Jessica Pleasants, Co-Founder, Design Director
Jessica Pleasants is the co-founder and Design Director of POP Architecture & Design, where she leads the studio’s interior design vision across complex residential projects in Manhattan and Northwestern Connecticut. With two decades of experience spanning architecture, construction, and design, Jessica brings both creative fluency and operational discipline to each commission.
Her professional foundation was shaped within leading architectural practices including FXFowle (now FXCollaborative) and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, where she gained exposure to large-scale, technically rigorous design environments. She later transitioned into high-end residential construction project management, executing luxury apartment renovations in Manhattan with Godwin Residential Construction. This experience provided an in-depth understanding of the logistical, administrative, and regulatory complexities unique to New York City cooperatives and condominiums — knowledge that continues to inform her disciplined, detail-oriented approach today.
As Design Director, Jessica works hand-in-hand with her Partner and spouse, Okan Oncel, from early architectural planning through final installation. She assembles and directs teams of consultants, general contractors, and craftspeople, ensuring clarity of vision and continuity of execution across disciplines. Her work is defined by intuitive refinement — aligning lifestyle goals with materials and furnishings so that interiors feel integrated rather than applied.
Jessica’s curatorial approach balances architectural integrity with layered refinement. She guides the selection and procurement of materials, furnishings, and custom elements with restraint and depth, creating environments that feel composed over time. Her leadership ensures that each project is not only conceptually strong but enduring in character.