Hallie M. Bowie
Architect / LEED Green Associate
I’ve been designing homes since 1987, with projects ranging from additions and renovations to whole house design. I founded New Leaf Home Design in 2006 to allow me to continue working directly with homeowners, and to increase my focus on creating more sustainable and energy efficient houses. I began working from home before my young adult children Hannah and Aaron were born, so the relationship between family life and home design has always been very clear for me!
I’m a registered architect in the state of Ohio, License #9767. In order to maintain my license, I complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education courses per year in subjects like Universal Design, Aging in Place, and Sustainability. I’m a Certified Green Professional through the National Association of Home Builders, as well as a LEED Green Associate. I helped with the design of a LEED new home for Habitat for Humanity of Stark and Carroll Counties, and was the architect for two “deep energy retrofits” of existing homes by YouthBuild Akron and Canton’s Project ReBuild. I’m also the HBA representative on the Summit County Environmental Sustainability Task Force created by county council in August of 2019.
As an architectural firm, New Leaf provides design services. I’ll help you sort out what your goals are, listen to what is most important to you, pay attention to the things you’d like to have if you can, evaluate the opportunities and limitations of your existing home or your building site. I’ll also provide advice on materials, systems, energy efficiency strategies, and the whole process of getting your project built.
I’m an active member of the Akron Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron. When I’m not designing homes or doing volunteer work, I enjoy singing, doing yoga, and being outdoors hiking, running, and gardening.
Stephanie Johnson, AIA, NCARB
Architect
Stephanie is a licensed Architect with over seven years of professional experience.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked across a diverse range of residential projects,
including high-rise residential buildings, senior housing communities, single and
multifamily residences. She finds great fulfillment in creating thoughtful, beautifully crafted
homes that enhance everyday living. She believes that every home should reflect its
inhabitants, and she takes pride in crafting environments that foster comfort, connection,
and functionality.
She is a graduate of Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental
Design. During her education, she studied abroad in Florence Italy. Shortly after
graduation, Stephanie spent time teaching first year design students at CAED. She also
taught an Architecture course to high school students in the Upward Bound program.
She enjoys traveling, museums, fashion design, and model making.
Project Types
Home Additions and Renovations
Do you love your neighborhood, but need some adjustments to your home so you can stay there for years to come? Would you like to use your home’s existing spaces as well as possible, and add just enough new area to accomplish your goals? I’ve helped many families transform their homes with:
- Kitchen renovations and additions
- Master Suites
- Open floor plans: removing the walls between Kitchens, Family Rooms, and Dining areas
- Aging-in-Place renovations, such as creating accessible first floor Master Suites and Laundry areas
- Whole house renovations
- Deep energy retrofits
- Home electrification
New Homes
Would you like a home that is designed for energy efficiency, makes the most of the views on your site, is oriented to take advantage of the sun, and provides just as much space as you and your family need? My new homes are designed to generate as much energy as they use, and to rely on energy from renewable sources without needing fossil fuels. The foundation, wall and ceiling assemblies provide plenty of insulation; the windows are located to provide plenty of warm winter sun while minimizing summer overheating; and the detailing recognizes the importance of air sealing for energy savings. We’ll also consider the carbon footprint of materials, using more of those that store carbon, and fewer that take a lot of energy to manufacture. Most of all, your home will be designed just for you, with the personal features that make the difference between building a house and building your home.