Our team

What we love to do: Working In A Studio Environment Where We Support, Create And Problem Solve With Fresh Ideas And Open Conversations.

Meet our team

we love what we do.

Through a collaborative design approach, Monarch Design Group utilizes the unique talents that each team member has to offer. From broad-brush, artistic abstractions of designs to the fine details and specifications for the components within each building, their unique perspectives enhance the success of each design.
  • Barnett Chenault

    President | Architect | LEED Green Associate

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    Barnett Chenault

    President | Architect | LEED Green Associate

    Mr. Chenault is a registered architect and LEED Green Associate with a passion for the cutting-edge side of architecture technology using live design, scripting, and parametric algorithms, with a focus on green building and sustainable design. Since joining the practice he has worked on both multi-family housing, cultural, and commercial projects bringing fresh ideas on design while minimizing the impacts of development. Mr. Chenault is experienced in all phases of planning and design for residential and commercial buildings, including historic rehabilitation. In addition, he heads Monarchs' immersive visualization / live design team which provides clients a 3-dimensional, first-person perspective view of their space in the initial stages of design. This allows the team to identify and avoid potential problems and visualize opportunities for improvement during the early stages of design to avoid costly changes, rework, or delayed project schedules.
  • Claudia Casal

    Director of Production

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    Claudia Casal

    Director of Production

    Claudia Casal is the Director of Production at Monarch Design Group, integrating her interests and education into a practical position to support architectural work. Throughout her time working at Six Side Architecture and later the State Materials Office, Ms. Casal has become adept at ensuring all construction documents satisfy legal requirements and incorporate all of the project’s goals. She has spent time in the field supporting bridge repair projects and has also worked as a CADD specialist, preparing professional documents, conducting quality control field inspections, and much more.
  • Donald Buaku

    Director of Urban Design

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    Donald Buaku

    Director of Urban Design

    Mr. Buaku’s work fills a unique niche in the built environment where he combines his professional and educational background in urban design, planning and architecture to create buildings, places, and communities that are holistic, feasible, beautiful, and sustainable. He has worked extensively throughout the country and abroad and contributed to several building and place-making projects. He enjoys designing buildings but is always careful to zoom out to see the building’s impact on its immediate, micro (neighborhood), and macro (regional) context.
  • Kimberly Hurst

    Team Leader | BIM Designer

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    Kimberly Hurst

    Team Leader | BIM Designer

    Ms. Kimberly Hurst joined Monarch Design Group as a BIM Technician. In her role, Ms. Hurst helps produce architectural drawings with a strong attention to detail. Ms. Hurst earned her Bachelor in Design in Architecture from the University of Central Florida, and her Master of Architecture from the University of Florida. In graduate school, she focused on community design and healing spaces. Ms. Hurst’s goal is to become a licensed architect within the next five years.
  • Annelies Gielstra

    Team Leader | BIM Designer

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    Annelies Gielstra

    Team Leader | BIM Designer

    Ms. Annelies Gielstra joined Monarch Design Group as a Team Designer. In her role, she produces architectural drawings with a strong attention to detail. Ms. Gielstra earned her Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida, and earned both her Master of Architecture and her Master of Interior Architecture from the University of Oregon. Ms. Gielstra is a Certified Passive House Consultant, whose goal is to become a licensed architect within the next five years.
  • Ami Smart

    BIM Team Designer

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    Ami Smart

    BIM Team Designer

    Ami Smart joined Monarch Design Group as an Architectural/BIM Designer. In her role, she helps produces architectural drawings with strong attention to detail. Ms. Smart has a passion for design and music, and hopes to incorporate her passions in her practice. Ms. Smart has earned her Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida. Her goal is to earn her Master of Architecture and become a licensed Architect in the next 5 years.
  • Jennifer Sauer

    BIM Team Designer

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    Jennifer Sauer

    BIM Team Designer

    Jennifer Sauer is an interior designer who values the beauty of the balance between functionality and aesthetics. She firmly believes that the design of our spaces has a strong impact on our physical and mental well-being. Since joining the practice quite recently, she has started collaborating on projects ranging from home renovations to commercial spaces. Ms. Sauer has experience in every design phase, from conception to presentation. She gained more hands-on experience during her summer internship last summer and is continuing to learn and grow in the practical matters of a designer with this new position here at Monarch Design Group.
  • David Robinson

