BHA pllc is a collaborative practice which is focused on the ability of architecture to provide meaningful, positive change, both in human experience and building performance. Through purposeful, intentional design we create beautiful spaces which support contemporary working, learning, living, and cultural experiences. Our highly thoughtful and collaborative process focuses on providing an exceptional level of design services to our clients.
We enjoy working on a variety of scales and project types and look forward to finding the design opportunities within each project, crafting the right response within project constraints, and then working with clients, contractors, and consultants to bring this vision to life. We are equally skilled at working with existing buildings as new construction work.
Profile
Brandon Hall, AIA founded BHA in 2022 and is a principal. With a decade of experience across three continents Brandon brings his unique perspective to this practice. Prior to founding BHA Brandon was a Project Architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects(WKA), working on a variety of single family, cultural, and institutional projects.
One of the projects Brandon led while at WKA the buildout of Intrinsic Schools Downtown Campus, from site selection through a three-phased construction process. The school occupies five floors of the former Bell Federal Building, creating a vertical campus serving over 900 high schoolers from all over Chicago.
Brandon also led the team working on the renovation of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Ryan Learning Center, which transformed the entry sequence and experience of the space to allow users of all ages and ability levels to create in the new Art Exchange.
Also while at WKA Brandon was a project architect for the Momentary – a contemporary arts facility which adaptively reuses a former Kraft Foods Plant. This project was a 2021 AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Honor Award Recipient.
Prior to WKA Brandon worked at Studio Gang, where he was the project leader for the St. Regis Chicago, including finalizing the façade detailing and glass selections. Brandon additionally has worked at OMA in Hong Kong and Henning Larsen Architects in Copenhagen, Denmark, working on a number of cultural and institutional projects.
Brandon has a Masters of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture, where he was a Feldman Nominee, and recipient of both the Stanley Tigerman Scholarship for outstanding academic performance and the James Gamble Rogers Memorial Fellowship for demonstrated skill as a designer and critical thought. Brandon was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Business. Brandon is a Chicago native.
Brandon is a Registered Architect in Illinois and Wisconsin and is a Chicago Registered Self Certified Professional.
Jessica Pfeiffer is an Architectural Designer at BHA. Jessica’s interest in architecture started at an early age from a love of drawing. Her passion further developed through the exploration of architectural expression, environmental responsibility, and solving practical problems through research and design. She also enjoys the visualization side of design, as a means to further explore architecture and graphic representation.
Prior to joining BHA, Jessica previously worked at Present Future Architects. Her professional experience includes a variety of projects in the hospitality, education, commercial, and residential sectors. While at PFA, Jessica oversaw the buildout of Big Star West Town, a 6,000 sq. ft. restaurant renovation.
Jessica received her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati where she was recognized with the “Outstanding Research” award for her thesis project. During graduate school, she completed internships with Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, Goettsch Partners, and Handel Architects. Jessica received her B.S. in architectural studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Current and Former Collaborators: Kristin Ridge