The grec team

BRIAN TURCZA

Associate Principal

Brian Turcza grew up in the mid-west and earned his Bachelor of Architectural Science at University of Illinois and Master’s in Architecture at the University of Cincinnati. Brian received a Distinguished Research award for his master’s thesis which explored how the built environment affects behavior by either encouraging social interaction or promoting solace and introspection. He remains mindful of this consideration in his current work and past projects. Most notably, at his previous role with AECOM, Brian executed thoughtful design strategies for the Boston Logan Airport C2E Terminal by evaluating opportunities to enhance passenger experience. His focus on the end user is a vital perspective for his current role working on some of our newest residential and hospitality projects.

DENNIS DECAPRI

Principal

Dennis DeCapri was raised in Richmond, Virginia and received his professional degree from the architecture school at Virginia Tech. Living in Chicago since 1982, Dennis has worked with Murphy/Jahn, O’Hare Associates, SOM, and has operated his own design and construction office. Dennis holds Illinois licenses as an architect and as a contractor. As the Principal in charge of construction for Piedmont Group, Dennis managed the development and construction of six major projects totaling more than 600,000 SF. Dennis joined his longtime friends and colleagues at GREC in 2009, where he has excelled in the design and management of large complex commercial and residential projects nationally and internationally.

Evan Bartlett

Evan, a Minnesota native, earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Minnesota before obtaining his master’s degree from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He moved to Chicago in 2013, where he gained valuable experience at firms including Valerio Dewalt Train, specializing in interiors for technology sector workplaces, and Gensler, where he served as a Senior Designer and Design Strategist. His projects span a wide range, from designing coffee shops and custom architectural furniture to developing comprehensive masterplans. With an Illinois architecture license in hand, Evan has remained dedicated to design strategy and research-driven solutions at GREC. Deeply connected to his Midwest roots, Evan spends much of his free time outdoors—sailing competitively on Lake Michigan, riding his bobber motorcycle throughout Chicagoland, and flying as a private pilot.

JEREMY GREEN

ASSOCIATE

Jeremy Green is another Wisconsin native at GREC Architects with over twenty eight years’ experience. He is an alum of the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, where he was later recognized as a Graduate of the Last Decade. As a registered architect, he is an active member of the AIA and participates with the organization as an opportunity to exchange ideas and further the practices in experiential design. Jeremy engages his passion for art with architecture as a go to renderings guru. He has brought this perspective to many of his past projects including the Caterpillar World Headquarters in Peoria, Illinois, where his artful eye blended the incoming office facility with the urban redevelopment of the town.His attention to detail was also of great advantage when he led the final building stages of the Microsoft Office location in Downers Grove, Illinois where he was able to lend his expertise to the flawless finishing of each detail. As a Wisconsinite, Jeremy enjoys exploring his natural talents as a brew master. When not sourcing hops for his next creation, Jeremy can often be found outdoors with his wife and two dogs.

Justin Penn

Justin, originally from Richmond, VA, began his journey in Chicago in early 2022 as a student in the Chicago Studio program through Virginia Tech. While immersed in the city’s rich cultural, architectural, and musical history, he quickly fell in love with Chicago and knew he wanted to return. After completing his final thesis year and earning his Bachelor of Architecture in 2023 from Virginia Tech, Justin rejoined GREC full-time. Outside of work, Justin enjoys exploring new restaurants, attending concerts, and experimenting with different recipes in the kitchen. He is also an avid botanist with a passion for nature and a collection of over 50 house plants.

KATE PEDRIANI

Associate Principal

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kate graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and a Certificate In Business. Kate’s multi-disciplinary portfolio includes boutique hospitality, food & beverage, mixed-use developments, retail, commercial office, multi-family residential, and furniture design. Her refined and holistic approach to design is emphasized with an attention to detail and emphasis on materiality. Inspired by the emotional and psychological effect space can have on people’s lives, Kate strives to create comfortable livable environments for her clients with thoughtful and timeless design solutions. Both an Italian and American Citizen, Kate spends her free time traveling, and illustrating. She also volunteers with City Year Chicago where she helps design and renovate classroom spaces in Chicago’s public school districts.

