Dale A. Stewart, AIA

Principal

A founding principal of CORE, Dale oversees the firm's management and leads individual projects, including design documentation and construction quality control. With more than 38 years experience in the greater DC metropolitan area, he demonstrates a strong expertise in master planning, base building architecture, historic preservation, and adaptive re-use as well as commercial interiors and restaurants. He manages community relations and navigates the complex approval process of local design review boards and community special interest groups to achieve formal passage of programming and architectural design. Dale has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Maryland, is licensed in 14 states, and is NCARB certified. His projects have received numerous local and national design awards.

Allison Cooke, IIDA, LEED AP

Principal

Allison, director of hospitality design at CORE, leads the firm’s restaurant work while also providing direction and feedback for the interiors of libraries, residential buildings, office buildings, and hotel interiors. Clients love her ability to seamlessly shift between creative brainstorming and straightforward conversation about technical requirements. A natural leader and presenter, she is quickly building a portfolio of significant speaking engagements across the country focusing on the varied aspects of restaurant design. Allison has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Miami University of Ohio. She is NCIDQ Certified, and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

David Cheney, AIA

Principal

David is the leading voice in the firm’s technical direction. As director of operations with over 25 years experience, he has established a process-oriented approach to design and construction. David demonstrates superior design skills and technical knowledge of innovative construction materials, value engineering, construction methods, and architectural standards. He builds the portfolio of boutique base-building projects, varying anywhere from new construction to strategic repositioning, and oversees many of the firm’s cultural, mixed-use, public, and historic projects. He leads weekly management meetings and mentors staff in professional development. David has a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, from Norwich University. He is registered in DC, MD, NY, VA, and VT, and is NCARB certified.

Ann Marie Avellino

Business Manager/Controller

Ann Marie Avellino is a seasoned financial manager with over 25 years professional experience in managing overall corporate finances, in Fortune 500 as well as small to mid size companies. At CORE she establishes working relationships based upon respect, encouragement and trust. She is responsible for all corporate finances, human resources and facility management. Ann Marie is a member of the National Association of Professional Women and the Society of Human Resource Management.

Casey Waleko

Casey joined CORE after receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from the George Washington University. In her studies, Casey focused her research on the ways interior design can influence human health and thought. She gained experience interning for CORE while pursuing her degree, developing skills in finishes, graphic design, and concept development. Casey's love for cultural influences in architecture stems from her studies in Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

Christina Schlecht

Director of Marketing

Christina has over 16 years of experience in leadership and management positions in the publishing, education, and entertainment industries. At CORE, she focuses on business development, designing digital content marketing strategies, creating effective lead generation programs, and developing an integrated marketing communications mix, including email, web, social media, PR, and events. Christina earned her MBA from Columbia Business School, New York and Munich School of Management in Germany. She spent one semester as a Visiting Scholar at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Christopher Peli

Christopher is involved in many diverse project types from hospitality to urban design, renovation and new construction. He is a conscientious, creative team leader and mentor, who pursues a pragmatic approach to design that unites all team members, including client, contractor, owner, and landlord. Christopher has extensive construction administration experience on complex building renovation and restaurant projects. He pushes the envelope of the hospitality design industry by looking at obstacles of budget, tight timeframes, and site conditions as tools for decision-making rather than restrictions.

Daniel C. Chapman, NCIDQ, LEED AP

Daniel is a senior interior designer at CORE and has worked on projects in retail design and hospitality, including restaurants and hotel design, in the greater DC metropolitan area, Florida, and other locations in the United States. A LEED accredited and NCIDQ certified professional, he works on all aspects of projects from concept design through construction. Daniel has an accomplished design eye, which he combines with his advanced computer design skills, material and finish concept exploration, and total project development. His expertise is in space planning and interior layout that emphasizes functionality, beauty, intuitiveness, and longevity.

Daniel Kalinowski, Assoc. AIA

Daniel joined CORE after graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude. While at Syracuse, he studied in Italy and the UK where he strengthened his passion for cultural diversity and regional and historic architecture. His scope of work has included commercial and multifamily residential buildings and corporate interiors and renovations. Daniel specializes in designing and executing custom millwork and lighting solutions and his attention to detail helps bring a level of excellence to the finished products. He is an Associate AIA member and is currently pursuing licensure.

