Authors

Mara Braspenninx


As a historic preservation specialist, Mara plays an important role in the design team's collaboration with the client. Applying the belief that "we must cherish the past while creating a new future," she has fine tuned her skills on nationally recognized preservation projects, paying close attention to the complex intricacies associated with each project while maintaining the historical character and quality of the building. Thorough and detail-oriented, Mara excels at the in-depth research and documentation that accompanies each preservation project. Mara has a master’s degree in architecture with a concentration in history and preservation from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. She is also a member of Alpha Rho Chi.




Bill Browne


William (Bill) A. Browne, Jr., FAIA, LEED AP is the RATIO's founding principal. An industry leader, Bill is known for his ability to produce unique and innovative solutions from challenging and complex projects. He actively pursues contextual design in urban and campus environments and integrates narrative stories and art with architecture. Bill is a graduate of the Univ. of Illinois and holds a Master of Arts in Architecture from the Univ. of Florida. He is a registered architect in the states of Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, Colorado, Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida and Texas.




Melissa Martin


Melissa believes that good design promotes action and evokes thought. Using compelling combinations of text and imagery that communicate ideas to the viewer, she enjoys addressing the challenges associated with achieving coherence among various publics. Before beginning any project, Melissa considers all the design possibilities and using her design knowledge and creative passion, organizes them into an effective solution. While technically a member of RATIO’s marketing staff, Melissa is a regular participant on urban planning project teams. Her graphic design skills, training, and experience are used to enhance RATIO’s planning documents, workshop materials, and presentations. Melissa is a graduate of Ball State University's fine arts program. She is also a member of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA).




Clif Carey


Clif recently joined the RATIO team after working in the public sector as the Campus Architect at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC). While at the University, he also took on the roles of project manager and architect/capital planning. Building on a rich, diversified background, Clif’s past experiences have given him a strong familiarity with all phases of the project delivery process from the perspective of both owner and professional services consultant. Skilled at building consensus within diverse user groups, he uses his creative energy and technical expertise to help clients define and achieve their goals. Clif is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Master of Architecture program. He is a registered architect in the state of Illinois.




Ben Ross


As an historic preservation specialist with RATIO Architects, Ben recognizes the complex issues that can emerge during preservation projects. He enjoys the challenge of using creative design to incorporate contemporary needs into historic structures. Aware of the economic, cultural and environmental benefits of building reuse, Ben works to achieve the client's goals while maintaining the historic character and quality of the building. Ben is a graduate of Ball State University Masters in Architecture program, with a concentration in Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design. He is a LEED accredited professional.




Anna Bogus


As an interior design graduate, Anna enjoys creative problem-solving and confronting design challenges through collaboration with her team members. Always eager to learn, she values an open attitude and looks forward to understanding others’ perspectives. Anna has a CIDA/FIDER-accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from Indiana University Bloomington. She also has a background in Fine Arts and minors in Art History and Business. She became a LEED AP in 2008 and is currently preparing for her NCIDQ professional certification.




John Jackson


As the landscape architecture discipline leader, John oversees the design process and management of the project team to ensure the client’s objectives are met. His passion for designing spaces that enhance community life has resulted in helping clients achieve and enrich their goals since joining the firm in 1993. An industry expert, John understands the significant impact that a compelling and engaging urban design can have on its community, recognizing that enhancing urban quality and character can be a key factor in retaining and growing new companies and talent. An advocate of place making, John oversees his team through comprehensive planning and design phases that emphasize combining art and design to produce quality, user-friendly spaces. Recognizing the complex challenges and multi-tiered objectives that emerge during the urban design process, John works to design spaces that are unique, comfortable and memorable. John is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landscape architecture program. He is also a LEED accredited professional.




Sandra Yencho


As a Project Architect and Green Advocate at RATIO, Sandra plays an integral role in developing the initial concept for projects. Since joining RATIO in 2004, Sandra's unique approach to design has helped clients define and realize their goals. Guided by a design philosophy that integrates creativity and logic, Sandra is skilled at listening to client needs and translating them into a functional, meaningful solution. Inspired by the client's vision, Sandra enjoys the challenge of creating alternative solutions that achieve and surpass their initial objectives. As an LEED Accredited Professional BD+C, Sandra provides an in-depth understanding of the design and construction guidelines required to achieve a LEED certification. Sandra earned both a master of architecture degree and master of business administration degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a licensed architect in the state of Indiana and leads education|RATIO for the Indianapolis and Champaign offices. Outside of the office, Sandra is a member of the USGBC Indiana Chapter, SOLAR: Young Professionals Group through the KIB, Inc., and the American Institute of Architects.




Bryan Ziolkowski


Bryan is one of RATIO’s young, talented architectural graduates currently pursuing licensure. With a deep devotion to the profession, he is dedicated to making sure each project’s collaborative process is a smooth one. Always eager to learn, Bryan enjoys the design process that takes a project from a sketch on paper to a timeless building that enhances the community around it. Bryan has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture from Ball State University. He is also an associate member of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the AB 417 societal think tank (www.ab417.org). Bryan also regularly volunteers for Keep Indianapolis Beautiful.




Tom Gallagher


A team member since 2004, Tom brings a passion for the public process and high quality urban design that is unrivaled in Indianapolis. He believes strongly in community-based design workshops as the primary means of building lasting support and ownership in public projects. Tom’s ability to bring into focus design solutions for the most detailed of elements to the broadest of challenges makes him ideally suited for the practice of urban design. Past demonstrations of his work include the Ohio River Bridges Project in Southern Indiana; the Indianapolis Downtown Plan; Shelbourne Market in Lexington, KY; and Purdue University’s Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering in West Lafayette, IN. Tom has taught in the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University, and was the first director of the College’s Indianapolis Center. Tom is a graduate of Ball State University's landscape architecture program. He is also a registered landscape architect in the states of Indiana and Ohio.