Bialosky + Partners' newest designer, Hannah Friedman
Hannah may very well be one of our best-traveled young designers. While completing her Bachelor in Environmental Design (BEnvd, class of 2012) from the University of Colorado in Boulder, she studied abroad in Barcelona (2011) and Copenhagen (2012). With her chosen emphasis of Architecture (the program offers four different concentrations), Hannah was a globe trotter seeking out thought-provoking buildings and spaces- from Stephen Holl’s striking Kiasma Museum in Helsinki to poetic European cemeteries like Stockholm’s Skogskrykgarden, sited in a looming forest.
One of Hannah's favorite residential streets in Copenhagen. She would live there in a heartbeat.
For a week, Hannah escaped to the Scandinavian lowlands of the rolling countryside- which should clue you in of her innate passion for nature. It’s not only a passion, but an expertise. While working at a huge greenhouse in Michigan this past summer, Hannah gained a new knowledge and appreciation of living systems. Surrounded by hundreds of living species, between all the vegetables, fruits, succulents, bonsai trees, cacti, and tropical plants, Hannah learned about which plants lived harmoniously together, and in what climates they would thrive. She’s translated this love of living systems and ecology into architectural applications – creating living walls. Hannah would probably jump at the chance to make you one.
Hannah on the roof of Palau Güell in Barcelona
In another life, Hannah was a visual merchandiser at a furniture store converted from an empty roller-rink. She would set up vignettes, playing with light, color and space, to make interesting and appealing environments. She brings all these unique experiences to the table as she begins projects at our firm. Still want to know more about Hannah? We asked her a few of our favorite questions for new hires, and she has some pretty good answers for them: Favorite Designed Object: I really like clocks and watches. It is interesting how dramatically they have changed over different time periods- the range of materiality and transitions between ornate and simple. Your Ideal Dinner With One Architect or Designer (Bonus: Non-Architect/Designer): Guz Wilkinson from Guz Architects. They mostly do residential work and I love the way all of their designs incorporate nature into the built environment, “expressing as seamless a transition between the inside and outside.” I think that nature has a significant impact on a person’s well-being and I am interested to know about the effects it has had on the people who inhabit the spaces, as well as the thought that went into creating them. I also would really like to visit Singapore, so ideally we would have a native dish in the botanical gardens.
Guz Architects' Meera Sky Garden House
Hidden Talent: I guess I can cook pretty well. Sometimes it’s just an experiment of whatever I find in the fridge, but it always turns out nicely. Except for the time I made fried green tomatoes on a whim... that was a complete disaster. But I like to use all different herbs and spices. Presentation is also very important. Your Alternate Reality Career: I would definitely want to work with plants: a combination of landscape, organic farming, and flower arranging. I would also be a yoga instructor. And if I could fit in the time it would be great if I could design the stages for some of my favorite musical performers and then get to see them play! I think all those jobs would create a nice balance and allow me to travel frequently.
New this year, was BPA Guess Who?, where employees submitted a baby photo and high school senior portrait photo. It goes without saying, hair styles have certainly changed for the better over the past few decades. 
Scott Maslar Hometown: Concord, OH Education: BS Architecture 2013, Kent State University CAED Your Alternate Reality Career: Playing bass in a touring band that would play anything from James Taylor, Primus, Metallica, and Bela Fleck etc…. What Do You Do From 5:30pm – 8:30am? When I am not at work I like to go for a run or a bike ride, play bass, or find a pond or lake to go fishing. However Netflix tends to get me side tracked from time to time. Your Ideal Dinner With One Architect or Designer (Bonus: Non-Architect/Designer)? As cliché as it is, I would like to sit down to a steak and baked potato diner with Frank Lloyd Wright. Although one of my favorite works that he has done is the Robie House, the only architectural question I would ask would be, what single project do feel was your worst work or that you dis-liked the most, and why? 
Christy Scaglione Hometown: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Education: BA Interior Design 2012, Kent State University. Pursuing: BS Architecture 2014 and Masters of Architecture. Your Alternate Reality Career: Maybe a chef! I love cooking whenever I have free time. I especially loved cooking when I lived in Florence, Italy where all of the fresh ingredients were at your disposal right down the street at the market! My roommates and I had to get especially creative with our lack of an oven in our apartment! What Do You Do From 5:30pm – 8:30am? In the summer I love to relax in the pool, and in the winter I like to snowboard, unfortunately this summer I think most of my time between work will be spent studying for my summer class, the upcoming GRE, and preparations for grad school! Your Ideal Dinner With One Architect or Designer (Bonus: Non-Architect/Designer)? If I could have dinner with one architect/designer it would be Florence Knoll. She is an extremely successful and has studied under great people such as Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen. Having been to Knoll in New York and hearing the people closest to her talk about what a wonderful person and how talented she is I would love to sit down and have a conversation with her. I would want to hear about all of her time working and studying under such influential people and where she draws her experiences from. The non-architect/designer that I would want to invite to dinner would be Anthony Bourdain. He has been to many of the places that I want to travel to in the future and I would want him to share the best places to eat, stay, and see! The meal would be pasta and wine, which is one of my favorites, and maybe some gelato for dessert! 
Jeff Jasinski Hometown: Wickliffe, OH [East Side] Education: BS Architecture 2013, Kent State University CAED. Pursuing: Master of Urban Design Dual Degree 2015, Kent State University CUDC. Your Alternate Reality Career: Creator of Microsoft or a professional golfer. Whichever comes first. What Do You Do From 5:30pm – 8:30am? Spend time with my girlfriend. I also play guitar and try to go golfing as much as possible. Your Ideal Dinner With One Architect or Designer (Bonus: Non-Architect/Designer)? Architect: Michelangelo. I'd want to know how something such as the Florence Cathedral was even conceivable in that time. The meal would be Chinese food. Non-Architect: Paul Rudd. The conversation would be improvised so there's no way of knowing what the topic would be. The meal would most likely be hamburgers.
