City Architecture, Inc.
Cleveland, OH 44115
Locations
City Architecture, Inc.
Principal
Business Hours | |
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Monday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST |
Tuesday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST |
Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST |
Thursday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST |
Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST |
Saturday | |
Sunday |
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Alex Pesta's Bio
Alex believes great design enhances every project. Whether developing a city-wide master plan, a streetscape enhancement package or an architectural detail, his accuracy and appreciation of craft permeate his work. As a registered architect and LEED accredited professional, Alex's design perspective considers multiple scales and impacts. He believes that intelligent, effective and meaningful investments in public spaces and infrastructure have the ability to celebrate place - whether redefining a street or establishing an refreshed identity for a district.
He leads the firm's planning practice, and a mainstay of City Architecture's planning work is our ability to strategically plan for tangible and realizable outcomes. Large scale initiatives are balanced with short-term gains - all in efforts to create momentum and energy. He's been known to show up to "meetings" with duct tape to create bike lanes. Alex’s broad vision and understanding of “big picture” thinking and planning motivate him to constantly challenge himself and others in pursuit of maximizing a project’s impact and potential.
Alex’s experiences and involvements have included presenting at state-wide conferences on brownfield redevelopment strategies, planning and zoning workshops and serving on his City's (Cleveland Heights) Planning Commission. He also strongly believes that social impacts and equality must drive sustainable planning initiatives. He serves on the board of the Cleveland Heights Home Repair Center - an organization that empowers homeowners through educational and financial counseling.
When he's not busy at work, he chasing any one of his three children who take pride in never letting him rest. He's an avid cyclist, and on rare occasions, he sneaks out of the house on his bike and squeezes in training rides...usually early morning before the sun (or kids) rises.
August L. Fluker's Bio
August has spent the last 25 years ensuring that designs become beautiful and well functioning buildings. His clear and forthright approach to project management has earned the admiration and respect of clients, consultants and various building departments. His experience and project involvement extends from large complex institutional projects to intimate urban infill buildings. He has garnered the technical knowledge and creative ability to confidently lead the project team while encouraging successful collaboration. He has also earned respect and credibility from multiple government entities, including state-level review boards and authorities. August's knowledge of building codes and other technical documents has earned him the reputation of a "go-to guy" when applying for variances, historic tax credits and building permits. In addition to communicating his knowledge outside of the office, he is responsible for project quality control and has been instrumental in developing and maintaining staff procedures and protocols for all projects.
An avid civic volunteer, August has served on the boards of Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and the Partnership for a Safer Cleveland for years because of their focus on strengthening the urban core through providing opportunities for families. He has also presented at many conferences, leading discussions on housing equity issues, construction advancements and community engagement processes.
August is committed to actively contributing to the continued vibrancy of Cleveland through both his personal and professional endeavors. He and his family reside in the city where they enjoy the perks of a walkable urban neighborhood.
Benny Chew's Bio
Benny has been in City Architecture's family for 25 years. His passion and drive exemplify City Architecture's core values and principles. Benny’s contribution to the firm stems from his wide range of project experience, as well as a mainstay from concept development to the ribbon cutting. His remarkable technical ability and knowledge spans from neighborhood planning, facility design and programming and an unmatched ability to develop complex construction details. Benny's design talents provide immense value throughout every phase of a project's development. His ability to organize, present, design, manage and oversee the construction of a project from start to finish has earned him creditability and respect from colleagues and clients. His role as a principal architect at City Architecture has led to many of the firm's award-winning designs. His experience and attention to detail have shaped the firm's project delivery process, ensuring quality assurance and technical excellence are achieved.
An Ohio licensed architect since 1994, his belief in design excellence stems from understanding all product and material characteristics. His command of construction methods is centered around a strong belief that materials must be utilized and incorporated into a construction system per their intent - simply stated "don't force a product or material to do something it was never intended to do". His growth of design comes from his frequent travels, both stateside and international, and his curiosity for interesting details and vernacular design languages.
As a contributing member of the architectural community, Benny serves as a member of the Northeast Ohio Design Review Advisory Committee since 2005, where he is never shy to give an opinion or suggestion.
Born and raised in Singapore, Benny has carved his life around the streets of Cleveland. He is an avid gardener with his wife, and they plant and harvest several plots within their community garden. When he's not working or jet-setting around the world, he can be found at home relaxing with his wife and their beloved cat.
John E.J. Wagner's Bio
John is a designer, problem solver & general instigator of good ideas. His project approach centers on interaction and collaboration to ensure clients' needs, objectives and visions are realized throughout the design process, and ultimately, the initiative’s implementation. His experience includes neighborhood plans, mixed-use infill developments, and complex facility design. John’s ability to solve problems and envision concepts at multiple scales has led to the development of award-winning projects, and he consistently challenges himself and colleagues to provide every client with exceptional service and tailored design solutions.
John manages projects through all phases of development. His ability to consider building relationships at an urban design scale, combined with a passion for excellent design and construction detailing, results in innovative solutions that complement their context through a contemporary design language. John’s personal and professional beliefs are well represented in his work and have helped shape the firm’s ongoing commitment of community development and neighborhood revitalization through exceptional planning, focused values and inspired architecture.
As a NCARB certified & registered architect as well as a LEED accredited professional, he integrates sustainable practices, including high performance construction methods, into each project. John believes these green practices are critical to each project, and understands how many decisions made throughout the design process can increase value while improving the health of the client, users and public. This holistic approach is a mainstay of City Architecture, and John works tirelessly to promote this process for the firm.
Off the court, he is a father of two children who continue to teach him that there is more to life than work, but like them, he never quite listens. He is an avid skier, amateur woodworker, and consumer of craft beer (not all three at the same time). Cleveland is his family's home and he hopes to continue building lasting relationships and contribute making it a better place now and in the future.