About Studio M
Mark is an architect and founder of Design Development, a boutique architectural firm based in White Plains, New York, specializing in mixed-use residential, retail, office, and entertainment projects. With more than 40 years of experience in architecture, planning, and development, he leads the firm’s work across Westchester County, Fairfield County, and nationally, collaborating with developers, municipalities, and design professionals.
His experience spans projects from individual renovations and retail fit-outs to large-scale mixed-use developments and master-planned communities, with more than $500 million in ground-up development currently under his direction. Prior to founding Design Development, Mark was a partner at Street-Works and an Associate at Planned Expansion Group.
Mark is a member of ULI, USGBC, AIA, and NCARB. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the New York Institute of Technology after studying civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts, and serves on the Board of Directors of REAP, supporting infrastructure and development projects in developing communities.
Auris Pena is an experienced architect and senior project manager responsible for every stage of design on many diverse mixed-use, residential and commercial projects. He is responsible for all phases of project documentation, from approvals through construction, and coordination of all A & E consultants. Auris leads the in-house architectural team, while maintaining direct client contact on all projects.
Auris brings 30 years of experience to the table and has managed production on over 50 million square feet of projects from large scale master plans to complex architectural building designs to small tenant fit-outs.
Auris has been with Design Development for 20 years, since it’s inception in 2005 and prior to that finished his 10 year tenure as a project manager with Street-Works a design and development consulting company, working
on the design of large scale developments around the country.
Auris received his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The City University of
New York.
Studio M is the dedicated design studio within Design Development, led by Mark and Auris. The studio builds on Design Development’s extensive experience with complex mixed-use projects, bringing a deep understanding of the challenges involved in coordinating residential, retail, office, entertainment, and public uses within a single development.
Studio M combines this experience with the personal attention and creative focus of a boutique practice. Our Approach throughout each project, working closely with clients to develop thoughtful solutions that respond to the opportunities and complexities of each design.
As part of Design Development, Studio M draws on the broader firm’s experience in planning, approvals, documentation, and construction, providing the creative focus of a smaller studio with the depth of an established practice.
