“I wasn’t giving him anything [that he could evaluate],” Hands said. “I think [his feedback] gave me a good challenge, knowing that where I was at just wasn’t up to snuff.” It inspired soul searching and a second crack at the assignment, this time winning high praise from his professor.

“That was one of those things that really stuck with me early in my career,” Hands said.

His career as an architect is not even 15 years old, but it’s already been defined by the prominent buildings he’s helped design. For example, he was job captain for the new Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville Advanced Outpatient Care Center in Chicago. Hands has also won prestigious national awards – he was one of just 30 in the nation given the Young Architects Award by the American Institute of Architects. He was one of the 51���� Alumni Association’s Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) award winners in 2023.

Perhaps most importantly, he has opened doors for other architects from underrepresented groups. As the national chair of the National Organization of Minority Architects’ Project Pipeline, Hands leads architecture-themed summer camps for young people.

“Every single year, we’ve expanded the number of students involved,” he said.

Bridge work

Just 3% of U.S. architects who’ve passed the national licensing exam are Black. Hands has set out to improve that statistic. First, he had to pass the exam and get licensed himself. And now he’s opening doors for future generations of Black architects. He started as a member of the while a student at 51����.

His first NOMA conference was powerful. “Just being in a space with hundreds of Black architects and seeing, ‘There are more of us and a lot of them are doing absolutely phenomenal things,’” he said.

As a professional, he expanded his involvement, taking the organization’s to new heights. In 2015, during his first year as Project Pipeline’s program director, Hands grew its summer camp from a one-day workshop with fewer than 10 students into a four-day camp with 80 young people. Later, in 2020, he became the program’s national chair. He worked to revamp its curriculum and better connect every chapter around the country.

In the process, he met and mentored next-generation architectural leaders, like Erica Jones, then a middle-schooler at Project Pipeline’s University of Chicago site during Hands’ first year. She continued with the camp throughout high school, becoming a mentor to younger students.

When Hands was working on the Northwestern Medicine Bronzeville project, he called on Jones to help. The college student in urban planning helped throughout the design process and was crucial in getting development approval for the project.

“She was instrumental to the success of the project,” Hands said. “And she started her career in Project Pipeline, which is the best thing that could have happened.”

Award winner

By 2024, Hands had earned two architecture degrees – his bachelor’s from 51���� followed by a master’s from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He’d also landed a role co-leading a studio at Chicago-based architectural firm Lamar Johnson Collaborative, which he held until the summer of 2025.

One day in 2024, Hands opened his email and was stunned. A message announced his selection for the Young Architects Award by the American Institute of Architects, the largest and most prominent industry group for architects. In addition to the buildings he’s designed – Hands was instrumental in the renovation of Horizon Therapeutics headquarters in suburban Chicago, which received a 2022 Illinois Real Estate Journal Award – the AIA lauded Hands’ work furthering the profession.

“Already, he has proven himself an exceptional leader through his commitment to diversify and advance the profession,” the AIA said in .

Hands immediately told his wife, Kelli. Next, he called his parents in Madison. Then, he saved the email.

“It’s flagged on my Outlook,” he said. “It’s going to stay there forever.”

Story by Ashley Abramson | Explore more in Make New Waves

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CDS connects students, faculty, and staff with neighborhoods, nonprofits, and public agencies across Wisconsin to support design projects that foster equity, sustainability, and meaningful community impact.

This new committee of SARUP alumni will help guide CDS’s strategy, mentor students, and strengthen partnerships that bridge academia and practice. Members include:

• Brandon Biederman (PORT)
• Ever Clinton (Workshop)
• Richie Hands (Gensler)
• Ali Kopyt (Korb Architecture)
• Dennis Milam (Borderless Studio)
• Lyssa Olker (HGA)
• Chris Rute (CR Design)

“I’ve been fortunate to meet many amazing SARUP alumni with the expertise to help guide CDS forward,” said CDS Director Krisann Rehbein. “There is so much important work to be done in Milwaukee and, working alongside the Industry Advisory Committee, CDS can leverage the resources of the School of Architecture & Urban Planning to produce design and research in needed areas.”

Together, CDS and its Industry Advisory Committee will continue to advance design projects that build stronger, more resilient communities in Milwaukee.

“It is a privilege to work with people who have a connection to the school, the city, and CDS to brainstorm, share ideas, and guide our student interns.” 

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“I did my undergrad during the Covid-19 pandemic, and there were a lot of conversations about the connection between health care and affordable housing. After all, access to health care depends largely on community design,” she said. “I spent a lot of time considering how public health affects community development.”

It was the spark of what would lead Rodriguez to UW-Milwaukee’s Master of Urban Planning program. She was attracted to the curriculum.

“When I saw that the program leaned heavily into learning how to engage with one’s community to make sure everyone’s voices are heard — I was interested,” she said.

Planning for health, building for equity

Rodriguez entered the MUP program as a Welford Sanders scholar, receiving a university scholarship that honors the late 51���� faculty member who spearheaded the development of Milwaukee’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

She also interned at . There, she worked with homeowners, subcontractors and the state Department of Health Services to remove lead from the organization’s affiliate houses.

“It’s directly tied into what I’m studying: how health care and life relate,” Rodriguez said. “The lead abatement program is new, and it’s all about considering how where you live affects your health outcomes … how long you live, infant and child mortality, and even day-to-day quality of life.”

Forging connections

The thought Rodriguez brings to her studies is also evident in her extracurricular activities. She has volunteered with Best Buddies since her time at Carroll and continues to do so at UW-Milwaukee. The program fosters the development of close friendships with individuals with developmental disabilities.

