Mark has worked under several Master Architects collaborating on many exciting award-winning projects across the country. He is experienced in the application of bringing Art and Architecture together in a unique composition and has a broad range of experience and expertise in the design and management of high-quality buildings.
Mark has been in private practice since 2004 as Principal of Mark A. Hill Architect, and in 2015 founded the multi-disciplined design firm, “SHAPE” - an Acronym for Studio H Architecture Planning Environments. Prior to establishing SHAPE, Mark played a pivotal role on the senior management team at The Freelon Group (TFG), overseeing the design of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington DC. He managed a diverse team of 4 Architects along with 30 Engineers, Designers, and Specialty consultants, ensuring the successful completion of the design.
Prior to TFG, Mark held a prominent position at Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects (GSAA), where he contributed to the design of numerous award-winning projects, including museums, libraries, medical facilities, and private residences.
Before Joining GSAA, Mark gained his foundational experience in high level design at the renowned NYC firm, I.M. Pei + Partners (now Pei Cobb Freed + Partners) where he collaborated on several world class cultural and institutional projects.
Mark is a native of New York City. In addition to his passion for architecture, he is also passionate about giving back to the youth of his profession and the children of his community. He served as a member of the Cornell University AAP Alumni Committee on Diversity which created the Cornell Future Architect Award, providing full funding for talented HS youth to attend the Cornell Summer Architecture Program. He has also been teaching children moral virtues for over 35 years and has co-directed summer programs for over 10 years to reach out to children who have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, abandoned and/or neglected.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning and is currently a member of the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning Deans Advisory Council.
Jake has over 52 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2023. As senior design and technical advisor, Jake provides guidance, commentary and advice on overall design and technical matters. His fifty-two years of diverse, award-winning professional experience have also earned him a reputation as a valued and trusted consultant to notable architectural practices and project stakeholders such as Civic Hall @ Union Square, NYC/EDC, MASS Design Group, The Turett Collaborative, and Shigeru Ban Architects.
In independent professional practice since 2002, he has provided design and management leadership for both his firm and for others in the industry. Jacob and his teams have master-planned, programmed, and designed a wide variety of complex projects. Recent works include Civic Hall @ Union Square, Grace Church School’s new high school and K-8 underground gym; and the master plan, new science center, and campus wayfinding system for The Town School. Higher Education works include multi-phase master planning, design and project implementations for NYU, Utah Valley University, and Rutgers University/Newark.
Giselle has 13 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2023. She is an Interior Architect and a seasoned designer dedicated to transforming spaces into captivating and functional environments. Her expertise lies in merging artistic vision with practical design solutions to create aesthetically pleasing spaces with optimized functionality. She has managed and executed a diverse range of projects, from residential to commercial spaces, incorporating a keen understanding of architectural principles and contemporary design trends.
Giselle started working at SM Development Corporation in 2011 as a team member of the In-house Design Group contributing to various residential and commercial projects including condominium lobbies, showrooms, offices and strip malls. Her journey within the corporation led her to assume leadership as a Design Manager, overseeing prestigious projects and collaborating with diverse teams of consultants, playing a pivotal role in the interior design of several award-winning projects icluding Gold Residences, Air Residences and Glam Residences to name a few.
Since joining SHAPE, Giselle has actively participated in numerous projects, such as the Chyna Club and Washing Potato restaurants situated within the Fontainebleau hotel and resort development in Las Vegas, NV. Additionally, she has taken charge of leading the Interior Design initiatives for the John A. White Golf and Senior Center located in Atlanta, GA.
Julie has 14 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2023. She possesses extensive experience in architecture, showcasing her proficiency in leading projects internationally. Her notable contributions span across Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and the US. This global exposure has significantly enhanced her versatility and profi ciency, qualities that underscore her proven skills and expertise.
Julie has a professional background spanning 14 years, beginning her career at a prestigious architecture fi rm. During her tenure she skillfully worked on several project types including residential and mixed-use developments, commercial, high-rise, and hospitality.
Julie expanded her expertise in diverse roles within various companies. She gained experience in handling steel drawings, demonstrating detailed coordination of engineering drawings, and acquired knowledge of construction through site-inspections.
Julie excels in developing both architectural and intricate details leveraging her proficiency in software tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, Sketchup, and Photoshop.
Portia is a dynamic architect and project manager who has a diverse experience in the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, and Interior Design Industries wherein she successfully managed and contributed to numerous projects, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities, including planning and design, technical drawing production, architectural interior, interior design, site supervision, project and construction management, allowing her to develop a comprehensive skill set and a deep understanding of the entire design and construction process.
Portia worked on various roles which includes being a project lead architect, project manager, construction manager, site architect, architectural interior designer and 3D visualizer wherein she works on wide variety of project typologies including hotels, custom residential, condominiums, service apartments, mixed use buildings, residential development, townhouses, and commercial buildings such as mid-rise and high-rise office buildings, retail spaces, showrooms, mall and cinema renovation. Additionally, she has experience in master planning and of a mixed-use development project and various interior fit out and interior design projects. Her international experience includes collaborative projects in the United States, where she worked with a designer and an illustrator/rendering artist based in California on architectural interior and interior design projects which includes a private estate/high-end residential, estate winery, and various hotels.
In addition to developing architectural drawings and intricate details, Portia led architectural projects through all stages, emphasizing accuracy and compliance with industry and building standards. Experienced in mentoring architects, guiding consultants, and contractors to deliver quality work. Proficient in overseeing schedules, budgets, and safety standards, resolving challenges, and driving continuous improvements.
Rio has 15 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2023. She is a licensed architect who has a passion for designing and creating technical and construction drawings, detail-oriented plans, 2D and 3D representation of master planned architectural environments. With more than 10 years of experience in the field of architecture and design, her roles range from ushering the company to bringing its architectural vision into material fulfillment and highlighting the grandeur and beauty of proposed developments.
Rio’s experience from being employed by high-profile real estate developers has honed her skills in planning and the conceptualization of large-scale residential and mixed-use developments. Her previous role as Planning Department Head has given her the privilege of heading a team of junior architects and collaborating with professionals in different disciplines. These responsibilities have also exposed her to the extensive utilization of time management and problem-solving skills. She is also proficient in a number of software such as AutoCad, Revit, ArchiCad, Sketchup, Lumion, V-ray, Adobe Suite and similar graphic design software.
Rowena has 13 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2023. She has significant experience with the design and structural processes that allow her to be versatile and
knowledgeable in producing well-coordinated design drawings and construction documents.
Rowena gained her architectural skills while working on several different building types. These projects include residential buildings (ranging from high-end apartment buildings to high-rise condominiums and custom homes), commercial buildings, institutional buildings (airport and schools) and industrial buildings (manufacturing plants and warehouses).
In addition to developing architectural drawings and details in Revit, AutoCAD and Tekla Structures software, Rowena has worked with a variety of projects internationally. Her US projects include a Fontainebleau Hotel & Resort Signature Dining Restaurant in the Las Vegas, NV and Norhart Apartments in Minnesota. The Match Cast Cross River Rail Project in Australia. The Massey University project in Auckland, New Zealand. The One Zaabeél project - a property owned by the Royal family in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and St. Luke’s Medical Center - a high-end medical facility in the Philippines, to name a few.
Henry has 11 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2023. He is a seasoned architect with over a decade of experience in renowned firms internationally and in the US. He specializes in diverse projects including Commercial Malls, Institutional, Federal, and High-rise buildings. He is profi cient in Revit and AutoCAD for architectural drawings, as well as, SketchUp, Lumion, and Enscape for 3D modeling and renderings. His work as a design and technical Architect highlights his adaptability and proficiency in delivering well-coordinated designs and construction documents.
Henry started working for W.V. Coscolluela & Associates in 2015. Some of his notable contributions there include high-end clients in the Philippines such as the SM Megatower which is a 50-story LEED o ffice building in Metropolitan Manila and the BDO Tower and Robinsons Mall Pavia. He spearheaded the SM Megatower project from its initial phase through completion.
He also became a part of the US fi rm, RIM Architects in Hawaii, focusing on commercial and healthcare projects. Some of his contributions there include the The Queen’s Medical Center NICU & Maternity Renovation, UH Ho ’ola Early Phase Clinical Research Center, and FKC Kaimuki Clinic.
Since joining SHAPE, he has led the Construction Administration phase for two high end restaurants in the Fontainebleau hotel and resort development in Las Vegas, NV.
