Key Personnel
ISMAEL LEYVA, FAIA
PRESIDENT
MANISH CHADHA, AIA, LEED AP
PRINCIPAL
LEONARD VIDRAK, AIA
PRINCIPAL
ANDY CHIN-CHEUNG LAM
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
ADITYA KARMARKAR, AIA
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
FRANKLIN ORTIZ
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
JEAN ELIE MOYSE
ASSOCIATE
PAUL SHEENAN, RA
ASSOCIATE
JAMES PERROTTA, RA
ASSOCIATE
ADAM FETTIG, AIA
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL
JUAN MOLINA
ASSOCIATE, IT DIR.
VIKAS D. MUNGEKAR, AIA, Itl
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
President
Born and educated in Veracruz, Mexico, Mr. Ismael Leyva has practiced architecture in the United States for over thirty years. He was the Design Partner at a prestigious New York City firm before opening his own Architectural, Planning and Urban Design firm, Ismael Leyva Architects, in 1996.
Ismael Leyva Architects has grown into an award-winning mid-sized firm with numerous iconic Residential, Mixed-use, Hospitality, Commercial, and Historic Renovations and Landmark Conversion projects. He has executed his trademark designs working independently as well as in collaboration with other celebrated architectural teams.
His design philosophy is based on combining functional, aesthetically pleasing, and ecologically responsible contemporary design. His trademark designs are highlighted in some of New York City’s most renowned buildings including the Icon, The Charles, Place 57, Yves Chelsea and Luxury Residences at Time Warner Center, among others. The firm's geographical scope has expanded internationally with projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, China and the Middle East.
Committed to the principle of giving his personal involvement in every state of design, Ismael’s passion and vision are the driving factors in the satisfaction of repeat clients and the continued growth of the firm.
Principal
Mr. Manish Chadha has over 17 years of experience in architecture, working on a wide range of commercial, residential, and interior projects. As an established top tier architect and design leader, he is responsible for the day-to-day progress of a project. Under his leadership, the firm continues to have a reputation for strong management skills and an ability to meet tight schedules and budgets.
Manish has a great understanding of the principles and practices of architecture, including architectural details and standards along with applicable federal, state, and local codes, ordinances, and regulation. He has extensive experience with contract administration, project management, and budget development.
He received his Bachelor's Degree from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi and his Masters from the University of Colorado. Manish is a licensed and registered architect in New York State and is LEED certified.
Principal
Israel Vidrak has been a registered architect in the States of New Jersey and New York since 1997 and 1998, respectively and has been a member of the National Certification Architectural Boards (NCAAB) since 2000. In addition, he has been a Member of the American Institute of Architects {AIA) and the New York City Society of Architects (NYSA) since 1997. He was also a registered architect and member of the Russian Institute {Union) of Architects and Moscow Society of Architects in 1987.
Leonard's experience includes over thirty five years of domestic and international experience in a wide range of projects with brood management, design and technical expertise. He is engaged in all aspects of studio management and administration, facilities programming and planning, architecture, design and interior design of award-winning commercial and residential projects.
He has led numerous design, architecture, development and construction administration projects for mid to large-sized prominent projects throughout the United States and abroad. He is also the recipient of several AIA and international awards, and AIA Project Review Recognitions. Leonard has served as a Principal Studio Director, Director of Architecture, Project Director, Senior Project Architect and Technical Director in major national architectural firms in New York City and New Jersey.
Associate Principal
Mr. Andy Lam has over 20 years of architectural experience in a wide array of building types including high rise residential towers, mixed use buildings, historic renovations and challenging conversion projects. Mr. Lam has been with Ismael Leyva Architects since 2004. Prior to joining ILA, he was a member of two renowned NYC based architectural practices. His background as an interior designer has helped him succeed in the architectural field by giving him an eye for detail. He is talented in a wide array of project types ranging from small alterations to large scale urban planning.
Mr. Lam has participated in every phase of a project from Zoning Analyses to Concept Design and from Schematic Design through to Construction Administration phase. He has strong organizational skills and a great analytical ability for design and construction. Mr. Lam is also knowledgeable in all applicable federal, state, local codes, regulations and ordinances as well as the NYC Zoning regulations, Accessibility and Sustainable design. He works closely with clients, construction teams, and consultants to achieve the final product.
