Our Story
The name Gnome comes from a historical idea: a gnome was a personal marker of space, placed to signify ownership of a garden plot. We think of every building we design the same way — a precise, considered presence that belongs unmistakably to its site and the people it serves.
We are based in the BOK building in South Philadelphia, at the center of a community of makers, craftspeople, and collaborators who share our commitment to the quality of the built environment.
WORK WITH US
Derek Spencer, RA
Principal Architect and Technical Director
Professional Licensure: PA, DE
Guided by the belief that each project has a hidden identity, Derek guides the team at Gnome to ask the right questions and dig deeper into the possibilities of how design can not only shape a building, but influence the identity of a community. With a background spanning architecture and real estate development, Derek leads Gnome’s commercial and muti-family studio. From early feasibility planning through underwriting, he sets clear parameters at the outset and guides clients with clarity and confidence. He's most at home on the construction site, following a project from first sketch to final detail to make sure what gets built holds true to the original vision.
Gabriel Deck, RA, AIA, LEED AP
Principal Architect and Design Director
Professional Licensure: PA, NJ
Gabriel brings more than two decades of experience to Gnome, leading creative direction across the firm's portfolio with a focus on site-specific, contextually rooted work. Heading up Gnome’s residential studio, he begins each project in close collaboration with clients, investing in the relationships that uncover their needs and translate their vision into architecture that feels purposeful and of its place. As a founding partner, he has shaped Gnome's design philosophy from the ground up, building a practice defined by the quality of its relationships as much as the quality of its work.
Awards & Press
FORBES, 2025
Design Excellence Award: Bowery Place
AIA BUCKS COUNTY, 2025
AIA PA Merit Award - 17 West
PA AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS 2025
Design Excellence Award: Mud Road Residence
AIA BUCKS COUNTY, 2024Gold Award: Bowery Place
BRICK INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, 2024
BRICK INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, 2024
A team grounded in collaboration and curiosity, bringing distinct perspectives and care to every detail.
Gabriel Deck
Gabriel co-founded Gnome on the belief that great design begins with great listening. With a particular love for adaptive reuse and buildings with history, he leads the firm's creative direction through close client collaboration and a hands-on process that more often than not begins with pencil and trace paper.
Derek Spencer
From Lego bricks as a child, to masonry facades in his professional work, Derek has always been drawn to the details. As a founding partner, he oversees the technical rigor of the firm, making sure designs translate into buildable details in the field.
Brenna March
A senior member of the Gnome team, Brenna turns complex challenges into well-resolved buildings across the greater Philadelphia region. Her experience runs from custom homes to mixed-use developments, and her command of zoning and building codes keeps projects moving smoothly for clients and communities alike.
Matt Fromboluti
Growing up sketching plans at his father’s firm, Matt built an early foundation in architecture that has shaped a fifteen-year career of real range, from adaptive-reuse restaurants in Michigan to large-scale mixed-use developments in Philadelphia. At Gnome, he focuses on multi-family and mixed-use work, from early schematic design through construction administration he guides clients with confidence and experience.
Justin Bright
Philadelphia-educated and a resident for more than a decade, Justin has spent his career designing residential projects and custom homes across the region. From tight urban lots to sprawling residences, he's drawn to the puzzle of balancing history, function, and modern living. Outside the studio, you'll find him seeking out great restaurants, exploring the city, or visiting museums for inspiration.
Lesia Pawlyszyn
Lesia began her career in New York City, developing a well-rounded practice across architecture and interior design, before returning to Philadelphia to focus on residential work. She designs through the lens of human behavior and experience, shaping environments that support how people live and feel. Her fluency in interior specification and her love of interiors carry into projects of every scale in the studio.
Jeff Pond
Jeff is a licensed architect with more than ten years of experience across residential, multi-family, and mixed-use projects. A background in fabrication gives him a practical, detail-oriented eye and a real appreciation for how buildings come together. He guides projects from concept through construction, working closely with clients, consultants, and project teams.
Colin Rupp
A Senior Designer at Gnome, Colin turns design ideas into thoughtful, buildable architecture, guiding residential and interiors projects from concept through construction. Grounded in the artistic and theoretical side of the discipline, he continues to explore design through travel, architectural photography, and graphic design.
Jacky Patel
Born and raised in Malawi and holding a Master of Architecture from Thomas Jefferson University, Jacky approaches architecture as both a discipline and an inquiry. A deliberate generalist, he values craft, proportion, and the quiet ways a space shapes daily life. Outside the studio, he finds his rhythm in electronic dance music.
Kody Cheung
An architectural designer at Gnome, Kody is drawn to spaces that carry a sense of identity and place. A graduate of Drexel University's Bachelor of Architecture program, he has a deep appreciation for architecture's role in shaping where we live, work, and play. Outside the studio, you'll find him at concerts, in the kitchen, or wandering the city in search of the best matcha.
Jake Demott
A recent Temple University graduate, Jake is drawn to architecture at every scale, from fine details to the ways design can shape human experience and emotion. Specializing in digital rendering and visualization, he looks to emerging technology to expand what is possible in the built environment.
Joe Greene
Joe grew up in Rhode Island and completed his undergraduate degree at Ohio State before coming to Philadelphia for Penn's Master of Architecture program. He's drawn to the intersection of architecture and graphic design, always looking for fresh ways to visually communicate the ideas behind a project.
We’d love to hear about what you're dreaming up or building next.
Every project starts by understanding the people, place, and purpose behind it. We’d love to hear what you’re building.
Project Inquiry
(215) 279-7531
info@gnomearch.com
1901 S 9th St
Room 302A
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Merging multi-faceted design
solutions with everyday life.
(215) 279-7531
info@gnomearch.com
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Project Inquiry
1901 S 9th St
Room 302A
Philadelphia, PA 19148
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@gnomearch
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