Tyler Schaffer is a principal at LMN Architects. He currently participates within the AIA at several levels. Locally, he is chair of the AIA Seattle Urban Design Forum and is on the Seattle Design Festival Planning Team. He participates in…

Kirsten is an Architect and Associate at Rice Fergus Miller. Her work varies among food banks, health and wellness facilities, and community gathering centers, many of which are for tribal nations. Throughout her 16 year career Kirsten’s work has focused…

Erik Heironimus is an experienced Senior Designer and Licensed Architect in the state of Washington with a strong background in urban architecture and mixed-use developments. He has an invested interest in the future of Seattle and a passion for how…

Scott Melbourne is dedicated to designing inspired landscapes that bring communities together while strengthening ties between individuals and their environment. During the past two decades he has contributed toward a range of park, university, urban mixed-use, and hospitality projects for…

An architect, who first came to the US for graduate studies, Shweta brings influences from Indian culture, spaces, and architecture. She has worked In Los Angeles and Princeton on a wide range of projects from museums to community schools and…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? As a student, I was involved with AIAS and never considered not becoming a member of the AIA when I graduated. I was active in the AIA in Chicago with the Young Architects Committee…

WHAT RELATIONSHIPS HAVE YOU CREATED? The best relationships I have made are in the historic preservation and cultural resources realm and include networking with local, national, and international cultural resources experts, including architects, engineers, materials testing and analysis, conservation, and…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? As an architecture student at the University of Washington, and current President of UW’s AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) organization, I am thrilled to join the initiative for more student engagement within AIA…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I joined AIA for the community and the opportunity to hear about what other people in the industry are up to and to learn and share what we are doing and have learned. WHAT…

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TODAY? My son inspires me every day with keeping things simple, honest, and sustainable. Nothing like a 5-year-old to keep you present in the moment and motivated to leave this world ideally better for our future generations.…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I’ve been a member of the AIA since 1987 and support AIA Seattle because this strong, dynamic chapter of Architect’s best professional organization is moving the industry forward every day. WHAT IS THE VALUE…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I think it’s important to support organizations that are out there promoting our industry. As an engineer, I feel that I should play a part in supporting architects. AIA brings important subjects into focus…

Matthew Copus is a Senior vice president for AssuredPartners, an insurance brokerage firm that specializes in helping design professionals protect and improve their bottom line. Read more

A native of upstate New York, Laura is an Architect working as a Project Manager with GLY Construction. She has a combined 11 years of experience in architecture/design and construction management. The transition from design to construction management happened organically…

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AIA TO YOU? The connection with fellow architects and non-architects who share a passion for enhancing Seattle as a connected, accessible, and diverse city. The chance connection and cross-pollination of ideas that has shaped my…

Kara Weaver is a landscape architect with nearly 20 years of experience designing and documenting public projects. She brings clarity to projects that pose complex challenges, require intensive coordination between disciplines, and provide opportunities for innovative and elegant problem solving.…

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AIA TO YOU? AIA advances the profession of architecture holistically for an individual architect, small practice, or the industry. The sharing of resources and advocacy efforts that promote the highest standards of design and ethics…

Anna received both a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design degrees from North Dakota State University. Anna joined Milbrandt Architects in 2008 as a Design Technician and since that time has worked her way up to a Principal and Owner. She is uniquely adept at understanding the complexities of a project and creating practical solutions to complex design issues, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget. She effortlessly runs multiple large-scale projects and collaborates to create successful partnerships with all parties involved. Read more

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I was introduced to the AIA through my university’s AIAS chapter. As an active committee member of the University of Oregon AIAS, I saw firsthand how the AIA could foster community and provide mentorship…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? After living and working overseas for several years, I felt disconnected from other professionals in the field. Joining AIA Seattle afforded me a great opportunity to meet and connect with professionals within the greater…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I first joined AIA Seattle after graduate school to make professional and non-professional connections in a new city. As my AIA friendships and mentors grew, my passion for affecting change blossomed as well. I…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I initially joined AIA Seattle so I could meet like-minded peers and gain support during the licensure progress. While in school, I was a part of the AIAS and served on the chapter board…

