Yesterday, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners became PCF Architects and named Christopher Jend, Min Lee, Hitoshi Maehara, and Matteo Milani its fifth generation of partners.

They join continuing partners Michael W. Bischoff, José Bruguera, and Katherine Bojsza.

PCF Architects Enters a New Chapter in Its History

PCF Architects marks the fourth chapter in the firm’s history. Established as I. M. Pei & Associates in 1955, the firm later became I. M. Pei & Partners and then Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. The partnership began expanding in 1980, adding a new generation of partners roughly every decade, each person coming from within the firm.

From the Louvre Pyramid in Paris to the John Hancock Tower in Boston, the firm has worked on some of the world’s most iconic buildings. Recent work includes the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina, and redesign of the St. John Villa campus to house the largest public-school development in New York City.

PCF Architects remains independently owned and led. Since its founding, the firm has practiced from a single studio in New York, where a dedicated team of experts guides each project from start to finish.

“Our name is changing, but we are not leaving our history behind,” said Managing Partner Katherine Bojsza. “Rather, we are building on it. Our founders instilled a philosophy where every project should achieve more than it was asked to, a core value we carry into the future. PCF Architects recognizes that achieving more is demonstrated by a variety of contributions from our talented team.”

The firm’s philosophy of more, by design puts the core value into practice. For PCF Architects, more means a deeper understanding. The team asks the questions clients may not have had time to ask, studies each site closely, and evaluates many ideas to arrive at designs that are innovative, enduring, and shaped by the whole team.

“Chris, Min, Hitoshi, and Matteo have grown up with the firm and have worked extensively with the continuing partners, as well as the founding partners I. M. Pei and Henry Cobb.” said Partner Michael W. Bischoff. “These individuals are a part of our legacy and embody the qualities to carry the firm forward. Their leadership will play a vital role in shaping the future of PCF Architects and our impact on the field of architecture.”

Meet PCF Architects’ New Generation of Partners

Christopher Jend, AIA

Christopher Jend is a leader in adaptive reuse, drawing on his background in sustainability, innovative workplace design, and architectural preservation. Chris played a critical role in the repositioning of 1271 Avenue of the Americas, the former Time & Life Building; and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Arts Center at Governors Island. He also led the design team in transforming the public spaces at 717 Fifth Avenue, the former Corning Glass Building.

Min Lee, AIA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C

Min Lee is known for translating complex programs into clear, functional design that aligns with the client’s vision. Min’s notable projects include Daniel Tsai Hall at Georgetown University, Fordham School of Law, and Fiterman Hall at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Min currently leads several projects for additional CUNY sites in Manhattan and the firm’s ongoing work for the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas.

Hitoshi Maehara, AIA

Hitoshi Maehara worked with founding partner I. M. Pei as his project architect for over 20 years. Projects they collaborated on include the Miho Museum, set in a nature preserve near Kyoto, Japan, and the Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean (Mudam) in Luxembourg, built within an 18th-century ruin and World Heritage Site. He is currently engaged in the design of a major expansion of one of Mexico’s leading universities.

Matteo Milani, PhD, AIA

Matteo Milani worked closely with founding partner Henry N. Cobb on the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. His recent work also includes the New South Quad and School of Business at Quinnipiac University and Soyak Kristal Kule/Finansbank Headquarters in Istanbul. Matteo’s design research, published in Domus and other journals, explores how cities can balance density with open space.

Earlier this year, Yvonne Szeto joined Michael D. Flynn as one of the firm’s two partners emeriti.

“There is energy in our studio,” said Partner José Bruguera. “Our team comes from all over the world, and that diversity is reflected in work across more than 100 cities. Having a range of perspectives is central to our philosophy of more, by design. With a new generation of leadership, now is the perfect time to share our sense of renewal and optimism.”

About PCF Architects
PCF Architects, formerly Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, is an international architecture firm based in New York City. Since its founding as I. M. Pei & Associates in 1955, the firm has employed its distinct blend of rigor and creativity to design notable projects around the world from the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong to the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Guided by its philosophy, more, by design, PCF Architects is focused on design that endures.

The firm works across building types, notably cultural, civic, educational, hospitality, residential, and workplace, with projects in over 100 cities across the globe. Current work includes a large expansion to a private university campus in Mexico, a 1.5-million-square-foot office campus in Bengaluru, India, and a multifamily residential project on the waterfront of New York.

For more information, visit the firm’s website at pcfarchitects.com and follow the firm on LinkedIn and Instagram.