Meet the 2024 Palladio Judges

Jennifer Gerakaris, AIA, is a principal at Peter Pennoyer Architects, one of the leading classical and historical architectural design firms in the country. Since joining the firm in 2008, she has managed large-scale residential projects ranging from new construction to historic preservation to full gut renovations. Jennifer’s expertise and her collaborations with top interior designers and consultants have enabled her to successfully manage large teams and tackle some of the firm’s most challenging commissions. Following in the classical tradition, her projects feature an extraordinarily high level of detail and require collaboration with multiple artisans and craftspeople from all over the world.

John Berson has been practicing architecture in New York for 35 years. Prior to co-founding Sawyer | Berson with Brian Sawyer in 1999, Berson earned his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Master in Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Berson is a member of the Leaders of Design and the American Institute of Architects; he holds an NCARB certificate as well. He is a registered architect in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Indiana, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida.

Gary L. Brewer is a former partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects. Today he has his own firm Gary Brewer Architect (GBA). He has lead design of institutional, hospitality, and residential projects. His work includes the Spangler Center, which complements McKim, Mead & White’s 1920s master plan for the Harvard Business School campus, and a hotel, conference center, and golf clubhouse on Kiawah Island in South Carolina. He also has designed private residences around the country and is working on two new projects in Charleston—a mixed-use building that involves the restoration of a historic train shed and repurposing notable houses; and the first senior living building on King Street.

Mac White is a partner of Michael G. Imber Architects, a traditional architecture firm based in San Antonio, Texas, recognized nationally for a body of work that’s both rooted in historical and cultural sentiment and modern in its execution. White’s expertise encompasses classical design, architectural master planning, and historic preservation with vast experience on high-profile residential, commercial, institutional, and ecclesiastical design projects across the U.S. and internationally.

Christian Sottile trained classically under the guidance of Savannah architect John C. Lebey, FAIA, who attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris during the 1920s. After graduating as valedictorian from the Savannah College of Art and Design, he was awarded a fellowship to continue urban research abroad in Italy. Sottile earned his masters degree in Urban Design and Architecture from Syracuse University and was voted among the Top 100 Academics in the Nation by USA Today. Sottile turned his attention toward expanding the role of the architect as a leader in issues of community planning, preservation, and growth. Currently, Sottile serves as a principal of Sottile & Sottile, a Savannah-based firm working primarily in nationally registered historic districts.

Marcy Wong, following graduate degrees in Architecture at Columbia University and in Structural Engineering at Stanford University, Marcy Wong practiced in both fields of architecture and engineering, and for a decade was on the faculty of UC Berkeley’s Department of Architecture. Wong is registered in California as an architect and also as a civil engineer. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and has been one of the earliest practitioners to become adept at the design of LEED projects in California, designing the first LEED-certified building in the City of Berkeley—the Berkeley Hills Fire Station. In 1986 she founded her firm, Marcy Li Wong Architects; and in 1999 Donn Logan joined her practice to form Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects.