LMS^A Announces New Promotions

JASEN BOHLANDER | Studio Director

Following his desire to work with non-profit clients and educational institutions, Jasen Bohlander, AIA, LEED BD+C joined LMS^A in 2005. He feels strongly that everyone deserves good design and that through architecture we can provide an equitable and sustainable future for all people.

His project expertise spans a wide range of educational projects, from elementary through higher educational projects, and reflects his commitment to design excellence and innovative educational environments. Jasen has focused on quality assurance and ensuring project details are implemented during construction. He was the project architect and manager for three of the firm’s prominent education projects, the Nueva School Hillside Learning Complex, the Sacred Heart School Science and Student Life Center, and the Nueva School Science and Environmental Center.  Bringing together a commitment to sustainability and design excellence, all three schools were recognized as AIA COTE Top Ten Green projects. The Science and Student Life Center was also the first LEED for Schools Platinum certified building in the nation.

In his role as Studio Director, Jasen will oversee office wide project development: facilitating design dialogue across project teams, championing sustainable and equitable design initiatives, and supporting technical design excellence.  Bringing over 25 years of educational, community, and housing project experience to the role, Jasen will be, in his words, “a common thread connecting our diverse project types with our shared purpose,” providing invaluable support to our mission-driven practice.

DOMINIQUE ELIE | Associate Principal 

Dominique Elie, AIA, NOMA, brings a deep passion for participatory design and a commitment to community-driven architecture. With 13 years at LMS^A, she has played a central role in advancing the firm’s mission to create spaces that are socially responsive, environmentally conscious, and authentically rooted in the communities they serve.

Dominique’s work is grounded in meaningful engagement with users—from initial visioning to final design—and her background in nonprofit work and participatory design allows her to bring unique insight and added value to clients. She thrives in LMS^A’s collaborative culture and is known for championing inclusive processes that result in more equitable, enduring outcomes.

Her portfolio includes leading roles in some of LMS^A’s most robust community engagement efforts, including the Sunnydale Community Center & Herz Recreation Center, People’s Park Student Housing, and the Mosswood Community Center and Park Master Plan, which she is currently shepherding through construction. She has also contributed to a diverse range of educational and cultural projects such as Blattner Hall at California College of the Arts, the Chinese American International School, several early childcare centers for the Felton Institute, and feasibility studies for local independent schools and arts organizations.

Reflecting on her promotion, Dominique shared “LMS^A has always been a place where I’ve felt valued, supported, and inspired to grow—not just as an architect, but as a person. I’m incredibly grateful to be stepping into this new role and to continue the legacy of authentic, meaningful work alongside people I genuinely enjoy and admire.”

Dominique is excited to take on her new role as Associate Principal and continue shaping projects that prioritize equity, sustainability, and meaningful engagement.

GWEN FUERTES | Associate Principal 

Gwen Fuertes, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, demonstrates her expertise for sustainability with a background in both design and building science. She heads up LMS^A’s sustainability initiatives and internal education efforts, enabling teams to consistently push the envelope of high-performance design practices. Gwen is committed to mentorship and education, and has held lecturer positions at UC Berkeley and CCA, and was appointed co-chair of the AIA National 2030 Commitment working group and currently co-chairs the climate-focused working group with the AIA National Strategic Council. She has spoken to multiple audiences nationwide to promote best practices on integrated design and climate action.

Her recent contributions to the firm include the AIA COTE Top Ten award-winning Edwin M. Lee Apartments affordable housing in San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood, and the Creekside Center Renovation for the Disabled Students Program at UC Berkeley. In addition, she managed the UCSF Parnassus Heights Central Campus Site Improvements project (currently under construction) , and her work also includes the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture Pier 2 renovation and Walker Hall at UC Davis. Her impact on projects across the firm is evident through leadership and mentorship on early-phase charrette ideation through post-occupancy evaluation and analysis.

Gwen notes, “I’m humbled to step into this new role, and excited to recommit to LMS^A’s core values of community-focused, high-performance, and beautifully integrated design.” She is eager to build strong connections with collaborators and push the boundaries of leading-edge design for mission-driven clients.

Gwen has been with LMS^A since 2015.