Carlos joined STL full-time following an intensive internship in 2023.  After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2022, he gained a year of professional experience in Madrid working on a design competition where he focused on the resolution of advanced construction techniques. Despite being early on in his career, his work in collaboration with prestigious professionals has received several awards and publications.

Alex is an architect from Mexico City and a graduate of Tecnológico de Monterrey. Guided by a passion for design and architecture, his work centers on creating spaces that evoke emotions and connect people with their surroundings. From small-scale cabins to complex master plans, Alex approaches each project with curiosity and precision, blending 3D modeling, parametric tools, and a graphic design. He believes architecture is not only about form and function, but about crafting experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Shend is a native of Albania who graduated with a Master of Architecture from Florida International University in 2025 before moving to Chicago to join STL. He brings over 4 years of professional experience in architecture, including design competitions. During his academic career, Shend was recognized as the top of his class, receiving the Thesis Award for Excellence and several honors in visual arts competitions. His work exploring the intersections of architecture, politics, and storytelling has also been shared in recent podcasts, highlighting his engagement with design discourse.

Carolina brings tremendous experience to the STL team with a comprehensive understanding of building systems and team coordination. Her passion for public service fuels her belief for a design approach in which simplicity and sophistication meet. She particularly enjoys projects which serve underserved communities, where the people in the community will embrace them for years to come.

Luis Collado is a Principal at STL, a firm he co-founded in 1996. Prior to STL, Luis worked with Skidmore Owings & Merrill for six years where as an Associate he took a leadership role in SOM’s emerging Latin American Group. Luis holds a Diploma in Architecture from the ETSAM School of Architecture, and an Masters in Architecture and Urban Design post graduate degree from Harvard GSD. Luis’ interest in architecture is rooted in a desire to play a role in the shaping of our cities by leading planning, urban design and architecture projects.

Jose Luis de la Fuente is a Principal at STL, a firm he co-founded in 1996. Jose Luis champions an unwavering commitment to architectural design of the highest caliber. He graduated at the Architecture School (ETSAM) in the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 1992. Jose juggles his practice with teaching Architectural Design at Northwestern University. He is a member of the Colegio de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM) and an International Associate on the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Inés joined STL through its Internship Training Program in March 2023. She graduated from the Architectural Technical School of Madrid (ETSAM) in 2022 with a Masters Thesis focused on rethinking public space through thermodynamics and the coexistence of user-program. During her bachelors studies, she attended TU Delft Architectural School (NL) for an academic year and worked for a local firm. In Madrid, she has worked on design competitions, projects in construction, as well serving as being Assistant Professor at ETSAM.

Nathan is a Licensed Architect and Project Coordinator at STL Architects, where he combines a sharp eye for detail with his passion for tackling intricate design problems. Having joined STL in 2025, Nathan brings over 10 years of experience working on award-winning residential, institutional, and cultural projects throughout the country. After earning his M. Arch with distinction from Syracuse University in 2015, Nathan worked in New York City before returning to his midwestern roots in Chicago.

Oana joined STL in 2025 bringing previous professional experience in residential, institutional, and community-focused projects. She has worked on several AIA award-winning projects, gaining valuable expertise in guiding designs from concept through construction. Oana sees architecture as a tool for building and nurturing communities by implementing user-focused design that balances functionality and beauty. She received her Bachelor of Architecture, Magna Cum Laude from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Beatriz is a native Spaniard and a licensed architect from the ETSAM.  She joined STLarchitects as a designer in 2009. Currently, Beatriz is a Senior Project Manager with extensive experience in a wide range of projects. She believes that great architecture comes from an intensive design process that pays special attention to details. She enjoys working on challenging projects, and believes that for a building to be successful, the architect has to be involved in the entire process - from concept to occupancy permit.

Keegan joined STL in 2025 after completing his Bachelor’s of Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology, specializing in Digital Design. Prior to joining STL he gained experience as a facade specialist, developing a passion for sustainable design and prefabrication techniques. His academic work focused on blending this technical background with vernacular design, developing site oriented, high performance projects in Arizona and Mexico City, as well as Chicago.

Andrea joined STL in 2014 after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University and subsequent M.Arch. degree from the University of Michigan. She developed a fascination for architecture when her family visited ancient ruins in Athens and Ephesus. Andrea has a wide range of experience, covering a variety of project typologies including schools, offices, multi-family housing, and the O'Hare Global Terminal.  She values the collaborative spirit of STL and ensures that each project is delivered with the utmost of quality and care.

As a Senior Architect and Regional Market Director, Changhoon oversees some of the firm’s most complex projects and has been instrumental in obtaining multiple overseas design awards. He holds degrees from the Illinois Institute of Technology and the Architecture Engineering University of Korea. Changhoon has worked in multiple project typologies including residences, the Dubai Expo 2020, office complexes, as well as high-rise buildings such as the Jeddah Tower.

