Katherine Roden Symonds, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Amb, Associate Principal

Katie’s easy smile and gentle demeanor belie her talents as an architect. She has served as a leader on design teams for independent school classroom and athletic buildings, corporate renovations, sacred spaces, and museums. Committed to conserving natural resources and promoting healthy buildings, Katie is a LEED, WELL, and Fitwel accredited professional.

Daniel Batt, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate

Before he became an architect, Dan was, among other vocations, a contractor and a fisherman. He brings these diverse experiences to his design work as an inveterate problem solver. Upbeat and enthusiastic, Dan has lent his expertise to the design of libraries, student centers, museums, laboratories, and residential buildings.

Peter Cornell, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate

Worldly, cerebral, and possessing a monk-like patience, Pete’s talents lie in helping clients envision a design and then gently easing them toward practical and elegant solutions. He has worked on a broad range of projects in his nearly two decades at Centerbrook that include the multi-phased renovation and expansion of a private residence, an independent school tennis center, a university dining facility, and a history museum.

Nicholas Ficaro, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate

Nick brings good cheer and laser focus to the practice of architecture. Keen to empower Centerbrook’s staff with new technical skills, he serves as the Chair of our Revit Committee. Currently, Nick is a lynchpin in our expansion of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, building on his experience with institutional projects for universities, health centers, and independent schools.

Aaron Emma, RA, Associate

Aaron carved out a special niche at Centerbrook as a talented renderer across the digital spectrum. His visualizations bring to life designs for academic buildings, museums, libraries, student centers, and campus master plans with a blend of precision and artistry. Increasingly sought after for his expertise in building science, Aaron is advancing major projects at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Jacob Sandmann, AIA, Associate

Jake is Centerbrook’s resident philosopher architect, equally adept at deconstructing cognitive science as he is at designing construction details. His career has taken him from New York City to Centerbrook by way of Queens College and Parsons School of Design. Since joining us last year, Jake has focused on a library renovation and a new center for student gathering at Calvin University and enhancing athletic facilities at Albertus Magnus College.

Jim Battipaglia, Finance Manager

This year has been a seminal one for Jim, who joined Centerbrook in 2016. He earned his MBA from Post University (while working full time) and was invited to succeed our retiring finance director, Bill Connolly. Jim's expertise at managing our financial systems is equaled by his dedication to bolstering office culture.