What We're Celebrating
Three cheers to some stellar accomplishments!
Celebrating 25 Years of Integrated by Design!
Would you look at that! This September, LJC celebrated a quarter-century of being Integrated by Design. We are proud of the multidisciplinary practice we’ve built, rooted in architecture, interior design, engineering, and landscape architecture, driven by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to design excellence.
Reflecting on our journey of growth in all areas of our firm gives us a deep appreciation for the dedication of the people that make up LJC. It’s no coincidence that, through our resolute determination to find the best and brightest in the industry—spanning urban planning, design, sustainability, and engineering—our team has grown. In the past few years, we’ve expanded our footprint with new offices across the country, building new relationships with the communities we work in.
As we move into the next 25 years, we want to say “thank you” to our employees, partners, clients, and communities for helping us build such an incredible foundation. We are proud of the impactful projects we have created together and look forward to what we will design next.
Cheers to Tashio Martinez and Nathan Severiano
Big congrats to Tashio Martinezand Nathan Severiano, our newest licensed architects and latest leg lamp recipients!
Teachers Like Me Project Wins AIA Award!
Huge congratulations to the Teachers Like Me team in Kansas City for taking home the top award in the concept category at the AIA Design Awards!
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! 💃🏽
From a lively salsa competition to happy hour gatherings, we’ve been embracing the spirit of the month and celebrating our Hispanic communities. We also had the honor of hearing from Instituto del Progreso Latino, a non-profit dedicated to empowering Latino families and youth through education, training, and employment opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity: Women Build Fundraiser Success
Thanks to the incredible efforts of the LJC, Clayco, and CRG Women Build team, who participated in the Women Build 2024 event! Not only did the team volunteer their time to work on a home construction project, they help fundraise to support women homebuyers overcome the gendered barriers to homeownership!
Our incredible team raised an impressive $20,165—more than doubling our original goal of $8,500! Huge thanks to everyone who contributed, especially the $5,500 raised at our happy hour raffle. Your support is making a real difference for women in Chicago!
What We're Working On
Check out some of the latest and greatest milestones from this past month!
Breaking Ground on Kali Hotel
Clayco and LJC are bringing a fresh, modern touch to LA's Hollywood Park with this stunning new project. The Kali Hotel features luxury suites, a rooftop lounge, and breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like SoFi Stadium.
Learn more about The Kali Hotel on our website here
Groundbreaking of Ray Nashville
VeLa Development Partners and Ray have officially begun construction on Ray Nashville. This Tennessee project marks our second successful partnership with the Ray + VeLa team following LJC's work on Ray Phoenix. Ray Nashville is a 573,705 SF tower, designed in collaboration with Johnston Marklee, and will bring a striking design to Nashville's Pie Town neighborhood.
Learn More about Ray Nashville on our website here
Topping Out at Indiana University Health South Support Building (SSB)
LJC attended the topping-off ceremony for the Indiana University Health South Support Building project! This milestone celebrates the final beam being placed, bringing us closer to delivering a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance healthcare operations in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The SSB will serve as a mixed-use logistical hub and parking garage for the new Indiana University Health downtown hospital and expanded medical campus. The SSB will also have a 22-bay loading dock and logistics hub, a 2,600-car parking garage, offices, retail space, and bulk medical gas storage in its exterior service yard.
Learn more about the Indiana University Health South Support Building project on our website here.
Topping Out at SIUE’s Health Sciences Complex
LJC came together with Clayco, Poettker, and State of Illinois leaders to celebrate the topping out of SIUE’s new Health Sciences Complex! By placing the top beam on this project, the future home of the School of Pharmacy and School of Nursing is one step closer to completion! The new building will feature classrooms, labs, and study spaces.
Learn more about the SIUE Health Sciences Complex project on our website here.
BandWith Breaks Ground on New Performing Arts Center
BandWith Chicago has officially broken ground on their new Performing Arts Center in East Garfield Park! BandWith selected the East Garfield Park location to add to the growing collection of positive community assets catalyzing the neighborhood and remain close to their community.
