Patrick Brunner, AICP, CNU-A, Principal, Founder

While studying traditional architecture and urban design at the University of Notre Dame, Patrick decided to dedicate his career to designing cities, towns, and neighborhoods. After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture, he started his career with Cooper Robertson in New York City in their residential and resorts studio. In 2015, he joined Mike Watkins in Gaithersburg, Maryland and worked on numerous projects across the United States. Together they collaborated on master plans for new towns, existing neighborhood plans, and suburban retrofit projects. They often stayed involved well beyond the initial design workshop, from serving as Town Architect to updating design guidelines to reviewing infrastructure strategies with civil engineers. During this time he cultivated the art of translating an idea for a traditional neighborhood on a piece of paper to a viable project for developers and communities alike.

In 2018 he moved to Pittsburgh and served as a project manager for Urban Design Associates for nearly four years. In that time he worked with transit authorities, municipalities, non-profits, and both mixed-income and market rate developers. Through the process of authentically engaging with local stakeholders and residents he learned the critical lesson of building consensus and trust within communities. The projects varied from developing mixed-income housing strategies to creating a new waterfront square for a small town.

He founded Cardo in 2022 and works both regionally and across the country. As an accredited member of the Congress for the New Urbanism, a previous Seaside Prize speaker, and certified planner he instills the lessons he has learned everyday into the work of the firm.

Our Brain Trust

Tyler Milam

Tyler is an historian and urban designer based in Hagerstown, Maryland. It was a love of history that initially drew him to traditional design and understanding how cities and communities have functioned for centuries. While studying at the University of Notre Dame, Tyler learned the tools and strategies to design liveable cities with character, context, and community.