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, 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
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, NCIDQ, IIDA
ashley@aoarchitect.com
Interior Designer
Education: Meredith College, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Ashley draws from her diverse experiences with various architects, contractors, and clients to work on all phases of interior design, starting with programming and moving all the way through to project completion. Meeting client expectations and finding the best solutions for each unique project, she enjoys helping clients find a vision for their space and using her creative talents to make that vision a reality.
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
Design Professional
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.
Daniela Carrillo Lopez
daniela@aoarchitect.com
Interior Designer
Education: Meredith College, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Daniela has always been passionate about design and art and enjoys being able to use both her detail-oriented, meticulous side and her creative side in interior design. She appreciates being able to work in Raleigh as the city grows, and she looks forward to increasing her experience in residential work and stretching herself by taking on more commercial projects.
Nate Swift
nate@aoarchitect.com
Design Professional
Education: Clemson University, Architecture
Nate comes from Columbia, South Carolina, and he studied architecture at Clemson University, focusing on art and architecture history and reusing/repurposing materials and buildings. He spent formative time in the UK and Italy, developing as a designer and learning to think outside the box of what architecture can be, particularly how to use light to create exciting spaces.
Divya Chivukula
divya@aoarchitect.com
Interior Designer
Education: Unversity of North Carolina Greensboro, MFA in Interior Architecture; BMS College of Engineering, Bachelor of Architecture
Divya brings an innate desire to create and design interiors that exceed client expectations to her work. With an eye for quality and detail, she loves to find a balance between creativity and collaboration. She sees design as an ever-changing, ever-developing field that offers the opportunity for innovation every day. Born in India before moving to the U.S., she uses her knowledge of different people and their cultures to better understand how design can affect people's lives.
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.
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 - 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.