WHY ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE AIA SEATTLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS? As cheesy as it sounds, volunteering for industry organizations has truly enriched not just my career but also my life. We’re in a small and collaborative industry…

I started my interactions with AIA when I was a Freshman at Bartlett-Begich Secondary School in Anchorage and my drafting teacher (Mr. Monaco) had us enter an AIA Student Design Competition each year. Then I did an internship at CCC…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? AIA Seattle allows me to meet with and learn from members with a shared interest in design and sustainability. It provides a venue to grow these relationships through engaging conversations around the challenges facing…

Mark’s work in fire protection, code consulting, and code development spans four decades. Mark’s work with architects, engineers, construction managers, general contractors, and building owners focuses on solving complex problems arising from the intersection between building regulations, innovative design, and…

Jim joined Milbrandt Architects in 2013. He has managed projects ranging from mixed-use buildings, retail, multi-family, podium buildings, and government projects. He is our go to code person from software code to the International Residential Code. EDUCATION: Bachelor of Architecture & -Washington State University REGISTRATIONS: Architect – Washington, California Read more

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I was introduced to AIA Seattle through the Young Architects Forum (YAF) and Women in Design Committees while in graduate school at the University of Washington. Like many students, I was lured in by…

After working in construction for over 12 years doing everything from foundation work to finish carpentry, David decided to broaden his knowledge further by attending Washington State University where in 2001 he received both a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree. David joined Milbrandt Architects in 2011 as a Project Manager and since that time has worked his way up to a Principal and Owner. His professional years in the field of architecture have involved a broad range of project types, including high end custom residential, institutional, commercial, podium buildings, public projects, and mixed use multi-family projects. David’s experience brings a unique combination of thoughtful and elegant design backed by the reassurance of knowing how it should be built. His working knowledge of construction minimizes miscommunication with local jurisdictions, consultants, and contractors. David’s abilities and experience include design, construction document preparation, specification review and preparation, addressing RFIs, ASIs, CCDs, attending design and construction meetings, construction observation, shop drawing review, managing multiple project teams, scheduling, and all aspects of firm ownership. David has a history of being both an artistic problem solver and a time efficient manager with a dedicated work ethic. He has a proven record of meeting deadlines, working closely with jurisdictions to meet client needs, and providing fast and effective resolution in the field.
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WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AIA TO YOU? I value the ability to connect with other like-minded professionals in the region to work together toward positive change in our profession and the built environment. I am continually impressed by the…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? To find resources and inspirational programming. HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING?  I walk clients through a very daunting task, line by line, conversation by conversation, starting from a concept…

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF AIA TO YOU? Architecture is never easy, and having the support of a peer group of professionals makes the journey more fulfilling. A few years ago, I started having a more active role in AIA…

Anna is a licensed architect with 10+ years of experience. She is an associate principal at CallisonRTKL in Seattle where she leads project teams to deliver retail environments both nationally and internationally for major and emerging brands, specializing in the implementation of new brand concepts and the creation of scalable prototype designs for roll out. Read more

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? We had been involved with the AIA Portland as code educators, board members, and diversity initiative supporters since we moved to Portland in 1992. When we opened an office in Seattle it was a…

WHY DID YOU JOIN AIA SEATTLE? I’ve been working with architecture firms in the Seattle market for awhile now. I joined the AIA to help me keep on top of local trends, to make additional connections in the area, and…

Matthew Coates (AIA, LEED AP, NCARB) is President of Coates Architects, an 18-person firm on Bainbridge Island, launched in 2005. He is published in over 50 respected publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Seattle Times, Dwell, Ville E Case Prefabricate and Men’s Journal. 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. His leadership on the Grays Harbor Gateway Center spurred a sense of pride and increased economic stability in the region. His belief that architecture can bind our community together is embodied in the recent launch of the “rehome” project, a non-profit entity that seeks to dramatically reduce construction waste, keep materials out of our landfills and provide affordable housing for those in need.
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