Studio Projects
Founded in 2008.
"What have you seen or heard this week in architecture?" We start our weekly staff meetings with a reminder to engage with the world as we find inspiration in buildings and people.
Our process begins by listening to our clients, and exploring the site. Our favorite projects are the hard projects, the necessary ones. We seek committed clients and real boundaries. We have access to excellent partners for engineering, and we know the building codes.
What inspires us to take on a new project? Here are some of the things we look for:
- We love working with clients with clear vision and known needs.
- We promote mixed-use development and valuable use of land.
- We work for reclamation and redemption of empty spaces.
- Sustainability is a necessity. Material selections will be natural, non-toxic, local, and enduring.
- We understand daylighting. We’ll present efficient options for mechanical and electrical systems.
- We're inspired by the Raleigh community.
- We’re completely excited about innovation in materials, systems, and building strategies.
Whether the project is a restaurant in an abandoned warehouse or a church on a hill, or a combination of both with housing mixed in, we're ready to pursue it with you.
Meet The Team
Andrew Osterlund, AIA, CDT, LEED AP
andy@aoarchitect.com
Principal
Architect: North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee (inactive), Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, NCARB Certified.
Education: Virginia Tech, Bachelor of Architecture
Andrew has lived and worked in architecture in Raleigh since 1998, building and drawing from a broad base of project experience. His recent work on city-scale mixed-use developments has required extensive coordination and affinity among city, client, tenant, and technical demands. Team-oriented work sessions during design and construction have resulted in excellent built work, with amicable and profitable conclusions for all parties involved. Andrew has experience in all phases of architectural service, including feasibility studies, programming, design, systems coordination, construction documents production, specifications, multi-prime contracts, public bidding, field construction administration, and LEED certification.
Kristen Osterlund, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
kristen@aoarchitect.com
Principal
Architect: North Carolina, Maryland, NCARB Certified.
Education: Virginia Tech, Bachelor of Architecture
Kristen began working in Raleigh in the field of architecture in 1998 and became licensed in 2005. She has experience in managing public and private projects through all phases of design and construction. Kristen builds a strong relationship with clients by maintaining open communication among team members, and she enjoys the challenge of combining a fresh creative approach for each project with the technical details of materials selection and building envelope design.
Ashley Sessoms, IIDA, NCIDQ
ashley@aoarchitect.com
Interior Designer
Education: Meredith College, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Ashley enjoys connecting with her clients in developing a vision for their space from the very beginning of each project. She uses her education, experience, and creativity to seamlessly blend color and material selection with the technical aspects of design to create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and adheres to current code requirements. As a result, Ashley’s work revitalizes the spaces of our city for people to live, work, and play in a safe, healthy and beautiful interior environment.
Dan Nicely, AIA
dan@aoarchitect.com
Project Architect / Business Development
Architect: North Carolina, NCARB Certified.
Education: North Dakota State University, Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Design; Cornell University Online, Certification in Marketing Strategy
Dan has lived in the Raleigh area since 2006. He has diverse work experience including construction with the Navy Reserves, myriad entrepreneurial endeavors, building products manufacturing, and architecture in the Dakotas and on both coasts. Dan concentrates on non-profit work and pro bono opportunities.
Rebecca Rhine
rebecca@aoarchitect.com
Project Manager / Design Professional
Education: Winthrop University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design; University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Master of Architecture
After Rebecca graduated with a degree in interior design, she wanted to learn more about how buildings are put together and affect people’s lives. Her architecture master’s degree combined with an interior design background has given her a well-rounded approach to Raleigh architecture as the city grows. She appreciates the challenge that constraints give to a project and enjoys being able to affect people’s lives on a very human level with her interior work and shape clubhouses, homes and other projects in a big-picture way as an architect.
Joe Kasztelan
joe@aoarchitect.com
Project Manager / Design Professional - Architecture
Education: Jefferson University, Bachelor of Architecture
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Joe studied architecture at Jefferson University (previously known as Philadelphia University). While he was learning about the built environment in school, he gained valuable hands-on experience at a woodworking company and worked on projects ranging from restaurants and cafés to residential kitchens and bathrooms. As an aspiring architect, he is interested in creating architecture with all aspects of design in mind, from the big picture concept to the small details. He is eager to use the knowledge and skills he gained in and out of school in his future career.
Chris Gray
chris@aoarchitect.com
Design Professional
Education: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture
Chris grew up in Raleigh and got an early introduction to the architectural field working for the family HVAC company. He studied architecture at UNC Charlotte, where he was introduced to modern architecture. While in school, he held various construction jobs gaining experience in residential, commercial, and roadway construction. He is working toward architectural licensure and is interested in modern art, furniture design, and sustainable concrete.
Naheel Abuzaid
naheel@aoarchitect.com
Design Professional - Architecture
Education: Oxford Brooks - Distance Learning Higher Diploma in Humanitarian Operation; Applied Science University - Bachelor Degree in Architecture Engineering
Naheel lived in Jordan and was happy to apply her knowledge and skills to serve vulnerable communities. She gained experience in water resources rehabilitation with a USAID-funded project. She lives in Raleigh and is pursuing architecture licensure in North Carolina. She enjoys design work that focuses on people's needs and incorporates new technologies and creativity to create sustainable and innovative spaces.
Sara Chambers
sara@aoarchitect.com
Design Professional - Interiors
Education: Rochester Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Minor in Psychology
Sara is originally from Maryland and studied interior design at school in Rochester, New York before moving to Raleigh. She loves to help clients imagine a way for their space to make people feel comfortable, safe, and happy through research on environmental psychology and user experience.
Jordan Ecarma
je@aoarchitect.com
Office Manager
Education: North Greenville University, Bachelor of Arts in Print Media
Jordan's background as a local reporter and a social media manager has taught her to communicate with people from all walks of life. She values the community that Raleigh offers and is enjoying her role in helping people make those connections.
Hiring - Interior Design Professional
Commercial Interior Design Position: We are currently hiring for a full time, entry level interior design professional in our firm located in Raleigh, NC. Our firm provides architectural and interior design services to commercial, residential and civic clients. We are looking for a designer with the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from an accredited college or university.
- Interior design professional working towards certification in NCIDQ
- Proficiency in AutoDesk Revit, Bluebeam, Abobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office
- Proficiency in rendering/3D software is a plus.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at one time.
- Independent worker who can also work well in a team environment with other designers and architects.
- Designer should bring creativity and fresh design ideas to each project.
- Understanding of finish materials – both from an aesthetics perspective as well as a performance perspective
- Familiarity with local building codes and designing for accessibility
Full-time staff benefits include downtown Raleigh parking space, vacation and sick time, maternity/paternity leave (after 1 year), insurance coverage (major medical, dental, vision and life), and 3% company match for IRA deferrals in company retirement plan.
Qualified applicants can send resumes to ashley@aoarchitect.com.
Hiring - Design Professional or Licensed Architect
We’re looking for someone with experience and interest in designing and managing public projects, minimum 3 years of experience, Revit-ready.
Hiring - Design Professional
We have a couple of desks open, and we're hiring for the right fit. Architecture degree required, big ideas, Revit-ready, 0-2 years experience.