Open City Architecture is a full service design studio located in St. Augustine, Florida.
Each project has its own story to tell.
We work with clients interested in making a positive impact through the built environment. We believe good architecture can change lives and enrich the community. Our designs are rooted in simplicity, economy, and sustainability. We find this approach leads to projects that are beautiful, compliment the natural surroundings, and deliver lasting value.
R. Conner Dowling, AIA, Principal
Conner started his career in his hometown of St. Augustine Florida as an intern for Les Thomas Architect. He worked on the St. Augustine Amphitheater, Limelight Theater, and many small commercial buildings and residential homes.
Conner continued his career working on k-12 schools, high rise office and residential towers, under Laurinda Spear, co-founder of Arquitectonica, in Miami, Florida and Paris, France.
The past 10 years Conner spent designing k-12 schools, higher education buildings and high tech work environments as an associate with Bora Architects in Portland, Oregon.
Conner is a registered architect in Florida and Oregon, and a member of the AIA.
Rebecca Chapman, Project Manager Becky grew up in St. Augustine, Florida surrounded by a multi-trade, construction family.
After graduating from University of Florida Becky moved to Los Angeles and worked as a Producer for television and film. She and her family moved back to Florida where she managed her own construction projects and started working as a Project Manager with OCA. Her wide range of experience in managing large, complicated projects has added consistency and value to OCA. Becky is involved directly with every client, consultant, and contractor we work with. Becky loves making things with her hands, and laughing with her 2 kids, husband and dog, Winston.
Fizza Hasan, Project Architect Originally from Pakistan, Fizza Hasan moved to the Florida Panhandle and went on to study architecture at the University of Houston. Fizza has worked for multiple award-winning architectural firms throughout the south and northwest, including Bora Architects in Portland, Oregon. Conner and Fizza worked together on multiple projects at Bora Architects. As project architect, Fizza aligns the details and construction documents of OCA’s projects. Fizza works directly with all team members to create beautifully cohesive projects with thoughtful details from conception through construction. Fizza lives in Austin, Texas and loves cooking Pakistani food with her husband and 2 children.
Chelsea Guimarães, Architectural Designer
Chelsea Guimarães graduated from Florida International University with a Masters in Architecture in 2020. After working with multiple architectural firms around Miami, Florida she joined OCA in 2021. Chelsea brings an honest, open approach to all the projects she works on. She has a passion for affordable housing and institutional projects that can positively impact people's lives and the cities they live in. Chelsea is a talented visual artist and writer, as well as being a former Division I basketball player. She puts her unique perspective and energy into every project. Chelsea currently lives in her hometown of Lisbon, Portugal.
Each project has its own story to tell.
We work with clients interested in making a positive impact through the built environment. We believe good architecture can change lives and enrich the community. Our designs are rooted in simplicity, economy, and sustainability. We find this approach leads to projects that are beautiful, compliment the natural surroundings, and deliver lasting value.
R. Conner Dowling, AIA, Principal
Conner started his career in his hometown of St. Augustine Florida as an intern for Les Thomas Architect. He worked on the St. Augustine Amphitheater, Limelight Theater, and many small commercial buildings and residential homes.
Conner continued his career working on k-12 schools, high rise office and residential towers, under Laurinda Spear, co-founder of Arquitectonica, in Miami, Florida and Paris, France.
The past 10 years Conner spent designing k-12 schools, higher education buildings and high tech work environments as an associate with Bora Architects in Portland, Oregon.
Conner is a registered architect in Florida and Oregon, and a member of the AIA.
Rebecca Chapman, Project Manager Becky grew up in St. Augustine, Florida surrounded by a multi-trade, construction family.
After graduating from University of Florida Becky moved to Los Angeles and worked as a Producer for television and film. She and her family moved back to Florida where she managed her own construction projects and started working as a Project Manager with OCA. Her wide range of experience in managing large, complicated projects has added consistency and value to OCA. Becky is involved directly with every client, consultant, and contractor we work with. Becky loves making things with her hands, and laughing with her 2 kids, husband and dog, Winston.
Fizza Hasan, Project Architect Originally from Pakistan, Fizza Hasan moved to the Florida Panhandle and went on to study architecture at the University of Houston. Fizza has worked for multiple award-winning architectural firms throughout the south and northwest, including Bora Architects in Portland, Oregon. Conner and Fizza worked together on multiple projects at Bora Architects. As project architect, Fizza aligns the details and construction documents of OCA’s projects. Fizza works directly with all team members to create beautifully cohesive projects with thoughtful details from conception through construction. Fizza lives in Austin, Texas and loves cooking Pakistani food with her husband and 2 children.
Chelsea Guimarães, Architectural Designer
Chelsea Guimarães graduated from Florida International University with a Masters in Architecture in 2020. After working with multiple architectural firms around Miami, Florida she joined OCA in 2021. Chelsea brings an honest, open approach to all the projects she works on. She has a passion for affordable housing and institutional projects that can positively impact people's lives and the cities they live in. Chelsea is a talented visual artist and writer, as well as being a former Division I basketball player. She puts her unique perspective and energy into every project. Chelsea currently lives in her hometown of Lisbon, Portugal.