Our Team
Principal Architect
Ben Herzog
After working for other New York firms including Baxt Ingui Architects, Coburn Architecture, Robert AM Stern Architects and Edward S Eglin Architectural Design, Ben started his own firm in 2009. Since then, the firm has grown rapidly and he now leads a team of architects and designers specializing in renovations, additions and new construction of commercial and residential projects. Ben received his A.B. in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University and a Master in Architecture from Columbia University. He is licensed in New York and Connecticut and NCARB-certified for licensing in other states. Ben is also a Passive House Certified Designer.
Senior Project Designers / Project Architects
Ilva Skaraine
Prior to joining Ben Herzog Architect, Ilva designed and led a number of projects at architects’ offices in New York ranging from single family residences to community facilities. She also spent two years managing uniquely detailed and complex projects at Bjork Carle Woodworking. Ilva loves mixing old and new and embraces the unexpected in her designs, as well as in her life. She earned a B.A. in Interior Design at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and holds a B.Sc. in Economics from University of Latvia. She has also attended NYC College of Technology and Art Students League of NY for selected advanced coursework.
Anita Lin
After spending a few years away from architecture doing web design, jewelry design and staying home with her young daughter, Anita was inspired to return to architecture after hiring Ben Herzog Architect to renovate her Brooklyn home. She enjoyed collaborating with Ben on the project so much that she decided to join the firm. Anita has a B.A. in Architecture from Columbia University and a Master in Architecture from Harvard University. She is licensed to practice architecture in New York.
Jeremy Vealey
Jeremy has been with BHA since 2014 as a designer and project manager. His experience includes commercial, institutional, and high-end residential projects of various scales throughout New York City and the surrounding area while previously at the firms Allen + Killcoyne Architects and Zivkovic Connolly Architects, P.C. He also enjoyed his early career experiences at the firm Art & Architecture as an intern, and White Construction Company as a foreman’s assistant, both in Central Virginia. Jeremy graduated in 2001 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), and studied for a semester each at the College for European Studies and Architecture (Riva San Vitale, SW) and the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium (Alexandria, VA). He is licensed in New York State, and is NCARB certified to gain licensure in other states.
Dave Mendelsohn
Since joining BHA in 2015, Dave has overseen a variety of townhouse, apartment, and single family home projects in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and beyond. He enjoys the whole process, starting with initial zoning studies and 'what-if' design schemes, developing the design with the clients, and following through to completion. Prior to his time at BHA, Dave worked on a variety of project types, including a preservation award-winning Broadway theater renovation, a new 57-unit supportive housing development, affordable and market rate housing, classrooms and housing for people with multiple disabilities, renovations of city schools and libraries, corporate offices, and health care facilities. His education includes a B.A. in Geography/Urban Systems from McGill University in Montreal, the junior year Shape of Two Cities Program (New York & Paris) through Columbia University, and a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, which included a semester at the University of Natal in South Africa. Dave moved to 'brownstone Brooklyn' in 2002, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
Naomi Touger
With more than ten years practicing architecture in New York City, Naomi is thrilled that she gets to do what she loves every day, helping clients realize truly satisfying spaces. Born and raised south of Boston, she grew up obsessed with the craftsmanship of old homes. Since earning architecture degrees from Barnard and Harvard, she’s designed and managed a variety of projects, ranging from high-end residences and restaurants to luxury retail spaces for brands such as Christian Louboutin --even graphics for a private jet. Outside of work, Naomi loves adventuring and eating her way through Brooklyn, where she lives with her husband and two children.
Shai Fuller
Since 2007, Shai has enjoyed working across the spectrum of architecture, interior design and landscape architecture in New York City. She is passionate about creating spaces that emphasize the power of good design, creating projects that both look and feel great for their inhabitants. Prior to joining BHA, Shai worked with COOKFOX Architects on large scale residential and commercial projects that focused on environmental and human health as a cornerstone of design. Before COOKFOX, Shai worked at the landscape architecture firm Quennell Rothschild and Partners, where she discovered a love of public projects, working across many spaces in New York City and fostering her interest in plants and connection to the natural environment which continues to inform her design aesthetic. Shai is a licensed NY State Architect, and carries a BA from Barnard College, and an MA from Columbia University, where she also led the architecture wood-shop. When not at work, Shai likes to spend as much time in nature as possible, venturing outside of the city, tending to houseplants, or in Brooklyn playgrounds with her daughter.
Project Designers
Hallie Chuba
Hallie began her journey into the world of architecture by studying Environmental Design at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she took classes in architecture, landscape design and urban planning. During her junior year, she was a visiting scholar at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, which cemented her passion for architecture, as well as a fascination for New York City. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she moved back to NYC to earn her Master of Architecture from Columbia. While completing her studies Hallie interned at BHA, piquing her interest in residential architecture and interior design.
Interior Designers
Alex Hornbuckle
Alex graduated with a dual Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Interior Architecture from Auburn University. While in school, she spent a semester in Rome, Italy, and spent her final year of school in an urban design studio in Birmingham, AL. Alex previously worked with BHA as a summer intern, which established her love for residential renovations, and heavily influenced her decision to move to New York City.
Stephanie Leonard
Stephanie moved to NYC in 2016 from Merida, Mexico with a Bachelor of Architecture and an Associates in Interior Design. Growing up in Merida, a nearly 500-year-old Colonial city full of Spanish architecture and a gentle Mayan heritage was a huge influence on Stephanie's aesthetic eye and world view. Prior to her move to BHA she worked at a high-end residential interior design firm in Manhattan. When not in the office, Stephanie spends her time at home with her cat and dog, exploring the ever changing city or playing tennis.
BHA Office Dog
Sam
Sammy’s background is somewhat mysterious. He came to NYC via North Carolina. He was born sometime between 2015-2017. He loves eating and is always hungry. His special skills include ‘pre-cleaning’ all the dishes in the dishwasher and he is getting really good at ‘staying’. He has a strong fear of large vehicles and loud sounds but he is working on that.