What We're Celebrating
Three cheers to some stellar accomplishments!
Softball Superstars 🥎✨
Our St. Louis LJC softball team made it to the championship game, beating CMT 13 - 8 in the semifinals. They then took down Horner & Shifrin 15 - 6 to bring home our 4th championship in five years. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us!
Rated #1 Large Business in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Best Places to Work 🎉
Alongside Clayco, LJC has been named the #1 Large Business in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Best Places to Work awards—for the second consecutive year.
Thank you to our Los Angeles team for your dedication and for representing our culture with excellence each day!!
What We're Working On
Check out some of the latest and greatest milestones from this past month!
Foundation is being laid at Albion West End
The Clayco team has begun laying the foundation at Albion West End! The jobsite crews are currently installing the large pier cages, which will establish the deep foundations for this high-rise residential development.
Check out more about this transformative project in the heart of St. Louis’ Central West End here!
Kali Hotel is on the Rise!
Urbanize LA recently shared news on our Kali Hotel and rooftop project. Partnered with Clayco and KPC Development, this 13-story, 300-room destination is now underway at Hollywood Park.
Check out the amazing shots of the latest on the project and the article!
The Cubes at French Lake Reaches Full Occupancy!
Daedex has signed on for the remaining 503,440 SF at The Cubes at French Lake, marking full lease-up of Minnesota’s largest speculative industrial development in the past three years.
Designed by LJC in partnership with CRG and Clayco, the 1,006,880 SF Class A facility in Dayton, MN, is built to support the next generation of manufacturing and logistics. With 40-foot clear heights, 169 dock doors, and advanced building systems, it’s a space designed for performance, flexibility, and growth.
What We're Up To
Take a look at what we've been up to this past month!
Al Fiesel LIVE in a Studio Near You! 🎙️
Calling all podcast fanatics! Be sure to tune into the Work Inspired podcast, featuring Al Fiesel. Hear more about what Al thinks makes this practice so great and all the work we do. Linked below!
Seeing Double 👯‍♀️ 👀
Twinning is always on trend and we love to see it around the offices!
Caught a matching moment? Send it to news@theljc.com! We’re here for the coordination.
On the Boards STL Spotlight 🔦
This month’s On the Boards brought teams together across the firm to share progress, swap feedback, and celebrate the design energy behind our latest work.
Phoenix Canstruction 2025 🥫
Our Phoenix team joined forces with Clayco to participate in this year’s Canstruction Phoenix, benefiting St. Mary’s Food Bank. Inspired by the theme of nostalgia, the team built a colorful lava lamp using nearly 1,800 cans of tuna and 300 bags of beans—a playful nod to retro design and a symbol of community impact.
Alongside our partners Suntec Engineering & Design and Solutions AEC, we were proud to support the food bank with both our build and nearly $2,000 in donations.
Aspire Center Hosts PWC Chicago Member Connect
This month we joined PWC Chicago members for a behind-the-scenes tour of the newly completed Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation. Highlighting the adaptive reuse of the former Emmet Elementary School and how crucial this project is to creating opportunities for workforce training and entrepreneurship in Austin.
Cambrie Barowski joined the program as a speaker, sharing design insights and the story behind this transformative project. Way to go, Cambrie!
🚦 Placemaking + Mobility in Action in North St. Louis
LJC brought the PlanSTL Area 1 Neighborhood Plan to life with placemaking demonstrations in The Ville, Greater Ville, and Kingsway East, three neighborhoods deeply impacted by the May tornado.
At St. Louis Avenue & Euclid Avenue, we tested crosswalks and curb extensions that slowed traffic and created safer pedestrian experiences. In front of Sumner High School, we piloted a “pedestrian spine” that paired mobility improvements with local vendors, music, and community organizations. Together, these interventions turned streets into gathering places and showcased how roadway design can celebrate pride of place while keeping neighbors safe.
MOB Magazine Feature đź“°
We’re proud to celebrate two of our own—Fatima Garcia and Bryonna Allen—for being featured in the latest issue of MOB! 🎉
Part media company, part movement, MOB is here to show the world what it really looks like to be a woman in the trades. Through storytelling, hands-on experiences, and fresh perspectives from role models like Fatima and Bryonna, the platform is inspiring the next generation to see construction as a place where they belong—not someday, but right now. Check out more about the magazine and its mission here!
Congratulations, Fatima and Bryonna, on being recognized for the impact you’re making in the industry and for helping shape the future of construction.
