Core Team

Connect With Us

Abby Gordon

Co-Founder | Director of Design, AIA

Abby’s work centers around investigating social and cultural nuances as a methodology for informing a contextual design practice. She brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare and educational design, in the US, and internationally. Constantly curious, and a people person, she is drawn to engaging stakeholders in a participatory design process to plan and design spaces for sustainable communities. Abby bridges the gap between practice and education by teaching and lecturing on sustainable design and development.

Rob Freni

Co-Founder | Managing Director, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Rob’s provides an expertise in streamlining design strategies to bridge the gap between partners, architects, engineers and contractors. With his technical expertise he is able to facilitate the construction of contextually appropriate projects around the world. With a keen eye for achieving efficiencies, he keeps projects on budget and on schedule. His background in the design and construction administration of large healthcare projects in the US has informed a method for best practices in developing markets.

Gillian Kazzaz

Designer

Gillian Kazzaz serves as an intern Interior Designer for the Adaptiv team and is passionate about creating spaces that have a positive impact on people in their everyday life. She is in her final year at Boston Architectural College pursuing her Master's of Interior Architecture as part of a career transition. Prior to pursuing her Master's degree, Gillian spent 10 years in increasing roles of responsibility in sales and customer service within the technology industry. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Chapman University.

Wekesa George

Project Manager

Wekesa is a licensed architect based in Nairobi who is an impact-driven architect and project manager. He has worked with diverse teams on projects focusing on alternative building materials, affordable healthcare, and socially responsive design solutions. His research on advancing the quality of life and wellbeing through design allows him to build the capacity of local communities through his work. He is also an advocate for the use of mass timber and other bio-based building materials to help significantly lower the carbon footprint of the built environment.

Collaborators

Hervé Sabin

Architect

Jessica Borges

Development Specialist

Jessica Borges received her MA in International Development and Social Change at Clark University. With a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of Havana, she is passionate about international topics and social justice. She specializes in providing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) services to help nonprofits make informed decisions through the design of impactful proposals, measurable outcomes, and organizational effectiveness.

Kat Kendon

Photographer

Kat Kendon specializes in architectural photography, focusing on higher education, healthcare and science, urban development, and landscape. Her career is rooted in marketing for the AEC industry. She is committed to supporting the work of community nonprofits as well as women and minority-owned businesses.

Lowri Swygart

Structural Engineer & Research Fellow

Lowri is a first-class masters graduate in Civil and Structural engineering with specialized research in bio-based composite structural members for use in rural communities. With experience in WASH and architectural aid projects, Lowri is passionate about Engineering for Global Development. She is a practicing structural engineer, and a research fellow, originally joining the team as part of the Autodesk Foundation sponsored Engineering for Change Fellowship program.

Bill Fitzpatrick

Consulting Designer

In his over 40 years of practice, Bill Fitzpatrick has been a project manager or lead designer for a wide range of project types. A thorough understanding of technical and construction knowledge illuminate his design work. Respect for the clients’ needs above all, and an appreciation of the value of teamwork in execution inform his approach to design and building. Bill is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the recipient of two Boston Society of Architects Design Awards.

Jose Mataix

Electrical Engineer | Renewable Energy Engineer

Jose is an Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineer with a background in technical system design and the ability to financial analyze project scopes. He has extensive project management and site supervision experience in both developed and developing countries.

Ángela Domínguez

Architect

Angela is an architect specialized in international cooperation to development projects. She has developed her practice across Latin America, Africa and Europe and is experienced in leading multidisciplinary teams. Her passion about social impact design and sustainable architecture has focused her on the crossroads between resilient construction, human settlements, health and sustainability.

Killion Mokwete

Architect & Planner

Killion's international experience was acquired during his years studying in London and practicing in the UK, Ghana, and Botswana. His experience with urban design and urban development projects informs his focus on the ways community master planning projects can catalyze local development opportunities and foster socio-economic empowerment. Killion combines his love for education and practice through running design studio's as adjunct faculty instructor at Northeastern University, Massart and The Boston Architectural College.

Gina Kinuthia

Architect

Gina is a licensed Architect based in Nairobi, who is passionate about using innovative design solutions to provide dignity to underserved communities. Specializing in sustainable practices and community engagement, she strives to empower residents as co-creators of their built environment. As an architect, Gina works to create spaces that enhance quality of life while minimizing environmental impact through innovative research and fostering stakeholder dialogue. Georgina is deeply committed to the design and planning process, infusing her work with creativity, empathy and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Partners

Funders

  • W.K.Kellogg Foundation
  • Autodesk Technology Impact Program
  • Enscape
  • Gould Family Foundation

ACADEMIC

  • Boston Architectural College
  • Jefferson University (Malawi Studio)
  • Northeastern University (XN)

AGENCIES

  • Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
  • Haiti Ministry of Health
  • Malawi Ministry of Health
  • Togo Ministry of Health

ORGANIZATIONS

  • Acesso
  • ADF Haiti
  • AME-SADE
  • Anne Beha Architects

Organizations

  • B+AC Structural Engineers
  • Build Health International
  • Building Audacity
  • Code Red
  • Construction for Change
  • Dandelion Africa
  • Engineers for Change
  • EPECARE
  • Essex County Community Foundation
  • Fireclay Tile
  • FOKAL
  • Foundation for Hope and Health Haiti (FHH)
  • Ground Inc
  • Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston
  • Haitian Educational Leadership program (HELP)
  • Haiti Development Institute
  • HDR | Design for Others
  • Hope on a String
  • Iftin Foundation
  • Integrate Health

Organizations

  • Jessica Rinaldi Photography
  • Kendon Photography
  • Kolectif Arcadians
  • Leap/Step
  • Life of Hope
  • Lloyd Fleischer
  • Oak Consulting Group
  • Payette
  • Peace Institute
  • Petersen Engineering
  • Proactive Philanthropies
  • Promoting Health in Haiti (PHH)
  • Root
  • Salem YMCA
  • Schools for Children Around the World
  • St. Rock Haiti Foundation
  • State University of New York
  • Studio Drum
  • Summits Education
  • Walsh Brothers
  • Wandikweza
  • Youthbuild International