Core Team
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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.
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.
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.
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.
