About

Kate Aoki, AIA, recently accepted the role as Head of Exhibition Design at the Dallas Museum of Art. Previously, Kate was a Senior Associate with DSGN Associates in Oak Cliff. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Architecture, her work focuses on community-based projects and allows her to explore the intersections between the design process and community needs. With degrees in both textile design and architecture, Kate is highly focused on how the smallest details in design can have the greatest impact on those who will inhabit built spaces.

Kate has a long-standing relationship with the Dallas Chapter of the AIA, having been a member of the Communities by Design Committee and subsequently a co-chair. She is a graduate of the prestigious Emerging Leaders Program, and she is also a member of the Historic Resources Committee and the Columns Advisory Board and Theme Task Force.

Originally from the Chicago area, Peter is an architect based in Dallas, Texas, providing leadership guidance on projects nationally with transportation and commercial development, including urban mixed-use projects, airport and transit-oriented developments, and commercial office design. Peter also worked in Washington DC, New York, and Boston before arriving in Dallas in 2012. Peter engaged in the urban studies program at Lake Forest College, has an architecture degree from Virginia Tech and a master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Peter specializes in aviation and transportation architecture and is actively involved at the local level, addressing urban design and transportation challenges in and around Dallas. Peter is engaged through several different organizations, including the Greater Dallas Planning Council, as a board member, and the Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects and currently chairs the Historic Resources Committee. He has presented at multiple conventions with an on-going series on the core topic of "Cities of Tomorrow: Why Transportation Matters" and numerous presentations on ADA accessibility, building codes, design creativity, history of architecture, urbanism, and practice management.

Oswaldo Rivera-Ortiz is combining the best of two callings – architecture and teaching. Born into a hardworking family in Puerto Rico, he earned his bachelor’s in environmental design in his homeland at the University of Puerto Rico and got his master’s in architecture at the University of Southern California, while traveling the world. But he graduated into the Great Recession, and the twists of life led him into teaching. After a decade working as a bilingual teacher and an architecture instructor at Richardson ISD, he is on his second year at Dallas ISD's CityLab High School. He coordinates the Urban Planning, Environmental Sustainability and Architecture CTE program, empowering students as designers of the built environment, through community engagement and human-centered design experiences. He is supported by his wife, Carmen Diaz -a high school engineering teacher in Garland ISD- and their 4 active chiquitos.

Al Hernandez received his degree in architecture from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia. In 2000, he relocated with his family to Florida, and years later moved to Texas to join Stantec Architecture. Al brings nearly 30 years of experience in the architectural field, working in several sectors including hospitality, high rise residential, mixed use, commercial, and, most recently, higher education and K-12. Al’s projects have resulted in some of the highest-performing buildings in the country, including the first Net Zero LEED Gold Certified elementary school in the State of Texas. Al isn’t just a talented architect, he’s also an engaged leader actively coaching and supporting the career development of younger generations. Currently, Al is member of the Dallas ACE Executive Board as well as Stantec’s national Architecture and Interior Design Committee. Additionally, he has served as AIA Dallas LiA Committee Chair and on the AIA Dallas Board of Directors from 2016-2019 as at large member, Programs Task Force, VP Programs, and TxA Director.

Al is a Principal at Stantec Architecture Inc. and their Texas Architecture Discipline Leader. In this role, Al leads the creation and maintenance of discipline-specific professional standards, quality assurance and quality control practices, health and safety, best practices, research, development and innovation, finding the right staff for the right projects, and creating and implementing new methodologies that support the clients’ needs while attracting top talent to the business center. When Al isn’t running teams or designing tomorrow’s education facilities, he’s spending time with his family, who loves to travel and explore the outdoors. Al’s son is an Eagle Scout, and Al serves as the troop’s chaplain and assistant scoutmaster.

Ron is the Design Director and Principal at Perkins&Will. He believes architecture is the hinge connecting people and place across time. His work is recognized for bringing simplicity and clarity to complex project types, elevating the public realm and galvanizing communities.

Recent projects include the Singing Hills Recreation Center, The Pittman Hotel, the Baylor Scott & White Health Administration Center "groundscraper," Lubbock City Hall, and the Fair Park Master Plan Update.

Ron received a Master of Architecture from Yale University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati.

Mahbuba is a Senior Architect at Dallas Park and Recreation department and manages bond-funded projects. She is a 1st generation immigrant from Bangladesh, joined AIA Dallas within a month of landing here and never left the chapter. She worked at nationally and internationally recognized firms for 14 years before forming her own practice MnKhan Architects in 2011. She chaired the Small Firm Roundtable for multiple years and brought value to the small firm owners by starting a juried exhibit called “Under the Radar”. In 2016 she joined the City of Dallas following her family’s public service background.

She is an ELP graduate and was Young Architect of the Year in 2013. In 2019 she was nominated for the same award in the National level by AIA Dallas. Mahbuba served the board in 2018 as a Director of Networks.

Mahbuba has been serving as a Board Member in Coppell Recreational Development Corporation since 2014 as Board president. She also served as an Executive Member in “Coppell Vision 2040”.

Her love for public service inspired her to obtain a Masters's in Public Administration (MPA) in 2021 from UNT Denton and continue her growth as a public architect.