Team Up
The Up Studio is a national award-winning studio that strives to bring joy to people’s lives through concept-driven architecture, interior, and brand design. Our projects are customized to our clients’ needs, site specific, and rooted in a thoughtful design strategy.
We believe that every design has a story to tell. To tell that story, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines broad ideas, diligent organization, and innovative tools, presented within a coherent narrative. We are passionate about this process and look forward to sharing it with you.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Dubem is a superstar at ArchiCAD, the 3D BIM software that we use to design our architecture
and interiors. She is an incredibly detailed and efficient designer and artist, working on precise execution
of drawings and 3D visuals. Before moving to NYC to join UP, Dubem lived in DC and Maryland where she worked with other small firms. When not toiling around with 3D models, Dubem enjoys painting, spending time with her cat, and taking long walks.
DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE
In addition to being nearly fluent in three languages, C.J. Canales speaks the language of
DETAIL. He develops ongoing architectural design projects by preparing construction documents, while
coordinating tactile products and finishing components. C.J. gets an overwhelming (some may call it
“freakish”) sense of satisfaction in seeing things through to the end by melding a client’s desires with a
contractor’s requirements.
STUDIO COORDINATOR
Grace has enjoyed an eclectic career in the design industry, from merchandising to sales, but now takes pride in helping TeamUp manage the day-to-day operations of the studio. As a jack-of-all-trades, she also draws from her prior experiences to pitch in with a variety of marketing activities as well as business development. For fun, she loves cooking, checking out too many books from the public library, and hanging with her dog, Scout.
DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE
Whether it’s a space that naturally encourages gathering or a hideaway that feels like a cozy retreat – Giulia meticulously combines form and materiality to create interiors that flow together with intention. She has a gift of envisioning a client's desires while simultaneously understanding a builder's craft. Her fastidious (bordering on obsessive) dedication to creating the most pristinely detailed set of drawings sets her apart from others in her field. Therefore, she is able to manage realistic timelines and budgets yet still design functional and emotive interiors. But, let's be honest, her strongest trait is her continued willingness to laugh at our bad jokes.
PROJECT LEADER
For many, the idea of embarking on a custom architecture project can seem like a daunting,
confusing, and often tedious process – One with years worth of questions and major financial commitments. This
is exactly why having JD as the point-of-contact from Day One is so vital to fostering consistent and
effective communication throughout the life of a project. Whether you’re chatting with him about construction
budgets, complex architectural details or just this season’s snowboarding conditions - It’s impossible not to
feel at ease around JD’s calm, unwavering demeanor.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Hailing from LA and Aspen, Katie is a multi-faceted designer who holds a masters in both Architecture and Urban Planning. She takes pride in thinking holistically about projects, and really cares about creating spaces that improve people’s lives while creating innovative design experiences. In her free time, she loves to be outdoors hiking / backpacking, playing soccer, and skiing (all of which she has achieved impressive results in!)
JUNIOR PROJECT MANAGER
As a junior project manager, Kevin coordinates phases of pre-construction design and oversees design intent across trades throughout the course of a new build. Keeping clients connected to their project is important to Kevin. His adaptability and communication skills allow him to bring positivity and practicality to the client experience and to our job sites. He strives to keep clients and team members open minded and excited about the big picture, knitting details together to deliver each project to its success. Outside of the field, Kevin can be found in Upstate New York on his quad after a rainy day.
DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Tania’s passion for interiors is rooted in her love for hosting family and friends. Inspired by playful textures and unique furniture, her aesthetic draws from both modern and vintage styles. Her previous experience in construction management gives her a unique ability to collaborate closely with our multidisciplinary team and her keen communication skills allow her to connect with our clients. As a designer, Tania’s goal is to make homes feel livable – she is constantly questioning how her selections can enhance a family’s experience of their home. She is a proud daughter of immigrants, a yoga enthusiast, and a lover of travel.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
No detail is too small for Lorri’s consideration. As Up’s Director of Operations, she proactively
orchestrates complex logistics and executes exhaustive tasks to keep operations running at maximum efficiency.
While her career has spanned many fields, Lorri’s purpose has remained consistent: to enthusiastically support
teams so they can focus solely on the job they came to do, while taking great consideration for client happiness along the way. Her work touches many areas including
operations, marketing, and business development. When she’s not keeping our ducks in a row the San Francisco
native enjoys horticulture, perfecting recipes, crafting, and exploring Brooklyn.
BRAND DESIGNER / PARTNER
Jeffrey is passionate about using graphics & brand design to create a better built environment. In the way that a single yellow line painted on the road saves millions from crashes - he believes graphic design has the ability to reshape cities, buildings, and homes in ways that enhance people’s everyday lives. Prior to co-founding UP, his background in communication design (at Pratt Institute and various NYC design studio’s) prepped him with the ability to translate complicated architectural theories into simple, understandable concepts and to create consistent visual languages. His work ultimately helps individuals navigate, understand and engage with the spaces they inhabit.
ARCHITECT / PARTNER
When not reading, obsessing over the Mets, or running after his toddler, Adam Wanaselja
co-manages and co-runs UP. As an architect and firm partner, his superpower is translating big ideas into
functional and beautiful architectural solutions.
Once a project’s programmatic needs are determined, Adam
sculpts the program into a unique design concept. He has an enviable ability to get into the flow state
easily, and he intuitively transforms simple big-picture mockups into complex and elevated architectural
designs. His technical understanding and uncanny ability to see how things should go together wow even his
colleagues.
ARCHITECT / PARTNER
John Patrick Winberry, AIA is the founding partner and architect at The Up Studio,
an architecture, interior, and brand design studio in New York City, specializing in
contemporary design.
John’s approach to architecture balances theory and approachability, comfortably
guiding the client to an understanding of complex design theories. He is
particularly drawn to simplicity and duality in design, using minimalist designs to
maximize solutions across projects all while trying to bring joy and fun to the
process.
In the heart of the rapidly evolving New York neighborhood of Long Island City our studio serves as a home base for experimentation, collaboration and discussion. Our diverse team of architects and designers thrive in the space that invites collaboration.
