About
We design with empathy and integrity to create solutions that make the world a better place to live, capturing value for our clients, society and the environment.
Circular is an award-winning multidisciplinary practice combining sustainable architecture, interiors, digital media, branding and experience design.
Our vision is to be a global leader in producing designs for innovative, resilient, human-centered spaces and systems that promote happiness, delight, healthfulness and community.
We embrace a cradle-to-cradle systems-based approach to all aspects of design and customer experience (CX), that leverages lifecycle, societal benefit and environmental regeneration as forces for positive change.
The Circular Economy is built on the principles of eliminating linear waste and pollution from the outset, keeping products and materials in use at their highest value, and regenerating natural systems.
Circular CX is the result of orchestrating interactions and experiences, and transforming systems to create material, spatial, visual and experiential environments for habitation.
Circular Design is a collaborative, iterative process that is inclusive, holistic and applies circular economy principles at the design stage of everything.
Connect with us and let’s talk about anything!
68 Jay Street, Suite 501, Brooklyn, NY 11201
+1 718 852 2650
info@circular.cx
Meet the Team
Jordan Parnass, AIA RIBA CPHD LEED AP
Principal
As Principal of JPDA, Jordan has been the creative force behind the firm’s award-winning projects worldwide. With 20 years of experience, he has consistently kept the firm at the leading edge of integrating new technology and practices into the work. Jordan is a Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) and a LEED Accredited Professional. Jordan holds a BA in Art and Semiotics from Brown University, and a Masters of Architecture from Columbia University.
Gregory Merryweather, RA CPHD
Director of Architecture
Greg has been a part of JPDA since 2001, and in his role as Director of Architecture he oversees research, production and execution of the firm's projects. Greg is a Certified Passive House Designer, and a professor at Pratt Institute. He holds an M.Arch from Columbia University and a BS Arch from Ohio State.
Melanie Crean
Director of Special Projects
Melanie is an artist, designer and academic, and oversees JPDA’s interactive, installation and community engagement work. Her practice explores relationships between gender, speech, history and the social structures of control. Melanie is Associate Professor of Art, Media and Technology at Parsons the New School for Design. Previously, Melanie founded the production studio at digital art non-profit Eyebeam. Melanie has won numerous commissions and fellowships from Creative Capital, Creative Time, NYFA, NYSCA and others, and holds degrees from Brown University (BA Art and Semiotics) and The School of Visual Arts (MFA).
Sofia Melo
Senior Designer
Sofia is an architectural designer and project manager at JPDA who focuses on human-centered design for institutional and residential projects. Sofia holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from the University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Alex Truica
Senior Designer
Andrei "Alex" Truica is a senior architectural designer and project manager specializing in public sector and institutional projects. Alex holds a Master of Architecture from Pratt, as well as a BA from Fordham University.
Joana Cancela
Architectural Designer
Joana is an architectural designer specializing in retail and brand experience projects.
Aida Muhibic
Architectural Designer
Aida is an architectural designer and project manager specializing in public sector and commercial projects. Aida holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida.
Zainab Akhtar
Architectural Designer
Zainab is an experienced Architect and Strategic Design & Management professional. Well-versed in architectural design development, design research, strategy and prototyping. Zainab works at the intersection of architecture and design strategy, focused on solving social and urban issues through creative interventions. Zainab holds a B. Arch and is currently pursuing an MS in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons.
Luis Fernando Muñoz
Architectural Designer
Luis is a designer and project manager specializing in public sector and residential projects. Luis holds an Masters in Architecture from Princeton, as well as a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M.
Shatha Matar
Architectural Designer
Shatha is an architectural designer specializing in institutional and residential projects. Shatha holds an M. Arch from Boston Architectural College and a BA in Architectural Technology from George Brown College.
Awards
Passive House Institute
Passive House Award Special Recognition
American Institute of Architects
New York State Design Award
American Institute of Architects
Brooklyn Chapter Award: Best International Project
American Institute of Architects
Brooklyn Chapter Award: Project of the Year
American Institute of Architects
NY Chapter Design Award
PHIUS Passive House Projects Award
NYCxDesign Award
RIBA RSPCA Animal Centres of the Future
American Institute of Architects
New York Chapter Design Award
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Building Brooklyn Award
Press
Architectural Record, AD Russia, Archinect, Architizer, Artbyte, BoB, Bonytt, Brooklyn Modern, Brownstoner, Bustler, City, Clear, Core77, Curbed, DDI, Design Week, Details, Dwell, Financial Times, Frame, Global Design Review, Haaretz, I.D., Indian Architect, Interior Design, Interiors, Interiors & Sources, New York Daily News, New York Times, New Yorker, Oculus, Octogon, Paper, Popular Science, Salons & Spas, Spazio Casa, Surface, TechTV Catalog of Tomorrow, Time, Time Out, Treehugger, Village Voice, VM&SD
Fibre2Fashion • Star Garment’s innovation centre wins 2020 AIA Merit Award
Germany Trade & Invest • Blick nach Sri Lanka
Holzmagazin • Aktiv für ein Passivhaus kämpfen
Detail Magazine • Passive Energy in the Tropics: Factory Update in Sri Lanka