Since founding J. KURTZ Architects Ltd. in Cleveland in 2016, Jonathan has established his practice as a leading contributor to the critical cultural landscape of the region. J. KURTZ Architects is a studio operating at the intersection of intuition, knowledge, and craft to meet demanding intentions. His practice works purposefully across project types and scales to maintain conceptual and technical dexterity while expanding value to clients; designing buildings of distinct character which shape new behaviors.

Jonathan has been fortunate to have worked with the region’s leaders in the arts, culture, education, and civic engagement. Since its founding, the studio has worked with the Cleveland Institute of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, The Hawken Mastery School, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Cleveland Public Library, the Cleveland Print Room, the George Gund Foundation, Temple Tifereth Israel, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, and Lake View Cemetery among many other individuals and organizations.

Jonathan holds a Master of Architecture Degree with Distinction from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Architecture with Honors from Kent State University. His work has received broad recognition by peers and publications for over 20 years in which time he’s led projects to win over 50 design awards. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Cleveland Arts Prize Emerging Artist Award for Architecture. Jonathan teaches design studios at KSU, serves as a guest critic at universities throughout the country, and has acted as design juror for several State AIA and ASLA Awards programs.