LBBA Architects is pleased to announce the promotion of Ashley Wendela, AIA, LEED AP, to Principal.

Ashley joined our team over a decade ago and has since made significant contributions across affordable housing developments, community centers, senior housing facilities, and SRO rehabilitations. Throughout her tenure, Ashley has championed projects serving unhoused populations, at-risk LGBTQ+ individuals, and people in recovery. Her work reflects a deep commitment to understanding how architecture shapes everyday life, from the urban scale to the most intimate spaces. She believes architecture has the power to make cities more humane, beautiful, and sustainable, and she pursues these ideals in every project.

Her projects include numerous award-winning buildings, among them La Casa Norte's headquarters in Humboldt Park—an innovative campus featuring a comprehensive community center, administrative offices, and 25 units of permanent supportive apartments for youth and youth-led families—and the recently completed National Public Housing Museum. As LBBA has expanded into Michigan, Ashley has led several pivotal projects in the state. These include the Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center, a mixed-use development in Detroit providing permanent supportive housing for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, and The Anchor at Mariners Inn, supportive and recovery housing just north of downtown Detroit. She is currently lending her expertise to Dunbar Tower, an affordable development addressing displacement and gentrification in Ann Arbor.

“Ashley is a wonderful teammate, mentor, and friend—her quiet confidence and empathy build others up around her. She is the best listener and distiller of noisy situations,” said Jack Schroeder, LBBA Principal.  “We are so excited to add her voice to our leadership group!”

Beyond her project work, Ashley has assumed key leadership roles within the firm. She directs LBBA's Mentorship Program, supporting younger staff as they develop their professional interests, and is head of the Sustainability Committee, enriching LBBA with her expertise and innovative perspectives. We look forward to her continued leadership as we advance our mission to create sustainable and equitable spaces for our communities.