Robert Clemens, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Managing Principal & Director of Strategic Growth at Perkins&Will

New York, New York, United States

About

Collaborative, purpose‑driven design and business leader with deep experience across architecture, the built environment, and global professional services organizations. Known for uniting multidisciplinary teams, aligning design excellence with operational performance, and guiding complex organizations through growth and transformation to deliver high‑quality and meaningful outcomes. Over a career in architecture and design services, I have built trusted relationships with clients, partners, and executive leadership while expanding my impact beyond design into strategy, operations, and organizational performance. Grounded in my foundation as an architect, I believe the true value and identity of a design firm are expressed through its everyday culture—not marketing language—and that, in a rapidly evolving design services landscape, authentic relationships, thoughtful leadership, and creative rigor are essential to being a trusted advisor and long‑term partner.

Experience

  • Perkins&Will (Full-time · 4 yrs 11 mos)
    • Director of Strategic Growth
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    • Managing Director
      Jun 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

    • Director Of Operations
      Aug 2021 - Sep 2023 · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • Cohort Member at Sidara Leadership Institute
    Jun 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • STUDIOS Architecture (New York)
    • Managing Principal
      Oct 2017 - Sep 2020 · 3 yrs

    • Associate Principal
      Jan 2014 - Oct 2017 · 3 yrs 10 mos

      Highlighted Projects: - Chelsea Market Master Plan - NYC - Google & Taconic Investment Partners - Hudson Square Master Plan - NYC - Including: 100 & 92 Avenue of the Americas, 160 Varick Street, 345 Hudson Street, and 350 Hudson Street - Hines NY, Norges & Trinity - Dentsu Aegis Network - NYC & Chicago - 220 11th Avenue - NYC - Moinian Group - Private Residence - 171 West 57th Street - NYC - Private Residence - Westhampton Beach, NY - Medidata - NYC - 5 City Center Campus - Allentown, PA - Market Line at Essex Crossing - NYC - L&M Partners, Taconic Investment Partners & Prusik Group - 1155 Avenue of the Americas - NYC - The Durst Organization - Scholastic Headquarters - NYC - 600 Third Avenue - NYC - L&L - 1133 Avenue of the Americas - NYC - The Durst Organization

  • Project Architect at Roger Ferris + Partners
    Sep 2006 - Jan 2014 · 7 yrs 5 mos

    Mr. Clemens has been involved in commercial and residential projects in capacities ranging from graphic design and presentation, schematic design, construction document production, shop drawing review and on-site construction administration. Highlighted Projects: -East 82nd Street - 12k s.f. Historic Townhouse Renovation and Addition, New York -East 65th/64th Street - 31k s.f. Historic Townhouse Renovations and Addition, New York -East 67th Street - 27k s.f. Historic Townhouse Renovation and Addition, New York -Topping Rose House Hotel & Spa, Bridgehampton, New York (completed 2013) -Historic Single Family Renovations and New Construction, 30k s.f. 9 acre, six building estate, Southampton, New York (completed 2009) -Single Family Apartment Renovation - East 88th Street, New York (completed 2013)

  • Project Architect at Christopher Williams Architects LLC
    Jul 2002 - Sep 2006 · 4 yrs 3 mos

    As a member of a small but growing firm, Mr. Clemens acted as a project architect for a number of fast-track and complicated projects. He worked with the client from initial programming all the way through construction completion. He was a critical part of the firm’s growth, involving himself in active marketing, expanding the client base, and developing in-house design standards. -Cowles Foundation – Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut -Sheffield Sterling Strathcona Hall – Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut -Darien Playhouse, Darien, Connecticut