Our Team

Principal/Architect

John J. Recny, RA

John has been dedicated to designing successful building projects for educational, institutional, commercial, medical and faith communities for over forty years. He has been with HLR since 1998 and became the sole principal of the firm in 2017. As the leader of a small business, he establishes the firm’s design quality and vision, handles firm’s finances, is responsible for business development and staffing, and understands other small businesses have the same concerns and needs.

John is dedicated to high quality yet budget conscious design solutions, using technology to improve the efficiency of the firm’s drawings and specifications. He leads teams of engineers and consultants during design and enforces construction contracts for the firm’s clients. All of this has led to positive professional rapport with local contractors, engineers, consultants, and clientele and the completion of hundreds of successful projects.

Originally from Ohio, John received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kent State University in 1981. He holds an NCARB certificate and is a registered architect in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania.

Director of Architecture - Mid-Atlantic

Aaron Margolis, AIA

Aaron joins HLR Architects with over two decades of architectural expertise and a proven track record of leading diverse projects across commercial, municipal, and multifamily residential sectors. As Director of Architecture for the Virginia office, he will focus on maintaining the firm’s commitment to design excellence while expanding its capabilities in sustainable design and technological innovation. His approach combines strategic thinking with practical execution, ensuring projects consistently meet both design aspirations and financial objectives.

In his leadership role, Aaron oversees design and operations, emphasizing collaboration and client satisfaction. His expertise in construction methods, regulatory compliance, and project optimization throughout his career has resulted in significant cost savings and enhanced efficiency across numerous projects. He brings demonstrated success in streamlining processes, fostering team development, and maintaining strong relationships with clients, contractors, and consultants.

Originally from Massachusetts, Aaron holds a Master of Architecture degree from Boston Architectural College and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Technology from the University of Hartford. He is a registered architect in DC, Virginia, and Massachusetts, and a LEED Accredited Professional. His work has been recognized by industry leaders, including a recent listing in Marquis Who’s Who in America for Architecture & Building Design Professionals.

Senior Project Manager

Christopher Beck

Chris brings more than 30 years of building experience and knowledge, many of those years with HLR, going back nearly to when the firm first opened its doors. His professional journey includes several years working in building forensics, where he became an expert on how buildings “go together” successfully. He applies that knowledge to our design projects with practical and detailed solutions to construction challenges. In addition, Chris leads the team on many of our largest projects by coordinating and organizing the production both in-house and with our consultants.

Chris works closely with the firm’s Principal on building design and establishing our drawing content standards, and mentors the rest of the team in producing top-quality construction drawings and specifications that execute the vision for each project.

Project Manager / Designer

Cinthia Suarez

Cinthia is a Virginia based designer and has been practicing in the United States for over 10 years. She is originally from Bolivia and earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Privada Boliviana-Cochabamba. She is a licensed Architect in Bolivia and is in the process of attaining a license in Virginia.

Cinthia’s impressive background includes assisting with or managing large residential projects, residential additions and renovations, medical and dental offices, corporate offices, commercial and retail spaces, banks, industrial projects, and religious and community spaces. She has designed and managed projects from initial programming through construction, developing space layouts, code compliance review, material selections, and full construction documents.

Her expertise allows her to coordinate with consultants and contractors, consult with clients, and manage submittals and construction contract administration. She is also proficient in 3D rendering software (VectorWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, and Sketchup) and works with the Principal to visualize our buildings for our clients.

Cinthia works closely with the firm’s Principal and Senior Project Manager on architectural and interior design and is an integral part of the HLR team.