Oct 08, 2025

Otak

Kessler

Otak recently brought on Dan Kessler as its new director of architecture. With nearly three decades of design leadership, Kessler's career includes leadership roles at organizations ranging from DLR Group to Fentress Architects, as well as the founding of his own practice, Element Design Works. His portfolio includes many project types and scales, from LAX Airport to multifamily housing. In addition to his professional work, Kessler served for 11 years as an Honorarium Instructor at the University of Colorado, his alma mater.

Architects West

Jorgensen

McGilley

Architects West of Coeur d'Alene recently hired Amanda McGilley and Brennan Jorgensen.

Originally from Spokane, McGilley, joins as a billing and resource specialist, bringing more than 22 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping and payroll for professional services firms.

Jorgensen was hired as an architectural designer. Born in north Idaho, Jorgensen, has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from the University of Idaho and has more than five years of experience in both residential and commercial design projects. Jorgensen joins the design team working on modernization projects for Lakeland School District and a new AgWest Farm Credit office.

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates

O'Brien

Zhou

Murray

Smith

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) Seattle celebrates its first year at its new office in Pioneer Square and announces the additions of the following team members: Jenn Smith, Erik Murray, Vicky Zhou, and Danny O'Brien.

Smith joins the team as administrative associate III following nearly seven years with the San Antonio unit. She previously worked as a legal assistant/case manager for a law firm in San Antonio and was active with San Antonio's Women in Architecture and SMPS San Antonio. She continues her participation with SMPS in Seattle.

Principal Murray has been named unit manager of the Seattle office. He also comes from the San Antonio office but joined WJE in 2008 as a senior associate in the Austin office. He was promoted to associate principal in 2014, unit manager in 2017, and principal in 2021. A University of Texas at Austin graduate, with degrees in architecture and architectural engineering, Murray specializes in roof systems and building enclosures, building investigation and repair, and architectural peer review.

Zhou and O'Brien joined as associates, specializing in architectural and structural engineering, respectively. Zhou holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Waterloo and held internships with Morrison Hershfield (now Stantec) and RDH Building Science. O'Brien completed graduate studies at Oregon State University, following internships with WJE Seattle and WJE Portland.

Oct 01, 2025

Olson Kundig

Vaiculis

Poules

Maggiani

Kingsley

Griswold

Harris

Bragina

Olson Kundig promoted the following leaders within the firm: Meghan Griswold AIA, Jesse Kingsley, and Claudia Maggiani AIA, NCARB, have been promoted to principal; Christian Poules and Vai Vaiciulis have been promoted to associate principal. Lena Bragina and Pinar Harris AIA, have joined the firm as associate principals.

Griswold has worked at Olson Kundig since 2019. She works on high-end residential projects that focus on connections between built and natural spaces. Griswold works with holistic design processes focusing on wood construction to blend projects with the environment.

Kingsley specializes in single-family residential projects from large, complex art homes to small remodels. He has worked with teens at the Design Your [Neighbor]hood program hosted by the Seattle Art Museum. Kingsley joined Olson Kundig in 2016.

Maggiani has 25 years of experience designing and managing projects such as resorts, convention centers, sports and entertainment venues, mixed-use developments and commercial spaces. Prior to joining Olson Kundig in 2020 she worked for almost 20 years at HKS.

Poules is a project manager and design contributor specializing in single-family residential projects across a variety of scales and geographies. He also has been a mentor for SAM's Design Your [Neighbor]hood program.

Vaiciulis is based in New York City and has experience working on a range of projects and scales, spanning cultural, residential and mixed-use buildings throughout Europe and the United States, with a current focus on hospitality and private residences. Vaiciulis has been with Olson Kundig since 2021.

Bragina is an interior designer with over 20 years of experience in high-end residential, hospitality and commercial projects. Also based in New York City, she manages the full project lifecycle, leading multidisciplinary teams and client relationships.

Harris brings over 22 years of experience leading large-scale mixed-use, complex, high-rise residential, and hospitality projects across Florida and the Caribbean. Prior to joining Olson Kundig, Harris worked for over 20 years at 10SB (previously SB Architects).