Spacesmith Elevates New Principal and Associates, Leaders in Workplace, Retail, and Public-Sector Design
Acclaimed architecture and interior design firm promotes highly visible, leading designers and expands presence in commercial office, retail, and public building projects
Reflecting its recent growth and strong presence across a range of market sectors, the acclaimed architecture and interior design firm Spacesmith has announced recent promotions of four key team members. The newly elevated professionals — each contributing to the firm’s reputation for design excellence, expertise in project delivery, and unique focus on business and client strategic goals — include Ámbar Margarida, CID, IIDA, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate, who has been elevated to Principal.
In addition to Margarida, the firm’s experienced Project Manager William Wong, AIA, LEED AP, known for his business sense and strategic expertise, has been elevated to the role of Associate. Project Manager Drew Miller, Assoc. AIA, regarded for his work in the retail sector for such clients as Hermès, has also been elevated to the role of Associate. A third experienced Project Manager noted for her work with the U.S. Department of State, Alexandra Koretski, assumes the title of Associate as well.
“These practitioners represent a new generation of leadership in design and client relations, and their combined experience underscores the value Spacesmith brings to each project,” said Jane Smith, FAIA, IIDA, founding partner at the firm. “We’re pleased to have a tradition of elevating talented professionals who understand the importance of business as much as the value of design excellence. These four people are true strategic partners for our clients.”
In acknowledging the roles of the four professionals as key leaders in the firm, the promotions announced today also underscore Spacesmith’s commitment to its core values of highly crafted, client-driven solutions. The firm’s Associates and Principals lead projects and client accounts and within Spacesmith act as mentors for emerging professionals.
“We’re proud to recognize the important roles and challenges that Ámbar, William, Drew, and Alexandra take on with the Spacesmith team, within the larger professional community, and for our clients,” added Smith, who was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows this year. “Design is ultimately about people, and with the best and the brightest, we’re able to commit to creating more of the sensitive, meaningful projects that have become the hallmark of our practice.”
About the Designers
Ámbar Margarida CID, IIDA, LEED, Principal
A leader of Spacesmith’s workplace practice, Margarida is regarded for her extensive experience in user-focused design strategies and healthy workplace environments. Since joining Spacesmith in 2009, Margarida has designed and led projects for major global brands including Bacardi, RED Distribution/ Sony Music, and Blackrock. An accredited green building professional, she is also the firm’s primary resource on sustainability standards like LEED v4 and the WELL Building Standard. In her expanded role as Principal, she will continue project design and management work, while also working closely with firm founder Jane Smith on business development and the creation and implementation of strategic direction. Margarida has also taught in the Interior Design program at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, and is a founding member of the Latino American Commercial Real Estate Association (LACREA). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the School of Visual Arts.
William Wong, AIA, LEED AP, Associate
Wong is a leader in project management across the firm’s workplace, retail, academic, and -profit projects. He is known for his critical approach to complex planning, design, and construction processes, and eye for delivering projects that relate to the human scale. Since joining Spacesmith in 2012, he has led work for such diverse clients as Li & Fung, Major League Soccer, Columbia University, and Abrams Books. Known within the firm for his ability to foster colleagues’ professional growth and satisfaction, Wong is also trusted by Spacesmith’s clients for his skill in navigating project challenges and his keen business acumen. He has helped advise on strategy for organizations such as the nonprofit group Brooklyn Community Services. As an Associate, Wong takes on an expanded leadership and business development role within Spacesmith, while continuing his project management and design duties. He is a registered architect in the State of New York, and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable student of architectural history, as well as the history of New York City. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Drew Miller, Assoc. AIA, Associate
An accomplished Designer and Project Manager, since joining Spacesmith in 2013 Miller has coordinated and run a number of highly complex projects for some of the world’s leading luxury retailers. He is noted for his ability to manage successful project teams and cultivate lasting and ongoing client relationships, including Bonpoint, the high-end children’s clothing retailer; Ladurée, the confectioner; and Hermès of Paris, the leading global luxury brand for whom Miller has led work on a number of major retail spaces throughout the country. He has also led the development and implementation of firmwide CAD standards. As an Associate at Spacesmith, Miller will continue his project work while taking on an expanded internal mentorship role. In addition to his work at Spacesmith, Miller is involved in a number of philanthropic initiatives, and has held leadership roles in the Open Architecture Collaborative, a nonprofit aimed at providing opportunities for designers to connect with and serve marginalized communities. An avid ultra-marathoner, Miller received a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University in 2009.
Alexandra Koretski, Associate
With extensive technical expertise, Koretski is a key member of Spacesmith’s public-sector design team, and is a leader in the firm’s development and implementation of technical standards. Since joining Spacesmith in 2011 as an intern with the marketing team, Koretski’s role has evolved into that of a Designer and Project Manager. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in project delivery for US Embassy complexes in Mexico City, Ankara, Nassau, and elsewhere throughout the world, as well as in the creation of interim workspaces for embassy workers during renovation processes. In addition, she has contributed expertise to workplace projects for major corporations like Global Brands Group. Previously, she has also served on the faculty of the Interior Design program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Known for her ability to foster a collaborative environment and longstanding client relationships, as Associate Koretski will continue to use her extensive software knowledge in order to translate individual project needs to reality. Koretski holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the School of Visual Arts.
“At Spacesmith, we believe in giving our team the opportunity to grow with the firm,” added Smith. “Across every project they’ve handled, their work and efforts reflect a holistic and comprehensive approach to the planning, design, and construction process.”
About Spacesmith
Spacesmith is a full-service architecture, interior design and consulting firm driven by design excellence, expertise in project delivery, and a unique focus on business and client strategic goals. Specializing in renovations, adaptive reuse, and new buildings for both private and public sector clients, the firm’s projects are developed with a meticulous attention to concept and details, and reflect the positive spirit of people and communities. Throughout the United States and abroad, Spacesmith’s team of skilled architects, designers, space planners, and project managers applies a highly crafted and mission-responsive approach, whose vision is to “take care of the people who take care of the world.” More at www.spacesmith.com.
