JOHNSON STUDIO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Project Architect
Allison Clark joined Cooper Carry in 2015 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2022. As a member of the Hospitality Studio, she worked on multiple boutique hotels, mixed-use, and master planning projects. In 2022, she moved to The Johnson Studio after routinely collaborating with them through our mixed-use ecosystem and being inspired by their creative, immersive restaurant environments, like Ambar Restaurante and The Garden Room.
Allison has pursued sustainability efforts throughout her career. At Cooper Carry, she was a key leader in developing the STAC program (Sustainability Tier Achievement Challenge), which sought to elevate sustainable performance on all projects in the firm. She was also a member of the winning team for 2019 Radical Innovation, an annual awards competition for the global hospitality industry that recognizes excellence in design, architecture, travel, and industry products.
Allison earned her Master of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and completed studies in acoustics while pursuing her degree. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Principal
' genuine warmth is felt by clients and suppliers alike as she builds trusted relationships across the hospitality, building and design industries. She orchestrates a natural harmony between interiors and architecture and oversees lighting design for the studio. Anita grasps the powerful emotional appeal of a well-lit space. Often partnering with artisans to create exceptional, custom pieces, she transforms a status quo restaurant into a warm and intimate dinner party, causing hushed admiration for the love on the plate and the company at the table. She can equally set a room aflame with bright bursts of sparkling energy that make the possibilities of one evening seem endless. It's all about the drama. The trick is subtlety, and at this, Anita excels. Anita has spent her 25 year career working at The Johnson Studio, where she began her journey as an architect. She was named Associate Principal in 2016 and Principal in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University. To see and feel Anita's talent, visit the rich Rathbun's, cozy Krog Bar, and opulent Ecco in Atlanta; dramatic Legal Sea Foods in Boston; and luxurious Fearing's at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Lighting Designer
As a sole practitioner in 1987, Bill Johnson never dreamed that restaurants and restaurant design would grow in popularity they way they did over the next decades. As the popularity of chef-driven cuisine and going out to eat expanded, the projects poured in. One person became a studio that has continued to grow and develop to this day. At first, the projects were only local, but Atlanta was growing rapidly, so there was plenty to do.
Soon though, as national players came to Atlanta, they discovered The Johnson Studio and before long we were working coast to coast and beyond. We have now designed more than 600 restaurants and been fortunate enough to work with such industry luminaries as Dean Fearing, Eric Ripert, Richard Blais, John Folse, Kevin Rathbun, Pano Karatassos and Traci Des Jardins.
After 30 years building our reputation as an award-winning restaurant design firm, The Johnson Studio joined global design firm Cooper Carry in 2016. Now The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry, led by Principal Anita Summers, we add our deep expertise in restaurants to Cooper Carry's 60 years of architectural experience in Hospitality, Mixed-Use, Office Workplace and numerous other studios.
Job Titles:
- Interior Designer
- Member of the Leadership Team
joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2016 and was promoted to Associate in 2021. She graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. Christy joined The Johnson Studio after graduation and became a registered interior designer two years later. With a desire to create unique and memorable experiences, Christy's passion lies in designing restaurants and other hospitality spaces. She has worked from start to finish on a variety of restaurants and bars all over the world. From Kaiser's Chophouse in Atlanta to the historic renovation of The Plaza Hotel in El Paso, TX to a renovation of several venues at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Christy looks to bring her client's vision to life in an upbeat and impactful way.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Certified Senior Interior Designer
- Project Interior Designer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Director of Design
joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2021 as a Senior Interior Designer and Senior Associate. Elizabeth has worked in various sectors of hospitality and residential interior design, including hotel and resort, restaurant, casino, maritime, and mixed-use. She has project experience throughout the United States and internationally, including in the Caribbean, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Korea.
Storytelling and concept building are key for Elizabeth's creative process; the story provides a guide for design decisions made throughout the project. Elizabeth also values collaboration between clients, designers, and craftspeople who all work toward a common goal.
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Texas Tech University. She is a Certified Interior Designer (CID) in the State of New York and a member of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She is an active participant in internship mentoring programs and enjoys serving on student portfolio review boards.
Elizabeth Hughes joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2021 as a Senior Interior Designer and Senior Associate. Elizabeth has worked in various sectors of hospitality and residential interior design, including hotel and resort, restaurant, casino, maritime, and mixed-use. She has project experience throughout the United States and internationally, including in the Caribbean, UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Korea.
