Level Nine Architects (Level 9) is a full-service architecture firm founded in September 2017 by Jared Blake and Brendan Kemmerer. The company's inception truly occurred during the five years the two spent studying together at Temple University, earning their architecture degrees. While studying on the 9th floor of Temple's architecture building, Jared and Brendan developed a strong bond and shared vision for their future in the industry.
Throughout their years at Temple, Jared worked at architectural firms while Brendan worked in construction, allowing them to gain valuable experience in both areas. Upon graduation, both Jared and Brendan took positions in different architectural firms, but ultimately dreamed of creating their own custom designs and collaborating more personally with clients.
With this shared vision and unique blend of corporate architecture experience and construction expertise, Jared and Brendan launched Level 9 in 2017. The name, Level 9, pays homage to the bond formed and foundation of their careers on the 9th floor of Temple's architecture building.
Level 9 has experienced significant growth and expansion since its inception. The firm's commitment to high-quality design and excellent customer service has resulted in a steady increase in projects and clients. Most recently, Level 9 expanded its reach by opening a satellite office in Olympia, Washington, allowing the firm to better serve clients in the Pacific Northwest.
Today, the team at Level 9 consists of experienced architects and designers, including Jared and Brendan, as well as junior designers Gina Russo, Meredith Lapen, senior designer Nathan Rocker, and intern Benjamin Hoffman. With a focus on delivering exceptional results, Level 9 continues to be a leader in the architecture industry.
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Jared Melvin Blake, RA
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Jared Melvin Blake is a seasoned architect based in Philadelphia and the proud founder of Level Nine Architects, LLC. With 15 years of experience under his belt, Jared has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of architecture. He's not just an architect by trade, but a true lover of the industry, and it shows in the innovative and efficient designs he creates for his clients.
When he's not busy sketching up new buildings, Jared can be found on the golf course, perfecting his swing and dreaming up designs for his next big project. His passion for both architecture and golf make him a joy to work with and a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
So if you're looking for an imaginative and experienced architect who'll bring a fresh perspective to your next project, look no further than Jared Melvin Blake and Level Nine Architects. Just don't be surprised if he starts talking about golf mid-presentation.
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Brendan James Kemmerer, RA
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
If you’re looking for Brendan, you’d be most likely to find him checking out a construction site, working with his hands, kicking a soccer ball, or fixing anything with an engine. When he’s not doing any of those activities, you’ll find Brendan at the office (probably eating Stromboli) or out meeting with clients to ensure Level 9 delivers on their visions. Brendan’s favorite aspect of his role at Level 9 is building relationships with clients—communicating, listening, and delivering quality results quickly.
Brendan is one of the founders and principles of Level Nine Architects. He is registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has been working in the architecture and construction industry for over 15 years. He’s a devoted Philadelphia sports fan married to a passionate Pittsburgh sports fan, and together he and his wife are raising their son in as much competitive harmony as they can. -
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Meredith Lapen
JUNIOR DESIGNER
Meet Meredith Lapen, the junior architect who's making a big impact at Level Nine Architects. Since joining our team in the spring of 2021, she's been putting her education from Jefferson University to good use and has quickly become one of our rising stars. With a passion for both architecture and true crime, Meredith is equal parts designer and detective. Don't be fooled by her title as a junior architect, she's got the skills to solve any architectural puzzle and the wit to crack any true crime case... well, in her mind at least. Whether she's creating stunning designs or imagining herself as a crime-solving mastermind, Meredith is a valuable member of the Level Nine team and a joy to work with.
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Benjamin Hoffman
INTERN
Meet Benjamin Hoffman, the architectural intern with a knack for making blueprints look like works of art (or at least, that's what he tells us). Ben joined the Level Nine Architects team in the spring of 2022, and since then, he's been busy putting the "stud" in "student." With his Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Jefferson University just within reach, Ben is determined to make the most of his internship and soak up as much knowledge as possible.
