Rob Busch
Drawing Dept
Founding Partner
20 years
Graduate of University of Cincinnati 

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? What dish would you recommend? Well, the obvious answer is Skyline and ‘4-way - bean and a diet Dr. Pepper’ [because they got rid of diet Mountain Dew aka: nectar of the gods] -or- #1 original sandwich and 8-piece nugget and a diet Dr. Pepper – “My pleasure.” But in the spirit of a more sophisticated answer, I really love the Cappellacci at Sotto with a sazerac. Don’t forget the ricotta donuts!

Tell us two truths and a lie.

• In 2019, I had to be discretely escorted from the Louvre due to multiple incidents of triggered alarms by leaning too far past protective guardrails.

• I’ve completed 35 marathons, including the terrorist bombed 2013 Boston Marathon.

• I was one of 11 founding members of Crossroads Church in 1995.

Joshua Harper, AIA (most people just call me Josh)
BHDP
Lead Architect, specifically in the workplace market
I have been with BHDP twice. First for 3 years starting in 2018 and I just hit 4 years on my second go around. 
Graduate of the University of Cincinnati. I got both my undergrad and my Master's there. Before that, my high school offered a vocational program for Architecture and Construction Management taught by Dan Keiser in Columbus, OH where half of each day my junior and Senior years were dedicated to becoming an Architect.  

What’s your favorite building/public space? I enjoy any space where the design is thoughtfully integrated from the site all the way down to the smallest scale. I get a great amount of joy in the craft  we do together with our construction partners and nothing shows the pride of the effort more than someone taking the time and care to thoughtfully finish a material connection or joint. While the building itself can be a bit polarizing, the thoughtfulness of the Louvre is particularly compelling to me. The practicality aside in putting a pyramid in the middle of Paris, each line and material transition is thoughtfully considered. Whether you are looking at the site from the plaza or touching the handrail going down the stairs, the small details really shine there. A close second would be anything by Mies. 

What do you love to do when you’re not being an architect? I have two young boys at home with my wife, Laura. Our profession seems to have a history of making it difficult to manage client expectations with the real joy and growth that comes from being a father. Having them has forced me to develop strong opinions on balance and priorities. It is absolutely possible to be a great architect and also be present for your family. It’s safe to say that if you don’t find me at the office or a project site I am almost certainly doing something with them. In the rare instance where I am not working or with the family, you can usually find me making or fixing something. Whether it's restoring an old piece of furniture or a home remodel.

Christopher Hernandez, AIA
Jacobs
Senior Architect
3 years
Graduate of University of Cincinnati

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I look forward to attending this year’s AIA National Conference. It will be an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues both familiar and new while taking full advantage of all the resources the conference provides. The Southern California setting is certainly an added bonus.

What do you love to do when you’re not being an architect? I enjoy coaching my kids youth sports, and it has grown into a year‑round commitment that I truly enjoy. It provides great opportunities to spend quality time together, share an activity that we’re both passionate about, and create lasting memories.

Monica Lowry, AIA
Burgess & Niple
Director of Architecture
4 years
Graduate of University of Kentucky

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I am looking forward to stepping into the role of president-elect and attending the upcoming AIA Leadership Conference in DC.

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? What dish would you recommend? Maplewood is a solid place for lunch and I could order anything off the menu and call it my ‘favorite’!

Allison McKenzie, AIA
SHP
Vice President and Director of Environmental Responsibility
19 years
Graduate of University of Cincinnati

What’s your favorite building/public space? A public library. Not a particular one, but just the overall idea of a democratic space that does its very best to meet the needs of anyone who chooses to use it. I'm thrilled to be working with over 10 library systems this upcoming year!

What do you love to do when you’re not being an architect? Seeing live music. My husband and I saw an estimated 180 sets of live music last year. Can we do more this year?

Ximena Mellado Cuevas, AIA 
Moody Nolan 
Project Architect 
2.5 years 
Graduate of Ball State University 

What are you looking forward to in 2026?  Each year I look forward to our travel adventures, we pick a country and immerse ourselves in their culture. This year, our focus is on spending more quality time with family. I am looking forward to visiting new places with them, enjoying good food, and making new memories! 

What gets you motivated in the morning? My two dogs are my greatest motivation… they have a set schedule and there is no deviation from it. They make sure that I am out of bed and ready to tackle the day each morning! 

What’s your favorite building/public space? I love Gothic architecture; I am often amazed by its attention to detail and intricate design. One of my favorite buildings is Notre Dame in Paris, which I have had the privilege to visit twice (and I am sure there will be more visits to come.) I acquired the official Notre Dame Lego set on our latest trip to Paris, and I am so excited to be putting it together in the next few months.