Job Titles:
- Designer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Emma Ressler joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2022 as a Designer I. They received their Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Interior Design from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and their Master of Architecture from Georgia Tech. They went on to spend some time working in urban design prior to joining The Johnson Studio. Emma's experience lends to thinking about design at all scales - from the overall site to the small details and how everything works together to create impactful places of connection. They are a WELL AP, and practice their creative skills through painting, drawing, and creating stained glass in their free time.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Principal
With more than 15 years of hospitality design experience, Juliana Kerschen has worked on a variety of projects ranging from rooftop bars and high end restaurants to private country clubs. Juliana was named an Associate Principal in 2022. As project interior designer with the Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry, Juliana enjoys working with clients from conceptual design through construction to achieve their overall project vision. Some of her work includes Prato Italian Gastropub, Del Frisco's Double Eagle in Washington, DC, Roof at The Wit Hotel and Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, NC. Juliana graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She is NCIDQ certified and a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Principal
Keith Schutz joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 1995 with a background in hospitality, corporate and educational design. He was named Associate Principal in 2016. In addition to his role as a project architect, Keith handles studio workflow and manages the architectural staff. With more than 25 years of experience and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Tennessee, Keith contributes his strong technical detailing expertise to maintaining the quality our firm's work. Cypress, in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of Keith's most distinctive projects. He contrasted the historic brick structure with a chic, modern design and incorporated a three-story wine wall that always impresses guests. Some of his newest projects include the luxury suites at Philips Arena and Lumen at the downtown Ritz-Carlton, both in Atlanta, Carmine's in Las Vegas, NV, Manzanita at the Lake Tahoe Ritz-Carlton, Fearing's at the Dallas Ritz-Carlton, TX, and Tru in Chicago, IL.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Project Manager
has specialized in restaurant design since the start of his career in 1996. After finishing his Bachelor of Architecture at Virginia Tech, Kevin moved to Atlanta where he briefly worked for a small design-build firm before joining The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry. Kevin is the go-to guy for all things technical, and he enjoys keeping abreast of innovation. He also has a passion for photography and gadgets of all kinds. Kevin has lent his expertise to many of Atlanta's most popular restaurants, including Rathbun's, Kevin Rathbun Steak, and Bistro Niko. Kevin was named Associate in 2017 and Senior Associate in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Project Architect
- in 2021 As a Project Architect
Kristy Chiu joined The Johnson Studio in 2021 as a Project Architect, with deep experience in New York architecture and construction. She enjoys the interdisciplinary aspect of architecture, problem solving, and seeing all the parts come together. She brings together the creative and the technical to see that drawings come to life. She enjoys exploring diverse places, especially through food, and strives to improve the spaces where we live, work, and play through her work.
Kristy holds a Bachelor of Architecture from The Cooper Union.
Job Titles:
- Interior Designer
- Member of the Leadership Team
Megan Prater joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2020. The Atlanta native always wanted to pursue a creative career, and she received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a minor in Business from Auburn University. During her academic tenure, she studied art and architecture in Italy, igniting her passion for creating hospitality-focused environments that connect people with the story of a place.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Project Manager
- in 2022 As a Project Manager
Molly graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University in 2008.
Job Titles:
- Interior Designer
- Member of the Leadership Team
joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2018 after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Auburn University. Rachael has worked on a mix of new-build restaurant and bar projects, along with public space renovations. Her work includes Casa Don Alfonso at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, Spaceman at Hyatt Centric Buckhead, and The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at her alma mater, Auburn University. Rachael's attention to detail and creative, stylistic vision help shape memorable spaces.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Project Manager
With his 25 years of experience, the Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry is happy to have Randy Miller at the helm of many of our architectural projects. Before joining us in 2005, Randy worked at several prestigious national and boutique architecture firms on diverse project types such as hospitality, food and beverage, medical and commercial office, and custom residential. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University and is registered in Georgia, Colorado, and Montana. Some of his work includes KR Steakbar in Atlanta, One Flew South in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and Restaurant R'evolution in New Orleans. Randy was named Senior Associate in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Project Architect
- Member of American Institute of Architects
returned to The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry as a Project Architect in 2022. She began her career as an intern in The Johnson Studio while earning her bachelor's and master's degrees in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology. Since then, Rebecca has established herself as a designer in a variety of building types, such as higher education, office workplace, residential, aviation, and adaptive reuse. This wide range of experience has helped Rebecca strengthen her ability to problem solve and adapt to the changing needs of a project. She excels in project communication and management.
Rebecca is a member of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a LEED Green Associate. In her spare time, Rebecca volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Purchasing Manager
joined The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in 2018 after more than 25 years of design and purchasing experience with a variety of firms. She has worked with several different project types, including hospitality, residential, and senior living. Virginia started her career in corporate design, but her main focus the last 20 years has been FF&E purchasing. From preliminary budget and PO preparation to coordination between the vendors, designers, owners, and contractors to final installation, she handles all the details. Organization, communication, and persistence are her strong points.
Virginia holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from Auburn University.