Our team has proudly partnered with BandWith from the very inception of this project over four years ago so this groundbreaking was a true team celebration. LJC has supported BandWith's community engagement and led the programming, site selection, architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design for the entire project!
BandWith's new facility will allow the non-profit to offer free music and dance programs to empower young artists and future leaders. The center will also host programs like drumline, dance, and sound engineering, to help nurture a new generation of artists.
Learn more about our BandWith Project on our website here.
Chicago Park 598 Groundbreaking
Eli Lechter joined city and community leaders to celebrate the start of Park No. 598. The new four-acre green space in Chicago's Near North neighborhood will offer families a welcome spot for recreation and relaxation and is made possible through land donated by the Chicago Housing Authority.
Our ENTEK Lithium Separator Plant project hit a major construction milestone last week with the successful tilt-up of the first panels on-site!
This achievement marks a significant step forward as we move toward bringing this critical facility to life. We're also excited to share that the finished goods warehouse panels are now complete! The new building will provide essential infrastructure to support ENTEK’s mission of advancing the domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain.
Big thanks to Concrete Strategies and the rest of our project team for driving this forward.
Learn more about our ENTEK – Lithium Separator Plant project on our website here.
What We're Up To
Take a look at what we've been up to this past month!
Clayco's Commitment in Action: 2023 GSE Report
Clayco’s second annual GSE Report highlights the safety, diversity, and sustainability progress we made in 2023. From reducing emissions to supporting communities with $5.7M in contributions, the report highlights all we have achieved together. Visit Clayco's 2023 GSE website for highlights and to read to the report.
Clayco ESG Video Found Here
Kapil Talks Resilience at Diverse Developer Conference
Our one and only CEO Kapil Khanna recently shared his insights as a panelist at the Diverse Developer Annual Conference on October 10th. He participated in the "Urban Planning for Resilience: Building Stronger Midwest Communities" discussion, for the event dedicated to fostering collaboration among Midwest real estate developers.
It Was a Marathon Month of Conferences for LJC 🏃🏆
Our team has been actively engaging, networking, and exploring the latest trends and innovations in the industry all of October!
If you're heading out to represent LJC at an event, be sure to let us know at news@theljc.com so we can share on our social channels!
Chip Crawford Took the Stage at TEA SATE North America
LJC recently attended TEA SATE North America, where Chip Crawford presented. Our team had a great time at the conference and had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders in themed and experiential entertainment, and to explore the iconic Dollywood park and resorts!
A Spooktacular Success 🎃
Our offices got a little spooky last week as we welcomed employees' families for our annual Halloween Spooktacular! Special thanks to all our amazing teams for making this such a great success! Happy Halloween!
Welcoming All at Open House Chicago!
We opened our doors for Open House Chicago (OHC), welcoming a whopping 1,200+ visitors into our 15th floor office! Big thanks to our volunteers for showing everyone around and sharing our story. OHC is a free public festival hosted annually by the Chicago Architecture Center, giving people behind-the-scenes access to some of Chicago’s architectural gems.
Sarah Jacobson Takes the Stage at AIA LA Event
Sarah Jacobson joined Lori Healy on stage at AIA Los Angeles POWERFUL XI: TOGETHER conference, celebrating teamwork and the amazing achievements of women in architecture, engineering, construction, and land development!
Golf Outings Galore! ⛳️
Our team hit the green at multiple outings this season, from CoorsTek’s premier golf tournament in Colorado to St. Louis for the annual CREW tournament, and the Merlin Magic Makers Charity Golf Tournament in California!
Andy Sebacher and Liz Austin Attended MetroWire Media's Industrial Panel!
MetroWire St. Louis hosted a panel about the future of the St. Louis industrial real estate market. We are so proud of our team for continuing to be involved in making St. Louis a better and brighter community.
