Kevin Wineinger AIA

Principal

kwineinger@focalds.com

Kevin is a Principal and Co-Founder of Focal, leading projects for our Educational, Institutional, Cultural and Non-Profit clients. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University and, a Master’s Degree in Architecture from UCLA with an emphasis in cultural studies. He has practiced in New York City, Los Angeles and, Chicago including, tenures at the offices of Thomas Phifer and Partners and John Ronan Architects. His 26 years of practicing in the cultural hubs of the United States with world-class clients, architects, fabricators and artists brings a diverse perspective of architecture, culture and the visual arts to our work. Kevin also teaches design and research studios in the Department of Architecture at Kansas State University and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council.

Matt Wild AIA

Principal

mwild@focalds.com

Matt is a Principal and Co-Founder of Focal, leading projects for our Residential, Entertainment and Hospitality clients. Matt’s passion for designing immersive, user-experiences has taken him across the globe, leading over 400 entertainment projects on five continents with industry leading clients and design consultants. Matt holds a Bachelors of Architecture Degree from The KU School of Architecture & Design with an emphasis on Civil Engineering. Matt is NCARB certified, a member of the American Institute of Architects and, is a registered architect in many states.

Anthony Luca AIA

Associate Principal

aluca@focalds.com

Anthony is an Associate Principal and has been with the firm since its founding in 2022. He has 13 years of experience designing and managing a broad range of projects types and scales including multi-family residential, hospitality, office and custom residential. He studied Architecture at the University of Missouri Kansas City and holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University. He also serves as President of the Board of the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Craig Alexander

Associate Principal

calexander@focalds.com

Craig is an Associate Principal and has been with the firm since its founding in 2022. During his 13 years of practice, he has designed and managed projects for multi-family residential, developer-led mixed use, workplace environments and custom residential clients. In addition to his work at Focal, Craig devotes his time developing, funding, and building schools in a remote part of Kenya, which have won multiple design awards, including a 2019 COTE Award. He studied Architecture at the University of Missouri Kansas City and holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University.

Caitlin Bakker

Associate

cbakker@focalds.com

Caitlin joined Focal in 2023 as an Associate and holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University. She leads and manages many of our small projects across a variety of types and uses. Caitlin also provides support on our larger projects lending her wide range of skills and abilities to nearly all projects in the office. Caitlin lives in and, is currently renovating, a century-old farmhouse with her husband and daughter.

Nikola Braynov

Associate

nbraynov@focalds.com

Nikola is an Associate at Focal and holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Kansas. They have two years of experience designing and providing team support on a variety of project types including entertainment, hospitality, mixed-use retail, and educational. Nikola is also committed to innovating the office’s approach to equitable and sustainable design practices.

Amanda Shearhart

Associate

ashearhart@focalds.com

Amanda is an Associate at Focal and studied Architecture at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Kansas State University, from where she holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture. She has experience in multi-family, educational, adaptive reuse and historic preservation project types. Amanda is passionate about how architecture and design can improve health, wellness, and, neurodiversity in the built environment. She is also a LEED Green Associate.

Kylie Schwaller

Associate

kschwaller@focalds.com

Kylie is an Associate at Focal, she studied Architecture at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Kansas State University. Kylie joined Focal in 2024, bringing with her seven years of experience on a wide range of project types including adaptive reuse, mixed use, cultural, and educational. Kylie is passionate about sustainable design and the revitalization of existing buildings. In addition to her work at Focal, Kylie has her own business creating crafted wood objects, she also taught at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and often returns as a visiting critic.

Caitlyn Biffle

Associate

cbiffle@focalds.com

Originally from Alabama, Caitlyn is an Associate at Focal with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Auburn University where she completed her fifth-year thesis at Auburn’s Rural Studio. While completing her thesis, she gained a passion for equitable and sustainable architecture that is rooted in its place and community. Her experience in wood-frame construction and custom steel fabrication contributes to her care for fine craft and details. She joins Focal having contributed to a variety of project types including adaptive reuse, single-family residential, commercial, and affordable housing.

Lauren Harness AIA

Pre-Development Manager

lharness@focalds.com

Lauren serves as Pre-Development Manager at FOCAL Design Studio, supporting clients through grant writing, strategic planning, and community engagement as part of the firm’s expanding pre-development services. She brings 11+ years of experience across New York City, Boston, and Kansas City, with leadership roles in project development, owner’s representation, and non-profit organizations. In addition to her work at FOCAL, Lauren’s primary focus is serving as Program Director of the Kansas City Design Center, a nonprofit urban design program partnered with Kansas State University to advance innovation in Kansas City’s built environment. Lauren is also a licensed architect.

Isaiah Houltberg

Associate

ihoultberg@focalds.com

Isaiah studied architecture at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and earned his Master of Architecture from Kansas State University. His graduate thesis explored architecture in Iceland, with a focus on the country’s distinctive climate, landscape, and daylight. Previously an intern at FOCAL, Isaiah returned to the studio as an Associate in 2026.

FOCAL DESIGN STUDIO is a Kansas City-based architecture, interiors, and master planning practice focused on thoughtful, carefully crafted work rooted in place, purpose, and material. We work collaboratively across a range of project types and scales, with each team member actively engaged in the research, design, development, and realization of our work.

We are currently accepting applications for a full-time, salaried Senior Project Architect. This position offers an opportunity to take a significant leadership role within a growing practice, working directly with firm principals while helping shape projects, teams, and the continued development of the studio.

Basic Qualifications

• Accredited professional degree in Architecture
• Professional architectural registration
• 8+ years of professional experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects from design through construction
• Strong design judgment and ability to maintain design intent through technical development and execution
• Strong communication, leadership, and project management skills
• Experience leading internal project teams and coordinating clients, consultants, and contractors
• Advanced proficiency in Revit and proficiency in Rhino
• Strong technical knowledge of building systems, materials, detailing, and construction
• Thorough understanding of building codes, accessibility requirements, construction types, and occupancy classifications
• Experience with construction administration, including submittals, RFIs, field observation, and project closeout
• Creative and thoughtful problem-solving abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• LEED, WELL, or other sustainability accreditation
• Knowledge of sustainable design strategies and high-performance building practices
• Advanced understanding of innovative construction methods and material systems
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with specifications and quality-control processes

Benefits

FOCAL offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:

• Company-sponsored health insurance
• Company-sponsored short- and long-term disability insurance
• Voluntary dental, vision, life, and accidental death insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Eight paid holidays plus one flexible holiday
• Paid time off accrued monthly
• 100% reimbursement of ARE exam fees upon successful completion
• Annual stipend for professional organization memberships and continuing education

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and portfolio to:

info@focalds.com

FOCAL Design Studio LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.