As a Senior Design Coordinator, Brian plays a pivotal role in orchestrating project development within STL, ensuring consistent clarity in conveying the unique objectives of each project. With a diverse portfolio encompassing an wide variety of scales and program - including education, residential, cultural, office, and retail - Brian possesses an exceptional range of experience.  Brian received his M. Arch with distinction from the University of Michigan in 2014 and holds a B.S. in Architecture, Magna Cum Laude from The Ohio State University.

Mariana Lora is a Costa Rican-American architectural designer who earned her Master’s in Architecture from Florida International University in 2025. She has presented her expertise on international panels, including at the United Nations, and her work has been featured in prominent publications. Mariana has received multiple research fellowships and leadership awards, and she has collaborated with global leaders to address critical political and social challenges.

Matteo joined STL in the summer of 2025 after graduating from the University of Calgary. Before joining STL, Matteo had a variety of professional experiences in Canada and the United States where he was able to complete full construction sets and RFP packages. His education in Windsor, Detroit, and Calgary allowed him to learn how to integrate building systems, explore the way in which nature can inform parametric space-frame systems and light weight structures, as well as experiment with architectural representation through the combination of physical and digital media. Outside of work, Matteo likes to solve puzzles, tour new neighborhoods, and loves to be introduced to new hobbies.

Daniela is an architecture and urban design professional who joined STL in 2025. She holds a Master of Science in Architecture Studies in Urbanism from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she was awarded multiple fellowships and grants. Her work bridges scales from buildings to public space, focusing on accessibility, ecological resilience, and a holistic approach to the built environment. She has led residential and commercial projects through her independent practice in Monterrey, conducted research across the Americas and Asia, and worked in New York. Daniela earned her B.Arch Magna Cum Laude from UDEM, studied in New Zealand, and is licensed in Mexico.

Alvaro joined STL in March 2023 after graduating with his Master's degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM). His thesis delves into the consequences of inadequate local waste management, offering a solution to restore the dystopian environments that emerge when this waste is exported. Outside of architecture, Alvaro enjoys traveling, with a keen interest in exploring new cultures. Additionally, he has a passion for music, having studied both piano and accordion at the Arturo Soria School of Music in Madrid.

Zach Michaliska joined STLarchitects in 2024. Born and raised in Chicago, he studied Architecture at the University of Illinois. After graduating, Zach pursued his passion for 3D visualization, teaching himself software like Cinema4D, 3DS Max, and V-Ray. What began as a hobby turned into a career, blending his architectural background with storytelling through visuals. He’s passionate about creating immersive experiences that bring spaces to life. Outside of work, Zach enjoys photography, exploring hidden gems in Chicago, and playing the trumpet to unwind and fuel his creativity.

Born in Madrid, Spain, Clara joined STL in August 2024. She completed her Master’s Degree in Architecture in June 2023 and her thesis explored urban public space densification strategies and mixed-use functionality. During her studies, she gained experience in renovations and construction administration. In parallel, Clara has built a professional career in photography which, when blending both disciplines, brings a distinctive creative approach.

Born in Madrid, María joined STL Architects in 2025 after completing her Master’s in Architecture at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. During her studies, she focused on adaptive reuse and sustainable design strategies, with her thesis centered on rehabilitation of historic industrial sites along the Galician coast. She previously worked in small studios in Netherlands and Madrid on rehabilitation projects, from early creative design to construction phases. At STL, María contributes to projects across different scales in design development, digital modeling, and construction documentation. Outside of work, she enjoys painting and traveling, and she especially loves working with Revit.

Brian joined STL in July of 2023 while studying Architectural Engineering + Design, Economics, and Music Theory at Northwestern University. Since joining, Brian has contributed to various projects such as the Cragin Park Fieldhouse and Jinju National Museum, which he has created intricate physical models for. After earning his Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern, Brian has been working on other STL projects, including the O'Hare Global Terminal and the Bally's Casino. Outside of work, Brian enjoys reading and playing guitar.

Brian joined the STL team in 2021 after graduating with an M.Arch. from Washington University in St. Louis. His thesis work focused on the revitalization of Near North St. Louis, a now abandoned, but previously booming industrial epicenter of the Midwest. Prior to his Master’s Degree, Brian attended Miami University in Ohio and received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with minors in Photography and Classical Humanities.

Gonzalo joined in December 2019. He recently helped establishing STL's Madrid Office and leads the firm’s efforts in architectural competitions for Architectural Research & Development work. He concentrates in early on phases of development: programming needs, initial conceptualization, global vision, and managing deliverables from a holistic standpoint. Graduated from ETSAM (Madrid), his Master Thesis was exhibited at the Spanish Pavilion of the 2018 Venice Bienniale. Prior to STL, he highlights his 2 year experience as a Design Unit Assistant Professor at ETSAM, as well as his time working with Pedro Pitarch, alongside whom he won several Competitions.