LJC at the USGBC AZ Building Transformation Forum
This month, LJC joined Clayco to sponsor of the USGBC Arizona Building Transformation Forum. The event brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of sustainable design and construction. LJC was well-represented by Smriti Jain, Marcela Goris, and Madison Smith. Their presence highlighted our commitment to advancing green building practices and shaping the next generation of resilient, sustainable spaces.
Wildfire Relief ReBUILD LA 🛠️
Our LJC team recently participated in the Wildfire Relief ReBUILD LA event, organized by CREW Los Angeles in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. Volunteers spent the day pre-assembling components for a future home that will be built for a local family affected by the wildfires.
The event offered an opportunity not only to learn new building skills but also to contribute in a tangible way to the recovery process. It was a meaningful reminder of the impact collaborative efforts can have in supporting communities in need.
What We've Wrapped Up
Take a look at some final photography from our latest projects.
Shaping the Future of 430 N. Michigan Avenue 📸
Final photos are in! Our landscape architecture team reimagined the courtyard at 430 N. Michigan Avenue into a vibrant 880 SF space along one of Chicago’s most iconic streets. The design features a sculptural wall flowing from stair to seat to art, paired with lush planting for a welcoming pause in the city.
This project also showcases our collaboration with PIKUS3D, where 3D-printed concrete technology helped bring the courtyard’s unique curves and forms to life.
See more about the project here!
New Photography Alert! Check Out Our Latest Project Photos 📸
24 E Washington 9th Floor NE Spec Suite
CHICAGO, IL | 29,880 SF
Spec suite blending 1920s-inspired materials with flexible layouts, including a Speakeasy lounge, café, and collaborative zones to attract new tenants.
Aeris Communications
Chicago, IL | 21,300 SF
New workplace designed to reflect Aeris’ brand, balancing tranquil aesthetics with strategic lighting and flexible, connected work zones.
Spot
Chicago, IL | 31,000 SF
A new workplace featuring a reception-free café hub fostering community, warm branded finishes for a welcoming atmosphere, and standardized details that maintained quality while meeting strict budget and schedule goals.
Argo Group
Chicago, IL | 20,500 RSF
A turnkey office for specialty insurer, designed and delivered on a fast-track schedule and tight budget through efficient detailing and sourcing.
What's Coming Up
See the exciting things we are looking forward to!
LJC is Going to the Library! đź“š
Next month on September 25th, join us at the St. Louis County Library Clark Family Branch! Hosted by Library Journal in partnership with the St. Louis County Library, this year’s event will bring together library leaders, architects, and vendors to explore the latest trends in library design.
đź“… Date: September 25, 2025
📍 Location: St. Louis County Library – St. Louis, MO
STL Northside Trap Run đź‘ź
Come out to run the 5k or just cheer on runners at the Trap Run on September 6th.
Immediately following the race, we invite the community to join us for a pop-up event supporting the MLK Cultural Corridor Project—an important step in advancing neighborhood planning and rebuilding a community that needs and deserves our collective support.
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 Kirk West!
LJC Office: St. Louis
Title/Role: Senior Associate, Building Envelope Specialist, Technical Assurance Group
Focus: TAG – Exterior Building Enclosure Systems
School: University of Missouri – Columbia, College of Engineering, BS Civil/Structural Engineering
Professional affiliation: Building Enclosure Commissioning BEC/International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants IIBEC
What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
Backpacking and exploring the wilderness in Sequoia National Park, California.
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Gardening and landscaping, and exploring the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming.
What’s the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it?
Dr Who. Intriguing, unusual, quirky, escape from reality.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
Commercial airline pilot. I wanted to fly jets and understand and use all the buttons, switches, dials, and gauges.
What non-AEC related subject are you an expert on? How did you become one?
Identifying plants and woody ornamentals by genus and species and knowing their characteristics and habits. I gained knowledge and experience as a young boy by working for a noted nurseryman who was a good teacher. He taught others what he knew to help them find the goodness and meaning to this life.
Say hey to Garrett Hoene!
LJC Office: Chicago
Title/Role: Designer I
Focus: Architecture - Industrial/Aviation
School: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I think people would be surprised to know how big my family is. I come from two big farm families out in the middle of nowhere. Altogether, I have 14 aunts and uncles and about 40 first cousins. Family gatherings are pretty much a constant in my life, and they never fail to keep us busy.
If you could travel to any time/place, what would it be and why?
If I could travel to any time, I would choose the early 1800s to join the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The opportunity to witness and document the vast, uncharted landscapes of the American West would be an incredible experience. To be part of a team that mapped unknown territory, encountered new species, and built relationships with Native nations would offer a perspective on both the promise and the challenges of exploration. While the journey was full of hardships, disease, difficult terrain, and uncertainty, the sense of discovery and the chance to contribute to something historically significant would make it worthwhile. Plus, it feels like the ultimate real-life version of Red Dead Redemption but without the respawn button.
