Wannemacher Jensen Architects
About
St. Petersburg | Sarasota | Tarpon Springs | Miami | West Palm Beach
Leadership
We're an award-winning multidisciplinary team with a passion for creating innovative architecture. We work with businesses and people to create a more beautiful world to live, work, learn and play.
“WJA has been extremely professional, responsive, courteous and attentive to our needs in both the design and construction phases of the projects. Their attention to detail and our construction budget has been greatly appreciated and most successful.”
Jim Walkup, Project ManagerColen Built Construction at On Top of the World – Ina A. Colen Elementary School and FAST Aquatics 2022
“The professionals at WJA are outstanding individuals who are highly knowledgeable in their field. Their expertise and experience has allowed us to face this project with ease. We have worked with WJA on multiple projects over the years and look forward to our continued relationship for future undertakings.”
Lynn Bittner, Recreational ManagerCity of St. Petersburg – Shore Acres Recreation Center, 2022
“The team that Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc. have assembled for our projects are extremely attentive to detail and throughout the project demonstrated many outstanding qualities including: professional and aggressive construction approaches, sensitivity to the schools and owner’s requirements, ability to manage changes during the design phase, and excellent communication with Consultants and Owners representatives.”
Scott Livernois, Manager of Design, Facilities Design and ConstructionPinellas County Schools – 74th Street Elementary School and YMCA Partnership Middle School, 2021
Throughout his career, Jason has worked on a range of project types, styles, scales, and budgets. His work is highly awarded by various entities and recognized by a long roster of international media.
His thorough approach focuses on respecting the space and its intended use, relating the building to its site, and adding value with purposeful, thoughtful, memorable designs. Jason manages processes and communications to translate visions and desires of clients into cohesive plans and master plans.
A University of Florida graduate, Jason remains active with the UF School of Architecture as a guest critic and lecturer. He also has been a guest critic/lecturer at the University of South Florida, Pratt University, Urban Land Institute, and Green Building Council. Jason is a registered architect in Florida, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a member of the American Institute of Architects.
Fun fact: Jason’s classic car was cast to appear in an upcoming Bryan Cranston movie recently shot around Tampa Bay. His passion for beautiful, timeless auto design is yet another example of his “appreciation and ever-lasting desire to take part in designs that matter.”
Since joining WJ Architects, Harold has managed many significant projects including the City of Doral’s largest park and recreational center and Madeira Beach’s Municipal Complex.
Harold has 15 years of experience in South and Central Florida. While in Miami, Harold managed large and complex projects that include the $500M Miami Central Station. Harold has also spent several years in the construction field as a construction administrator working closely with contractors and owners on day to day construction services. This experience both in and out of the office has allowed him to contribute effectively to projects at a variety of scales, budgets and specialties.
Harold has his master’s in architecture from the University of Florida.
Prior to joining WJA Lindsay worked at Mesh Architecture designing high-rise and mid-rise urban mixed use buildings including 18-story Bliss Condominiums, 13-story Salvador condominiums and a 6.7-acre mixed-use masterplan for Madeira Beach with 430 hotel rooms, 35,000 SF of retail, 15,000 SF of restaurant space, 90 condominium units and a new marina. Prior to joining Mesh, Lindsay worked at SmithGroupJJR focusing on higher institutional, government and commercial projects. She worked on South Quadrant Dormitory, Oakland University Engineering Center, Detroit Athletic Club, and the Boll Family YMCA masterplan.
Lindsay has a masters of architecture from the University of Michigan, as well as her bachelors in architecture with a minor in urban and regional planning from the University of Florida.
In addition to her Architecture profession, Lisa, along with a business partner, owns and manages 13 downtown St. Petersburg retail properties including Cassis American Brasserie & Bakery, a 300-seat restaurant which she also developed and designed.
Lisa has won numerous awards, including St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Iconic Woman of the Year in 2013 and the Award for Outstanding Service to the Chamber & Community in 2011. She has more than 16 Tampa Bay AIA project design awards and was a designer for 12 LEED/Green Globe Certified Buildings, including the State of Florida’s first LEED Platinum Community Center.
Lisa was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio and attended Kent State University where she was a member of the Gymnastics Team and was the first woman to be awarded a 4-year, full ride athletic scholarship. She holds dual Citizenship in the United States and France, has climbed Kilimanjaro and several other high mountain summits in the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps, and is a finisher of multiple triathlons and ultra-marathon running events.
Ed currently uses his talent and expertise for many of the firm’s functions including design, marketing, and project management. In addition, he also mentors’ internal teams, helping our next generation of leaders gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
In his free time, Ed enjoys flying his planes as a private pilot. Ed inherited his love for aviation from his late father, Ed, who designed and built five planes. In the mid-1970s, Ed used an original design plane built by his father as his commuter airplane to attend the University of Florida, and then to fly to his first architectural job in West Palm Beach.
After earning her Master’s Degree from the University of Florida, Natalia moved to New York City where she lived and worked for 12 years on award winning projects such as One Bryant Park, The Stephen Sondheim Theater, and the Skanska USA LEED Platinum Offices. During her time in New York and while working for CookFox Architects, an award winning and sustainable minded firm, her passion for design and sustainability grew and flourished. There she worked on some of the most environmentally forward thinking projects in the country including their own offices, the first LEED Platinum Commercial Interior Office in New York City and One Bryant Park, first LEED Platinum Tower in the USA.
Natalia joined Wannemacher Jensen Architects in 2020 and has led the Miami office as Studio Director. She is an architect licensed in both Florida and New York and is a LEED BD+C accredited professional.
Sarah has worked at the offices of Pelli Clarke Pelli, SOM, and HOK after graduating from Rice University with her bachelor’s in architecture and Columbia University with her Master of Advanced Architectural Design. Sarah is a registered architect in Florida and Texas and is a member of the American Institute of Architects and has her LEED AP BD+C certification.
He has lead his project team in many successful and award winning designs; including the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art, the Brooker Creek Preserve Education Center, and Palmetto Elementary School.
Design Vision
Founded in 1992, WJ Architects (WJA) is an interdisciplinary architecture firm that creates engaging spaces for working, living, learning and playing.
The firm’s design methodology is centered on the belief that architecture can inspire positive change and enrich society.
With each project and any given set of challenges, we strive to provide creative design solutions that promote community and client ambitions, redefine conventions, and generate purpose driven solutions.
Capabilities
Architecture that redefines conventions.
The heart of our firm. We believe design methodology is centered on the belief that architecture can inspire positive change and enrich society.
01
Interior Design that inspires people.
With a full service Interiors Department, we can supply all tasks interiors related. Researching materials, creating color boards, assembling materials and finishes, creating furniture packages, and assisting in bidding and construction administration.
02
Entertainment that captivates audiences.
In-house production design for architectural projects, festivals, concert tours, corporate and special events for film and television.
03
Construction that streamlines delivery.
WJ Create (WJC) is our full-service construction division that provides comprehensive pre-construction planning including feasibility & land acquisition studies, cost estimating and constructability reviews all in house.
04
Development that enriches community.
WJ Developers (WJD) is our development division giving us control of the entire building process from project fruition to construction close out. This allows us to have a true WJ integration delivery method as Developer, Architect, and Contractor.