Kamila Czyszczon

Kamila is a first-generation Polish American multidisciplinary designer from Palatine, IL with a passion for hands-on work and creating human-centered spaces. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) where she honed her skills and developed a strong interest in the intersection of architecture and societal needs. As part of her academic journey, Kamila spent a year in Barcelona through a study abroad program immersing herself in the city's rich architectural history and sustainable urban practices. This experience expanded her design perspective allowing her to collaborate with others and integrate sustainable principles into her projects. Her hard work and dedication were recognized with the UIUC Fall 2023 Earl Prize for Senior Studio-Barcelona, as well as the ALA 2020 Student Merit Award from William Rainey Harper College. Beyond her academic achievements, Kamila is a creative individual who enjoys expressing herself through various artistic outlets. In her free time, she loves painting, sewing, reading, sketching, and journaling. Travel is a significant source of inspiration for Kamila, and she enjoys capturing her experiences through photography and sketching using these moments to fuel her design work and creativity.

Maria Carbonell

Born and raised in Spain, Maria is an aspiring architect who began her studies at ETSAM, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Seeking to broaden her expertise, she spent a year as an exchange student at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Before her current role, Maria gained valuable experience working on high-end residential and multi-family residential projects. Maria joined G|R|E|C as an intern in 2024, where she has begun focusing on hospitality projects. Maria is a driven and ambitious student with a strong sense of responsibility, exceptional teamwork skills, and a positive attitude. She is passionate about turning innovative ideas into tangible projects and consistently looks for opportunities to refine her skills in Architecture and Design.

Michael Comiskey

Associate

Mike is a detail-oriented designer with a passion to incorporate contextual value and quality design into all aspects of his work. With a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio and Graduate Degree from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mike’s work experience includes restaurants, mixed-use and multi-family residential projects here in Chicago. He brings over 5 years of experience with overall project management from early stage conceptual design through project completion. In his free time, Mike enjoys designing and building furniture, as well as walking his dog around Lincoln Park.

Michelle Luxem

Known for being organized and detail-oriented, Michelle's architectural background offers a unique perspective on her approach to interior design. After earning her undergraduate degree from Miami University in Ohio, Michelle's passion for design led her to explore interior architecture and historic preservation while pursuing a Graduate degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). With a decade of experience in the design industry, Michelle seamlessly blends interior and exterior design concepts to craft holistic, cohesive environments. Her expertise spans from space planning and concept development to selecting interior finishes and specifying furniture, ensuring every detail contributes to a unified design vision. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys reading and hunting for vintage furniture at estate sales, continually drawing inspiration from the past to enrich her design projects.

Oscar Martinez

A Chicago South Side native, Oscar briefly left the city to pursue his B.S. in Architecture at the University of Michigan and was recipient of the Wallenberg Senior Thesis award in 2021. His project was later published in volume 35 of Dimensions Journal. After a summer internship with GREC in 2020, Oscar came back home to start his professional career full-time with the studio since graduating. When not exploring neighborhoods on all sides of the city, Oscar loves visiting new cities for their museums, libraries, and of course, different forms of public transportation.

RYAN VON DREHLE

Principal

After graduating with a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan, Ryan relocated to Chicago, where he has worked with GREC Architects since 2002. Involved in all phases of the design process, Ryan focuses on design articulation and evolution, implementation and continuity. He also helps create and manage studio standards and implementation processes and maintains graphic and communications content. He is an Illinois licensed architect. An active member of the community, Ryan has served in various roles at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Bucktown and advocates for sustainable and affordable housing as a board member of the Oak Park Residence Corporation.

Victoria Rivera

Born in Norfolk, VA, and raised in the Midwest near Great Lakes Naval Base, Victoria calls Chicago her home. She grew up in a multicultural military family, with one side Afro-Puerto Rican based in Brooklyn, NY, and the other side Filipino, immigrating from the Philippines. Through her upbringing, she embraced diverse experiences that fostered her openness and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Victoria holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. She has spent several years in the fashion retail and wholesale industries, while also gaining valuable experience in office administration across various sectors including real estate, property management, construction, and hospitality. Her unique background and passion for design, Chicago architecture, and hospitality inspire her creative and functional approach to work. When she's not busy keeping the team and office running smoothly, you can find her enjoying coffee and pastries at a really cool café, raving about a pasta dish from her latest restaurant obsession, or finding balance on the yoga mat at any of her favorite local yoga studios.

ZACK MORRISON

Associate Principal

Zack Morrison graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago with his Bachelors in Architecture and an Art History minor. Zack then went on to pursue is MArch from the Rice University School of Architecture in Houston, Texas where he earned the distinguished honor as the recipient of the AIA Henry Adams Medal for academic achievement. Since graduating, Zack has worked on a number of important projects including the AIA Houston Design Award winning J-Camp Master Plan.