His education in Architecture and Interior Design, allows him to approach each project from both the exterior and interior design perspectives while creating a cohesive project. He has a strong understanding of branding and the marketability of a project which helps our clients achieve their ultimate goal in creating a successful work of architecture and a profitable business venture.
Notable projects include The Selby, 135 East 47th Street, Mercy Manhattan College and 66 Rockwell.
Associate Principal
Mr. Doshi has been with Ismael Leyva Architects since October 2004. He has worked on numerous prominent projects that the firm has undertaken, including several high-rise mixed-use buildings in New York City.
He has successfully handled all phases of the projects from concept, pre-design & programming, thru to contract documents & contract administration and has been responsible for all aspects of the design process including client correspondence, consultant coordination, zoning & code compliance analyses, building department & public agency approvals. He has also been involved in the design of a variety of project types ranging from a multi-functional sports arena in Qatar to university campuses in India. Mr. Doshi has a comprehensive understanding of current building technologies & trends and is very conversant with the New York City Building Codes & Zoning Regulations as well as International Building Codes pertaining to most building types.
Mr. Doshi has earned a Master of Urban Design from the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mumbai, India. He is a Licensed and Registered architect in New York state and is also LEED accredited.
Associate Principal
Mr. Aditya Karmarkar has been at Ismael Leyva Architects for over 20 years and focuses his passion on the challenges presented by each unique project, utilizing his knowledge to facilitate the design. He is driven to make a positive impact thru design and is passionate about collaborating with clients in creative ways to enhance projects functionality.
Over the course of his 20-year career, he has accumulated expertise across a range of project types and scales and is involved in the preparation and oversight of architectural plans and specifications for both new construction and renovation projects. He has assisted in the design of some of ILA’s NYC high rise residential projects for well-known developers since joining ILA.
His ILA project portfolio includes high-rise mixed-use, residential and commercial towers such as The Gilroy - 230 East 54th Street, NYC; The Charles - 1355 First Avenue, NYC; 150 East 78th Street, NYC; Abington House - 500 West 30th Street, NYC and the Zaha Hadid - 520 West 28th Street, NYC.
Aditya is a registered architect in New York State and has received a Master of Architecture degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Bombay in India.
Senior Associate
Mr. Tat Wing Wong has over 17 years of experience and has been with Ismael Leyva Architects since 2005. During this time, Tat has successfully delivered innovative and thoughtful design solutions. Tat’s clients benefit from his years of knowledge and understanding of a wide range of project types, his management skills and design expertise have led to impressive results executed on their behalf.
With a broad understanding of new construction techniques and the restoration of existing structures, Tat ensures that the design quality of a project and focuses on exceeding client objectives. He has been responsible for the design and project management of many of the firm's high rise residential, educational and healthcare projects.
He received a Bachelor of Architecture & Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The City College, City University of New York.
Associate, IT Director
Mr. Juan Molina has been with the firm since 2000. As the IT Director, he is responsible for the voice and data networks, development and disaster recovery systems and processes. He coordinates IT staffing, collaborates with executives and departments heads, researches IT solutions and makes recommendations for improvement. In addition, Juan negotiates and approves technology vendors, outsourcing, and consultant contracts service agreements.
Juan was born and educated in Dominican Republic and has practiced architecture in his country for more than a decade. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Architecture in Central University of the East in the Dominican Republic and his Master Degree of Business Administration (MBA) from the Technology Institute of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He also earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science from New York University (NYU) and his Microsoft Certified System Engineer and Microsoft Certified System Administrator at Netcom in New York.
Prior to coming to New York, he was the Director of the Architecture School in Central University of the East in the Dominican Republic as well as an Architecture and Interior Design professor in the same institution for more than 10 years.
Associate
Franklin Ortiz has over 11 years of experience in the architectural field as an architectural designer experienced in schematic design and design development up to construction documents.
Mr. Ortiz provides architectural services on projects from conception to completion and makes sure the project stay true to the original design intent throughout the design/build process.
