I am a community builder at heart. I love people, have a gentle presence, and by this point in my life am trained in facilitation. As an architect, storyteller, and visual artist, I’m equipped with a LOT of tools for gathering people in a skillful, purposeful way. Vocationally, I am in the process of weaving all of these relational and cultural skills into an alternative approach to building, construction, and ultimately - living. I believe that we can change our mindset, our culture, and our communities if we can live differently, in closer alignment with our values (not those bestowed upon us.)

I invite people into possibility, being heard, and hopefully introduce them to a community of people ALSO dreaming of something different. I hope to have a team of people to help them stay there to let the seeds grow into trees.

My business is community-minded at heart, and I have a goal this year of developing greater community among my network/clientele. I believe that is the way to actually do big things - together. I also have the hope of launching a course by the end of 2024 titled “Architecture of Belonging” that outlines the foundational skills and thinking required to live in greater proximity to one another; boundaries, communication, expressing needs, taking space, equity in ownership, etc etc. The design and construction part is easy - it’s the relationships that can be hard. We need better models, mentors, and skillsets. I hope to connect my audience with some of those incredible people, and build community along the way.

I’m in the process of getting divorced, and am well aware of my need to stay connected to what is true for me, and me alone. I am easily pulled off balance by others, but am in a rare moment of loving protection of my own visions. I aim to protect these parts of me, while letting others in in a discerning way.

I’m thriving in the process of vision, marketing, and storytelling (and of course there is SO much to learn), but those parts are coming more easily. In my practice, the areas I need more experience are literally designing buildings and putting drawings sets together. The vision part for me is feeling clear, focused, and I am driven.

I left my job at Mithun, who won the architecture firm of the year award in 2023, in pursuit of mission-driven work. I left that next job to work at a non-profit, because it was clear the architect industry knew nothing about poverty, racism, or systemic issues. I became trained in facilitation, and have held circles of all different kinds (mens work, dance, non-traditional relationships, and more). These days, I’ve invested in a marketing training that will help me find the people who WANT to work with me on issues of belonging, community, and interdependence. I’ve worked my whole life to arrive here, and it feels like just the beginning.

Aaron Johnson - Holistic Resistance, Grief to Action, CUT Project
Ahlay Blakely - Healing at the Roots
Yam and Jessi - Bliss is Ordinary (podcast)
Richard Rohr - Christian mystic
The Social Justice Fund NW - a mindset around effective changemaking through grassroots organizing (led by those most affected)

I believe in creativity as a life-force, and aim to empower myself and others to shape the world around them, quite literally. From that experience - space and material and vision coming to life - and feeling the results impact our daily lives, I believe the rest will follow. People are good. I trust the process, and I think we are ready.