Senior Principal
Kellogg Wong has already contributed significantly to the field of architecture during more than fifty years as Associate Partner (now Associate Partner Emeritus), chief Administrative Architect, and Lead Designer for a wide range of major projects while affiliated with the firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners / I. M. Pei & Partners. Mr. Wong has led work on a wide range of major international projects including most of the projects shown on this website such as the Four Seasons Hotel in New York and Bank of China in Hong Kong. Kellogg has a special interest in master planning, museums and landscape design, typically leading design in these areas. Numerous projects on which he collaborated with his mentor, I.M. Pei, have been honored by the AIA, most recently with a 25-Year Award for the Slater House in Washington D.C. More recently, Mr. Wong has led work for the capital Master Plan and its implementation at the United Nations Headquarters in New York; a major new development on Chang’An Boulevard in Beijing; is completing the Vertical City study for the development of sustainable cities; and led Form NY’s work in Brooklyn for the Build It Back program. In addition, he is actively involved in the community in which he lives including serving on the Planning Commission, the Rye Board of Architectural Review, School Advisory Committee and other civic positions, as well as being a longtime Alderman of his church.
Project Manager
Maria Sevely’s management approach emphasizes the integration of design with technical and construction considerations. With over twenty years’ experience in both management and design, Ms. Sevely is an expert at leading varied multi-disciplinary teams providing architectural and engineering services from planning and design through construction administration. Her unique ability to manage projects ranging from large to small, technically complex to intimate and expressive, encompassing a wide range of critical concerns while fostering a high level of teamwork coupled with effective communication skills are ideally suited to residential projects, as well as corporate and institutional work. Maria’s background includes substantial work as a designer on AIA National Honor Award-winning projects with three of the world’s leading architectural firms—Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, Richard Meier, and Philip Johnson—often working closely with the founding principals. She was a senior designer on the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Daughter of a notable architect/educator, Maria studied architecture and architectural history at Wellesley and Harvard. Maria embraces complex situations and is an initiator, capable of moving projects to successful completion.
Principal
Charles Lauster has been directing projects for over thirty years, beginning with the Chung Pak Building in Lower Manhattan/Chinatown, a mixed use structure of low income elderly housing, a child care center, a clinic and shops. Recent work includes a five-story apartment and townhouse complex in Brooklyn and the Nan Shan Building, a 10-story social services building in Flushing, Queens. He has extensive experience handling a range of residential projects in New York, Washington, DC and Boston, as well as a number of significant healthcare projects. He recently completed a six-story apartment building in Long Island City. The site, one block from the East River, is in a flood zone. Location of mechanicals and strategies for coping with anticipated ground floor flooding were incorporated into the design. Mr. Lauster participated in the United Nations team led by Kellogg Wong, with whom he had previously worked at Pei Cobb Freed. His responsibilities included architectural restoration of the UN Library Auditorium and the distinctive, complex ceiling of the General Assembly. Tackling the renovation of the UN involved coordinating a massive effort in an extremely short time frame: three months from start of work through construction.
Principal
Aaron McDonald is a design architect, trained in the studio of the renowned modernist master Philip Johnson and a recipient of the prestigious Rome Prize. Mr. McDonald is a longtime member of the FORM team and the New York-based principal of ADG|McDonald. Mr. McDonald focuses on developing creative solutions that meet both aesthetic and pragmatic objectives. His design approach stresses imaginative use of color and light, allied with his mentor, Philip Johnson’s emphasis on processional space. Incorporation of nature and natural elements in selection of materials and motifs is another hallmark of his work. In addition to new construction, Aaron focuses on historic preservation, with the view that the guardianship of quality historical architecture is critical in establishing context for contemporary design.
Principal Engineer
Richard J. Driscoll is a structural engineer with over ten years experience providing consulting service for foundation and below grade construction, especially in an urban environment. Mr. Driscoll is also experienced performing analysis and design of temporary works for construction as well as investigation and assessment of in-service structures. His specialties include: assessment of structures for adjacent construction impacts; analysis and design of drilled foundations, temporary and permanent retaining structures, temporary steel structures and underpinning; and forensic evaluation of distressed structures. He has contributed to projects throughout the country, especially in New York City and the Washington, DC metro area, and is a member of professional societies.
Managing Director
Steve Fedden is a founder of Proforma and Form. He coordinates closely with the firm’s architect partners and other key firm professionals, while overseeing and managing all business related concerns, management, legal and insurance functions. Mr. Fedden has nearly 20 years experience in business management. Steve was a management consultant for major clients including: American International Group, Bessemer Trust, Lomak Petroleum, Price Waterhouse and S. G. Cowen Securities; in addition to maintaining an “open door” general business & strategic consulting relationship with many smaller commercial printers. He is the Founder of American Business Systems, Inc. serving as President from its founding in 1986 to 1993. Mr. Fedden was also Vice President for Operations & Systems Management, Litton Industries, Inc. & Special Assistant to Messrs. Fred O’Green, President & CEO and “Tex” Thornton, Chairman. Prior to this, he was Vice President of Rockresorts, Inc. and Liaison for Laurance S. Rockefeller, the Rockefeller Family Fund, and Rockefeller Foundation. Mr. Fedden has served on the Admissions Committee and on the Board of Trustees of The Lawrenceville School, and as a Member of the New York State Senate Advisory Committee on Legislative Affairs.
Harvey Cohn, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Consulting Architect for Sustainability – In Memorium
Beginning in 1991, Harvey Cohn provided a full range of architectural services with a strong focus on environmentally responsible design and energy conservation as Principal of HCA-Harvey Cohn Architecture PLLC and, since 2005, also as a Partner in FORM. Sustainable design and its role in preserving the environment have been long-standing interests since high school and a focus in his architectural studies at MIT and Michigan. Environmentally friendly, humanistic design is a strong component of his architectural identity and the natural focus of his practice. Harvey is committed to making the benefits of sustainable architecture achievable on as many projects as possible in a manner that is affordable and aesthetically appropriate. A third generation New York City architect, he consistently incorporates energy conservation, sustainable design and healthy (non-toxic) construction as appropriate to the project and the goals of the client. Significant projects for which he has had major responsibility include projects for the Estee Lauder family and corporation, Lubavitch Chabad, and Hotjobs.com, in addition to a long roster of residential clients for whom he has handled a diverse range of renovations, additions and new construction in urban, suburban and rural locations throughout the northeast. In 2006, he and the FORM team were finalists for NYC Green Building Consultant.
Consulting Designer
Ajmal Aqtash is a designer leading computerized modeling and conceptual sustainable design for FORM. Mr. Aqtash is currently an Adjunct Professor at Pratt Institute School of Architecture, has taught at Stevens Institute School of Mechanical Engineering and has been an invited juror at Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Pratt, Sci-Arch and Stevens. Mr. Aqtash is committed to FORM’s multidisciplinary design approach. He utilizes the latest computer technologies to explore and develop innovative solutions at the intersection of design and engineering to produce culturally rich, high performance architecture for projects of all scales. Mr. Aqtash has an extensive background in morphology and is a Research Director at the Center for Experimental Structures (CES) at Pratt. Mr. Aqtash was a designer with Skidmore Owings Merrill (SOM), during which time he progressed to directing the Advanced Design Group and subsequently, the Performative Design Group, both of which he participated in founding. His project involvement ranged from Super Towers to large complex airports and universities. His work focused on advanced design methods, computational techniques and sustainable design.