What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
For me, the perfect weekend starts with the right setting; early fall weather, partly cloudy skies, crisp sweatshirt temps, and that laid-back feeling that makes everything better. On Friday, I like to finish up the work week here at LJC, head home, and go out to eat with my fiancée before stopping by my favorite bar for a drink. Saturday is a chance to sleep in, maybe get in a late round of golf, or go explore somewhere new in the greater Chicagoland area—whether it’s a restaurant, a park, a shop, or a patio with live music, which we always seem to drift toward. By Sunday, the weekend builds to game day with the Dallas Cowboys, a bowl of soup, and the hope that my fantasy football teams pull off a few wins to wrap things up just right.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
I’ve always been a huge history nut, so when I was in high school, I was preparing to either become a teacher or a military historian. But during my last semester of high school, I took a Computer Aided Design class, and one of our assignments was to draw up the plans for our future house. That project completely hooked me, and from there the rest was history, literally trading one kind of history for another in architecture and design.
I recently became engaged - the picture above is of my fiancé and me from that special day!
Meet David Swartz!
LJC Office: Los Angeles
Title/Role: Principal
Focus: Architecture and Interiors
Schools: Syracuse University and University of Southern California
Affiliations: FAIA (Fellow); IIDA; NCARB; LEED AP; Chair for the Planning Land Use and Management Committee for the West Los Angeles Sawtelle Neighborhood Council; Board Member for the West Los Angeles Neighborhood Council; Licensed in 15 states. Recently was on the Board of Governors for the USC Alumni Association and the Board for the Trojan Entertainment Network. Have been active with the California Architects Board in writing the California Supplemental Exam.
What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I have six children and seven grandchildren.
If you could speak another language, what would it be? Why?
Mandarin, fluently. My wife and daughter speak it fluently and I can understand about 20% of what they are saying.
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
I collect coins. I know a bit too much about US pennies, especially Lincoln cents.
If you could travel to any time/place, what would it be and why?
1920’s New York. Would be lots of fun to experience.
What non-AEC related subject are you an expert on? How did you become one?
I’ve spent most of my career focused on adaptive reuse and technical architecture. I’m drawn to the challenge of working with existing buildings — figuring out what’s worth preserving, what needs to be changed, and how to make the whole thing perform better without losing its character. Over the years, I’ve gotten comfortable navigating permitting, codes, and construction in Los Angeles, and I’ve led a lot of teams through that process from start to finish. But I’ve also come to realize that the technical side is only half of it. What really makes a project successful is the culture behind it. I care a lot about how people work together, how younger staff are supported, how ideas get shared, how a team stays grounded and open even when things get difficult. I’ve always tried to build environments where people feel respected and engaged, because I think that’s what leads to the best work. And I’ve seen that when a culture is strong, the architecture tends to follow.
Say Howdy to Victor Jimenez!
Office: Chicago
Title/Role: Senior Associate
Focus: Architecture
Schools: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology
Affiliations: AIA, Arquitectos
What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
Earlier this year, my wife and I took a trip to the mountains outside of Vancouver, British Columbia. Such a beautiful part of the world with spectacular landscapes. We went hiking to see some glacier-fed lakes, the crystal-clear turquoise color of the water was just an incredible sight!
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Gardening, we keep a few raised planters at home, and we also have a plot at a community garden in our neighborhood park. It’s a great way to slow down, unwind, and meet your neighbors.
What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
During high school, I worked as a ride operator at Navy Pier and got to run the controls for the Ferris wheel! The controls were surprisingly simple (big red button), and it was a fun way to meet people from all over the world and be part of a unique part of Chicago's history.
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:
- Data-center cooling equipment maker Daedex plans 500K-s.f. facility in Dayton
- The Uptown Theatre turns 100 with a new book and serious questions about its future
- CRG breaks ground on industrial facility The Cubes at Cicero
- Kali Hotel on the rise just south of SoFi Stadium in Hollywood Park
- Lamar Johnson Collaborative unveiled the design for Humboldt Park Passive Living, a four-story, all-electric building at 750 N. Avers Ave. in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park neighborhood.
- Lamar Johnson Collaborative Designs All-Electric Affordable Housing Development in Chicago
- Design debuts for Chicago’s largest passive house affordable housing community
- Lamar Johnson Collaborative Unveils Design for Humboldt Park Passive Living in Chicago
- Permits issued for industrial development at 4300 W. Roosevelt
- 35 Landmarks of St. Louis Architecture in 35 Years: 1990-2025
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