Preeminent Wynwood Miami-based architecture and interior design studio MKDA today announced that it has hired registered Architect and Interior Designer Jorge Alberto Pernas for its newly created Technical Director position. Mr. Pernas joins MKDA with over 23 years of technical experience in Architecture, Interior Design and Urban Design. In his new role, Mr. Pernas will oversee firm-wide implementation of REVIT/BIM. In addition, he will manage the day-to-day technical operations and oversee the quality control of all the construction documents produced within the Miami studio.

Prior to joining MKDA, Mr. Pernas led his own firm, Cube Squared Architecture + Design, where he specialized in commercial and residential architecture and interior design. Before that, he was a Senior Project Architect and Associate at Perkins + Will and a Project Architect at Harvard Jolly Architecture, one of Florida’s largest architecture and interior design firms. He has also worked at Arquitectonica International, Bob Weiss Design Island Associates and OBM International.

Mr. Pernas has broad experience in both the public and private sectors. His public sector work includes Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Planning and Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) assignments for the Miami Intermodal Center, Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency (MDHA) and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, as well as numerous libraries, police stations and museums.

In the residential, hospitality, retail, commercial, entertainment, healthcare and education sectors, his Architecture and Interior Design work includes assignments for premium brands such as Disney, Sony, Fox Studios, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Albertsons and notable buildings including the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Saudi Arabia, and a 15-story office tower in Miami.

Additionally, he spent nearly a decade as an Adjunct and Full-Time Professor of Interior Design at the Miami International University of Art and Design, where he taught various technical courses that include Interior Design Codes and Regulations, Building and Mechanical Systems, Fundamental Construction Documents, Professional Practice, Digital Modeling, Commercial Design Studios, Residential Design Studios, Environmental and Sustainable Design, AutoCAD, Furniture Design and Advanced Construction Documents.

“Jorge is the entire package,” said MKDA Executive Managing Director Amanda Hertzler. “Having worked on a diverse range of projects worldwide for notable architecture firms, Jorge joins MKDA with a global perspective that will add tremendous value to our current team of professionals. His talent for defining spaces and design concepts through drawing and models will help our studio push the creative envelope further, and will allow us to offer more insightful and innovative designs.”

“We anticipate that Jorge’s firm-wide contribution will up our game in New York and Stamford,” added MKDA Partner Jeffrey Kleinberg. “Helping all three of our studios become increasingly proficient at Building Information Modeling will have a huge impact on how we work and the quality of work we provide our clients. We look forward to Jorge’s contributions.”

“With an impressive portfolio of work and a clear upward trajectory, MKDA Miami is on the leading edge of architecture and design in Miami, the Caribbean and beyond,” said Mr. Pernas. “I am thrilled to apply my technical expertise to further elevate the studio, soon to become South Florida’s leading creative studio, while also contributing to improvements at our New York and Stamford offices.”

Mr. Pernas graduated with honors from University of Miami School of Architecture with a Bachelor of Architecture and an Art History minor. During that time, he participated in the school’s European Architecture Study Abroad Program. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and has his national NCARB certification.

MKDA is a corporate planning and interior design firm that was established in New York, NY in 1959. The firm also has a Stamford, CT studio that provides corporate interior design services, and a Miami, FL studio that provides architecture and interior design services. MKDA has been named one of Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Interior Design Giants, has been an Interior Design Best of the Year Honoree, and has received numerous other accolades and recognition. Client brands have included Snapchat, SoundCloud, Guggenheim Partners, Design Within Reach and Heineken USA, as well as leading building owners Silverstein Properties, George Comfort & Sons, Vornado Realty Trust, Blackstone, ClearRock Properties and Boston Properties. www.mkda.com