Shenjie has 6 Years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2019. He is a Lead Architectural Designer at SHAPE and has the versatility to adapt and work on projects of various scales and building types including: residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, cultural, civic, recreational, as well as, Master planning and Interior design.
Shenjie is a creative Architectural Designer and has participated in several Architectural competitions. He has received awards for his numerous design projects as a student both in China and the US.
Years of hand-drawing training have equipped him with excellent 3D logic skills. Coupled with proficient use of various drawing and modeling software, he can effi ciently accomplish a multitude of conceptual designs within tight time frames.
Professionally he has worked in the AECOM Chengdu office on several projects including a cultural center, museum and a hotel design.
As an Architectural Designer at SHAPE, Shenjie has been a design lead for single-family housing, a 200 unit multi-family residential apartment building and a mixed use recreational facility in Atlanta, GA. In addition to design, Shenjie also has experience in construction documentation. His latest completed projects include the interior documentation of two high end restaurants for the Fontainebleau hotel development in Las Vegas, NV.
Education
Master of Architecture of Science in Building Design, Georgia Institute of Technology., Atlanta, GA
Bachelor of Architecture, Tianjin Chengjian University, China
Devin has 8 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2016. He has worked on numerous projects with SHAPE through multiple lenses of design ranging from master planning, urban design, interiors, & architecture. With the bulk of his focus on architectural design he has been a key team member in developing many of the built SHAPE projects as well as those under construction within the Atlanta area. He has experience in all phases of the design and construction processes from the conceptual stage through construction administration as a designer and a project manager.
Devin has recently started working on a handful of single family home renovation projects as well as continuing to provide design services for on going multi-family, mixed-use, and commercial projects. In some of his downtime he volunteers at Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center where he once worked and his interest outside of design include sports, film, music, and traveling.
Debmalya Ghosh is an architect and urban designer interested in connecting the public-private realm in city design. Debmalya has worked with SHAPE as an urban and architectural designer for over 4 years.
While at SHAPE, he has researched various topics, including site planning, building form analysis, public and private spaces, waterfronts, and interiors in studios
and professional work.
Debmalya completed his Bachelors in Architecture from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and earned his Master’s Degree in Urban Design at Georgia Institute of Technology to focus on public spaces, green infrastructure, and autonomous vehicles, and connecting architecture to the urban built environment.
To hone his skills, Debmalya has participated in several field competitions. He has received awards for his numerous design projects as a student both in India and the US. Professionally he has worked in Delhi on multiple construction built projects in the housing sector. As an urban designer at SHAPE in the US, Debmalya has taken the lead on projects that range from single-family housing to the planning of over 300
acres of mixed-use buildings.
Currently, Debmalya is engaged in various architecture and master planning projects in the US, Kenya, and India. True to his passions, Debmalya is keen on integrating sustainable and creative practices within the projects’ master planning process.
Andrew Smith is an Architectural Designer who provides Rendering services for SHAPE. Andrew has worked with SHAPE for over 6 years. He completed his Bachelors of Architecture from Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia. He is currently an active member of American Institute of Architects (AIA). He is interested in focusing on the realm of affordable housing and has done research on combating homelessness through innovative architectural fabrication techniques. He has worked on a variety of projects under the SHAPE umbrella, from Architecture to the Urban Planning scale. He is devoted to creating highly efficient spaces that sparks delight through communal engagement.
Julie Ann joined SHAPE in 2023. She has 6 years of experience as an administrative and executive support in the Middle East. She joined consulting and trading industries that allowed her to learn and use different approaches in the corporate sector. She worked mostly with small and medium establishments and helped meet and exceed the multi-cultural environment's expectation as they thrive to grow in the Gulf market. Prior to working in the Middle East, for 5 years she was a customer service and technical support representative at 2 of the top 5 American Telco companies. Over the course of her 11-year career, she has developed a skill set relevant to every business need including proficient communication and management abilities. She has demonstrated quality results in every aspect of the positions she held.
Georgina is a Business Manager, Creative Consultant and Real Estate professional. She has over 30 years of management experience. She joined SHAPE in 2021 and is assisting operations in several administrative capacities.
Luis has over 30 years of experience and joined SHAPE in 2018