Ned Kirschbaum, FAIA, CCCA, LEED AP BD+C

For Ned, architecture is the natural culmination of two of his greatest passions – art and science. First sparked through an independent art study program during his senior year of high school, Ned’s interest in the field further developed after attending a summer session at the Rhode Island School of Design. After a visit to New York City, Ned was struck by the scale of the newly completed Citicorp Center and how it contrasted with the intimate beauty of the nearby St. Peter’s Church. It was here that Ned realized his desire to create spaces that were both beautiful in detail and monumental in scale.

Throughout his tenure at Fentress Architects, Ned has made significant contributions to many landmark projects. Clark County Government Center in Las Vegas holds a special place in his heart as one of the most architecturally creative places of its kind. Ned’s expertise in high-performance glazed façades was showcased with projects like the Central Terminal at SEA, launching a specialty that he would further refine in later works, such as the Denver Art Museum’s Sie Welcome Center.

Ned’s design philosophy is rooted in the pursuit of balancing the most ambitious architectural expressions with practical functionality, ensuring that even the boldest designs serve the needs of the people who use them. As a Project Manager, the Touchstone™ “Listen Closely” resonates most with him, guiding his approach to synthesizing diverse stakeholder inputs and ensuring the vision of a project is realized without compromise.

Outside the firm, Ned is deeply involved in the architecture community, having served in various leadership roles with the AIA and other organizations. A frequent speaker, he enjoys sharing his insights and expertise on topics such as façade design and high-performance skins. Beyond his professional life, Ned is an artisanal naturally leavened bread baker and a founding member of Friends of Man, a 100% charity committed to providing direct assistance to those in need.