Founder and Principal of URBAN architecture LLC (Urban), Ron Russell leads a creative team with a design vision that has defined his work for over thirty-five years. Ron takes an active role in all Urban's projects and supervises the firm's general operations. Ron received his architectural degree from Pratt Institute and is licensed to practice Architecture in the state of New Jersey.
Ron's dynamic attitude and experience has led to the completion of both small and large scale projects including; site and facility studies, master planning, creation of redevelopment plans, and site plan approvals. Ron has worked at length with non-profit, government, private organizations and development companies. His extensive knowledge of New Jersey Construction and ADA Codes is an indispensable tool. He has served on the Mustard Seed School Real Estate Committee, was Commissioner and Board Chairman on the Jersey City Historic Preservation Commission and was a Trustee and a Building Facilities board member at Stevens Cooperative School.
Jeff is the Director of Civil Engineering with over 30 years of technical and managerial experience including preparation of commercial site plans and major subdivisions. His design experience includes local roadway and highway design, preparation of right-of-way acquisition plans, storm-water management, regulatory permit preparation and preparation of utility relocation plans.
Jeff's experience includes the design of major transit facilities, from park-n-ride commuter lots to train storage yards and was Lead Civil Engineer for several design-unit sections of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Transit System from Southern Bayonne to the Vince Lombardi Park-Ride. Designs included civil facilities for the rail corridor, roadway improvements, park-ride commuter lots and drainage systems and civil design standards. Before joining Urban Jeff was a Director at Dresdner Robin, responsible for site design, roadway design, regulatory permit applications, construction inspections and construction management. He was also Assistant City Engineer for the City of Jersey City, were he was responsible for managing the engineering staff and project managers for city wide projects.
Kathryn is a licensed Architect with over 10 years of design experience in ground-up construction for high-rise residential and mixed use buildings. Kathryn specializes in technical coordination with consultants, the design team and ownership to expedite the design-build fast-track process.
Kathryn is extremely active in her community at a local and national level. In 2019, she launched the Torch Mentorship Program connecting emerging professionals with firm leaders. She hosts numerous volunteer service days and events every year with the committee she chairs including FutureNow which is focused on reimagining practice through data disruption. In 2018, The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation selected Kathryn to be in their new Emerging Leaders program with other top women leaders in the architecture, engineering and construction industry to discuss solutions and create legislation. Kathryn has launched an ARE scholarship for licensure candidates, and became a certified instructor for the Architect Licensing Advisors Community, teaching several classes including guest lecturing at Cornell University.
Katie is a licensed Architect with experience as a Project Manager on multi-family luxury residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects in New York City and Jersey City. Her 15 years of experience includes working with LWDMR Architects where she worked with Ron Russell in building design and the preparation of Site Plan Applications for multiple projects in Jersey City. More recently before joining Urban, Katie worked with Hill West Architects and BKSK Architects, where she designed and managed projects from their inception through completion of construction. Her talents include project coordination between design professionals and between the various construction trades at the start of construction.
Katie is proficient with design, space planning and has a special eye for complicated detailing and problem solving, ensuring projects are delivered both on time and on budget. Katie is experienced with assessing and evaluating existing conditions of historic structures and making recommendations on their repairs.
Henry is an Assistant Engineer with experience in regulatory compliance for flood hazard, SCD, sanitary sewer, FAA and water quality permitting from both State and Federal agencies, site observation inspections, and is equally proficient at preparing residential and commercial site plans, construction drawings, and permit documents.
Henry has taken an active role developing designs for multi-block urban projects working closely with various stakeholders, owners, utility carriers, government agencies, and residents perfecting the development of site plans and designs for new area-wide infrastructure improvements.
Before joining Urban, Henry worked as a CAD Designer where his experience included preparation of title and ALTA/ACSM surveys, plans, LOMA/elevation certificates, construction- stake outs, and foundation location drawings. He serves as a member of the Industrial advisory committee at Essex County College, advising staff on relevant skills needed in today's engineering workforce.
Mr. Diaz is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Tyler is a graduate of The College of New Jersey in Mechanical Engineering and is in pursuit of obtaining his Engineering license. He is a Project Coordinator and Assistant Engineer working with Urban Architecture and Manhattan Building Company.
Tyler prepares and updates all design and construction master scheduling utilizing Asta Powerproject software, coordinating and monitoring project permitting and construction period services and activities while doing so. His experience brings support in the preparation of regulatory compliance documents for flood hazard, SCD, sanitary sewer, FAA and water quality permitting from both State and Federal agencies. Tyler is also involved with the construction management of all current projects including providing site observations and reports as well as tracking and planning construction progress.
Tyler volunteers on a weekly basis as a leader in a mentorship program orchestrated by his local community church.
Shiva is a LEED Green certified Architectural Designer at Urban and is currently taking her ARE exams in pursuit of licensure in the State of New Jersey. Shiva holds master's degrees in both architecture and Urban Planning allowing her to expand her design capabilities by envisioning various scales and dimensions of the built environment within densely populated urban areas.
Shiva has dedicated her career to architectural development that excels in sustainable and holistic design. By exploring the specific environmental, spatial, aesthetic, technical, and regulatory requirements of a building to host a facility, she has had the opportunity to practice architectural design and planning in New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and Texas. Shiva specializes in the technical detailing and the coordination that goes into the design and construction of large scale buildings. Her projects have necessitated hands on working experience with ownerships, consultants and contractors to expedite design-build fast-track process.
