STUDIOS Architecture announced that Robert Clemens, AIA, IIDA, and Ashton Allan, AIA, have been promoted to principal in the firm’s New York City and Washington, D.C., offices, respectively. These two promotions advance design leadership for the firm’s East Coast Division, and strengthen the firm’s ability to deliver great work now and in the future.

Robert Clemens Promoted to Managing Principal of New York City Office
Robert has more than 15 years of design industry experience. He joined the firm in February 2014 as an Associate Principal, was promoted to Managing Associate Principal of the New York office in March 2017, and has now been promoted to Managing Principal of the New York office. In this leadership role, Robert brings an analytical yet creative approach to furthering business goals for staff development, client relationships, and providing value through great design. As a registered architect and a registered interior designer, Robert integrates both architecture and interiors into all of his work.

Robert draws from his experience on large, multi-faceted projects to provide clients with timeless designs that respond to the constantly evolving environments in which we live, work, and play. Leveraging the firm’s diverse portfolio and talent, Robert has won a number of significant projects for the firm’s New York office, including the design of Market Line at Essex Crossing—a three-block, subgrade market place featuring a food hall and a variety of large and small businesses all anchored by the historic Essex Street Market—as well as the master plan and phase one residential tower of Five City Center in Allentown, Pa.—a development site in Lehigh Valley that includes an office tower, residential tower, event center, and two-acre park. Robert’s design leadership also includes the complete building renovation and workplace design of Scholastic’s Headquarters, and the repositioning of 1133 and 1155 Avenue of the Americas for the Durst Organization.

Robert is a current board member of arts non-profit Chashama and an active supporter of +POOL, the first water-filtering, floating pool proposed for New York City. Robert earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma and is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). He is a registered architect in the states of New York and Connecticut, and a registered interior designer in the state of Connecticut.

Ashton Allan Promoted to Principal in Washington, D.C., Office
Ashton brings more than 10 years of experience to the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. He joined the firm in 2006, was promoted to Associate in August 2010, Associate Principal in May 2012, and has now been promoted to Principal. Ashton excels at solving complex challenges through organized and coherent architecture. He leads his clients and colleagues in rich collaborations that produce dynamic, unexpected solutions informed by the program, site, and culture of each client and project. He has earned a reputation throughout the greater Washington, D.C., area for his ability to seamlessly guide projects through difficult technical, regulatory, and logistical hurdles.

During his tenure with STUDIOS, Ashton has made major contributions in master planning, base building, and complex interiors projects, working with such clients as JBG Smith, Forest City, and Douglas Development throughout the greater Washington, D.C., region. He is currently working on the base building of the new McCormick headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland; a master plan and office building in Camana Bay; and a master plan and office buildings in Reston, Va. In addition to his recent work on the new Nickelodeon Studios building in Burbank, California, Ashton has been a major component of several of the firm’s award-winning projects, including the USO Wounded Warrior and Family Centers in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland, as well as Washington Canal Park in Washington, D.C.

Ashton earned his Master of Architecture from the Yale School of Architecture and is a member of the American Institute of Architects. He is a registered architect in the District of Columbia and a LEED Accredited Professional.