I Am AIA:

Heather Skeehan

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Through working in the architecture (ZGF), construction (GLY), and now owner/developer (citizenM) sides of the industry, Heather has learned an approach to projects that focuses on identifying shared values, deep collaboration, and empathy. Along with the AIA Seattle Board, she is also an advisory board for the Tombolo Institute at Bellevue College. She has also previously served on the Washington Ensemble Theater board and the Swedish Standing Advisory Committee. More than anything, Heather is passionate about food.

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AIA TO YOU?

Connection, community, and a shared voice for the way that the built environment can influence the lives of those around us.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I translate between the design, construction, and owner teams to make project teams more communicative and support the design intent through the life of a project.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TODAY?

Reading the story of the journey of the new Executive Chef at Canlis – Aisha Ibrahim!

HAS YOUR CAREER TAKEN YOU ANYWHERE YOU DIDN’T EXPECT?

It’s taken me away from “traditional architecture” into the seats of nearly every person I’ve worked with on every project. I am an OAC meeting all on my own!

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO CONTRIBUTE FROM YOUR WORK?

I hope to support projects and project teams in such a way that the team members don’t suffer for their “art” or their job. These projects can be stressful but they should not hurt. We should come out of them more connected to each other and looking forward to how to make it better next time. Healthy teams have more space to make good, sustainable, beautiful work.

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE AIA SEATTLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS?

The way buildings come to be is technically complicated, involves a diverse array of individuals, and is often behind other fields in the adaptation of technologies and cultural attitudes that shape high-performing/high-profiting teams in other industries.
As the industry continues to diversify and buildings continue to become more complicated, the importance of coming back to the shared goals and values of a project & the built environment is increasingly important, as is leaning on and helping guide the expertise of the broad team (the designers, the architects, the project managers, the builders, the engineers, the inspectors, the client, the users, and the surrounding community). As the impact of the built environment on communities and the climate is increasingly clarified, the role of the architect is expanding to encompass responsibilities and skills that may not have been previously considered but which we, as a profession, are excited and willing to learn and embrace.