Julian joined STL in 2021 to develop his talents as an architectural designer, prioritizing a focus on developing conceptual ideas that help clients express their brand and purpose. After receiving a degree in environmental design from the University of Puerto Rico, he attended the University of Cincinnati for his M.Arch. and completed internships with Perkins & Will and BCJ. Julian brings charisma, positive attitude, and a wealth of project experience to STL - spanning K-12, higher ed, residential, office, and research facilities.

Miguel joined STLarchitects with broad experience ranging from award-winning competition entries to construction administration. Graduated from ETSAM (Madrid), where he has been Assistant Professor. Prior to joining our team, he has collaborated with Sou Fujimoto, HFE and Pedro Pitarch - developing radical concepts, programmatically intensive, and constructively innovative projects including the rehabilitation of the Salón de Reinos and the Clesa Industrial complex. He also worked at Museo del Prado, monitoring intervention projects in the campus’ listed buildings and UNESCO World Heritage Area.

As Technical Director of STL, Tracy supervises all technical and implementation aspects of projects from inception through closeout. This includes research and development, constructability, code compliance, LEED compliance, interdisciplinary coordination and quality control of all projects in the office. With 30+ years of experience on large-scale public and private projects of all building types, she has in-depth understanding of fast-track design and construction, federal, state, and municipal codes and construction means and methods.

Ana joined the STL team through the employee training internship program in June 2019 - after graduating as an Architect from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2017.  Two years later, she returned to her hometown of Madrid, to be part of the STL's office in Spain. As a Project Designer, she plays a vital role, showcasing her meticulous and detail-oriented approach to enrich the office's conceptual exploration, graphic communication, and visualization. Beyond her architectural passion, she’s an avid photographer who loves traveling and exploring new places worldwide.

Jesus joined STL Architects in the Fall of 2022 after receiving his Masters of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He studied abroad in Spain for a year where he developed his passion for Spanish architecture and was heavily influenced by the works of Luis Barragan, Enric Mirralles, and Frida Escobedo. Outside of architecture, you can always find Jesus exploring Chicago to find the best food joints, coffee shops, and breweries alongside his dog ‘Archie’.

Wade received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his M.Arch from DAAP at the University of Cincinnati. He is experienced in managing projects of all scales, with particular interest and experience in the technical complexities inherent in building construction. Wade ensures quality for STL’s clients by providing attentive coordination from project conception to completion.

Patricia joined STL in early 2023. She is a license architect in Venezuela and holds Master’s degrees in Europe. Patricia has lived and worked in different countries throughout Latin America and the US. She is a talented leader with significant experience in leading high performance, multi-functional teams to deliver outstanding results. She has an advanced understanding of process and prioritization in project delivery methods, with a track record of effective collaboration with development partners and stakeholders while exceeding client expectations.

Originally from Indianapolis, Maddie joined STL Architects in August 2025. She completed her Master’s degree in Architecture at Ball State University after earning her undergraduate degree in Design and Construction Integration from Purdue University where she focused on BIM and construction practices. Her thesis explored adaptable housing through architectural disciplines such as mass customization and field theory - rethinking how the built environment can evolve with changing needs. With a foundation spanning both design and construction, Maddie brings a diverse perspective and is passionate about creating thoughtful, human-centered architecture.

James joined STL in 2024 with more than 25 years of diverse industry experience in architecture, design, and project management. He has worked on a multitude of project types including commercial, retail, and corporate interiors as well as larger core and shell, adaptive reuse and transportation. His work has been published in Interior Design, The Architect’s Newspaper, and Architectural Record, among others, and has been recognized through awards from national and local AIA chapters.

Yinghao joined STL in 2024. Originally based in Los Angeles, he obtained his B.Arch from USC and a Master’s degree with a focus on cinematics from UCLA. Prior to joining the team, he worked as a 3d artist for architectural visualization. Yinghao views design concepts through the lens of imagery, believing that ideas are best conveyed as visual narratives. With a pursuit for most direct and compelling solutions for representation, he develops a strong interest in generative AI, and is driven to integrate this new technology to the studio with substantial applications.

Wyatt Zink is a Senior Environment Artist with experience on titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4, and Rumbleverse. At Iron Galaxy Studios, he led a team of artists, taught workflows, and created key environmental assets from start to finish. His work involves using set dressing for storytelling and modeling within proprietary engines. His skills include high-to-low poly modeling, sculpting, and texturing using Maya, Zbrush, Substance, and Unreal Engine.