Hartford, CT JCJ Architecture (JCJ),has hired Shaowen Chou, AIA, LEED AP as associate principal and senior project manager, and Raymond Bordwell, FAIA, LEED AP as principal and community market sector leader.

Chou brings a unique perspective from a 20-year career as a project manager and architect with experience leading large interdisciplinary teams for project types spanning mixed-use retail/residential, arts/entertainment, luxury hotel, and resort developments across the United States and overseas. Prior to joining JCJ, Shaowen spent the majority of her career at BAR Architects. As BAR’s director of projects, Asia from 2008-2014, Shaowen spearheaded the firm’s presence in the region and managed over five million s/f of design in China, including Shanghai, Hainan, Chengdu, and Beijing. Upon her return to the U.S. in 2014, she led the development of practice management processes, overseeing project management, resource and knowledge management, while further diversifying the firm’s portfolio with projects for Hyatt, Marriott, and the Springline Menlo Park project. Notable projects under her leadership include Santana Row, the Madison Golf Clubhouse in Palm Springs, and the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. Shaowen holds a bachelor of arts in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. 

With a diverse background in academia, traditional design practice, educational facility development, and operations, Bordwell, has influenced a generation of K12 school designers. His experience includes serving as an instructor for the office of executive education at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, authoring “How to Think about School Design,” and holding leadership positions at a national level for prominent firms such as Perkins Eastman and Perkins & Will. A passionate practitioner dedicated to problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership, he has extensive national and global experience in K12 education design. He’s held key roles as global chief facilities officer and global head of architecture and construction for two international schools that educate students in the United States and abroad. In his new role, Bordwell will focus on strengthening JCJ’s presence in K12 and higher education design, advancing the firm’s work in the public safety/justice sector, and continuing its civic work with Native American communities. Bordwell is a graduate of Kent State University School of Architecture and the State University of New York. In 2013, he was elected to the AIA’s College of Fellows 2013 for his significant contribution to the practice of architecture and society nationally. 

“I am excited to join JCJ Architecture and look forward to becoming part of their extraordinarily strong senior leadership team,” said Shaowen.

“As Principal and Community Market Sector Leader at JCJ, I’m looking forward to spearheading transformative design solutions that address the evolving needs of our communities, particularly within K12, higher education, public safety and justice, and Native American communities,” commented Ray. 

“We are thrilled to have individuals of such extraordinary talent and proficiency join JCJ Architecture,” said Peter N. Stevens, LEED AP, President of JCJ Architecture. “While Shaowen and Ray have different backgrounds and have built careers that have focused on very different typologies, each brings an extraordinary skill, depth of experience, and a rigorous approach to planning and design. We welcome them as our newest employee-owners and look forward to their contributions to our practice and the enrichment of our profession more broadly.”