WASA/Studio A Firm Partners
Harry Spring, PE, LEED™ AP - Senior Managing Partner, Partner-In-Charge of Engineering
Mr. Spring joined the firm in 1985 and currently serves as Senior Managing Partner. From 1979-1984, he ran his own consulting engineering firm that focused on energy conservation design, H.R. Energy Redevelopment Group Inc. With more than 35 years of experience in the fields of architecture, MEP design and construction, Mr. Spring's expertise includes sustainable design, lighting design, and mechanical, electrical and fire protection engineering design for residential, commercial, institutional, government and medical and health related-facilities.
"For me, running a multi-disciplinary firm is truly the ideal approach to contemporary design. Here at WASA/Studio A, partners and staff, each from unique professional groups, work together and have - over many years - built a long-lasting legacy of total project delivery."
Leonard Franco, AIA - Senior Partner, Partner-In-Charge of QA/QC
Mr. Franco has served as Partner-in-Charge/Project Manager for major facilities in the healthcare, educational and governmental sectors. He joined in the firm in 1981 and was made partner in 1990. He boasts particular expertise in healthcare, educational and civic design in the tri-state area. Mr. Franco specializes in managing complex, multi-faceted projects, calling for large teams of professionals. He is also an authority on the integration of modern building systems within existing structures - and the subsequent task of keeping day-to-day disruptions to a minimum.
"Great buildings do not exist in a void. Rather, great buildings come from strong partnerships between team members, an insightful understanding of the task at hand and a meaningful dialogue between the fields of architecture and engineering."
Jerry Pessah, PE, LEED™ AP - Partner, Partner-In-Charge of Engineering QC
Jerry Pessah has 30 years of experience in the management and design of electrical and mechanical engineering. His past experiences include work in all major areas of electrical building renovation and design for the private, corporate and public sectors, with an expertise in healthcare, educational and K-12 projects. Prior to joining the firm in 2003, Mr. Pessah was Director of Engineering for the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA), where he was responsible for all MEP and elevator work and managed a staff of 60 multi-disciplinary engineers.
"When it comes to design there is always compromise and harmony: One must weigh the initial cost vs. energy usage vs. maintenance vs. aesthetics. I am fervently committed to achieving that harmony using my extensive experience, not only in MEP design, but also as a LEED™ AP and Lighting Designer."
Pamela Jerome, AIA, LEED™ AP - Partner, Partner-In-Charge of Preservation
Ms. Jerome joined the firm in 1986 and has thirty years of experience in the field of preservation, with an expertise in masonry conservation and waterproofing. She is interested not only in the restoration of monuments, but also in the recycling and performance enhancement of historic and contemporary structures as part of a larger sustainable strategy. An Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, she also regularly lectures at New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. Ms. Jerome is widely published and is a recognized cultural heritage expert in the international arena, having consulted on projects in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Middle East, as well as for UNESCO. Among her many professional affiliations, she is an elected officer of the Scientific Council of ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments and Sites), vice president of ISCEAH (International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage), an expert member of ISC20C (International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage), and a member of the ICOMOS World Heritage Panel, the prestigious body that annually evaluates cultural and mixed site nomination dossiers for potential inclusion on the World Heritage List. Ms. Jerome is US/ICOMOS’s liaison to the APT Board (Association for Preservation Technology International). In addition, she is a Peer Professional in preservation for GSA’s Design Excellence Program.
"Preservation is not only about restoring historic monuments, but also about recycling durable buildings; even contemporary structures can have their exterior envelope performance enhanced. The character of our urban areas, landscape and society is defined by what we save, giving us a sense of place as well as the continuity of history. At the same time, preservation is about managing change. Historic buildings are the backdrop for the new structures we create."
Martin Kapell, AIA - Partner, Partner-In-Charge of Design
Mr. Kapell is a design partner at WASA/Studio A. He provides design leadership for all WASA/Studio A projects including new buildings, large-scale adaptive reuse/restoration projects and finely-crafted interiors. While experienced in designing for a wide range of project types, Mr. Kapell specializes in designing spaces for the performing and visual arts. Previously, Mr. Kapell was a founding partner of Kapell and Kostow Architects and a design principal of TEK (Thanhauser Esterson and Kapell).
"My commitment to architecture springs from the principle that everyone is entitled to the benefits of intelligent design and that architecture, when approached from this belief, can directly enhance and improve the way we live, work, learn and play."
Jack Esterson, AIA - Partner, Partner-In-Charge of Design
Prior to joining WASA/Studio A in 2005, Mr. Esterson was a co-founder of TEK Architects (Thanhauser Esterson and Kapell) and worked with Kliment & Halsband Architects and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill on institutional buildings, corporate interiors and town planning. From 1989 to 1991, he was Adjunct Professor of Architecture at Pratt Institute. Mr. Esterson's recent work focuses on projects for academic institutions, non-profit organizations, supportive housing and retail clients, involving new buildings, interiors and gut rehabilitations.
"I marvel at the transformative power of the built environment, its effect on us and how it motivates us to strive for design excellence for our communities. Of special interest to me as an architect is that place where technology and artistry intersect, where each is essential to the other and where we can apply this synergy to enhance people's lives."