PEOPLE

Our Greatest Asset

We know that people are our greatest asset. This is why we bring together the right people with skills catered to each project’s needs. Our talented and diverse staff include world class architects, interior designers, and illustrators that are continuously growing through professional and educational advancement programs. That same culture of diversity, teamwork, and personal growth extends to our deep network of specialized, collaborative consultants.

Shellie Curry

AIA

President / Owner / Founder / Principal

Shellie Curry founded Curry Architects in 1990 and has been sharing his passion for architecture with this team ever since. This dedication inspires him to take each project to its highest level of design and efficiency. A specialist in providing great spaces with client budgets in mind, he is continually reminding staff that “We always have the proportions, scale, materials, texture; they are everything to the architecture”. He enjoys sharing his experiences with younger staff, helping them solve both the design and technical aspects of construction. Shellie received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Texas in Arlington and Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.
NESTOR ZABALA

AIA, LEED AP-CI

Vice President / Principal

Nestor has over 20 years of experience and has headed the interior architecture and design department at Curry Architects since 2008. Before joining the Curry team, he co-founded CAZA Designs, a downtown Baltimore architectural design practice. Here his passion for historic renovations, adaptive reuse, and mixed-use projects within Charm City’s core really came alive. His environmental commitment has also brought recognition to projects such as the CHAI building for The Associated Jewish Charities and the Hilltop Center MDOT MVA building, both LEED© Silver. Traveling the world as a self-proclaimed foodie, he brings an inspired design palette back to the firm which has translated into some of the area’s hottest restaurants.
VICTORIA LESTER

ASID, CID

Director of Operations

Vickie’s career started as an intern for Shellie Curry in 2000 while still in college studying interior design. Afterwards, she joined his team full-time, and under his mentorship, developed a solid background in architecture while working on both residential and commercial projects. After gaining a sound knowledge of architecture and becoming an NCIDQ certified interior designer, she moved on to work with some of the best interior design firms in the region and ultimately returned to Curry Architects with enhanced experience and award-winning projects having earned publication in Chesapeake Home and Baltimore Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys staying active while training and practicing amateur boxing and Thai kickboxing.
MICHELLE SMITH

RA, NCARB

Associate / Project Manager

Michelle joined Curry Architects in 2016 and brings a portfolio that includes a variety of building types, construction detailing skills, and different team experiences that she has been compiling since 1995. Past projects include higher education buildings with a state-of the-art moot courtroom, gymnasium, dining facilities, and dormitory. Michelle is a registered architect and has completed projects in Wisconsin, New Mexico, and here in Maryland. Outside of the office, Michelle enjoys being an advocate in the special needs community and is a “Family as Faculty” participant with two local medical schools. She is also conversant in American Sign Language. Michelle received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota.
Desire Soedharmo

NCARB

Associate / Project Manager

Desire joined the Curry Architects team in 2011 but has been honing her skills in design since 2000. She has served as project manager from schematic start to construction administration, and excels in client services, design, and technical drawings. Desire is a talented designer as well as a proficient technician and brings that critical attention to both sides of details in everything that she works on. Desire received her Bachelor of Architecture from Tarumangara University in Jakarta, Indonesia. In her free time, she loves to watch movies and enjoy nature.
Karen Bularz

Associate / Finance

Karen brings over 15 years of experience in the business administration and accounting fields. She specializes in Enterprise application software and has implemented new tools for increasing efficiencies throughout the office. Karen received her degree from Randolph-Macon College in French and Psychology, as well as a diploma of French Language and Civilization Studies from the Sorbonne University in Paris.
Lindsey Dubas

Associate AIA

Senior Project Designer

Lindsey joined the Curry Architects team in 2017, but has been working in retail and restaurant design, furniture design and residential architecture, from concept to construction administration, since 2013. She enjoys working through difficult and unique construction details, particularly on complex adaptive reuse and large-scale residential projects. Lindsey relocated to Maryland after receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is currently working toward becoming a licensed architect. In her “free time”, Lindsey is an assistant coach for the Johns Hopkins University track and field team, but in her actual free time, she enjoys exercising, visiting with friends, and spending time with her pets.
Alisa Holmes

Associate AIA

Project Designer

Alisa joined the Curry Architects team in 2016. Before that, she had been working in industrial, commercial, and residential architecture since 2005 while also attending Morgan State University where she obtained her BS in Architecture and Environmental Design, as well as her Master of Architecture. She is eager to achieve excellence in all phases of a project and enjoys working with project teams to achieve the best design. She is preparing to become a licensed architect. One of her favorite quotes by Frank Gehry is “architecture should speak of its time and place but yearn for timelessness.” Alisa is originally from Riga, Latvia and can speak fluent Russian.
RYAN RUMBAOA

Project Designer

Ryan joined the Curry Architects team in 2012 but has been exploring design since 2001. He has always been focused on achieving great design while having fun creating it. Ryan has been exposed to a wide range of projects and concepts and it has given him skills that help our team implement major and minor projects from conceptualization through documentation. His bright disposition radiates during strategy collaboration which spills over into consultant coordination and client relations. He joins our team as a registered foreign architect from the Philippines. Ryan attributes the balance of his work and family life to traveling with his wife and twin boys.
Shireen Li

Project Designer

Shireen joined the Curry Architects team in 2016 after earning her Master of Architecture from University of Michigan. Her skills include an excellent project visualization and sense of balance through the use of color and texture. Her background also includes digital fabrication, giving her a strong capacity for product design. She is currently working on becoming a licensed architect and enjoys working on commercial and restaurant projects with our team. Outside the office, she likes to travel and practice photography, finding inspiration for design having visited over 20 countries on five continents. In addition to being fluent in English and Mandarin, she also speaks some Korean and Japanese.
KATIE GOODMAN

CID

Interior Designer

Katie joined the Curry Architects team in 2016, coming from the specialized industry of custom millwork, commercial kitchen, and restaurant design where she has been working since 2013, after obtaining her Master of Science in Interior Architecture + Design from Drexel University. Katie also holds her NCIDQ certification. Her passion for restaurant design helps our team continue to approach each new challenge with confidence. When not at work Katie enjoys exercising, spending time with her dog, working on home projects with her husband, and shopping for antiques to add to her collection.
DEVON VALLELY

Senior Project Coordinator

Devon joined the Curry Architects team in 2016 after receiving his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Maryland. With a bit of an engineering background as well, Devon is able to use his experience to bridge the gap between Architecture and Engineering in order to efficiently and effectively complete projects. Devon is deeply rooted in our branded concepts studio and loves the fast-paced nature and problem-solving that goes along with that branch of retail and restaurant design. In his free time, Devon enjoys watching baseball and basketball, but you may also find him out on the kickball field or enjoying one of Baltimore’s fantastic craft breweries.