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Overview
Join us for Best Practice, a virtual fireside chat series dedicated to practice operations at architecture firms and beyond. From pain points to potential, hear how leaders in the architecture and engineering industry are innovating through new business models and managerial techniques. We’re chatting with Jonathan Marvel, Annya Ramírez-Jiménez of Marvel on how to design everywhere, for everyone.
For more than 20 years, Marvel has worked at the intersection of public and private space, creating intentionally timeless design solutions that integrate nature and context. Marvel brings together architecture, landscape architecture, planning, urban design, and interiors professionals. Marvel’s projects have been recognized with over 125 international industry awards, among them the American Institute of Architects’ highest honor, the Presidential Citation for integrating design and community service. Their portfolio spans affordable housing, commercial, cultural institutions, schools and higher education, civic and public works, hospitality, high-end residential, recreational projects, workspaces, and parks and public spaces.
Jonathan Marvel is the Founding Principal of Marvel and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Born in Puerto Rico, Jonathan is an architect and urban designer with over 30 years of experience providing architectural planning, community, economic and sustainable development of public spaces, educational institutions, single and multi-family housing, libraries, museums, and large-scale mixed-use developments. Jonathan has led Marvel’s efforts across countless typologies, from urban housing to single-family residences, from ground-up theaters to adaptive reuse performance spaces.
In 2017, Jonathan co-founded Resilient Power Puerto Rico and since then has spoken on behalf of the island’s needs at TEDx Dartmouth, The Architectural League, AIA Puerto Rico, UMass Club, Colegio de Arquitectos de Puerto Rico, Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico, and the Universitario Tecnológico de Bayamón’s Presidential Keynote. Jonathan is the recipient of national and international design awards including a 2019 Presidential Citation by the American Institute of Architects and being named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People of 2019.
Annya Ramírez-Jiménez, AIA, is a Director at Marvel. She oversees the architecture staff of the firm. Annya tackles complex projects with ease and is focused on achieving consensus from stakeholders while maintaining a clear design voice for each project. As a passionate advocate for equity, her career focuses on building a more equitable city that balances its resources to serve all residents.
She is currently leading multiple projects at various scales including the design and development of Rockaway Village; a new 1,700-unit neighborhood in Queens which will revitalize downtown Far Rockaway. In addition, Annya also leads several civic projects in the Bronx including the ground-up DDC-Bronx Animal Care facility, Orchard Beach Pavilion Renovation, and Bronx Arts Museum Renovation.
Annya was raised in Puerto Rico, and attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Architecture, then settled in New York City after obtaining a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University GSAPP in 2003. She currently serves as a board member for The Clemente Center, a Puerto Rican and Latinx cultural space in the Lower East Side, and is a member of the AIANY Honors Committee.
