Seventh Hill is led by David Jurca, an urban designer with over 17 years of professional experience guiding real-world projects and academic research. Prior to starting Seventh Hill, David was Associate Director at Kent State University's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, where he managed client projects at a range of scales, from city-wide redevelopment plans to tactical urbanism events. His work has been recognized with awards from the American Planning Association, American Institute of Architects, and Environmental Design Research Association. Internationally, David's design projects were exhibited by Chicago's Metropolitan Planning Council, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Van Alen Institute, Havana's Fabrica de Arte Cubano, and the Venice Biennale of Architecture. David is also an invited speaker on topics including, public placemaking, design for winter cities, urban data, and innovative community engagement methods. In 2013, David launched COLDSCAPES.org and co-edited the book "Coldscapes: Design Ideas for Winter Cities" to spur creative urbanism and livability year-round. He also co-founded Design Diversity, an initiative to promote people of color in architecture and design professions in Northeast Ohio. In support of Design Diversity’s mission, David started Making Our Own Space (MOOS), a youth design program that trains students to envision and build their own public space improvements. David is Chair of the City of Cleveland’s Near West Design Review Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for Canalway Partners. An outdoor enthusiast, David enjoys birding, running, and kayaking to explore the cities he visits. Locally, he founded the Crooked River Commute, an annual 50-mile paddling journey from Kent to Cleveland along the Cuyahoga River. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from The Ohio State University and received his Master of Architecture from Kent State University.

David Jurca is the Associate Director at the CUDC, where his work integrates professional practice, applied research, and teaching. Responding to dynamic community needs, David advances the CUDC's various advocacy initiatives and spearheads efforts to develop effective techniques for public engagement. In 2013, David launched COLDSCAPES.org, a multileveled initiative to spur creative engagement and livability in winter cities. He also co-founded Design Diversity, an initiative to promote people of color in architecture and design professions in Northeast Ohio. Appointed Assistant Professor of Urban Design in Kent State’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, David teaches graduate studios, community charrette courses, and advises MUD capstone projects. He also taught the Designing Urban Green Spaces course for three years at Case Western Reserve University as a part-time lecturer in the SAGES program. David serves as Chair of the City of Cleveland’s Near West Design Review Committee and volunteers for a number of organizations dedicated to community service. He has a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from The Ohio State University and received his M.Arch from Kent State University.