meet The Team

While it’s true that talented individuals have independent success stories, we believe the continuity of key team members is valuable in demonstrating our firms’ capabilities.

The team we have chosen has a proven track record, not only on new construction but also in historic preservation. They have developed the long term relationships and personal commitments to each other that are critical to the team’s success.

Leadership

 

riter

KENNETH RITER, AIA, NCARB

Partner

 

guerra

CHRISTOPHER GUERRA, RA

Associate Architect

Richard Rice

Associate

andrew woodhouse

Architect

 

 

Staff

shahid almakAleh

Architectural Designer

brandon oddo

Architectural Designer

pritchard

Shauna pritchard, NCIDQ, leed ap

Architectural Designer

rizzo

ANNETTE RIZZO

Business Manager
 

in memoriam

michael hamilton, RA

Founding Partner
1969 – 1997
houston

Frederic Houston, RA

Founding Partner
1969 – 2002

THEODORE LOWNIE, RA

Founding Partner
1969 – 2017

Christopher Guerra, RA

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT

guerra

 

Chris became a New York State registered architect in 1988. In 1982, he graduated from Pratt Institute School of Architecture and Planning in New York City with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, and joined HHL Architects in 1990. Possessing design intuition that is sensitive to existing structures and contextual appropriateness, Chris was the lead designer on the addition to the Center for Inquiry, an urban office building at 285 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, and the Erie Community College Burt P. Flickinger Athletic Center, initially designed and constructed for the 1998 World University Games. His talent extends into education with projects such as Canisius High School and the University at Buffalo Student Services Center. In addition to his design expertise, Chris has been an instructor for the University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning, and for Pratt Institute.

Chris is active in the Buffalo community, serving on boards such as the Preservation League of New York State, New York State Council on the Arts, Downtown (Buffalo) Neighborhood Development, and the Buffalo Preservation Board. Chris was recognized by the Buffalo Urban Core International Design Competition with a Merit Award, and also earned a Merit Award from the Philadelphia Urban Planning Competition for his work on Market Street Terminus at Penn’s Landing.

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECTS
285 Delaware Office Building
Buffalo, NY

Artspace Patchogue Lofts
Patchogue, NY

Erie Community College Burt P. Flickinger Athletic Center
Buffalo, NY

Lancaster Presbyterian Church Renovations & Expansion
Lancaster, NY

Center for Inquiry Expansion & Renovation
Amherst, NY

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Brandon Oddo

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

 

Brandon joined the HHL team in 2020 and holds a BArch degree from Alfred State College. Brandon brings knowledge of drafting, 3D-modeling, and historic building documentation to the team.

His design interests include sustainability through restoration and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, embracing scale-modeling as a design tool, and creating a positive impact on communities through architecture.

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Richard Rice

ASSOCIATE

 

In 1992, Rich graduated with a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Architecture from the University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning.

Rich originally joined HHL Architects in 1996, and again in 2018. Rich’s innate design and management ability ensures a successful project. His leadership is recognized on many projects consisting of historic renovations, facility planning, educational and administrative planning and housing.

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECTS
El Barrio’s Artspace PS109
New York, NY

The Gideon Putnam Hotel & Roosevelt Baths & Spa
Saratoga Springs, NY

Beaver Hollow Independent Health Aquatic Center
North Java, NY

Westminster Presbyterian Church
Buffalo, NY

Erie County Courts Master Plan & Implementation
Buffalo, NY

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Kenneth Riter, AIA, NCARB

PARTNER

riter

 

Ken is a New York State registered architect, and is also licensed to practice architecture in the states of Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado, and Louisiana. In 1986, Ken graduated from Kent State University, School of Architecture and Environmental Design with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Ken joined HHL Architects in 1988 and became a partner in 2002. Ken is known for his uncompromising approach to delivering quality services, detail, and keen client sense. His leadership has been recognized on projects such as the addition and renovations to the Park Country Club of Buffalo, expansion and renovations to The Buffalo Club, various projects with NYS Parks, and custom residential work at The Lofts @ Elk Terminal.

KEY CLIENTS
Canisius College

The Buffalo Club

The Park Country Club of Buffalo

The Saturn Club

Uniland Development Co.

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Matthew Meier, AIA

PARTNER

meier

 

Matt joined HHL Architects in 1989, became a registered architect in 1990, and became partner at HHL in 1997. He received an AAS in Architectural Technology from Erie Community College, followed by a BPS in Architecture from the University at Buffalo. He is responsible for staff and business development, while leading project design and management. He has extensive experience managing complex, multi-million dollar projects requiring communication between consulting firms. Highlights include leading the restoration and reconstruction of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin Estate; the award-winning adaptive reuse of NYC’s historic PS109 into El Barrio’s Artspace (PS109); the multiple office headquarters design for Delaware North Companies; and the M&T Bank Design Standards.

Matt is involved in the Western New York community, serving on boards such as American Institute of Architects NYS, and Downtown Buffalo Neighborhood Development. In 1998, Matt was recognized by Business First in their annual 40 Under 40 awards, and received the Professional Excellence Award for service to the profession by the local AIA chapter in 2003.

