Growing up in Italy, Ben observed how old cities are built around people. These observations sparked his interest in pursuing a career in urban design and architecture to craft designs that have a strong sense of place. Now he enjoys the integration of design disciplines and the variety of projects he gets to work on at Otak. Leading Otak’s Planning & Design group, Ben is a big picture thinker, combining architectural and urban design perspective with a passion for designing healthy and livable communities. Ben sits on the Portland Planning & Sustainability Commission, as well as participates in the ULI Urban Product Council, Green Otak committee, AIA, APA, Urban Design Panel, and the Westside Economic Alliance. A recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, the Myers Wolfe Award in Urban Design, and the MIT Marche Award, he is happiest when he is drawing freehand!