Laura Young, AIA

CEO

Licensed Architect – Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, and Wisconsin; NCARB Certified

Bachelor of Architecture, 1987; Bachelor of Environmental Design, 1987 Ball State University - Muncie, Indiana

As CEO of Griskelis Young Harrell, Laura leads the firm with a conviction to embrace, achieve and exceed our client’s project goals. She has incorporated this empathetic perspective into her 30 years of planning, design, construction, and business experience. In addition to leading the firm, Laura directs and manages the firm’s business affairs, actively leads project teams, cultivates new business opportunities and enjoys many loyal, long-term client relationships.

Depending on the project scope, schedule and complexity, Laura will guide our talented design teams in one or all of following areas: project management, design, technical coordination and quality control input.

Insights: As a youth, one of Laura’s first jobs was searching inactive railroad right of ways for steel spikes to be sold as scrap metal for the family demolition and salvage business. Laura likes to work with her hands, enjoys sewing and loves the outdoors. Recently, Laura and a band of adventurous friends from Oak Park tackled the formidable Grand Canyon “Rim to Rim” hike, thoroughly impressing (and surprising) their twenty-something male guide.

Projects

Chad Harrell, AIA, LEED AP

President

Licensed Architect – Illinois; NCARB Certified

Bachelor of Architecture, 1986; Bachelor of Environmental Design, 1986
Ball State University - Muncie, Indiana

As President of Griskelis Young Harrell, Chad guides the firm’s branding, business development and design efforts. Chad utilizes his experience to ensure that GYH’s creative solutions provide quality, substance and value to our clients.

Chad has a discerning eye and the ability to create design solutions that optimize the client’s aspirations and amplify a project’s value proposition. He understands architecture as a social art and works closely with GYH’s talented teams seeking elegant design solutions to elevate the lives of those that own, manage, inhabit and experience the buildings and spaces designed by GYH.

Insights: As one of nine children, Chad learned at an early age that a long ride on a fast bicycle clears the mind and soothes the soul. He recently celebrated a milestone birthday by riding from his home in Evanston, around Lake Michigan and back home. If he is not enjoying his family, on a bike, on a project site or with a client, he can be found hard at work at his desk, in the shadow of a lovingly restored 1984 Gios Torino “Professional” bicycle from his days past.

Projects

Christopher Nigro, AIA, LEED AP, BD + C

Principal

Licensed Architect -Illinois

Bachelor of Architecture, 1995, Carnegie Mellon University - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Ecole Poly technique de Lausanne, 1993-94 - Lausanne, Switzerland

With GYH since 2001, and as a Principal since 2017, Chris is a leader in the firm, working directly with the Partners throughout the Programming and Design Phases of the project. Chris supervises and guides his colleagues through design and CD production. When the need arises, Chris either creates or assists in the creation of 3-D computer models to illustrate design concepts for the client.

Throughout project development, Chris meets regularly with the client and consultants to explore options and develop effective strategies for the project. He ensures continuity for the project from beginning to end, and is primarily responsible for communication with the contractor during the construction phase of the project.

Insights: Apart from architecture, Chris enjoys golf and is an accomplished photographer. He is the resident architectural photographer of the firm and enjoys travel photography. Having lived on 4 continents and visited 5, Chris has captured beautiful images of many interesting subjects.

Projects

Dana Gilberti, RA

Associate

Licensed Architect - Illinois

Master of Architecture, 2003, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, Illinois
Bachelor of Art in Architecture, 1998 Miami University - Oxford, Ohio

Dana provides substantial project design and construction administration experience for a wide range of projects, including new construction and renovations of commercial office, retail, and medical office interiors. With GYH since 2003, and as an Associate since 2018, Dana has worked extensively with clients from initial programming and planning studies, through design, finish selections, construction documentation, permitting, bidding, construction administration and close-out. Dana is very detail oriented and methodical in her approach, which results in thoroughly designed and well-coordinated projects. Her leadership, substantial management skills and personable nature make her a very effective design team leader.

Insights: Dana grew up on a quaint crystal blue lake in Wisconsin. Some of her fondest memories are when she spent her summers in a swimsuit 24-7. Literally, from sun up to sun down she was swimming and sailing or running through the woods playing. This formative time at play in nature encouraged her to be creative, hands-on, and use her imagination. These skills continue to be a common thread woven through Dana’s architectural career.

Projects

Michael Taylor, AIA

Associate

Licensed Architect - Illinois

Master of Architecture, 2004, University of Illinois at Chicago - Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts in Design, 1999, Clemson University - Clemson, SC

With GYH since 2006, and as an Associate since 2018, Michael brings his experience in project design, development, and construction administration experience from a wide range of projects, including new construction, renovations for higher educational facilities, and commercial office and retail interiors. At GYH, Michael has worked extensively with clients from initial programming and planning studies, finish selections, permitting, bidding, construction documentation, through construction administration and project close-out. Michael is very diligent and rigorous in his approach, which results in thoughtful, intelligently designed and well-executed projects.

Insights: Michael and his wife are at the beginning of a 30+ year renovation on their newly purchased 100-year old house. Over the course of the renovation so far, he has gained a newfound respect for general contractors, facilities managers, and owners’ budgets.

Projects

Peter Byungguk Shin, RA, LEED AP

Architectural Staff

Licensed Architect - Illinois

Master of Architecture, 2007, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Engineering in Architecture, 2004, Yeungnam University - Daegu, South Korea

Peter has successfully collaborated on myriad projects throughout the US, Korea, China and Vietnam including mixed-use developments, high-rise office towers, residential complexes, a civic cultural center, and urban master plans. Driven by customer satisfaction and engagement, Peter tailors his unique creative vision to client objectives, resulting in projects that possess lasting value and impact. At GYH since 2017, Peter develops and executes conceptual ideas at a project’s early stages, incorporates building details that are consistent with client design direction, and coordinates high-quality outcomes.

Insights: In his spare time, Peter enjoys spending time with his young family, particularly in activities that involve being outdoors. A lifelong outdoorsman, Peter appreciates water, hiking, and camping, and looks forward to experiencing all that that nature has to offer with his family.

Mary Shadden-Perez

Office Administrator

Richard J. Daley College - Chicago, IL
Moraine Valley Community College - Palos Hills, IL
Harold Washington City College - Chicago, IL

Mary has been a valued teammate at GYH for 16 years. One of the many intangible assets that Mary brings to GYH is the friendly and gracious manner in which she greets people. Mary assists the firm with daily office management, human resources, bookkeeping, processing pay roll, paying invoices, event planning and general reception responsibilities. Mary constantly seeks out opportunities for personal growth. She adeptly juggles her responsibilities while maintaining her naturally positive demeanor. She enjoys office camaraderie and being a critical part of the GYH Team

Insights: As an enthusiastic traveler and perpetual student of self-improvement, Mary visited Blarney Castle in Ireland where she bent over the parapet backwards and kissed the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that “the smoocher of the stone” will be bestowed with the gift of eloquence. Mary is not sure if gesture was of any benefit. The firm has noticed that Mary has persuaded folks to turn in their timecards on time and thinks the Blarney Stone might be working its magic.