Paper Plane
About

A principal-led practice, built on decisions made well.

The architect you meet is the architect who stays with your project — from the first question through final completion. That's not a slogan. It's how Paper Plane is structured.

Janiel Collaqi
Meet the Architect

Janiel Collaqi

Principal & Founder · AIA, NCARB (pronounced "Yannis")

Janiel Collaqi began his architectural career in 2008 as a summer intern before joining M3A Architecture full-time in 2009. Over the next eight years he helped lead educational, commercial, religious, and institutional projects, becoming a licensed architect in 2017. He then moved to New York City and founded Paper Plane Architecture in 2018 with a simple belief: the architect who understands a project best should remain accountable for its success — from the first conversation through construction.

"I love solving the puzzle behind every project. That's why I started Paper Plane Architecture."

17+Years of Professional Experience
2018Paper Plane Architecture Founded

The team behind the work.

You work directly with the principal — supported by an experienced team that carries projects through with the same standard of care and coordination.

Afroditi Gouda

Afroditi Gouda

Designer
Juil Kim

Juil Kim

Project Coodrinator
Christopher Elder

Christopher Elder

Construction Administration

The short version.

Louisiana Tech
Bachelor of Science in Architecture — Louisiana Tech University
2008
Summer internship — first steps in professional practice
2009
Joined M3A Architecture full-time
2017
Became a licensed architect
2018
Moved to New York City and founded Paper Plane Architecture
2021
Earned NCARB certification
Today
Leading educational, commercial, religious, and institutional projects across multiple states

Why
Paper Plane

We don't stop until we've found the best solution to the puzzle — the one that fits the budget, the site, and the way the building will actually be built.

Every project is a set of decisions: budget, schedule, codes, funding, community, contractor, future growth. Our job is to make sure the important ones are the right ones — before they become expensive problems.

That's why we invest the time up front to understand the existing building, align the work with available funding, and develop construction documents thorough enough to reduce uncertainty once construction begins. When something goes wrong on site, we lead the team to a solution that protects the owner's time and budget.

Architecture is about more than designing buildings. It's about helping people make confident decisions that shape their communities for years to come. It's work that rewards curiosity, research, and a willingness to stay responsible for the outcome — that's the responsibility we enjoy, and it's why we do this.

Credentials & Reach

FirmPaper Plane Architecture, PLLC
PrincipalJaniel Collaqi, AIA, NCARB
Founded2018
Principal experience17+ years
Licensed10+ states
FocusK-12 · Higher Ed · Religious · Commercial

Deep familiarity with educational facilities, commercial projects, New York City agency review, funding documentation, and occupied-building renovations.

Studios

New York

1270 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10020

Brooklyn

533 86th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209

Every project begins with important decisions. Let's make the first ones together.

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