Elena is an experienced architect based in Chicago. She received her Master of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in 2005. Before that, she received her Bachelor of Science in Geodesy from Moscow University of Geodesy and Cartography in 1995.

Upon graduation from UWM, Elena and her husband went to pursue their architectural careers in New York and London. After five years away, they returned to the Midwest in 2011 with a set of beautiful twins. Elena lives in the Roscoe Village neighborhood of Chicago and enjoys commuting to the office by bike along the lakefront. She strives to find a balance between spending time with her twins, gardening, doing yoga, home-improving projects and travelling.

Elena’s professional experience varies from city masterplans to interior fit-outs covering a range of building types like office buildings, high-rise multifamily, hospitality and educational projects. As an architect, Elena believes the best design is a balanced design – where relationships between nature, history and culture come together in harmony.

When extra balance is needed, a yoga shoulder stand helps Elena to put things in the right perspective.