Our Team Attended the Healthcare Design Conference + Expo!
Our team attended CREW Network Convention in Vancouver!
Vancouver set the perfect backdrop for a fantastic experience filled with connection, insightful content, and an incredible construction tour. Liz Austin, Jen Nevil and Stephanie Handley represented LJC at this networking event!
A Matching Moment 👯♀️
Phew, this is a long scroll. Are you still with us? We've been a busy bunch this October! It was a quiet month for outfit twin sightings—except for this check-tastic trio!
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 Ellie Selzer!
LJC Office Location: Culver City, LA
Title/Role: Design Staff 2
School(s) you graduated from: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Southern California
Professional affiliations: Architecture + Advocacy - Board Member
If you could speak another language, what would it be? Why?
I would like to learn how to speak ASL fluently! (I am still working on my Spanish, but it’s coming along slowly).
What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
I went backpacking around the world last year with my best friend – eight countries in six weeks and we literally did a full circle around the globe! (Started in LA headed East to Europe, then to Asia, and landed back in LA from the west coming from New Zealand).
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
I love to rollerblade; I go all the time on the beach path here in LA.
What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
Friday night concert followed by martinis and late-night food, Saturday beach followed by a happy hour and dinner with friends, Sunday hike and flea markets and finish the night off with some takeout and a good movie.
Meet Marcela Goris!
LJC Office Location: Phoenix
Title/Role: Interior Designer I
Focus: Interiors
School(s) you graduated from: Savannah College of Art & Design
Professional affiliations: IIDA, Arizona Forward
What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
Three years ago, Gerard Butler memorized my phone number and texted me the next day 🙂
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
I am the queen of finding deals. Airfare, hotels, furniture, antiques, clothing, etc. Hit me up and I probably already have the thing you need saved or have seen a great deal for it somewhere!
What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
Starting a Saturday off with a 7:30 AM hot yoga class, then a walk to the dog park. After I would meet some friends for breakfast and then go window shopping. After a small nap, I'd go out and meet friends for some wine at a cool spot. Sundays are strictly for rotting in bed! But in all actuality, if I was a billionaire, my perfect weekend would be spending the entire month of June in the South of France on a yacht. 🙂
What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
My first job was working as a cashier for my dad! He owned a Latinx Grocery store that was a staple in the neighborhood. It was fun getting to work with my father and to see how hard he works and how well he was known by our community. My Spanish improved A LOT, and I learned about niche foods from over 20 different Hispanic countries, as well as how to cash checks and play lotto tickets for people. My favorite part of working there was that I could eat anything I wanted...for free!! There was a hot food service area, and my go-to was a Cuban sandwich with hot chocolate and a slice of tres leche cake.
Say "hello" to Bob Buckman!
LJC Office Location: Overland
Title/Role: Associate Principal/ Senior Project Manager
School(s) you graduated from: California State Polytechnic Pomona and University of Missouri Columbia
Professional affiliations: AIA, Webster Groves ARB, University of Missouri Architectural Studies board member, African Diaspora Council board member
What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
My family’s 6,000-mile coast to coast road trip last year by car from St. Louis to LA then back through to Boston and Washington DC. We visited family and friends along with lots of national parks, great restaurants, and architecture. The music selection along the way was highlighted by artists from the states we were driving through/visiting.
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
Music, I’ve been singing and playing piano and guitar most of my life. Having performed in half-a-dozen bands with various music genres in the past, I currently only jam with family and friends. All three of my kids are musically talented as well, so we have jam sessions in the home studio.
What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, professionally, so far?
Contributing as a design team member to projects that will continue teaching and inspiring future generations including the Butterfly House, the Jewel Box renovation in Forest Park, and Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
An Architect. I was always drawing and building things as a kid, starting with mapping the 10 acres of woods behind my childhood home and then designing and building a system of trails, dams and tree houses.
Meet Brendan Crawford!