Mr. Ortiz prepares space planning and programming criteria for various projects utilizing. His strong organizational skills in the phasing and scheduling of major milestones throughout the lifespan of the project. His efforts ensure that project goals progress and path meet assigned milestones. He along with the team, work in collaboration to design and produce necessary construction documents and construction administration documentation.
Associate
For a decade, Jean Elie Moyse has pursued his passion for all thing’s architecture at Ismael Leyva Architects. Although his fascination with the architectural field began as a man kid learning mathematics and geometry in elementary school, discovering the philosophical aspects of design during his early studies convinced him that this was the path he was meant to follow
Jean Elie's background includes all aspects of architecture from zoning to construction administration. As a project manager, he communicates directly with clients with a focus on exceeding their expectations for design quality and cost effectiveness. He excels through his discipline with strong work ethic and keen attention to detail and efficiency.
He uses his technical skills and extensive background in commercial, mixed-use, academic and residential facility design to lead his team to the highest quality of project completion. Over the years, he has developed a real
passion for the construction aspect of architecture.
His current project is the 15 Hudson Yards (aka Tower D Residential Project to be completed the coming spring of 2019.
Associate
Mr. Paul Sheehan joined Ismael Leyva Architects in 2018. He has extensive background as Project Manager / technical architect on large and complex buildings requiring precise coordination between consultant teams. Special emphasis on successful integration of structural and mechanical systems to realize envisioned architectural design concepts including conceptual design phase strategies for choosing systems and details appropriate to design concepts.
Paul brings more than 25 years of management, design, and strategic planning experience along with a commitment to practice excellence and operational performance. He empowers design teams to reach their greatest potential for clients.
Mr. Sheehan oversees new construction and renovation project details as the project begins and progresses. He is acutely aware of time and deadlines and keeps the design team on track with those deadlines.
Associate
Mr. James R. Perrotta is a New York State registered architect with over 35 years of diverse architectural experience in the Tri State Area. As a Senior Architect, he brings his strong design principles to play in overseeing creative directions as well as project management on multiple high end projects. His theoretical style combined with extensive experience in the field brings a unique and timeless quality to every project.
James has managed multiple Mixed-Use, Residential, Hotel and Commercial projects. He has broad knowledge of the principles and practices of architecture, including architectural details and standards along with applicable federal, state and local codes, ordinances and regulations. He also has a strong capacity for analyzing complex architectural design and construction problems, evaluating alternatives and making sound recommendations.
Associate Principal
Adam Fettig has over 10 years of architectural experience overseeing projects ranging from manufacturing facilities to luxury residential towers at scales from a few thousand to over one hundred thousand square feet. He studied earned a Master of Architecture Degree at the University of Pennsylvania and also has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University.
Mr. Fettig emphasizes ILA’s goal to provide excellent client services. He has worked with both experienced institutional developers to those breaking into the industry and he specializes in identifying and managing their individualized requirements to ensure complex projects are completed successfully.
Some of Mr. Fettig’s projects while at Ismael Leyva Architects include The Alyn and The Mercedes House residential projects in Manhattan, the design of the Oak Street medical device manufacturing facility in New Jersey and zoning and feasibility studies for various projects and DOB approval for the Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn.
Senior Associate
Ms. HongYuan "Yulia" Shao has over fifteen years of architectural experience focused on mixed-use, residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.
Yulia is knowledgeable in the aspects of design that include zoning & code analysis, building systems, construction documents, construction administration. She utilizes her management skills to lead public and private projects, manage development teams collaborating with consultants to reach the most appropriate design solutions for the project . Yulia to oversee a project from start to finish, which results in high client satisfaction.
She earned a Master of Architecture Degree from the Samara State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering - Samara, Russia.
Senior Associate
Mr. Vikas Mungekar has more than twenty five years of diverse Architectural experience in commercial, mixed-use, academic and residential facilities. He has a broad understanding of new construction and the restoration of existing structures. As a Project Manager, he is responsible for document supervision, execution of work, communication with clients and client's representative.
Vikas ensures design quality of projects and documentation of project work is of highest quality and completeness. His focus is to meet or exceed client objectives for project quality as well as cost and schedule control by overseeing project quality control programs. He has extensive experience working with numerous New York public agencies.