Every year, AZ Big Media, which publishes both AZRE magazine and six other Arizona-focused magazines, selects Arizona’s top people and projects to showcase in its premier commercial real estate magazine — PTK: People and Projects to Know in Commercial Real Estate — from an impressive and competitive nomination pool. Each day we will highlight 20 different categories of People to Know. Here are the architects to know in Arizona for 2024:
LEARN MORE: Read last year’s edition of PTK magazine
Arizona architects to know for 2024
Jay Sciarani
Lead architect
George Oliver Design
Sciarani joined George Oliver in 2019, bringing 20 years of experience in architecture and construction, including 16 years in commercial real estate and four years in residential. Prior to George Oliver, he served four years in the residential architecture field for projects in Las Vegas and Phoenix. His early career provided invaluable experience as superintendent for a commercial contractor and as a CAD designer. He is an American Institute of Architects licensed architect and holds a certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
No. 1 on the commercial real estate bucket list: “I’d love to contribute to the Valley’s skyline with a mid-rise building that applies our trademark George Oliver approach on an even larger undertaking.”
Eric Sterner
Co-founder and principal
LAST Architects
Sterner is responsible for many notable award-winning architectural projects in the Southwest and lectures nationally on design and efficient cost-saving construction practices and methods, facilitating awareness and opportunities for responsible design in the Southwest. His ability to collaborate with complex user groups and aid in the acquisition of developing projects has yielded praise from the American Institute of Architects, Engineering News Record and multiple trade magazines.
Surprising fact: “I have been playing drums for over 18 years with a focus on Jazz performance and remain actively engaged in the performing arts in Arizona frequenting The Musical Instrument Museum.”
Andrea Hardy
Senior architect, associate
Shepley Bulfinch
Hardy has worked on many transformative healthcare projects including the Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, AZ Allergy Associates office buildouts and several Mayo Clinic Hospital remodels. She has extensive experience in research, writing and framework development for post-occupancy evaluations, which led to the publication of articles, book contributions and being an editor of three academic publications.
No. 1 on the commercial real estate bucket list: “I want to manage a healthcare design project that is designed and planned to serve an underserved community. This bucket list item links my passion for community, currently being explored and developed through involvement in the AIA, with my experience in the healthcare sector.”
Jay Irvin
Project director and associate
After high school, Irvin proudly became a Sun Devil and attributes his time at Arizona State University for leading him toward his true calling and passion for architecture and design. Irvin has worked in architecture now for seven years and his proudest accomplishment thus far is becoming an associate at Butler Design Group.
Surprising fact: “I help run and manage my family’s cattle ranch south of Tucson.”
No. 1 on the commercial real estate bucket list: “I want to dominate and rule the entire industrial, manufacturing and warehouse distribution market!”
Eduardo Perez
Principal
Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Perez has more than 25 years of experience in architectural design, urban design and project management in a truly collaborative spirit. He offers diverse project management experience with complicated project types and a honed ability to coordinate multiple user groups and complex teams. Perez fosters consensus among stakeholders and relishes challenging aspirational projects.
Architectural inspiration: “I am a self-motivated individual that believes in the spirit of collaboration in a design environment to create architecture that responds to its particular context. My interests are fostering and growing client relationships, assembling teams and ultimately designing buildings that are more than the sum total of the individuals who collaborated in the design.”
Photos from the 2024 PTK launch party
Here are some photos from the sold-out PTK launch party, hosted at Clayco’s amazing new offices at The Grove. The party celebrated the amazing women, men and projects featured in the 2024 edition of PTK: People and Projects to Know.