LJC Office Location: Overland, MO
Title/Role: Project Accountant
Focus: Operations
School(s) you graduated from: Kansas State University
What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far?
I lived in a van for four months while solo-road-tripping the country! A few years ago, I built out a van and lived in it for the winter while snowboarding at as many resorts as possible out West. I explored eight new-to-me states, snowboarded 90+ days, saw so many cool views, and met countless awesome people doing the same thing as me. If I could only go back to one place, it would be Jackson Hole, WY, but Mammoth Mountain, CA has a special place in my heart.
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
My most niche interest outside of work is wakeskating. Wakeskating is basically skateboarding on water and is similar to wakeboarding or waterskiing. I love how challenging the sport can be and the feeling of landing a trick that I have been battling with for hours. It's very fulfilling and the community is small, but incredibly motivating.
What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I'm an amateur musician. I was in a band in middle school called Permafrost and was the drummer for my high school's jazz band. Since then, playing the guitar and singing has been an almost-daily ritual for me. I thrive around a campfire and am always on the lookout for a jam session!
Meet Todd Emeott!
LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Design Principal
Focus: Interiors
School(s) you graduated from: Kendall College of Art and Design
Professional affiliations: IIDA, KCAD Interior Design Advisory Board
What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest?
International travel! Every year, my husband and I take a two week vacation to a country we have never been to before. We love to stay immersed in the culture, dine at as many Michelin star restaurants as we can, stay in boutique hotels, and try to take as many adventurous hikes as we can.
So far, I’ve traveled to Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador, the Galapagos, Bolivia, Peru, Italy, France, Monaco, Turkey, Germany, Iceland, Japan, and I’ll be rounding out the year with Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania!
What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
My first job was at an apple farm called Baynes Apple Valley Farm. I was born in September and I love all things fall. I spent my days as an apple bagger, making suggestions on the best type of apple for the best type of eating or baking need. Best pie for an apple pie… Northern Spy!
I spent a lot of time in the bakery, making cider doughnuts, moving hay bales around, pressing fresh apple cider, and selling pumpkins for carving. Every day was living in a beautiful fall world, before pumpkin spice lattes and boho hats and puffer vests were a thing.
Name three songs that best describe you/are your favorites, and briefly explain why!
"Alien Superstar" by Beyonce – Because I’m unique.
"Dark Lady" by Cher – Because I’m perceptive (be warned).
"Daydreamer" by Adele – Because I put my heart into the things I’m loyal to.
Get to know Jeff Smith!
LJC Office Location: Denver
Title/Role: Principal, Residential Market Lead
Focus: Architecture, Interiors, Operations
School(s) you graduated from: University of Colorado Boulder and University of Colorado Denver
Professional affiliations: AIA
What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
We have 10 chickens.
What’s the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it?
The Gentlemen. I liked the juxtaposition of the English countryside/royalty and the drug world.
What does a perfect weekend look like to you?
I like to have a good long run on Saturday morning, then some time with family (typically attending one of my kids’ sporting events), nice dinner at home. Sundays I like to go on a bike ride, then get things done around the house. Pretty boring…I like being able to spend time at home and catch up on sleep on the weekends.
What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, professionally, so far?
I am proud that I helped to build a residential design studio at my previous firm that supported significant growth in that firm over the past 10 years. For a project, I am proud to have designed Parc Mosaic Apartment Homes in Boulder, CO. There were many headwinds against that project…we got it done and it is performing well above expectations.
What movie can you watch repeatedly? What makes it so special?
The only movies I watch repeatedly are dumb comedies, anything by Will Ferrell or Jim Carrey.
Say "hello" to Ayat Hamed!
LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Interior Design 1
Focus: Interior Design focuses on the workplace.
School(s) you graduated from: Columbia College Chicago
What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation?
