Stephanie Bassler
Partner, Technical Director
An expert in sustainable and green building design and a Certified Passive House Consultant, Stephanie brings a whole-systems approach to every project, with a particular interest in emerging high-performance building technologies and the challenges of adaptive reuse of historic structures. Her work as North River’s principal Architect has included large-scale master planning and development projects, numerous net-zero and Passive House residential designs, the Passive House-certified Women’s Leadership Center at the Omega Institute, and a LEED-Certified multi-floor renovation for Eileen Fisher, Inc. in New York City. Stephanie is on the board of the Passive House Alliance – Hudson Valley chapter. After practicing architecture for a decade in NYC, Stephanie moved to the Hudson Valley in 2006 with her family to focus on energy-efficient design. Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University and is licensed to practice architecture in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Peter Reynolds
Partner, Design Director
Peter has 30 years of experience in the field. He has been the lead designer of many local and community design, construction, and planning projects, including a number of new dormitory and academic buildings on the Bard College campus and at the Omega Institute. Working closely and collaboratively with contractors, engineers and owners, Peter has earned a reputation as a local expert in modern sustainable design with a sensitivity to local context and affordability — recently extended by his own design-build home project with North River, the Accord, NY Passive House. Throughout his extensive design career, Peter has produced distinguished residences, commercial offices and institutional projects throughout the Hudson Valley, New York City, New England, California, and the Caribbean. He has been a consultant on sustainable master plan and renewable energy strategy for public sector and corporate clients.
Peter is a Harvard University graduate, and began his career as a self-taught designer-builder trained in the Pattern Language tradition of Christopher Alexander.
Christopher Ruel
Partner, Operating Director
Combining his personal interest in construction and woodworking with 15 years of award-winning design experience in architecture, Chris is North River’s authority on environmentally-conscious construction methods. He started his career in mixed-use commercial redevelopment, hospitality and high-end residential projects in the New York City metro area after receiving his Bachelors of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology. In 2015, Chris joined the North River team in an effort to re-engage the single-family market and apply his passion for craft and detail to mid- and high-end residential projects.
Chris now works in both the design and build sectors of the company, assisting in design and production, as well as running the NRDB team.
Madeline Russo
Office Manager
Madeline joined the North River team in 2017 after working in community development in Hudson, NY and transportation advocacy in New York City. She served as Chair of the Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Committee from 2019-2022, and previously studied straw bale construction and residential energy use monitoring technology while earning her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at Oberlin College. Madeline brings a broad awareness of energy efficient practices and has also overseen and managed North River’s efforts in marketing, outreach and administrative organization.
Lenore Elbrecht
Business Manager
Lenore is the person who keeps our trains running on schedule. With an extensive background in business organization and accountability, she maintains the team accountability and communications between our systems. When she isn’t reminding us all of our highest business needs, she can be found gardening or dancing, or both together.
Rebecca Bates
Business Administrator/Accounts
Rebecca has been with North River since late 2020 and has been the support system to our business management. When not working on intensive spreadsheets, she spends her free time working on other, also intensive spreadsheets, and taking photographs.
Juan Catano
Construction Manager
Helping to keep the builds running as smoothly as possible, Juan develops budgets, interfaces with the build teams, manages schedules and helps with client communications. When not keeping the systems moving with a spreadsheet, Juan is found chasing his daughters or on his bike.
Biagio Gugliotta
Senior Project Manager
Biagio comes to our projects with a wealth of knowledge in the industry, and a long history of sustainable building practices, as well as fine woodworking and technical HVAC installations. When not keeping us at the forefront of construction detailing, Biagio is found studying, mountain biking or showing off some puck skills on the ice.
William Dunwoody
Project Manager
William joined our team in late 2021, moving back from the West Coast, where he’s been leading projects and building modern residential homes. When he isn’t helping our teams stay on schedule and work well together, he can be found with his wife and three daughters, keeping things calm with his radio personality skills.
Amanda Brunner
Junior Architectural Designer
Amanda came to North River right after completing her B. Arch at Syracuse University in 2020, and has been working across all of our project types to help refine and detail our Flexhouse Series.
Tim Smith
Draftsperson
Tim came to North River during his drafting program at SUNY Dutchess, and has become a full-time member of our production team in 2022.
Miles Dandrew
Project Manager
Miles, who is a Certified Passive House Builder, comes into the field of residential construction from a long background in commercial construction and carpentry, bringing his strong attention to detail and carpenter’s eye. Miles played baseball through college, but admits that his baseball career peaked early. Fortunately for our team, his acumen and skill set in the building trade has continued to improve with each passing year. When not pushing projects to beat their deadlines, you can find Miles in the gym, hiking, or watching just about any sport available.
Carter Blease
Assistant Carpenter
Carter comes to North River Design Build with a background in carpentry rooted in boat building and repair, and is pursuing continued education in architecture while working with our teams.
Jessica Kenny
Construction Assistant/Social Media
Jessica comes to North River with a history in sustainable consulting, and helps our teams across the board, from construction support to social media coordination and implementation.