Brittan joins Sasaki: Lucic and Zempel elected principals

Sasaki has added Steve Brittan and elected Katia Lucic and Isabel Zempel as principals of the firm. These individuals will enhance Sasaki's leadership and contribute to the evolution of the nearly-60-year-old firm. Earlier this year, Sasaki implemented a new leadership structure, which places four managing principals—James Miner, Mark Dawson, Pablo Savid-Buteler, and Vinicius Gorgati—at the helm of the firm. Over the past 25 years, Steve Brittan has collaborated with the design, real estate and technology sectors in the US and internationally. His projects range from academic, residential, and commercial buildings and environments. During his tenure at Burt Hill/Stantec, Brittan oversaw projects such as the award-winning Macallen Condominium Residences in South Boston in partnership with Nader Terhani, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum expansion with Renzo Piano's Building Workshop, and the new UMass Amherst academic and classroom building currently under construction. "Steve's background is exemplary," said Pablo Savid-Buteler, managing principal. "His experience in both architecture and urban design mirrors our integrated practice and adds a rich dimension to the international and urban studios in which he will work." Brittan has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cape Town and a Masters in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He serves on the boards of ArchitectureBoston, Tufts Medical Center, Studio Art Centers International, Boston Architectural College, and the Commonwealth Covenant Fund. He regularly consults with innovative start-ups in sustainable design and technology sectors. Steve served as assistant director for Housing at Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development and the BRA. He has taught architecture and urban design at Harvard, Columbia University, BAC, and Rhode Island School of Design. Since joining Sasaki in 1996, Lucic has been directly involved in some of Sasaki's most memorable projects, resulting in award-winning work in both planning and architecture. Her work is characterized by strong integration within the surroundings and she consistently explores opportunities in the transition zones between the buildings and open spaces. "Professional excellence is Katia's hallmark," said Vinicius Gorgati, managing principal. "She dedicates herself to intellectual pursuits through creative thinking and a deep attention to realizing project goals. She pursues ideas with focus and rigor, resulting in works of beauty and integrity. Fundamentally, her work ethic is predicated on trust and collaboration, the foundations for our collective practice at Sasaki." Lucic is a member of the Boston Society of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. She holds a Masters of Architecture from McGill University and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Zagreb, Croatia. Zempel joined Sasaki in 2005 and has taken on increasingly responsible roles as a landscape architect specializing in urban designs, working across disciplines on international and national projects. Zempel has a passion for contemporary and bold design expression of landscapes where culture, identity, architecture, engineering, and poetry form unique concepts within the urban context of her work. "Isabel has the ability to interrupt design intuitively, balancing environmental and programmatic demands while expressing design in a contemporary landscape form," said Mark Dawson, managing principal. "You clearly can see her intellect, awareness, and passion for the arts in her landscape expression. Isabel's ability to work collaboratively with architects and clients—gaining their confidence and trust—is something she does with ease. She is truly a wonderful addition to the leadership team at Sasaki." Zempel frequently is involved in academic positions as a Design Critic for the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Rhode Island School of Design, where she also taught her own design studio. She received her education at the Technical University of Osnabrueck and practiced in Germany for several years.