I AM AIA
Kirsten Dahlquist AIA
I am a seasoned design leader and licensed architect. My work is rooted in the belief that architecture is a collaborative journey, especially regarding placekeeping for Tribes and underserved communities. From gathering spaces and wellness centers to food security infrastructure, my portfolio reflects a career-long commitment to creating environments that foster dignity, belonging, and joy. I am also Vice Chair of the Bremerton Design Review Board and recently served on the Kitsap County Council for Human Rights. I bring alternative perspectives from suburban and rural practice, empowering practitioners beyond the urban center to foster a more inclusive design community.
I joined AIA Seattle because…
It brings together practitioners who understand that our responsibility extends beyond individual property lines. Over the years, its true value has evolved for me from a professional network into a vital platform for advocacy, equity, and connection. For me, the value lies in collective impact. It gives us a shared vehicle to elevate social infrastructure, amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, and bridge the gap between urban centers and the suburban or rural practices that shape so much of our state.
I was drawn to architecture as a profession because…
Making and creative problem solving are in my blood. Coming from a long line of carpenters and shipbuilders, I learned early on that how we shape our physical surroundings deeply impacts our sense of belonging and community value. I chose this profession to channel that tangible, hands-on heritage into designing for equity. Space is never neutral. It either reinforces barriers or creates room for connection, and I wanted the responsibility of shaping social infrastructure that honors the people and stories of the places we build.
I explain what I do for a living to family or at a party as…
Designing the infrastructure of community life. Instead of focusing on houses or corporate offices, I partner with organizations to build places that serve a deeper public purpose. I look closely at the history and legacy of a people and a place, using that specific narrative to directly drive the building’s design concept from the ground up. Ultimately, my job is to listen to communities and translate their heritage into enduring physical structures where they feel a genuine sense of dignity and agency.
My community has helped me get where I am by…
Being both a foundation and a mirror, showing me the true impact of the work we do. Navigating nearly twenty years in this profession requires a strong ecosystem, and I have been lifted up by mentors, peers, and advocates who intentionally opened doors and shared their guidance. At the same time, the communities I collaborate with, including the Tribes, non-profits, and grassroots organizations, have taught me how to listen deeply. They have redefined my understanding of leadership, showing me that our work belongs entirely to the people it serves.
