I Am AIA:

Matthew Coates AIA

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Matthew Coates (AIA, LEED AP, NCARB) is President of Coates Architects, an 18-person firm on Bainbridge Island, launched in 2005. His work is elegant and future-focused, authentically concerned with fulfilling architecture’s capacity to inspire well-being. Coates designed the first new LEED Gold Art Museum in the Country, The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and the first LEED Platinum residence in the State. He led efforts on the Grays Harbor Gateway Center spurring pride and economic stability in the region, and recently launched the 'rehome' project, a non-profit entity that seeks to dramatically reduce construction waste.

Why did you join AIA Seattle?

As a business owner and an architect it is very important to remain connected to the pulse of the industry and the AIA provides this connection to its members. Further, we will always remain more successful as a group, unified in advocating for the importance of design as well as the legal/political matters that influence our profession. This is the primary reason I am a proud member of the AIA Seattle.

What is the value of AIA to you?

The AIA gives me a voice and opens my mind. We are very fortunate to have so many talented designers here in the PNW, and through the AIA we can learn from and inspire one another, thereby elevating the practice and its role in society.

What project are you working on right now?

Currently we are working with the City of Aberdeen on the Gateway Center, which is a project aimed at educating visitors and stimulating new business growth in the area. Also in the works is the Bainbridge Island Police/Court facility, a low-income multi-family project in Bremerton as well as a host of single-family residential projects.

Has your career taken you anywhere you didn’t expect?

Surprisingly, no. Not because I knew what to expect, but because I didn’t really cement expectations in my mind of where my career would go – I just had faith that if I worked hard it would turn out ok. My philosophy has been to keep myself pointing forward, always bringing my best….then, taking the opportunities that feel right – and perhaps more importantly, avoiding those that don’t.

Where is the field of architecture, engineering or construction headed?

It seems obvious that the industry is headed toward a more integrated teaming structure and less of the “silo effect”. I think online collaboration will remain commonplace long after the pandemic especially as we are more easily able to have meetings in virtual space.

Can design save the world?

No, not directly. However design can change people and people can save the world. There’s always hope

What do you hope to contribute from your work?

I hope that our clients and occupants of our buildings have a new experience and one that allows the realization that “architecture” is meaningfully more than just building. That design is not a commodity.