Daniel Mayo

Daniel's diverse skill set has allowed him to work on various project types, which range from commercial office and base buildings to multi-family housing, corporate interiors and restaurant design. He has an interest in industrial design and in international architecture, studying extensively in Italy and Finland. Daniel has participated in global competitions, exercising his passion for design. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master's of Architecture with a concentration in Sacred Space and Cultural Studies from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Daniel is currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Dean Hutchison, AIA

Dean works on a wide range of project types at CORE, from base building office to multi-family residential and institutional buildings as well as retail tenancy fit-outs. Dean excels in all phases of projects, from design to construction administration and goes out of his way to establish strong relationships with those involved. Dean has a M.Arch. from Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Hannah Seigel

Hannah joined CORE after earning her Bachelor of Architecture, magna cum laude from Syracuse University. During her time at Syracuse, Hannah cultivated her interest in the elements of community space through her studies in Florence and across Israel. Hannah brings strong communication skills and design sensibilities to the CORE team. She is currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Joe Messier, LEED AP BD+C

Joe is a project architect at CORE with over 12 years experience in a range of adaptive reuse, multifamily, commercial interiors, and fast casual restaurant typologies. He brings collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to projects and helps maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. In particular, he has expertise in sustainable design, from delivering net-zero energy homes in extreme-cold climates to measuring the environmental impacts of food service operations. Joe holds a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from the University of Minnesota. He is a licensed architect in Washington, DC and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Kimi Laws

Kimi is a member of CORE’s award-winning hospitality design team, focusing on restaurant and retail projects. Prior to CORE, she worked on a variety of interior projects ranging from new build residential and multifamily renovations to corporate environments primarily in the Washington DC region. Before becoming an interior designer, Kimi was an accomplished public relations and communications professional, a background that provides her unique perspective on projects that goes beyond the built environment. She received a Master of Arts in Interior Design from the George Washington University Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and Communications from Clark University.

Kristen Wong Van Hise, NCIDQ

An NCIDQ certified professional, Kristen's primary focus is on hospitality projects with a specific interest in restaurant and retail design. Her studies concentrated on sustainable design strategies and how interior design can serve to modify human behavior and thought. Kristen received her Master of Arts in Interior Design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, DC. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Richmond.

Marie C. Vogt, LEED AP

Marie is a senior project manager at CORE. She is highly valued for her leadership success in directing complex projects with a high level of design innovation and technical experience in both base building and interior architecture. As a team manager and project architect, she has been responsible for structuring project teams and fees, project schedules, consultant coordination, and project design and delivery. She is a highly effective communicator with clients, consultants and contractors and is quickly adaptive to changing project priorities. Her wide range of experience in work place interiors, multi-family residential, large scale government projects and design build projects has given her keen insight and a holistic approach to project process and delivery.

Michael Borissow

Michael has over 10 years of design experience, working on a wide range of low and mid-rise residential projects in Washington, DC, including additions, renovations, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and new construction. Over the years with CORE, he has expanded his repertoire, excelling in all phases of commercial office and multi-family residential design. In addition to his design abilities, he has developed an exceptional technical skill-set in areas such as exterior skin systems and heavy timber construction. Michael received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Philadelphia University. He is a well-traveled, multilingual individual, whose unique perspective adds great value to CORE’s versatile team.

Rebecca Elmore, NCIDQ

Rebecca joins the CORE team with experience in restaurant, retail, commercial and residential design. She enjoys taking a project from the initial creative and conceptual process, through the technicalities of design and detailing. With an eye for graphics and an appreciation for modern, thoughtful design, she loves working with clients to bring their brand to life. Becca graduated with a Master of Arts in Interior Design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design, where she received the Sustainability Award for her thesis, a project that revitalized vacant urban lots using pop-up architecture.

Ron Ngiam, AIA

Ron is highly accomplished in taking the complex needs of owners, regulatory authorities, and the opportunities and limitations of site and context, and distilling them into clear and coherent architecture. He has over 30 years of experience leading design teams on award winning projects. His projects have included master planning, office and residential buildings, commercial interiors, retail, and restaurants. Ron has a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University. He is a licensed architect in Washington, DC, and is NCARB certified. He is also a member of the Cleveland Park Historic Architectural Review Committee.

Smriti Nayak

Smriti's vast experience working on projects from concept through construction administration enables her to provide a strong level of project continuity, ensuring that initial design intent and client goals are met and preserved throughout the life-cycle of projects. This includes commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use developments as well as complex hospitality interiors. Smriti has a Master's degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Maryland. She is currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Yitao Wang, RA

Yitao is a registered architect working on a wide range of projects at CORE, including commercial and multifamily buildings and complex hospitality interiors. His skills in using different media, including hand sketching, parametric design and BIM modeling, broaden the canvas of design exploration through different projects. Before joining CORE, Yitao worked in New York City as a façade consultant, designing and detailing geometrically challenging curtain-wall systems. He also has experience in professional model making involving 3D printing, laser cutting, and handcrafting.