DEDICATED TO DIVERSITY
DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) policy statement for CDG:
Since our start in 1988, our doors have always been open to all. We operate with commitment to a diverse environment as an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age or veteran status. CDG is also committed to fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. At times we have been limited by the lack of qualified applicants in the architectural and design profession, which ebbs and flows with economic and social influences. We are always committed to active and ongoing recruitment to achieve a diverse team and to support an equitable work culture that is inclusive and inspiring to foster creativity and professional growth for each member of the team.
CDG is a State Women-Owned Business Enterprise (SWBE) and a Disadvantage Enterprise (DBE) as certified by the California Department of Transportation. Our registration number is # 41716.
MEET OUR LEADERS
President
Susan Coddington
Jenda Michl
Principal
Stair Render
Robert A. Stinson
Executive Architect
edward carfagno
Sr. Project Architect
Table
Kim Knight
Interior Designer
Evan Collins
Job Captain
christine peter
Interior Design, Furniture,
and DEI Specialist
Richard Osborne
Technology Director
Custom Stairs
Lori Hines
Materials + Resources
Benson
CEO (Chief Entertainment Officer)
PRESIDENT
SUSAN CODDINGTON
In 1988, Susan joined architect Robert Stinson to found CDG Interior Design + Architecture (Chelsea Design Group, Inc.), located in the Century City area of Los Angeles. The firm has grown as a direct result of its superb customer service, supporting local, regional and international clients in reaching their goals. Since commencement of her career in 1983, she has planned and designed successful environments for a broad range of clientele including corporate, legal and entertainment industry tenants, property management/ownership firms and federal and local government agencies.
Susan is registered as a Certified Interior Designer in California and a professional member of the International Interior Design Association. The firm focuses on providing personalized service that delivers projects, which are creative, functional, and respectful of budget and schedule requirements. Susan graduated from the University of Texas, in Austin, in 1982, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. She then joined Regency Development Company in Houston as a space planner within the Department of Architecture. This experience gave her an in-depth understanding of commercial real estate and the important role that effective space planning plays in a successful lease transaction.
After transferring to Los Angeles in 1986 as part of a development team to renovate, space plan and lease a 450,000 sq-ft commercial property, Susan joined Reback Design Associates as a Project Manager. While there, she was responsible for the space planning and design requirements of several West Los Angeles properties. Successful relationships with commercial real estate brokers and satisfied clients supported her goal to establish the firm in 1988. Many of these initial contacts continue to refer consistent business to CDG today. We believe that the greatest value within the business community is long-term, trustworthy relationships that are mutually supportive for all parties.
Susan has served as Chairman of the Board for the Century City Chamber of Commerce. As past Co-VP Advocacy, a Board member of International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and participates as an ongoing member, she supports endeavors to advance the profession through outreach efforts to educate the public and legislation about the role of the interior designer in the design of commercial environments and the value of future licensing for commercial designers. Susan has received commendations from the City of Los Angeles for outstanding community service. She feels immense satisfaction from helping people and businesses improve their quality of life by contributing to efforts that support our community and the well-being of its citizens.
Susan makes her home in Sherman Oaks, CA enjoying the ‘empty nest’ while her daughter pursues her post-college career goals. She enjoys hiking, travel, sailing, coffee, wine, and spending time with friends and family.
PRINCIPAL
JENDA MICHL
Jenda's design skills, passion, and breadth of experience allows CDG to expand our architectural service offerings and seize opportunities in rapidly changing industry. A fantastic designer and pragmatic problem solver, Jenda also has notable experience in construction, management, entrepreneurship, development, contracting, fabrication, public speaking, teaching, research, and art/galleries.
Jenda comes to CDG from AB Design Studio, where he led the LA office for the last three years, bridging between the principals, clients, and staff to ensure excellent project design and delivery. Before that, he ran his own architecture and design company, Vertu Studio Inc, which he founderd in 2009. As Vertu Studio he realized a variety of acclaimed residential and commercial buildings, plus furniture. The press was kind, with a publication/exhibit list that included Dwell, Tesla showrooms, the A+D Museum, LA Magazine, and other trade magazines. After earning his Master's degree in Architecture in Texas in 2006, Jenda worked at Shipley Architects, Grant Studio Architects, Charles Rose Architects, and Randall Stout Architects, all award winning firms.
Following several years of AIA committee work, Jenda chaired the 2019 AIALA 2x8 committee, which produces an annual 1 month pop up exhibit of architectural student work from across CA, and raises and awards tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship moneys each year. As chair, he initiated many firsts for the 2x8 committee, including a self developed VR experience and hack-a-thon, a lecture/event series, a re-use requirement for all exhibition materials, and oversaw record high fundraising levels.
