Who We Are

We are a Kansas City design-build firm committed to protecting and bettering the communities in which we live and work.

Since our founding, Nueva has strived to thoughtfully collaborate with community members and local businesses for the benefit of our neighbors, creating an environment where people feel safe, heard, and valued.

Above all, we aim to amplify voices, create opportunities, and raise awareness for the beautifully diverse human beings we work alongside.

  • Cesar Cea

    Founder & Project Manager

    Cesar draws on a past career of design, project management, and construction of complex, industrial scale projects to now focus on work that brings him closer to home, Kansas City’s urban core.  Inspired by the many wonderful people and organizations that offered him support throughout his youth, Cesar recognizes the value in contributing to responsible development of communities that reduces the impact to the makeup of the residents.

  • Lillian Cooper

    Principal Architect

    Lillian is an architect and holistic wellness practitioner with global experience tackling issues from homelessness and trauma-informed care to food insecurity, inequality, water scarcity, flooding, and equitable healthcare. A committed advocate, she partners with mission‑driven organizations in Kansas City and beyond. Guided by “to whom much is given, much is required,” she believes everyone deserves beautiful, dignified spaces—and has built her career to deliver them.

  • Jennifer Jurado

    Architectural Designer

    Jennifer serves as an architectural designer for residential and commercial new builds and renovations. Jennifer’s diverse lived experiences allow her to approach her responsibilities with curiosity and determination. Her responsibilities include: site visits and field verification of existing buildings, programming and visioning, space planning, architectural and interior design, finish and furniture selection, and construction document development.