Team

Toner Architects was founded with one singular goal in mind; collaborate with clients who enjoy the process of design, architecture, and building. We’re a collaborative team that enjoys challenges and a creative vision. We believe in investigating a broad spectrum of ideas on each project, in order to discover the most effective solutions.

Ian

Ian Toner
Founder & Principal

AIA | NCARB | LEED AP BD+C
State Registrations: PA, NJ, DE

Ian is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and holds certification with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is a LEED-Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis.

Beginning in 1999, Ian worked for architecture firms in San Francisco and Philadelphia, on projects ranging from small kitchen and bathroom renovations to multi-million-dollar hotels and laboratories. He has served intermittently on the Architecture Faculty at Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University), teaching freshman courses in basic design principles, as well as upper-class seminars in Revit modeling and technical documentation. He regularly serves as a guest critic at other Philadelphia architecture schools. Ian’s teaching is geared towards helping students to be better able to understand and describe their own design processes through improved verbal, technical, and graphic skills.

In his free time, Ian enjoys reading books, collecting quirky treasures to display in the office, and spending the weekends at the shore with his family. You can get a peek inside his head on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/tonerarch.

Sara Shonk Pochedly
Principal

AIA | NCIDQ | NCARB | LEED AP BD+C
State Registrations: PA, OH

Sara is a highly motivated Architect, Interior Designer and Sustainable Designer with design experience in residential, higher education, K-12 facilities, health care, preservation, sustainability, commercial, retail and hospitality design.  In addition, she was an Adjunct Professor at Kent State University teaching Architecture and Interior Design.  As a perpetual student of architecture, she actively engages in new experiences that will advance her knowledge and skills.  Sara has a passion for design competitions, mid-century modern architecture, and technology. When Sara is not at work, you can find her chasing her daughters and enjoying family hikes.

Sara joined Toner Architects in 2016 and was promoted to Principal in 2021. She is a registered architect in Pennsylvania and Ohio, a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and holds certifications with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She is a LEED-Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, and a Master of Business Administration, all from Kent State University.

Bart Bajda
Project Manager

RA |  NCARB | LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE
State Registrations: PA

As a strong advocate of innovation and sustainability, Bart aims to continue learning to ultimately create sound and successful design.  After graduating Marywood University’s School of Architecture with a Bachelor of Architecture, Bart remained in Scranton while working for a firm where he gained vital experience in various project types including but not limited to higher education, corporate, health care, residential, and adaptive re-use.

Bart is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania, LEED Green Associate, and holds certification with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).  He frequently returns to Marywood University as a guest juror for student architectural reviews.  In his spare time, he pursues his passion for designing and building furniture.

Devon Kahley
Designer

Coming from Warwick, Pennsylvania, Devon is a 4th year student at Drexel University enrolled in the 2+4 Architecture program. Drexel has a unique program that integrates students into the field while simultaneously taking classes. Devon’s intentions are to apply his creative and interpersonal communicative skills and his immense passion for architecture to offer a better future for communities through design.

When not in the classroom or in the office, Devon enjoys playing guitar and piano and is actively involved in his local church in Powelton Village where he plays guitar for the band.

Sam

Sam Katovitch
Project Manager

RA | NCARB | LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE
State Registrations: PA

Sam is a transplant from Ithaca, New York who came to Philadelphia as part of his pursuit of sustainable architecture and design. Though he came for school, he stayed for his deep affection for the city. Sam is a graduate from Drexel University’s 2+4 Architecture program and has been a key member of the Toner Architects Team since September 2018. He has a varied background including working previously in both the design and construction sectors of the architecture industry. Sam is passionate about sustainability and green design. He is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania and a LEED Green Associate.

Sam applies his interest and enthusiasm for technologies old and new to his work, and advocates embracing new ideas and methods while responding to established techniques. Besides architecture, Sam enjoys hiking, road trips, film photography, and exploring and documenting Philadelphia.

Catharine

Catharine Lowery
Director of Operations

RA |  NCARB
State Registrations: PA

Catharine joined Toner Architects after years of professional experience spanning across multiple states in the Eastern US. Working extensively in both New York City and North Carolina, she specializes in high end residential construction and boutique commercial projects with additional experience in historic preservation and urban planning. While her first love is architecture, Catharine also has a special interest in graphic design. She’s curated and worked on exhibitions in New York City and Kentucky and has provided branding and prototype design for various companies.

Catharine is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania and holds certification with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). She has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kentucky with a minor in Art History. In her free time, you can find her exploring the diverse neighborhoods of Philadelphia or venturing to sculpture parks all over the US.

Melanie

Melanie McMonagle
Interior Designer & Administrative Assistant

With a background in sustainability-focused nonprofit work, Melanie is passionate about building a world that better serves everyone in it. She is excited to apply this at Toner Architects in her hometown of Philadelphia. Melanie studied Geography at McGill University and has experience coordinating public recreation space expansion in Philly, leading sustainability initiatives at McGill and organizing policy advocacy on Capitol Hill.

In her free time, Melanie can be found trying new restaurants with friends, hanging out with family and enjoying time in nature.

Suzanne Monto
Project Manager

RA |  NCARB | LEED AP BD+C
State Registrations: PA, NY, NC

After completing a Bachelor of Art in Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture from Montana State University, Suzanne moved to New York where she gained experience in a broad range of project types including renovations of apartments, apartment house lobbies, cultural facilities and offices. In 2022, she relocated with her husband and two daughters to her husband’s hometown of Philadelphia, where she got her bearings working for the City of Philadelphia before joining Toner Architects.

Suzanne is a registered architect in Pennsylvania, New York and North Carolina, a LEED-Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design and Construction and she holds certifications with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). If she’s not gardening in her free time, she’s likely to be found exploring Philadelphia’s exceptional public gardens, parks and art museums with her family.

Gabe Robinson
Designer

Gabe is a recent transplant from Denver with over five years of experience in commercial project types, ranging from mountain resort hotels and mixed-use developments to K-12 school design and master planning. With a particular interest in adaptive reuse and a passion for sustainable design, he brings a unique perspective to his work with unexpected insights from his decade of experience working in finance prior to attending grad school for architecture. Gabe holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado.

In his free time, Gabe enjoys working on home improvements to his old twin home, hiking, biking, reading, seeking out live music and exploring Philadelphia with his wife Kerry, daughter Miles, and dog Moose.

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WHAT’S YOUR VISION?

Contact us to discuss your project, ask us questions and get to know us. 

We’re a versatile firm working in a variety of capacities for a variety of clients. For private clients, we’re patient and thorough in crafting a new home. For commercial clients in the building community, we’re a force-multiplier in the Philadelphia region and in the city in-particular. In short, we’re here to collaborate with you. We’ll bring our best!