Architect Bio
We are building something really incredible here at True Craft, on every dimension; the team, the people, the product, the business growth, the ambition, the opportunity.
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Professional Development
State License Registrations:
Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Oregon, Maryland, Tennessee, Montana, California
Certifications:
NCARB Certified
Professional AIA member
MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)
2020 Fair Housing Act, ADA & Section 504 (TDHCA Multifamily Housing Course)
2020 Arkansas Fair Housing Commission (ADFA Management & Best Practices)
2019 DCA Green Building Certified (Green Building Webinar)
2016 Arkansas Fair Housing Certified (Management & Best Practices Training)
SPECIALTIES
Multi-Family LIHTC Services
Tax Credit Rehab (In-Place Tenants)
Budget & QAP Compliance Analysis
Pre-Design Site Observations
Schematic Design
Design Development
Bidding and Negotiating
Construction Documents
Construction Administration
HOUSING AGENCY EXPERIENCE
Federal (HUD)
Louisiana (LHC)
North Carolina (NCFHA)
Virginia (Virginia Housing)
Missouri (MHDC)
Georgia (DCA)
California (CTCAC)
Florida (Florida Housing)
Indiana (IHCDA)
Ohio (OHFA)
Minnesota (MHFA)
Texas (TDHCA)
Mississippi (MHC)
Kentucky (KHC)
Arkansas (ADFA)
South Carolina (SC Housing)
Oregon (OHCS)
Maryland (DHCD)
Principal and Founder
Akheil Shah
AIA
Crafted for the people: we are changing lives one square foot at a time . . .
Akheil Shah is Principal and Founder of True Craft Architecture LLC, a firm that specializes in Multi-Family LIHTC rehabilitation projects throughout the United States. He has nationwide experience working with local housing agencies and with the US Department of Housing and Urban Design. His firm is dedicated to the idea of providing low income families with better housing and he shares this passion with his clients.
After receiving his Architecture Degree at Louisiana State University in 2009, Mr. Shah began his career working for the well-established firm Cockfield Jackson Architects. He spent five years there developing his craft of design and construction with a focus on ground up commercial and high-end residential projects, while completing his path to licensure.
Prior to starting his own firm, True Craft Architecture, in 2019, Mr. Shah was a Senior Project Manager / Architect at a prominent Baton Rouge architecture firm. It was during this time he developed his passion for rehabilitation of existing buildings and providing affordable housing for all families, the two ideas that are the foundation of True Craft Architecture.
Representative Project Experience
Johnson Court Apartments, Smithfield, NC (LIHTC – 70-unit renovation)
Coleridge Road Apartments, Asheboro, NC (HUD/LIHTC – 100-unit renovation) Jefferson Court Apartments, Goldsboro, NC (HUD/LIHTC – 60-unit renovation) Glendale Court Apartments, Greenville, NC (HUD/LIHTC – 100-unit renovation) Sandy Springs Apartments, Macon, GA (HUD/LIHTC – 74-unit renovation)
Green Meadows Townhomes, Macon, GA (HUD/LIHTC – 120-unit renovation) Riverwood Townhomes, Jonesboro, GA (LIHTC – 282-unit renovation)
Pendleton Apartments, Cincinnati, OH (HUD/LIHTC/HTC – 78-unit renovation)
Las Palmas Villa Apartments, Eagle Pass, TX (LIHTC – 64-unit renovation)
Oso Bay Apartments, Corpus Christi, TX (LIHTC – 104-unit renovation)
While working for previous employers:
Multi-Family / Residential
Market North Apartments, Wilmington, NC (LIHTC – 202 unit renovation)
Heritage Park Apartments, Charlotte, NC (HUD/LIHTC – 151 unit renovation)
Willow View Apartments, Staunton, VA (HUD/LIHTC – 110 unit renovation)
Desert Winds/Silver Creek, Jacksonville, FL (LIHTC – 304 unit renovation)
La Playa Apartments, Baton Rouge, LA (LIHTC – 140 unit renovation)
Ashland Woods Townhomes, Ashland, VA (LIHTC – 150 unit renovation)
Audubon Village I Apts., Richmond, VA (LIHTC – 100 unit renovation)
King Street Commons, Hampton, VA (LIHTC – 184 unit renovation)
Forest Court Apartments, Kenton, OH (LIHTC – 90 unit renovation)
Westover Village Apartments, Loveland, OH (LIHTC – 90 unit renovation)
Lafayette House, Baton Rouge, LA (13,250 SF – Ground Up Multi-Family)
Private Residence, Houma, LA (12,496 SF – Ground Up)
Private Residence, Baton Rouge, LA (10,571 SF – Ground Up) renovation)
500 Laurel St., Baton Rouge, LA | Historic Renovation 26,640 SF – Office (Tax Credit)
Independence Park Main Library, Baton Rouge, LA |127k SF – Ground Up
