / are your favorites and briefly explain why!
I low key LOVE hosting people at my house so I can not-so-secretly play DJ. Hereâs a few of my all-time favs that may also offer a little glimpse into my perspective on things (I find music to be a mechanism to process lifeâs happenings):
- "Between the Bars" by Elliott Smith (may low key be why our daughterâs name is Elliottđ)
- "Jigsaw Falling into Place" by Radiohead
- "Daedalus" by Thrice
What movie can you watch repeatedly? What makes it so special
The Matrix â I love discussions, perspectives, and points of view on reality and the meaning of things.
Say Howdy to Nathan Severiano!
LJC Office: St. Louis
Title/Role: Associate
Focus: Architecture
School(s): University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (B.S. Architecture); Washington University -St. Louis (M.Arch & M.UD)
Professional affiliations: NCARB
If you could speak another language, what would it be? Why?
I would love to learn a non-romance language. I have a good grasp on Spanish, French, and a little Portuguese, so I suppose Japanese, Arabic, or Farsi would be fun to learn!
Whatâs your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Neapolitan pizzas/ international cuisine. Over the course of my life, I have developed a passion for cooking, especially international dishes. My latest passion in the kitchen has been cooking and perfecting Neapolitan pizzas using my pizza oven at home.
Whatâs the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it?
The Pitt. It's touted to be the most accurate TV portrayal of an emergency department / hospital. The format of the show is what got me hooked. Each episode takes place over a one-hour duration of an ER Unit's 14-hr shift. If I hadn't pursued architecture, I think I would have gone to school to become a doctor.
Say Hi to Audrey Wu!
LJC Office: Culver City, CA
Title/Role: Senior Director
Focus: Architecture
School(s): UC Berkeley, UCLA
Professional affiliations: AIA, Façade Tectonics
Whatâs the most fun youâve had on a trip or vacation?
Traveled to Hamburg with my daughter to spend the afternoon studying (and critiquing) Herzog & de Meuronâs Elbphilharmonie and returning in the evening for the most memorable concert ever.
Whatâs your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Iâm an equestrian who loves riding dressage with a bareback pad.
Whatâs a book youâd recommend to just about anyone? Why?
What Do You Care What Other People Think? Further Adventures of a Curious Character â by Richard P. Feynman. Feynmanâs curious mind, incredible intellect and passion for his work and life are very inspiring. Following his own drum beat and not caring too much what other people think is very admirable. Stories are very humorous, interesting and, at times, heart-wrenching. Despite being a Nobel Prize physicist, Feynmanâs humility and humanity are truly inspiring.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
I wanted to travel to Africa and be an animal artist. Iâm to this day a great animal lover and I love to draw.
Who's Talking About our Work?
Take a look at some places we have popped up in the news!
Some LJC project mentions over the past month:
Coca-Cola bottler begins nearly $75M Fort Worth plant upgrade, expansion
Alan Barker: Design Strategies for Making the Most of Challenging Sites
In Chicago, a Former Steel Mill Looks to Make a Quantum Leap
WashU Medicine Opens New $17M Child Development Center on Taylor Campus
VELA and Ray Top Out Ray Phoenix, a Premier Residential Tower in Downtown Phoenix
2025 Capstone Awards: Industrial â Ace Hardware retail support center
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