Timothy Nolan, AIA
Emersion Design
Project Architect
18 months
Graduate of Syracuse University

What’s your favorite public space? This is a long list but recently, I’ve become enamored of the fall and rise of McGregor Avenue between Mt Auburn and Walnut Hills.

What do you love to do when you’re not being an architect? Snowboarding, hiking, dabbling in woodworking and visiting art museums.

Drew Ousley, AIA
ESM | RWA Architects
Project Manager
3 years
Graduate of University of Kentucky (Bachelors) University of Cincinnati (Masters)

What are you looking forward to in 2026? Wrapping up my AXP and getting my license.

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? What dish would you recommend? Pep & Dolores - Great atmosphere and really yummy flavors. You have to get the pesto or spicy vodka pasta.

Sheri Scott, AIA
Springhouse Architects
Founder and Principal Architect

What are you looking forward to in 2026? I am looking forward to traveling. I made my huge wall calendar for 2026 recently and realized that we already have 8 trips planned for this year. Most are small but a couple are pretty exciting. One is overseas from Greece to Venice, three are to cool concert venues, several are with family, and one for AIA - CRAN Symposium in San Antonio. It's going to be a great year!

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? What dish would you recommend? There are so, so many amazing restaurants in Cincy. Right now, I would say Abigail Street is a favorite. I love the ambiance (I liked it even more when it was smaller). The service is always good. Their offerings are small plates so we just choose a bunch and share. You really cannot go wrong.

paul shirley, AIA
pelican studio
owner, 9 years
Graduate of uc’s ocas program

What gets you motivated in the morning? I LOVE what I do! The challenge, the creativity, and the constant growth keep me excited to start each day. Waking up with purpose—knowing the end result is something meaningful to the client—is what truly drives me.

Tell us two truths and a lie.

• I believe good design can improve everyday life.

• I’ve learned more from projects that didn’t go as planned than ones that did.

• I’ve never made changes to a CD set of drawings (after making some minor permit revisions) and the building was built per plans and spec’s!

Jake Thamann, AIA
KZF Design
Vice President, Director of Architecture
Since August of 2023
Graduate of Miami University

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? What dish would you recommend? Herb & Thelma’s, it’s one of the last of the real 20th century Covington neighborhood saloons (bring cash!). My great aunt lived above the place and was the only female member of the original Heine’s social club because she was a better card player than the rest of the guys. Get the jalapeno burger and a beer; if you want something much different, you’re kinda out of luck.

Tell us two truths and a lie.

• I never graduated eighth grade.

• I once had a top-secret military clearance.

• I can ride a unicycle.

Amber Wasinski, AIA
MSA Design
Project Architect | Associate
6 years
Graduate of University of Cincinnati 

What are you looking forward to in 2026? Refurbishing original wood carriage doors on my garage! 

What’s your favorite restaurant? What dish would you recommend? Dushmesh Takeout, Chicken Tikka Masala + Garlic Naan

What gets you motivated in the morning? Exercising 

What’s your favorite building/public space? Smale Park

Tell us two truths and a lie. 

• I play the piano. 

• I started my career in interior design. 

• I have 2 cats named Socks and Jingles.

What do you love to do when you’re not being an architect? Any outdoor activity! Hiking, kayaking, biking, etc...

William Tyler Zembrodt, AIA
Graduate of Bachelor’s of Art in Architecture at the University of Kentucky and Master’s of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania

What’s your favorite restaurant and why? What dish would you recommend? One of my favorite restaurants is Midcity. I love the cute little bar area. The architecture has such a charm, the food is stupendous, and the drinks hit the spot. I would recommend the sausage plate, the fried tempura, and the peanut butter burger (sounds wild but trust me on this one).

What’s your favorite building/public space? Favorites are always hard to pick, but there is one place in Cincinnati I have always enjoyed and that's Carew Tower. The art deco design gets me every time. A simple stroll through the old arcade always has me noticing those small design details of a majestic building: the grille covers, the door handles, the wayfinding font. Seeing the design carried through from tower to detail always excites me. I often find myself daydreaming, as I pass through, of the tower in its heyday, bustling, shopping, dining, “a city within a city” as it has been described. Let's hope the redevelopment underway breathes new life into a city landmark for years to come. 

What do you love to do when you’re not being an architect? I enjoy the great outdoors. Whether that is a hike, a night in the woods at Red River Gorge, or summer trip summiting a 14er’ in Colorado, mother nature always recharges me. It's inspirational. It’s respite from the built environment. It’s a place to let your mind unplug and breathe a bit. 

Tell us two truths and a lie:

• I was in the world's third strongest earthquake. 

• I have lived on four continents, and visited five. 

• I have seen U2 live in concert. 

What are you looking forward to in 2026? Celebrating my sister's wedding this fall!

What gets you motivated in the morning? The ability to be creative every day and use those skills to positively impact the world around me.