    BIM Team Designer

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    David Robinson

    BIM Team Designer

    Mr. Robinson joined Monarch Design Group as a BIM Tech, bringing a desire to incorporate his construction management experience into the architectural industry. With hands-on experience in construction work such as framing, siding, roof work, and installations, he is adept at understanding the details of every project. Mr. Robinson has also produced two project manuals, which aids his comprehension of the many aspects of a building project.
  • Ranran Zhang

    BIM Team Designer

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    Ranran Zhang

    BIM Team Designer

    Ranran Zhang joined Monarch Design Group as an Architectural/BIM Designer. In her role, she helps produce architectural drawings with strong attention to detail. Ms. Zhang earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Tianjin Chengjian University, China, and her Master of Science in Design from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a LEED GA and hopes to incorporate her professional knowledge into her practice. Her goal is to become a licensed architect within the next five years.
  • Preetyraj Singh

    BIM Team Designer

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    Preetyraj Singh

    BIM Team Designer

    Ms. Preetyraj Singh joined Monarch Design Group as an Architectural/BIM Designer. In her role, she produces architectural drawings in a collaborative BIM context. Ms. Singh earned her Bachelor of Interior Design from the AP Institute of Environmental Design, India, and an MS in Architectural Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Design from the University of Florida with a research focus on pandemic preparedness, wellness, and energy efficiency in healthcare. Ms. Singh is a Certified LEED Green Associate and is working towards her WELL certification.
  • Aubrey Zaffke

    Director of Marketing

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    Aubrey Zaffke

    Director of Marketing

    UF Alumnus with over 20 years of strategic marketing experience in the real estate field, including commercial development, historic rehab, multifamily design and development, niche markets, and more.
  • Frank Morales

    Field Technician

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    Frank Morales

    Field Technician

    Mr. Frank E. Morales joined Monarch Design Group as a Field Technician. He will assist with architectural surveys that serve as the basis for designing, remodeling, and executing new construction projects. Mr. Frank is a Civil Engineer who graduated from Havana, Cuba. Mr. Morales has work experience as a structural engineer in various types of projects such as hotels, small hospitals, recreational centers, and residences, performing not only the structural design of the building but also the inspections and QAQC in the field. Mr. Morales' ultimate goal is to become a licensed engineer in the future.
  • Harry Reamy

    BIM DESIGN INTERN

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    Harry Reamy

    BIM DESIGN INTERN

    Harry Reamy is an Architectural BIM Design Intern at Monarch Design Group. He is a third year studying architecture at the University of Florida. In preparation for his career, he hopes to learn about the different fields, as well as work towards licensure in the future. For the past two years, Harry has serviced the Gainesville community as a freelance photographer. He has worked with graduates, sororities, and more while using this skill to photograph architectural models and studies for his university studies. Harry is so excited to work at Monarch and is looking forward to the summer ahead.
  • Elaine Daffron

    BIM DESIGN INTERN

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    Elaine Daffron

    BIM DESIGN INTERN

    Elaine Daffron joined the Monarch team as a BIM Intern and is starting her Senior Year at the UF School Of Architecture for an undergraduate degree. Her goal is to complete her bachelors, obtain a masters degree, and become a licensed architect.
  • Shannon Lee

    Architectural/BIM Design Intern

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    Shannon Lee

    Architectural/BIM Design Intern

    Shannon Lee joined Monarch Design Group as an Architectural/BIM Design Intern. In her role, she helps in many phases of the design process with an attention to detail and drive to learn. Ms. Lee is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and will graduate next year. Ms. Lee also has a passion for community service and led the University of Florida American Institute of Architecture Students Chapter as President this past year. Her goal is to earn her Bachelor of Design and Master of Architecture in the next five years.
  • Ashlyn Grace Fleming

    Administration

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    Ashlyn Grace Fleming

    Administration

    Ashlyn Grace is an Administrative Assistant at Monarch Design Group. She is a first year at the University of Florida. In preparation for her career, she is eager to learn about business management, as well as the financial side of the business. For the past four years, Ashlyn Grace has serviced the Gainesville community by volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Ashlyn Grace is thrilled to be working at Monarch and to be supporting the company's mission of bringing their clients' ideas to life in the community.

Contact us

We want to bring your vision to life.

Send us a message letting us know how we can help you. Our live design experience will breathe life into your ideas in real time.

Phone number
+1 (352) 378-4400
Email
design@MonarchArchitecture.com

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