Team — NAVA

DAVID RUFF

David is the founding principal of NAVA and heads both the Architecture and Development divisions of the company. David leads a team of architects and designers committed to creating the extraordinary, investigating bold and innovative ideas and creating the visionary aesthetics that distinguishes NAVA projects.

David leads the development division of NAVA, overseeing asset acquisition, zoning and financial analytics, financing and investor relations. Through the early and rigorous integration of architectural and financial modeling and design, NAVA capitalizes on opportunities that support our mission and build our investor’s trust and loyalty.

Prior to founding NAVA, David was President of Design Laboratories LLC, an international architecture and design firm with projects in the US, Europe, India and China. David has taught graduate architecture studios at the Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design in New York City. David holds a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University and studied graduate architecture at Princeton University and Columbia University where he earned his Master of Architecture. He is an accomplished violinist having attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, and proudly serves on the Board of Trustees of the Becket Chimney Corners YMCA in Massachusetts. David is a registered architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

JORDANNA IBGHY

Director of Operations and Senior Designer
jordanna@nava.nyc

Jordanna Ibghy graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Architecture and holds a Post-Professional Master of Architecture with a focus in Urban Design and Housing from McGill University. Prior to her graduate studies, she completed her undergraduate degree in Architectural Design and Architectural History, Theory, and Criticism at the University of Toronto. She has previously held critical roles on projects of various types and scales in the US, Canada, and abroad, including urban vision plans, cultural and residential buildings, public art, and international exhibitions. Jordanna worked for Richard Meier Partners in New York City on a residential tower and a luxury beach resort project prior to joining NAVA.

ANABELLA ACEVEDO PEÑA

Designer
anabella@nava.nyc

Anabella Acevedo Peña graduated with a master’s degree in urban planning with a focus in Urban Design from The City College of New York (CUNY) and an undergraduate degree in Architecture and Design from Universidad Simón Bolívar in Caracas, Venezuela. Her previous experience comprises projects of varying scales and typologies, working in both public space and residential architecture in Caracas, Venezuela and in Bogotá, Colombia. Her academic work investigated urban informality, border regions, affordable housing and air rights legislation and zoning in New York City. She joined NAVA in 2022.