Brad Khouri - AIA Seattle

I AM AIA

Brad Khouri AIA

Bradley is the Principal and founder of b9 architects inc. He serves as on the Board of Directors for AIA Seattle’s Past President, is a member of the Seattle Planning Commission since October 2010, and participates as a guest juror and teaches Architectural Design studios at the University of Washington, College of Built Environments.

Why Did You Join AIA Seattle?

It created an opportunity for me to engage in local advocacy, a passion of mine, that allowed me to serve the profession and expand my reach beyond my practice.

What is the Value of AIA to You?

Priceless. As President of the Board in 2014 I witnessed the tremendous staff and board commitment to serving our members. AIA (Seattle) is a connection to a widened professional experience, one in which the value is determined entirely by my desire to engage.

Can Design Save the World?

Absolutely. Design IS the solution. Design shapes our lives and can change our habits, health, and also inspire us to be better. Good design pays for itself in ways that are not imaginable and not always quantifiable (even though that is part of my role is to quantify the impacts). Design can show us an alternate route to our destination if we are open to it.

What do you Hope to Contribute from Your Work?

My hope is to work with AIA and the team to uncover ideas to overcome the hurdles specifically related to meeting our goals for sustainability, energy efficiency, and health and wellness. My work and role in building performance constantly highlights the hurdles and I work within my organization to find solutions to overcome them. Through my work at AIA, I hope to find ways to overcome hurdles together to have a larger impact and raise the bar as a whole. This may take the form of developing partnerships with other organizations within the AEC community or even outside of the AEC community, including real estate, finance, technology, etc or even education. I work in multiple market sectors including Workplace, High Education, K-12, Health Care, Civic and Justice, and Multifamily, and look forward to dovetailing the energy, sustainability, and health and wellness conversation into these different channels and groups as well.

What is Your Favorite Seattle-Area Structure?

St Ignatius Chapel

Where is the Field of Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Headed?

In order to remain relevant it is getting younger and more malleable, stepping into roles of leadership in our communities and beyond.

What Relationships Have Your Created?

I have new relationships with AIA staff and volunteer leadership from around the U.S. I have connected with our incredible network in Seattle of passionate leaders whose engagement improves the professional locally and beyond. Through advocacy efforts and my participation in the Seattle Planning Commission I have developed strong relationships with city staff and City Councilmembers. This all enables me to participate in meaningful change in our city.

What Projects are You Working on Right Now?

I am working on many exciting projects throughout our city neighborhoods. Having just completed a new T.I for our office the practice is growing, with projects ranging from individual single-family homes to a community of multiple apartment buildings.

How Do You Explain What You Do for a Living?

Simple, I am an architect, teacher and volunteer.

What Inspired You Today?

Two things: 1) Running next to my son while he was riding his new bicycle and 2) realizing that my newest employee who just completed graduate school solved a complex site planning challenge that should allow us to save an exceptional tree on an infill lot and still develop the program of the project.