Principal | NCARB | LEED AP BD+C
Jim Kassay graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Having interned at ADA Architects, once he graduated, he joined the firm.
Initially, Jim was involved predominantly in local developer projects in Northeast Ohio for new retail spaces, shopping center and strip retail renovations, and restaurants. His work was design oriented, focusing on renderings and conceptual design.
In the early 2000s, the firm expanded nationally. Jim became the go to person for architectural design and concepting services across all client types and teams in the office. In 2006, the firm entered the childcare industry. Each client required significant design input, fit planning, and concept design including prototype designs. He excelled at helping clients through complex regulations that affected every square inch of space.
Over the years, the firm grew nationally with multiple childcare clients and Jim began running this division of the company, which amounted to 30 percent of the firm’s revenue. The firm now offers services to childcare providers across the US in suburban and urban settings.
Jim helped the firm to develop expertise in childcare tenant improvement work in urban environments such as New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago. He has led teams through the challenging process of permitting, construction, and the complexities that come with working in urban settings. For example, work often entails adapting existing spaces with many columns and irregularly shaped plans to ensure the client’s vision for learning strategies and outcomes are met. Jim sees ADA’s role as one of alchemist: blending the client’s curriculum and strategies for educating young children with the complexity of building code and licensing regulations.
Running the childcare division of the firm placed Jim in the position of moving into an ownership role at the firm which began in 2019. In 2021, he and Brian Quinn became owners of ADA. His approach and attitude of doing whatever it takes to serve the client and getting things done is the tone he continues to set and uphold at ADA.
Education
University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Architecture
Registration
LEED BD+C Accredited
Registered Architect
Hobbies
Outdoors, camping, mountain biking, family time with daughters and wife, and coaching his kids
Most Admired Practitioner
Santiago Calatrava
Meet our President, Brian Quinn and Mascot, Archie.
Get in touch with Jim.
Confidentially tell him about your plans to become an architect or launch a new retail prototype. Whatever the case, we’re ready to have that conversation.
