As the New York Metro region continues reopening and the building sector pace accelerates, storied design firm RKTB Architects has announced the
promotions of Stephanie Oestreich, AIA, CCCA, LEED AP; Nelya Sachakova, AIA, Certified Passive House Designer; and Milan Savanovic, each to the role of Associate. The elevation of these three key team members comes as the firm’s partners anticipate opportunities to capitalize on evolving market demands and realize significant enhancements to delivery on client goals.
“All three of these talented designers have become essential, indispensable parts of our team, each in their own way,” says Carmi Bee, FAIA, president and principal in charge of design for RKTB. “Each brings to the table their own set of talents and earned skills, as well as a commitment to hard work and creativity and a dedication to improving people’s lives through architecture.”
Bee adds, “Also, each of them brings to the table a unique perspective on the city in which we live and work, New York, informed by the communities from which each comes to us. Together they bring inestimable value to our clients, whether private developers or public agencies, and will help us to fulfill RKTB’s mission and vision.”
Bee and partner Peter Bafitis, AIA, anticipate that the newly named Associates will enrich the reputation of RKTB — already a fixture in the New York Metropolitan Area building and design community, and widely regarded as a design leader and innovator. Details on each designer follows below.
Nelya Sachakova, AIA, Certified Passive House Designer, began her career at RKTB as an intern while pursuing a Master of Architecture degree at the City College of New York Spitzer School of Architecture, eventually taking on a full-time position as Architectural Designer upon completing her studies in 2015. Her portfolio includes Capacity & Capital Improvement Projects for the New York City School Construction Authority,as well as multi-family residential buildings and most recently a worship facility on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Sachakova's passion for environmentally responsive design led her to acquire a certification in Passive House design, with which she is already contributing significant support to RKTB’s commitment to mitigating climate change.
Stephanie Oestreich, AIA, CCCA, LEED AP, is a registered architect with licenses in New York State and California who holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture, and a B.A. in History of Art and Architecture from Tufts University. With more than 20 years of experience in all phases of architecture, glazing, and building envelope design and delivery, Oestreich focuses on the process from design
development through construction administration. She is currently managing several projects for the New York City Housing Authority in Brooklyn, including the design of a new heating plant, as well as construction administration for a condominium on the Upper West Side. Before joining RKTB Oestreich’s project management portfolio included a facility for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a water quality testing laboratory for the Orange County, California Water District, and several Hurricane Sandy recovery projects for the New York City Housing Authority.
Milan Savanovic holds a B.Arch. from the New York Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University. He joined RKTB in 2008, bringing with him design studio experience from Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and Czechia. With more than 20 years of professional experience, Savanovic is responsible for all phases of design and construction on a wide range of projects, from multi-family residential to boutique commercial, as well as private homes, historic townhouse renovations, transportation projects, and educational facilities. Recently, he managed the rehabilitation of 21 buildings for the Fifth Avenue Committee, eight buildings for the Mutual Housing Association of New York, and nine buildings for the New York City Housing Authority. Savanovic is particularly valued for his ability to collaborate with clients and community stakeholders focusing on site, culture, and environment, to produce a clear vision of a neighborhood’s needs.
