Stephanie (December) Gaines has been an integral part of GROH Architecture (formerly CGHJ) since 1985, joining the firm shortly after graduating from Louisiana State University. She became a Principal in 1992. At LSU, Stephanie was one of only two women to graduate from an entering class of over 300 architecture students. While proud of this personal milestone, she is even more gratified by the significant increase in the number of women entering the field since her graduation in 1983. During her time at LSU, Stephanie developed a deep interest in localized historic architecture, the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, and the importance of urban infill projects that help restore communities impacted by urban renewal. This passion was sparked in historic New Orleans and ultimately led her to relocate to Tampa, where she has spent over four decades working in the city’s historic districts, including Ybor City, Hyde Park, and Tampa Heights. Stephanie has contributed to a wide range of high-profile projects over the years, including rezoning and entitlements, the renovation and adaptive reuse of the historic structures, residential developments of all types, as well as large scale assisted living and memory care facilities. She has enjoyed the privilege of working with a dynamic range of clients. For her, relationship-building through design remains a cornerstone of her professional philosophy. “Architecture is more than simply creating a physical space. It is about shaping environments that reflect and respond to human experience. It’s an art form that combines aesthetics and functionality and in which the Architect must consider how spaces will be used, how they merge with their surroundings and most importantly, how they make people feel.