Our Studio
Five architects working from a converted warehouse in Fulton Market. We are small by design — every project gets the full attention of the principals.
Born in Berlin, Elena studied at ETH Zurich before earning her M.Arch at IIT Chicago. After 8 years at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill working on commercial high-rises, she co-founded Blackline to pursue architecture at a human scale. Her work is driven by an obsession with section — how a building is cut reveals how it is lived in.
A third-generation Japanese-American raised in Evanston, James brings a deep understanding of material craft to every project. His 6 years at SOM focused on structural systems and material innovation. At Blackline, he leads the technical development of each project, ensuring that the poetry of design is matched by the rigor of construction.
Maria joined Blackline in 2019, bringing expertise in sustainable systems and Passive House certification. She leads the firm's environmental strategy and has been instrumental in achieving certification on three projects.
David specializes in adaptive reuse and historic preservation. His background in structural engineering gives him a unique ability to see potential in existing buildings that others overlook.
The newest member of the Blackline team, Aisha brings fresh energy and a strong background in computational design and digital fabrication. She manages the firm's 3D printing and CNC capabilities.