IRVINE, CA – KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce the addition of Principal Craig Pryde, AIA, LEED AP as a shareholder and the promotion of Ben Kasdan, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, Zac Miles, AIA, and Michael Tseng, AIA, to the position of associate principal.
“This group of talented architects speak to the strength and geographical diversity of KTGY's design expertise," said Tricia Esser, CEO of KTGY. “Their commitment to forward-thinking and providing innovative design solutions, technical excellence and superior service have elevated our work and the future of KTGY. We are pleased to recognize these dedicated professionals in this way.”
Craig Pryde, AIA, LEED AP
Pryde, a principal in KTGY’s Chicago office who has been with the company since 2015, is one of 16 senior-level executives who hold the shareholder title. In his current role, Pryde leads KTGY’s Chicago practice, creating multi-family, mixed-use, senior living and student housing projects in the Midwest region. Pryde joined KTGY through the firm’s merger with Glen Ellyn, Ill.-based PPK Architects, where he previously served as principal, specializing in residential and commercial projects in Chicago and throughout the Midwest. Pryde’s 30-plus years of architectural experience encompasses a broad range of building types including both single-family and multifamily residential developments, as well as mixed-use, retail and healthcare projects. He also has extensive experience guiding projects through the entitlement process.
A licensed architect in eight states, Pryde is a LEED Accredited Professional. He graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn, and the Northwestern Memorial Foundation Board. He is also a Glen Ellyn Village Trustee.
Ben Kasdan, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Kasdan formerly served as director of design. In this new role as associate principal, Kasdan will relocate to KTGY’s Tysons, Virginia office, from the firm’s Irvine, California office, where he has held positions of increasing responsibility since 2003. Kasdan, who has worked in collaboration with the Tysons office on multiple projects during the past several years, will be splitting his time between the two coasts until his move to the Washington, D.C. area this summer. Kasdan has been involved in the design and planning of a wide variety of real estate projects located throughout California, the East Coast and internationally for the past 15 years. His work includes award-winning architecture for complex multifamily residential and mixed-use communities located in dense urban locations and new transit-oriented developments. In addition, Kasdan is a leader in the firm’s Student Housing practice area. He is involved with new residential communities at the University of California at Irvine, University of Southern California’s (USC) Health Science Campus and several off-site student housing developments located around the country, in California, Oregon and Wisconsin. He is a frequent speaker and contributor of articles and blog posts on topics related to sustainable architecture, student housing, and multifamily housing. He has also been a guest architectural design critic at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California and Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California.
As an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Kasdan is currently serving as the 2019 President of AIA California. He has also held leadership positions with AIA National, AIA California, AIA Orange County, and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Kasdan is a licensed architect in California, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registrations Board (NCARB). He is also a LEED Accredited Professional and a graduate of KTGY’s proprietary leadership training program. Kasdan currently serves as an NCARB architect licensing advisor for KTGY. Kasdan holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree with honors from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Zac Miles, AIA
Miles has over 18 years of experience in residential design and project management and formerly served as director in KTGY’s Oakland, California office. As associate principal for KTGY’s Oakland office, Miles is focused on design and construction of high-density, multifamily developments on infill sites throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly transit-oriented developments. He is a talented team leader, drawing on his comprehensive experience and strong technical knowledge to manage a team of skilled professionals undertaking complex design and construction projects that reinvigorate the community. He has been instrumental in championing the extensive use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit to assist clients in the marrying of architectural design, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) and structural engineering and construction prior to construction commencing. Miles serves on KTGY’s Quality Control committee, which establishes companywide quality assurance and quality control procedures.
Miles joined KTGY in 2011, having previously completed a wide range of large multifamily projects throughout California. Miles is a licensed architect in California and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registrations Board (NCARB). He is also a graduate of KTGY’s proprietary leadership training program. He received a degree in architecture from TAFE Queensland in Brisbane, Australia and is a member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Michael Tseng, AIA
Tseng has more than 20 years of retail design experience and formerly served as director of design and planning for the Retail and Mixed-use Design Studio in Irvine. During his career, Tseng has been involved in the architecture and planning of retail and mixed-use developments. Tseng is a leader in KTGY’s Retail and Mixed-use Design Studio, focusing on new construction and the reimagining of existing shopping centers. During his career, Tseng has been involved in the design and planning of a wide variety of projects. His extensive knowledge of the entitlement processes as well as his technical understanding of the construction document phase ensures his projects are delivered successfully. Tseng skillfully leads KTYG’s retail design team and oversees all coordination between the client, consultants and city agencies. His expertise includes new construction and renovation of regional lifestyle centers, neighborhood shopping centers and nationally recognized retail brands.
Tseng joined KTGY in 2014, having previously been involved in the design and planning of a wide variety of retail projects throughout the United States. Tseng is a licensed architect in California and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registrations Board (NCARB). He is also a 2018 graduate of KTGY’s proprietary leadership training program. Tseng received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. He is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and has served as a roundtable facilitator at ICSC’s CenterBuild Conference. Tseng is also an associate member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and has been quoted in national and local publications about retail design.
About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Founded in 1991, KTGY Architecture + Planning is a leading full-service design firm focused on residential and mixed-use developments and neighborhood revitalization. KTGY seamlessly delivers innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple design studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location. KTGY’s architects and planners combine big picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to create memorable destinations of enduring value. KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons. See www.ktgy.com