EUGENIA VICTORIA ELLIS, PH.D, AIA, NCARB, PRINCIPAL

Gena received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Master of Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. from the Virginia Tech Washington Alexandria Architecture Consortium. Her foreign study programs included Mantua, Italy and Paris, France.

Gena has practiced since 1980 developing expertise in large-scale civic, municipal and institutional projects. As a Design Studio Director for Architects Design Group, her projects included the Fort Pierce City Hall, the Florida Solar Energy Center, the Palm Bay Public Works Maintenance Facility, the Port St. Lucie Municipal Complex, and the Lake Eola Public Restroom Facilities. While with Granary Associates, she was the senior project designer for the Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown PA, PinnacleHealth Ambulatory Surgery Center in Harrisburg PA and the Sisters of Charity Assisted Living Facility in New Jersey. Her award winning work has been published in national journals and she has taught university level courses in architecture and interior design since 1990 at the University of Idaho, Temple University and Drexel University.

Gena is the faculty advisor for the Drexel Smart House and a co-Director of the Drexel Engineering Cities Initiative. Her research imperatives are focused on sustainability at the nexus of health, energy and technology for the built environment, active and passive environmental systems, and alternative energy sources such as natural ventilation, daylighting techniques, composite solar lighting, low-energy luminous surfaces and efficient building envelope design.


DAVID KRATZER, AIA, NCARB, PRINCIPAL

David holds a Bachelor of Architecture from UNC Charlotte and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed foreign study programs in Mantua, Italy; Paris, France; and DIS Copenhagen for a full calendar year. His thesis project, the Savannah Playhouse Theater, was awarded the UNCC Alpha Rho Chi Leadership and Service Medal Prize.

David has practiced since 1983 on municipal, educational, healthcare, and hospitality facilities. As a Principal of BAU Architecture, his projects include healthcare projects for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Norristown Farm Park Renovations, the Ashwood Organic Retreat, the Moscow Animal Care Facility and on-going renovations to the historic LaMott Community Center. As an Associate with Agoos/Lovera Architects, his projects included the $30 million School District of Philadelphia New High School for Engineering and Science, the 50,000 SF Congreso de Latinos Unidos social services headquarters renovation and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Cyber Café – all located in Philadelphia. While practicing in North Carolina, he was a project architect for the Winston-Salem NC Visitor’s Reception Center theater and primary project team member for the 25,000 seat Charlotte Coliseum. His entry for the San Jose Veterans Memorial Competition garnered an Honorable Mention and was published nationally. David has taught university level architecture and technology courses since 1987 at UNC Charlotte, Washington State University, University of Idaho, Temple University, and Philadelphia University.


MARIA ECHEVERRIA LUCOFF, LEED AP BD & C, ASSOCIATE

Maria holds a B. Science in Business Administration from Columbia Union College, and a M. Science in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University, with foreign study programs in Paris, France and Barcelona, Spain. Her thesis, Rethinking the Past to Inform the Future, was an investigation of historical ecological design practices in architecture and was recognized by the University for excellence in thesis with the Drexel University Graduate Studies Award for Most Outstanding Graduate Student in Arts and Humanities. Maria’s product designs include a collapsible luminaire that was a runner up in the Luraline “It’s Your Light Competition.” She has taught 3d modeling, drafting, and drawing in the department of Architecture and Interiors at Drexel University, as well as substituted for both studio and drawing classes at CHAD (Charter High School for Architecture) in Philadelphia. She is committed to sustainable environmental design and technology, and believes that the keys to successful green design solutions are being an active listener, integrating the client into the design process, and ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration and communication.


MELISSA VAN SLETT, LEED AP, ASSOCIATE

Melissa Van Slett received her B.S. in Interior Design from Drexel University and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Her experience includes time spent with other Philadelphia area firms before joining the BAU team as a lead interior designer. While at BAU she has assisted with the design of LaMott Community Center’s final phases of renovation, along with a community sun room addition, nurse station renovations, and upgrades to resident rooms at St. John Neumann Nursing Home. Melissa has also conducted project management and interior design for several interior fit-outs including the St. Francis Country House Interior Renovations and Locust Street Residence.


JENNIE VANDUYNE, MARKETING COORDINATOR AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jennie received a BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. She has a concentration in Graphic Design and Photography with a minor in Theater Arts. Joining BAU Architecture shortly after Graduation, she has taken the role of our Marketing Coordinator and Graphic Designer.