Last month, I had an amazing trip to the UK and Spain! It was a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself in different cultures and try a variety of delicious foods. I explored some truly iconic locations, including the breathtaking Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, the whimsical Casa Batlló, and the stunning Casa Amatller. Each place offered a unique glimpse into architectural styles and history, deepening my appreciation for design. The experience was not only fun but also incredibly enriching!
What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
My first job was at a coffee shop, and I absolutely loved it! I had so much fun brewing coffee for customers and experimenting with new flavors. One of my favorite parts was creating latte art—I found it incredibly rewarding to turn a simple cup of coffee into a beautiful creation. Engaging with regular customers and seeing their smiles when I presented their drinks made each shift enjoyable. This experience sparked my passion for creativity and customer service, and I cherish the skills I gained during my time there!
What movie can you watch repeatedly? What makes it so special?
One movie I can watch repeatedly is "The Great Gatsby" (2013). The film's stunning visual aesthetics and intricate set designs are captivating. The opulence of the 1920s, combined with the vibrant colors and luxurious interiors, showcases exceptional attention to detail. Each scene feels like a work of art, which inspires my creativity in interior design.
If you could speak another language, what would it be? Why?
If I could speak another language, I would choose Spanish. It’s such a beautiful and widely spoken language, allowing me to connect with diverse cultures across many countries. Additionally, Spanish is increasingly important in the global landscape, both personally and professionally.
What We've Wrapped Up
Take a look at some final photography from our latest projects.
Professional Photography: The Clover at Olive Crossing
Check out the final photos of The Clover in St. Louis, beautifully captured by Alise O'Brien. The Clover is a ground-up multifamily residential development by Keeley Properties in the 14.8-acre mixed-use Olive Crossing in Olivette. It's a luxury apartment building built for community, sustainability, and wellness, drawing from the history of Olivette and the surrounding natural landscapes. LJC was the Design Architect, AOR, and Landscape Architect.
Photography by Alise O'Brien
Professional Photography: The Flats at Wildhorse Village
Matt McFarland captured some stunning shots of The Flats Wildhorse Village, a premier luxury apartment and townhome community in Chesterfield’s dynamic new Wildhorse Village development. As the Executive Architect and Landscape Architect, LJC teamed with Arcturis and Pier Properties Group to deliver this multi-family building. Amenity spaces include a gracious, naturally lit lobby with an adjacent clubhouse and bar, a conference center, a fitness area, a pet spa and a pool house. The final design explores a European influence in an upscale and sophisticated context.
Photography by Matt McFarland
Professional Photography: Wildhorse Village Landscape Architecture
Matt McFarland and Shelby Kroeger captured stunning new professional photos showcasing the beautiful landscape at Wildhorse Village, an 80-acre mixed-use development planned to include corporate office space, multi-family residential, and restaurant and retail space. Along with publicly accessible green space with trails and waterfront amenities, residents in the recently completed Flats (project above) and visitors can enjoy the community’s flagship amenity: a 15-acre lake at the village’s center. The lake features a terraced plaza, a boardwalk with seating areas, an amphitheater, and a boathouse.
New Video: Embry
Check out this stunning new video from Embry, a new 16-story luxury condominium tower in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, showcasing the building's interiors by Kara Mann, amenities, and surrounding context.
Who's Talking About our Work?
Take a look at some places we have popped up in the news!
New hotel at SoFi Stadium to cater to athletes and fans
Massive scope of proposed Chicago quantum computing complex comes into focus
What's that? New construction in Nashville's Pie Town will bring 32-story tower
BandWith Chicago celebrates groundbreaking of new headquarters
Old casket factory set to turn into music school and performance space on Chicago's West Side
Keep Up With Us!
Miss seeing all the fun things we're up to every day?
Click Here to Follow Us on All Social Platforms!
Hey, you!
Yeah, you reading this right now.
What are you working on? What events have you gone to recently? Any conferences coming up? What is the 411? Tell us everything.
The only way we can have a cool newsletter like the Plum Line is with information from YOU!
Keep us in the loop by emailing news@theljc.com