The grec team

Ashley Bailey

Ashley joined GREC in pursuit of a new career path after seven years of working in the food and beverage industry. Now, she has brought her passion for hospitality into the studio to anticipate the needs of the office and is thoroughly enjoying getting a glimpse into the world of architecture. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys socializing and visiting with her friends to indulge her love of food and cocktails, as well as staying in with her two greatest loves, her adopted dogs, Zelda and Fitz.

BRIAN TURCZA

Associate

Brian Turcza grew up in the mid-west and earned his Bachelor of Architectural Science at University of Illinois and Master’s in Architecture at the University of Cincinnati. Brian received a Distinguished Research award for his master’s thesis which explored how the built environment affects behavior by either encouraging social interaction or promoting solace and introspection. He remains mindful of this consideration in his current work and past projects. Most notably, at his previous role with AECOM, Brian executed thoughtful design strategies for the Boston Logan Airport C2E Terminal by evaluating opportunities to enhance passenger experience. His focus on the end user is a vital perspective for his current role working on some of our newest residential and hospitality projects.

DENNIS DECAPRI

Principal

Dennis DeCapri was raised in Richmond, Virginia and received his professional degree from the architecture school at Virginia Tech. Living in Chicago since 1982, Dennis has worked with Murphy/Jahn, O’Hare Associates, SOM, and has operated his own design and construction office. Dennis holds Illinois licenses as an architect and as a contractor. As the Principal in charge of construction for Piedmont Group, Dennis managed the development and construction of six major projects totaling more than 600,000 SF. Dennis joined his longtime friends and colleagues at GREC in 2009, where he has excelled in the design and management of large complex commercial and residential projects nationally and internationally.

JEREMY GREEN

ASSOCIATE

Jeremy Green is another Wisconsin native at GREC Architects with over twenty eight years’ experience. He is an alum of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, where he was later recognized as a Graduate of the Last Decade. As a registered architect, he is an active member of the AIA and participates with the organization as an opportunity to exchange ideas and further the practices in experiential design. Jeremy engages his passion for art with architecture as a go to renderings guru. He has brought this perspective to many of his past projects including the Caterpillar World Headquarters in Peoria, Illinois, where his artful eye blended the incoming office facility with the urban redevelopment of the town.His attention to detail was also of great advantage when he led the final building stages of the Microsoft Office location in Downers Grove, Illinois where he was able to lend his expertise to the flawless finishing of each detail. As a Wisconsinite, Jeremy enjoys exploring his natural talents as a brew master. When not sourcing hops for his next creation, Jeremy can often be found outdoors with his wife and two dogs.

Joe Fisher

Growing up, Joe lived across the U.S. before settling in Chicago upon graduation from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree and a History minor. Joe began his career interning with Habitat for Humanity, followed by developing high-end retail stores and furniture design for Crate&Barrel. He has since gained experience in residential design including townhomes, student housing, and high-rise apartment buildings. Joe’s passion for art started him down the path to Architecture and he continues to draw and paint in his spare time.

Jose Navarrete

Jose Antonio Navarrete Avila was born and raised in Queretaro, Mexico, where he earned his Bachelor degree in Architecture and managed his own design studio. A long-time BIM enthusiast, Jose holds a Master’s degree in BIM Management. Over the course of his 8 years of experience in the architectural industry, Jose has worked on projects ranging from corporate interiors to high-end residential homes. He enjoys seeing projects through from the design phase to completion and takes pride in his Revit and 3D modeling skills. While Jose's favorite activity is spending a day on a Mexican beach, enjoying a good meal at an ethnic restaurant with his partner and friends in Chicago is a close second.

KATE PEDRIANI

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kate graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and a Certificate In Business. Kate’s multi-disciplinary portfolio includes boutique hospitality, food & beverage, mixed-use developments, retail, commercial office, multi-family residential, and furniture design. Her refined and holistic approach to design is emphasized with an attention to detail and emphasis on materiality. Inspired by the emotional and psychological effect space can have on people’s lives, Kate strives to create comfortable livable environments for her clients with thoughtful and timeless design solutions. Both an Italian and American Citizen, Kate spends her free time traveling, and illustrating. She also volunteers with City Year Chicago where she helps design and renovate classroom spaces in Chicago’s public school districts.

KATHERINE PUTNAM

Originally from the Midwest, Katherine Putnam graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Theater, and later translated her passion for storytelling in all forms into editorial positions at some of the country’s leading design publications. She went on to receive her Masters Degree in Interior Design, and transitioned from the editorial world to professional practice. Now with more than a decade of professional experience, Katherine has worked on a wide variety of project typologies, mediums, scales, and disciplines, bringing her enthusiasm, optimism, and love of storytelling to deliver dynamic, expressive spaces built to support brand identity, collaboration, and creation. In her free time, Katherine is a passionate endurance runner, training for trail races and ultramarathons throughout the year. She is also an avid home cook, and loves to unwind by getting creative in the kitchen, and considers herself somewhat of a produce nerd.

Michael Comiskey

Mike is a detail-oriented designer with a passion to incorporate contextual value and quality design into all aspects of his work. With a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and Graduate Degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mike’s work experience includes restaurants, mixed-use and multi-family residential projects here in Chicago. He brings over 5 years of experience with overall project management from early stage conceptual design through project completion. In his free time, Mike enjoys designing and building furniture, as well as walking his dog around Lincoln Park.

Nageshwar Rao

With an architectural career that spans more than 17 years, Nageshwarj has been responsible for the design and development of a diverse body of work including large- to mid-scale hospitality, high-rise, multi-family residential towers to mixed-use developments, healthcare, and single-family homes. An approach rooted in creating spaces and places that enhance the urban experience, Nageshwar focuses on all aspects of design and building integration.

Oscar Martinez

RYAN VON DREHLE

Principal

Ryan von Drehle was raised in Michigan and earned an undergraduate degree from Lawrence Technological University, a graduate architectural degree from the University of Michigan, and studied abroad in Florence, Italy. Upon moving to Chicago in 2002, Ryan joined GREC as a project designer, and has since been responsible for a number of the firm’s most acclaimed building and master planning projects. Ryan’s design management role incorporates a high aptitude for technical knowledge and design implementation, and serves him as a key mentor within the firm. He is an Illinois licensed architect. Ryan is an active member of the community, serving with the mercy committee of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and donating design and construction services to local non-profit organizations such as Sunshine Gospel Ministries in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

Tess Lubin

A Chicago native, Tess is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she received a Bachelor of Architecture and competed on the University’s DIII tennis team. Tess’s strong team spirit and work ethic carries through into her work. She is passionate about creating innovative and sustainable designs and is currently working alongside GREC’s architecture and interior design teams. Outside of architecture, she enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing, as well as live music, traveling, and playing in a local tennis league.

ZACK MORRISON

ASSOCIATE

Zack Morrison graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago with his Bachelors in Architecture and an Art History minor. Zack then went on to pursue is MArch from the Rice University School of Architecture in Houston, Texas where he earned the distinguished honor as the recipient of the AIA Henry Adams Medal for academic achievement. Since graduating, Zack has worked on a number of important projects including the AIA Houston Design Award winning J-Camp Master Plan.