2022 Archi Awards Jurors

2022 AIA Long Island Archi Awards Jury

Alexandra Kovenat, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Principal, Chroma Architecture Secretary, AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley Chapter

Alexandra Kovenat, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C is a practicing architect and founder of Chroma Architecture. Her work is dedicated to uncovering design opportunities that enrich, delight and provide healthy environments for her clients and communities with a special focus on design-build collaboration. In addition to her own work, she serves as Secretary on the Board of the AIA Westchester + Hudson Valley chapter. She lives in New Rochelle, New York with her husband and two young children.

Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA, CDT, NCARB, LEED AP

Principal, YNL Architects

Yu-Ngok Lo is the founding principal of YNL Architects, Inc. His work was featured at different international media such as ArchDaily, Hinge Magazine, CONDE, CommArch Magazine, and Hospitality-Interiors Magazine. His firm also received numerous design awards such as the AIA California Urban Design Award, NAHB Best of American Living Awards, and various AIA design awards. Yu-Ngok also served on various design and professional award juries such as the AIA Hong Kong Design Award, NAHB Best In America Living Award, American Residential Design Awards, the AIA California Academy for Emerging Professionals Award, and the AIA Long Island ARCHI Awards. He was a recipient of the 2019 AIA Presidential Citation, 2016 AIA National Young Architects Award, 2016 BD+C 40 Under 40, and 2015 ENR California 20 Under 40, 2019 AIBD Designer of the Year, and the 2015 AIACC Young Architect Award. Yu-Ngok was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2020.

2022 AIA Long Island Archi Awards Jury

Frank J. Quatela, AIA, NCARB

Principal, Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C. President, AIA Queens Chapter

Frank is the owner and Principal Architect of Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C. an award winning, architectural firm offering multi-disciplinary services, ranging from the designs of single family homes to mixed-use high rise buildings. After graduating from New York Institute of Technology in 1996 with a Bachelors in Architecture, Frank immersed himself in gaining as much firsthand experience in this profession. He began his internship in 1995 working in a design-build firm in Long Island, then for a boutique firm in Great Neck and ending in a large Queens firm. His passion and perseverance for architecture drove him to take the next step in his professional career. In 2009, Frank J Quatela Architect, P.C. was established. One of the guiding principles behind his firm is the idea that every architect should contribute to the profession by responding to the needs of the community in which they practice. Frank’s contribution can be seen through his participation in local school events, sponsoring national and international students for internships at his firm, volunteering his services to non-profit organizations, and his involvement in the AIA. Frank Quatela is a Registered Architect in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, and Texas. He is also a member of National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), member of Community Board 407 in Queens, STEM committee member at local schools, and current President of the American Institute of Architects Queens Chapter.

Talisha Sainvil, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED AP

Principal, 40 Six Four Architecture President, AIA Brooklyn Chapter Cochair, Community Board 14 Housing and Land Use Committee

Talisha Sainvil is the Principal of her own Brooklyn-Based Architecture and Design Firm. A Registered Architect in New York and New Jersey. The AIA Brooklyn Chapter President. A Graduate of the University of Miami School of Architecture. A lover of all things sun and sand. As passionate about design as she is about being of service to the community. A bibliographic reference on Wikipedia. An aficionado of pens & pencils. Enthusiast of long drives and french fries. Through her service work, Talisha has built alliances with many people, organizations and her community by contributing her time and efforts to things that matter to her. At the top of 2021, Talisha was elected as the President-Elect of the New York Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. She was also appointed to Community Board 14 by then Brooklyn Borough President (and current NYC Mayor) Eric Adams, where she serves as a Co-Chair of the Housing and Land Use Committee and recently started her 2-year term as the first Black AIA Brooklyn President in its 128 year history.

2022 AIA Long Island Archi Awards Jury

Mark A. Warren, AIA

Downstate Design Unit Director, NYS Homes and Community Renewal

Mark A. Warren established his private practice in 2002. His general practice evolved and developed an array of projects throughout the NY metropolitan area. They range from simple renovations through large scale multi-million-dollar developments. As a sole principal, Mark’s relationship management has earned his firm recognition among his colleagues, clients, and business affiliates. During the period of 2010 through 2016, Mr. Warren served as Commissioner of Buildings for the City of Mount Vernon. Mt. Vernon’s four- square miles is home and work for a diverse population of 67,000 as well as 12,000 properties. The city experienced remarkable commercial and residential growth during this period, which led to a heavier workload and management responsibilities for him and his staff of 16. Thereafter, as Assistant General Manager of Construction for the RiverBay Corporation, the managing agent for one of the largest cooperative portfolios in the world, Co-Op City, he used his multi-faceted skillset as an architect to oversee all capital construction projects, Coordinator for commercial and residential facilities management team of consultants, coordinating Mechanical, Electrical and Structural engineers from the inception through completion of capital projects, Coordinator of regulatory agencies and code compliance requirements to be conveyed to the executive team and interdepartmental construction coordinator. Further, he was charged with leading all re-development, renovations and new construction projects throughout Co-Op City’s 350 acer site consisting of 35 towers, 7 townhouse clusters and thousands of square feet of retail / commercial space. The budget for these diverse array of construction contracts average over $100 mil. per year. Presently, Mark is the NYS Homes and Community Renewal’s Downstate Design Unit Director, providing architectural oversight for HCR’s affordable housing programs throughout from Duchess and Rockland Counties, NY Metropolitan area, through Long Island. Mark understands the difficulties and nuances of navigating the construction industry in an effort to deliver quality affordable homes. As such, he addresses each issue with the individual attention required to ensure fast turn-around while providing for a safe building community. Furthering in his growth, Mark is dedicated to developing a more sustainable and eco-friendlier built environment through real estate portfolio asset management.

RYAN T. KESNER ARCHITECT, P.C.