R+B Promotes Four Team Member Associates to Owners

Associates-Project Managers Craig Lawrence, AIA, Will Otte, LEED, and Leslie Cope, IIDA, were promoted to Owners in the Denver studio Associate-Project Manager Steve Harris, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, was promoted to Owner in the Aspen studio

ASPEN, CO — June 2, 2021 — Rowland+Broughton Architecture / Urban Design / Interior Design is pleased to announce that three team member Associates in the Denver studio, and one in the Aspen studio, have been promoted to Owners. In the Denver studio, Associates-Project Managers Craig Lawrence, AIA, Will Otte, LEED, and Leslie Cope, IIDA, were promoted to Owners. Associates-Project Manager Steve Harris, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, was promoted to Owner in the Aspen studio.

R+B Owner and Project Manager Craig Lawrence, AIA, has nearly fifteen years of experience in the field of architecture and construction, working on high-end residential, hospitality, multifamily housing, and commercial projects. In the Denver studio, he is engaged in a variety of commercial and residential projects, including the Resnick Center of Herbert Bayer Studies and Boettcher Building in Aspen, R+B’s Denver Studio and Aspen Headquarters (Mesa Building), W Aspen, and Casa Cantilever. His knowledge of building design and methodologies coupled with proven management experience uniquely positions him as a hands-on project leader. Lawrence has been with R+B since 2010. (Link to bio here)

Acknowledging his promotion to Owner, Lawrence notes, “The Owner position represents the opportunity to contribute to R+B’s success on a deeper level across all aspects of the Studio: from amazing projects to business strategy to team coaching. It is a wonderful and humbling chance to rededicate myself to success and leadership!”

R+B Owner and Project Manager Will Otte, LEED AP BD+C, has 12 years of experience working in the field of architecture. Over his tenure at R+B, he has worked his way up from an initial role as intern to team leader and mentor in the Denver studio, along the way achieving LEED AP certification in building design and construction. His design sensibilities have led to the design and construction of high-end residential projects including Ridge House, Creek House, and Mountain Retreat in Aspen, commercial projects such as Victorian Square Building in Aspen, hospitality projects such as Hotel Jerome and Doubletree Park City, and an installation for Biennale Architettura in Venice (unrealized due to the outbreak of COVID-19, but hopeful to exhibit in 2022). Otte has been with the firm since 2011. (Link to bio here)

“It’s definitely an honor, and a great opportunity,” says Otte about being promoted to Owner. “I feel very fortunate to be in a position where I can support both R+B as a company, and R+B as a culture. It’s a huge achievement to have started as an intern, then work my way through the firm to a leadership position – all while remaining true to the aspects of architecture that I’m passionate about, great design and happy clients! I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years and have been fortunate to have great mentors along the way. I’m excited to be here alongside John, Sarah, and the other leaders in the firm and look forward to helping team members at all levels to not only develop and grow within the firm, but excel in their careers.”

R+B Owner and Project Manager Leslie Cope, IIDA, is involved in a variety of hospitality, restaurant, retail and high-end residential projects. As a leader in R+B’s Denver studio, she was instrumental in the design of Matsuhisa Denver and Narrative restaurant, condominium residence Waterfront Loft, Mountain Loft, and Architect Retreat, and private residences McLain Flats, The Lookout and Modern Prairie. Leslie is adept at concept development, design drafting, interior selections, and presentation design and has helped the firm to expand to a Northern California location. She has a knack for pairing the client’s existing pieces with new finishes and furnishings to create a harmonious, well-rounded atmosphere. Along with being adaptable and creative with existing spaces, she can conjure up a new ground-up space beautifully and thoughtfully. Cope has been with R+B since 2014. (Link to bio here)

“This promotion to Owner exudes R+B’s trust of the team, opportunities for growth, embrace of change during a total shift in society and the work life, and an overall great leap of faith towards the future of the firm,” shares Cope about her promotion. “I am charged, empowered, and excited to continue to embrace these shifts to the norm, with the rest of my team, and help lead us to a great future for us all, and for design.

R+B Owner and Project Manager Steve Harris, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, leads design teams on a variety of project scale and complexity. He has been instrumental in the design direction of several R+B projects including Farm Collaborative, a net zero educational facility, and the revitalization of the Main Street Bakery. A licensed architect, his background includes work on residential and commercial mixed-use, multi-family projects, and he has considerable experience with design, construction systems and types, budgets and schedules, fee proposals, and documents production. Harris has been with R+B since 2019. (Link to bio here)

“Being promoted to Owner and having the opportunity to be a part of the leadership team at R+B is humbling and rewarding, Harris notes, about his new role as Associate. “When I came to R+B a year and a half ago, I was looking for a place to spend the rest of my career. Now, with their investment in me and my investment in the firm, I’m excited to help carry forward what John and Sarah have constructed and seeing how, together, we can all expand our horizons for the future.”

About the four promotions, R+B Principal Sarah Broughton shares, “Ever since John and I started R+B in 2003, a goal was to eventually have additional partners, so we are genuinely happy and pleased to now have Craig, Will, Leslie and Steve in Associate roles. As a business pattern for the future of the firm, it adds a new dimension and is part of what makes us sustainable. It’s an exciting continuation chapter. We couldn’t think of better partners to have.”

About Rowland+Broughton Architecture / Urban Design / Interior Design – Rowland+Broughton Architecture / Urban Design / Interior Design is a progressive, high-design firm with studios in Aspen and Denver, Colorado. Our combined mountain and urban sensibilities inform and enhance a wide spectrum of projects, including custom residential, commercial, hospitality, urban design, interior design, and master planning.