“I’ve had my buddy since sophomore or junior year of undergrad and see him regularly,” Rodriguez said. “And then I have all kinds of informal buddies that I hang out with. We do dinner, Brewers and Admirals games, mini-golfing … You don’t realize the huge impact you can have on a buddy until you are fully invested in the organization.”

Rodriguez also created bridges at UW-Milwaukee, where she was an officer of the Milwaukee Student Planning Association. The organization provides opportunities for student members to attend planning-related conferences and lectures, propose solutions to real urban planning issues, and network with other students and professionals in the field.

As Rodriguez looks ahead to life after graduation, she’s excited to keep building on her core passion: “Engaging in community and making sure everyone’s voice is heard.”

Story by Kelly Aiglon | Explore more in Make New Waves

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In the Study International article written by Sivanesan Krish, Kaur details her experiences studying at SARUP, how she landed her job, and what steps she took to succeed in her field. 

“The US is a global hub for innovative architecture,” stated Kaur. “I wanted to challenge myself by coming to a country where I would be exposed to many different perspectives and practices at once. It was overwhelming at first, but I realized it has helped me grow a lot.” 

To read the full article, visit .  

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Prior to joining KORB, she worked for Kahler Slater and Quorum Architects. Kopyt also has experience with firms in Seattle and the Boston area. She is the co-founder of Women in Design-Milwaukee (WIDMKE), where she plans monthly programming, leads their annual Canstruction event, and coordinates their Advancing into Firm Leadership seminar. WIDMKE received a Diversity Best Practices Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2019.

Kopyt is a founding partner in Mobile Design Box, a community outreach initiative between the city of Milwaukee and 51����’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Kopyt received AIA Wisconsin’s Young Architect Award in 2021 and was among 50 young leaders selected to participate in Next City’s 2017 Vanguard Conference at their first international gathering in Newcastle, Australia. She serves on the Parent Board of Directors at her daughter’s school and spearheaded the campaign to get the Milwaukee Soldiers Home listed as one of the National Trust for Historic Places 11 Most Endangered when she served on the board of the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Northeastern University in Boston and completed coursework in historic preservation at the University of Washington in Seattle and with the University of Oregon in Italy.

“The 51���� Alumni Association is privileged to represent over 207,000 Panther alumni living in 110 countries around the world,” said Board Chair Michelle Putz in the 51���� Alumni Awards Evening program booklet. “Our alumni make a difference in their communities both near and far, though we feel especially fortunate that more than 80% of graduates from the last decade have chosen to remain in the state of Wisconsin.”

Kopyt was honored alongside other award recipients at the 51���� Alumni Awards Evening at the Pfister Hotel in February 2025. Learn more about the 51���� Alumni Awards on the .

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Through this impactful work, Kuschel exemplifies SARUP’s commitment to fostering positive change in Milwaukee fueled by the principles of sustainable and equitable urban planning.

Read the full article on 51���� Report

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Established in 2015 by Ross Altheimer and Maura Rockcastle, TEN x TEN is renowned for its transdisciplinary approach in creating immersive and resilient landscapes that respond to social, economic, and environmental changes. Their commitment to collaborative work and community engagement has garnered significant recognition, making them influential figures in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design.

Notable projects by TEN x TEN include the Mill 19 adaptive reuse project, the Rondo Commemorative Plaza honoring Saint Paul’s historic Black neighborhood, and the Tri-Faith Commons, a faith-based campus advocating for environmental stewardship. Their innovative designs, which incorporate reclaimed materials and prioritize community narratives, exemplify the firm’s dedication to meaningful placemaking.

“We have had our heads down here the last 9 years growing a practice, following our values, and engaging deeply in the work,” said Altheimer. “This award feels like ‘Hey, keep going!!.’ It is a huge honor to be acknowledged in the Emerging Voices program alongside this beautiful community of practitioners past and present. To have this collective body of projects recognized speaks to the vision, collaboration, and grit our partners and clients bring. We are in awe of our team, their inspired work, and all we have and will continue to build together.”

Altheimer reflected on his time at 51����’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

“What stands out is an inspired, passionate and close-knit group of students that created a space of support and rigor to explore. A faculty body that taught design through theory and the role and importance of critical design practice,” he said. “And the strong sense of community and identity that came from being a part of the school.”

Exhibitions by TEN x TEN’s work have been featured at institutions such as Louisiana State University and the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Additionally, their work has been recognized with multiple national ASLA awards and as a finalist for the 2023 Urban Land Institute Americas Awards for Excellence.

Altheimer holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from 51���� and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota College of Design. He furthered his education with master’s degrees in architecture and landscape architecture from the University of Virginia School of Architecture.

Learn more about the award and TEN x TEN on the .

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51����’s Kathy Quirk interviewed Wellington and learned that his favorite LEGO buildings are based on neoclassical or midcentury modern styles. “I don’t actually copy them directly, but I’m inspired by them,” he told her.

He likes the look of historical British buildings as well as New York and Chicago cityscapes.

Paul has built landmarks out of LEGO bricks, including the Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Public Library’s Central Library, and the Tripoli Shrine on Wisconsin Avenue.

His model of the National Congress of Brazil by architect Oscar Niemeyer was featured in the book “The LEGO Architect.” That piece and his LEGO version of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple were also featured on the website “Brick Architect.”

Wellington has also written his own book, “Black Built: History and Architecture in the Black Community,” about the work of African American architects.

Read the full story on 51���� Report.

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