Roger Sola Sole Departs to Pursue Boutique Firm Venture as OTJ Architects Continues to Expand as D.C.’s Largest, Locally Headquartered Interior Architecture Firm
Leading architecture and interior architecture firm OTJ Architects announced that Partner Roger Sola Sole has resigned. Mr. Sola Sole, who joined OTJ in 2001, will launch a new firm named sshape, inc. Founded in 1990, OTJ has grown to become the Washington, D.C. metro area’s largest, locally headquartered interior architecture firm, with $16 million in 2017 revenue. Within the past year alone, OTJ has completed projects for such clients as Yelp, the Aspen Institute, the Darden School of Business, FiscalNote, and Anheuser Busch.
Mr. Sola Sole remarks: “I am proud of our efforts in building OTJ Architects and will always look back on my 17 years with the firm fondly. OTJ has grown dramatically in recent years and the timing of my departure feels mutually beneficial. I am confident the firm will continue to excel as a design leader.”
OTJ Managing Partner Lance Jaccard, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, adds: “Roger has been an invaluable partner as we worked together with the leadership team to shape OTJ into one of Washington, DC’s most successful design firms. We understand that his focus and ours are now different and we wish him great success as we look forward to OTJ’s next chapter.”
OTJ is noted as an incubator for design talent and counts amongst its alumni Wingate Hughes founder Gavin Daniels. OTJ Partner Laura Kennington, WELL AP, notes: “Change is part of the natural evolution of any premier design firm and we look forward to the successes of our next generation of leadership. As a practice of over 130 team members, we have the depth of talent to promote from within and ensure that our projects proceed with the same attention to design and client satisfaction as ever.” OTJ Partner Kevin Sneed, FAIA, with 25 years of experience, and Director of Technology Spencer Sear, AIA, with 18 years of experience, will serve as key architectural and quality resources to ensure the continuity of projects future and in transition.
Mr. Sola Sole leaves the practice at a time when OTJ is expanding both its geographic reach and its service offering, with the recent announcement of the launch of a studio dedicated to base building architecture. Headed by Partner Gary Martinez, FAIA, formerly of Martinez + Johnson Architecture, OTJ’s newest studio is specialized in the design of commercial office structures as well as cultural and performing arts centers. OTJand Martinez + Johnson Architecture share a long collaborative history rooted in a common commitment to design excellence. Mr. Martinez’s past projects include the award-winning renovation of the Boston Opera House and the Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center in El Paso, TX. In Washington, D.C., he and his studio recently completed the design of 2100 L Street, a new 10-story trophy office building, and will continue work on the world-renowned Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.
About OTJ Architects
OTJ Architects is a premier architecture and interior architecture firm that creates award-winning projects nationwide from its offices in Washington, D.C. and New York, N.Y. For nearly 30 years, OTJ has partnered with leaders in the commercial real estate, corporate, government, and non-profit sectors to help organizations meet their human, operational, and business objectives through the power of the built environment. Signature recent projects include workplaces for Adobe, BMW, Yelp, and United Way, as well as Innovation Centers for Booz Allen and Capital One. More information is available at http://www.otj.com