KEY CLIENTS
Artspace Projects, Inc.

Erie County Department of Public Works

Delaware North Companies

M&T Bank

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

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Theodore Lownie, RA

FOUNDING PARTNER
1969 - 2017

lownie

 

Ted was a founding partner of HHL Architects, established in 1969 in Buffalo’s eclectic Allentown district. He received a Bachelor in Architecture from Cornell University and continued with advanced studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Ted became a registered architect in 1964. In addition to his full-time practice, Ted taught senior and graduate studios for 25 years at the University at Buffalo, School of Architecture and Planning, and after continued to lecture throughout the region.

Ted was an active member of the Western New York community, completing six years on the New York State Board for Interior Design. He served on the Buffalo Preservation Board, the Association for Preservation Technology, and the Scajaquada Pathway Steering Committee. He had also been a grant evaluator for the New York State Council on the Arts in the Architecture, Planning and Design program, the Capital Aid program, and the Getty Grant Program. Ted continued to work at HHL Architects until he passed away in January of 2017, and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Olga Aleksiewicz; a son, Alexi; a daughter, Anya; and one grandchild.

KEY CLIENTS
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House

Kleinhans Music Hall

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Theater Place

The Roycroft Inn

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Annette Rizzo

BUSINESS MANAGER

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Annette Rizzo joined HHL Architects in May 2016 and brings with her over 30 years experience in accounting and business administration.

Annette’s accounting and business experience make her a skillful asset to the team.

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Frederic K. Houston, RA

FOUNDING PARTNER
1969 - 2002

houston

 

Fred is a founding partner of HHL Architects, working at the firm from 1969 to 2002. Fred received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Trinity College, and continued with advanced studies at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Master of Architecture in 1962. He became a registered architect in 1966.

While at HHL Architects, Fred led the management and design of numerous projects ranging in size from $400,000 to $13,250,000, working with Federal, State and local agency ordinances and regulations. He was Principal-in-Charge on projects for The Gow School, Western New York Psychiatric Center, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, West Seneca Developmental Center, University at Buffalo, Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, and the restoration of St. Paul’s Cathedral and Trinity Church, among others.

In addition to his work at HHL Architects, Fred was instrumental in founding the Landmark Society of Western New York, a preservation organization with the mission to protect the unique architectural heritage of our region and promote preservation and planning practices that foster healthy, livable, and sustainable communities. Fred passed away in 2020 and is survived by his wife Marie, their children Ginny (Terry) Meenan and Tom (Amy) Houston and four grandchildren, Abby and Betsy Meenan and Nina and Henry Houston, and many nieces and nephews.

KEY CLIENTS
Albright-Knox Art Gallery

Delaware North Companies

Elmwood Franklin School

Episcopal Church Home

The Gow School

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Michael Hamilton, RA

FOUNDING PARTNER
1969 - 1997

 

Mike Hamilton was a founding partner of HHL Architects in Buffalo, NY, working at the firm from 1969 to 1997. Born in Boston, MA, he attended undergraduate school at Princeton University, followed by a Master’s Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Mike became a registered architect in 1963, and founded HHL Architects in 1969 with Frederic Houston and Theodore Lownie. At HHL, Mike led the management and design of projects ranging from $300,000 to $25 million dollars with the Erie Community College Burt P. Flickinger Athletic Center. He was Principal-in-Charge for work done at the Erie County Courts, Erie Community College Athletic Center, Canisius College, Nichols School, Theater Place, and Market Arcade Cinema. He was particularly experienced in roofing and handicap accessibility, working on projects at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, the West Seneca Developmental Center, and the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center, among many others.

In addition to his work at HHL Architects, Mike was also an artist and biologist. He was an avid bird watcher, and a member of the Buffalo Ornithological Society. He also was a co-author of several chapters of “Niagara Birds,” published in 2010. He taught design studio courses at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and also participated in Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, an environmental advocacy group. Mike passed away in May of 2012, and is survived by his wife of 20 years, Susan F. Riordan; a daughter, Katrina V.T.; and two sons, Douglas P. and Philip K.

KEY CLIENTS
Erie County

Erie Community College

Canisius College

Market Arcade

Theater Place

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Andrew Woodhouse, NCARB, LEED AP

ARCHITECT

 

 

Andrew joined HHL Architects in February of 2017. He received an undergraduate and Master of Architecture degree from Arizona State University, and is a registered architect in Arizona and New York. Andrew’s experience covers a broad range of architectural projects in New York, Arizona, California and Colorado. He is a seasoned project manager and designer, apt at coordination of large, multidisciplinary design teams. His design experience includes healthcare, industrial, commercial, residential and educational building types. In recent years, he was the project manager of major capital improvement projects for various public school districts in Western New York.

Andrew’s interest in sustainability led him to become LEED AP in 2005. He was part of the design team for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory RSF building in Colorado, a LEED Platinum and zero energy building. He is particularly sensitive to regional differences in architecture and how sustainable design manifests differently in various contexts.

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