Some additional pursuits of note have included presenting at conferences on the future of architectural design, methods, tech, and biomimicry, a critical role crafting and visioning a development team proposal for 3 acres in the heart of Venice, CA, including an ongoing role as a public liaison, and in 2015 he created and curated Hidden ARTifacts, a 6 week gallery exhibit and lecture series at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica celebrating the architectural design process.
Jenda's BA in Environmental Studies, status as one of the nation's earliest LEED APs, and various projects designed with reclaimed and salvaged materials illustrate that his emphasis on 'green' design has been part of his fabric since well before it became trendy.
Jenda (pronounced "yenda") is 1/2 Czech and fully fluent. He enjoys being a parent, hiking and backpacking, building relationships, and fondly remembers his 15 years of playing and coaching rugby.
EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT
ROBERT A. STINSON
Robert A. Stinson, AIA is a registered Architect in several states and is a co-founder of CDG, since 1988. He currently maintains a private practice in New York City, specializing in bi-coastal corporate interiors as well as high-end residential design and architecture. He holds a Masters Degree in Architecture from Harvard University, leading design projects with over 35 years of expertise. His office in manhattan gives CDA the logistical resources to design and manage projects on the east coast.
He enjoys travel, art and great food!
SR. PROJECT ARCHITECT
EDWARD CARFAGNO
Ed has over 50 years of practicing architecture across a variety of sectors and project scales, which offers great value to CDG's clients and our staff. After leading the charge on Police stations, Auditoriums, Laboratories, Transit centers, Courthouses, Museums, Campus and Master plans, Mixed use, Aviation, and others, Ed enables CDG to service clients on virtually any type of project.
With degrees from Princeton and the Harvard GSD, Ed rose up the ranks at various firms, with job titles including International Coordinator, VP & Design Director, Senior Project Director, VP of Operations, COO, Director of Architecture, Design Manager, and Principal. Ed now enjoys the fruits of his storied career, and has chosen to join CDG after a longstanding working relationship with Susan Coddington. CDG and our clients are lucky to have him.
INTERIOR DESIGNER
KIM KNIGHT
Kim holds an Associate of Arts degree in Interior Design from Moorpark College, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Cal State San Bernardino. She is currently working toward her Masters Degree in Interior Architecture at UCLA.
Kim brings several years of experience as a Residential and Entertainment designer with a talent for space planning and accessorizing spaces.
Her previous work with children and adolescents in the social services helped her realize the impact that physical surroundings have on the individual. Kim incorporates this knowledge and experience into her interior design work for Entertainment Clients. Kim Knight has been working with Entertainment Clients since 2009.
She enjoys her spare time with family, 2 children, and staying energized by daily cross-fit workouts.
JOB CAPTAIN
EVAN COLLINS
Evan Collins is an architect and design curator based in Los Angeles, with experience managing projects in the retail & commercial fields since 2015. Outside of his work in architecture he also runs CARI, or the Consumer Aesthetics Research Institute; an online community dedicated to developing a visual lexicon of consumer design from the 1970s-present. Evan holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelors in Architecture degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He enjoys hiking, exploring, travel, 80s new wave music, museums, and concerts.
DEI SPECIALIST, INTERIOR DESIGN, AND FURNITURE EXPERT
CHRISTINE PETER
Christine not only helps people create their dream spaces as a designer and project manager with expertise in furniture, she also is a certified DEI specialist and is the lead chair for the Inclusivity and Diversity Committee of the Southern California IIDA. A great team member, her decades of experience bring client projects in on time, on budget, and beautifully.
Christine has diverse experience and interests, with a longstanding commitment to giving. In addition to chairing the IIDA Inclusivity and Diversity committee, she is the IIDA VP of Advocacy (2014-present), Chair at 44 Women for Orangewood (2012-present), and a state certified Court Mentor.
Previously, she has also been the OC IIDA board chair for Professional Development, Students, and Advocacy (2010-2014), IDCC California Fundraising Chair (2015-2018), Founding member and Happy City VP (2012-2016), OC Business Council Board Chair for Community Colleges, OC ASID Community Outreach chair (2014-2015) and Board Advisor and member (2013-2015), and won a 2009 Calibre Award.
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
RICHARD OSBORNE
Richard is our IT guy. As the in-house information technologist, he oversees all installations from IT, AV, security systems, fire life safety, lighting, mechanical and electrical. He is without question our ‘go-to guy’ in terms of understanding IT related technical issues. He holds a degree in Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Auckland, NZ.
MATERIALS + RESOURCES
LORI HINES
Lori performs substantial research for the many inquiries our clients may have on a day-to-day basis. She plays a major role in making sure our clients feel that their space is exactly how they expect it to be, by ensuring their needs and goals are always perfectly met. Lori also manages our extensive on-site sample library, maintaining daily communication with the manufacturers, reps and vendors, on which we rely for product and finish specifications.
CEO (CHIEF ENTERTAINMENT OFFICER)
BENSON
Benson... well, he's just Benson - he keeps us smiling and focused!