Our founding principal Everardo Jefferson is the 2020 recipient of the Rowena Reed Kostellow Award. Below is an excerpt from Pratt Institute’s announcement:

Everardo Jefferson BID ’68 is an architect who spent the last forty years creating modern designs that engage with the cultures and communities of New York. Jefferson studied at Pratt under Ivan Rigby, Bill Folger, and Rowena Reed. When he continued his education at the Yale School of Architecture, he took with him an understanding and attention to form, building a design philosophy centered on the experience of a place. Rowena had a great impact on Jefferson’s education that stayed with him throughout his career.

He co-founded Caples Jefferson Architects with Sara Caples, and for over thirty years they have focused their work on public and institutional clients, committed to engaging in the needs of the community. They are currently designing new institutional homes for The Africa Center and the Louis Armstrong House Museum. They won the AIA NY President’s Award in 2017 and State Firm of the Year in 2012, they were named City of New York MWBE of the Year in 2009; and the Architecture League of NY dubbed them Emerging Voices back in 1998. Jefferson has taught at colleges and universities, most recently as the Louis I. Kahn Visiting Assistant Professor at Yale School of Architecture. He is a New York City Landmarks Preservation Commissioner. Check out his work: capjeff.com

The Rowena Award recognizes people who advance the principles of design that Rowena Reed Kostellow developed and rewards those who have excelled with their application. They join 28 other champions of the Abstract Principles of Visual Relationships who have received the award, including: Gina Caspi, Ivan Rigby, Eva Zeisel, Gerald Gulotta, William Fogler, Eugene Grossman, Ralph Appelbaum, James Fulton, Louis Nelson and Judy Collins, Bruce Hannah, Ted Muehling, Lucia N. DeRespinis, Tom Patti, Leonard Bacich, Bill Katavolos, Charles Pollock, Ruth Shuman, RitaSue Siegel, Linda Celentano, Dr. Tom Schutte, and John Cafaro, Dean and Sandra Richardson and Rowena Young Designer awardees, Ariana Zarillo, Cindy Juett, Rene Bouchara and Simon Hamui.

rowenafund.org

News

Dec 1, 2025

In Memory of Robert A.M. Stern (1939–2025)

Dec 1, 2025

We at Caples Jefferson Architects are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robert A.M. Stern, one of the most influential architects and educators of our time. His prolific career shaped skylines, campuses, and communities around the world, and his commitment to architectural history, scholarship, and discourse enriched the profession for generations.

As a designer, dean, author, and mentor, Robert broadened the conversations around architectural identity and continuity. His work demonstrated how tradition and innovation can coexist with clarity and purpose, and his leadership at the Yale School of Architecture helped nurture a more inclusive and intellectually expansive field.

Robert’s mentorship was personal to CJA Principals, Everardo Jefferson and Sara Caples as he invited them to lecture and ultimately to teach studio at the Yale School of Architecture. Sara and Everardo are presently honored to be architects for the Africa Center, the anchor institution in Robert’s building located at 1280 5th Avenue.

A note from Sara and Everardo reflects the profound impact he had on our practice and on generations of architects:

“Sara and I will always remember Bob for his generosity, and our delightful impromptu encounters over time.
Bob was our first great mentor at Yale. He took a risk on two architects focused on social equity to teach a studio with our dream developer, Jonathan Rose.
Bob not only cared passionately about every detail, he got us all to care passionately too.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues at RAMSA, and the countless students and practitioners whose lives and careers he touched. His legacy will continue to inspire all who care deeply about the built environment.