Authors

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.




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).




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.




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.




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.




Mike Wenta


As RATIO’s design software integrator, Mike provides in-house training and insight on best practices for new program implementation and ongoing adherence to company standards of excellence. He also works with project teams to determine the best software program method needed to complete a project on time and on budget. A key element to directing a project internally from its beginning to completion, Mike coordinates projects with other disciplines, discussing the expected deliverables throughout. Constantly implementing and improving upon all CAD/Revit standards, he explores the use of additional software packages. Currently, he is studying the intricacies of Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Civil 3D, Virtual Environment (for both Revit MEP and Architecture), E-Specs and Innovaya. Mike is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps Aviation Electronics, Electrical and Instrument program. He is also fluent in Vietnamese.




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.




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.




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.




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.




Heather Worrell


As a firm architectural designer, Heather works in concert with other firm professionals to see that the client's needs and expectations are not only met, but exceeded. Since joining RATIO, she has contributed and fine-tuned her skills on projects in multiple disciplines, including those in the hospitality and lifestyle industries. Heather is the co-leader of Culture|RATIO, which puts together social and community volunteering events for the employees of RATIO. She also teaches a weekly yoga class to a number of enthusiastic RATIO employees and teaches weekly at Updog-Indy Yoga and Wellness Studio. Heather is a graduate of Kansas State University School of Architecture, is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, Indiana Chapter, and is also a coordinator for Architecture for Humanity-Indy Chapter. Heather is the Lead Organizer for the team that won the 2007 AMD Open Architecture South American site challenge for their design of a sustainable fair trade chocolate factory and technology hub. Read about this ongoing collaboration on the RATIO Kallari Center blog at http://design4humanity.blogspot.com or click the link above.




Lynda Anderson


RATIO's newest addition to the interior design studio, Lynda brings more than 20 years of experience with various clients. Throughout her career, she has been involved in various aspects of design including project management, custom finish pattern design, facilities programming, conceptual design and layout, and selection of building materials and furnishings. Lynda has a strong history of involvement with the arts, which continues to be the foundation of her creative process. Recognizing the important role interiors play in shaping environments, Lynda strives to create innovative and functional solutions that support the mission and values of her clients. Lynda enjoys the creative challenge of diverse, complex projects and is passionate about creating meaningful and memorable spaces. Lynda has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Environmental Design from Ball State University. She is also NCIDQ certified.




Zach Hilleson


Zach joined the RATIO team in the fall of 2006. As a recent graduate, he brings to the firm a new perspective and fresh creativity to the architecture team. Zach believes that architecture is a social act that unites site, community and designer. The resulting dialogue creates a place that speaks not only to the client but also the environment. Zach is active in the Green|RATIO committee and is committed to incorporating sustainable design principles into his work. Zach has a bachelor's degree in architecture and environmental design from Ball State University.