Schemata Workshop and many of its staff members have been actively engaged in initiatives and advocacy efforts to promote the adoption of modular and prefabricated construction in the Pacific Northwest. This work involves participation in the Housing Development Consortium’s (HDC’s) Offsite Construction Task Force (OCTF), which focuses on advancing policy and practice to support the delivery of affordable housing through offsite construction methods.

This ongoing work served as the motivation for Geoff Anderson, principal at Schemata Workshop, to participate in MOD X Scotland this past November. The goal was to gain a deeper understanding of how Scotland’s prefabrication industry is evolving and to identify lessons that could be applied in our own region.

MOD X is leading a national effort known as the HUD Breakthrough Regional Pilots Project. The initiative is designed to help regions across the country harness the potential of offsite construction to address housing supply shortages, accelerate delivery timelines, and strengthen community resilience. A key objective of the Scotland trip was to learn how similar goals are being pursued in Scotland, and how they might translate to the Pacific Northwest.

Geoff joined 22 other participants, primarily from the U.S., representing a broad cross-section of the industry, including educators, builders, general contractors, housing developers, manufacturers, and architects. Over four full days, the group participated in tours, educational sessions, and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

Touring Scotland’s Prefabrication Ecosystem

The itinerary included visits to five prefabrication manufacturing facilities and a master-planned housing development, as well as tours of the BE-ST Innovation Center and the Trimble Technology Lab. The group also attended BE-ST Fest, a summit focused on building technology, sustainability, and innovation.

Through these visits, we gained insight into the history and current state of manufactured housing in Scotland. Primarily, the manufacturing we observed focused on panelized construction, although there is ongoing research into modular construction using cross-laminated timber (CLT) at the innovation center. Much like the Pacific Northwest, Scotland relies heavily on timber as a primary building material for housing.

The factories we toured were former lumber yards that invested in infrastructure and technology to transition into manufacturing plants. Furthermore, some of these factories have formed strong partnerships and have even been acquired by home builders, resulting in a vertically integrated industry that spans raw material sourcing, fabrication, and final home delivery.

Manufacturing Approaches and Innovation

We saw a wide range of manufacturing approaches, ranging from manual fabrication by small teams to nearly fully automated operations resembling high-tech automotive plants. We also explored the differences between open-panel and closed-panel construction methods. Open panels typically consist of framing and one side of sheathing, requiring that the insulation, building systems, and finishes still must be completed onsite. Closed panels, by contrast, arrive with much of the assembly already complete. With a closed panel, there are some unique details required to finish and install things like plumbing and electrical onsite, as well as for securing the panels in place. From what we heard, there is a desire to move more towards closed panels, since it is seen as a more environmentally sustainable approach.

Key Takeaways for the Pacific Northwest

One of the most significant takeaways from the MOD X Scotland experience is the role that coordinated support plays in the success of the offsite construction industry. In Scotland, government agencies and universities have made sustained commitments to research, testing, and knowledge sharing. This support has helped foster innovation and has led to the creation of resources such as the BE-ST Innovation Center and the Trimble Technology Lab.

At the same time, home builders in Scotland appear to have embraced manufacturing as part of their housing delivery model, creating a reliable pipeline that supports industry growth. Conversations with manufacturers made it clear that both technology and construction methods are evolving rapidly, driven by ongoing investment and collaboration.

Many of these lessons feel directly transferable to the Pacific Northwest. As our region works to address the housing affordability crisis, the insights gained from Scotland reinforce the importance of collaboration, innovation, and long-term commitment. We look forward to continuing to support HDC’s Offsite Construction Task Force and contributing to the goals of the HUD Breakthrough Regional Pilots Project as this work moves forward.

Mike Mariano, cofounder and principal at Schemata Workshop, is currently at MOD X Boston as a follow-up to Schemata Workshop’s commitment to off-site construction. Come back soon to hear about his reflections.

In the 1990’s when print advertising was still a thing, the dairy industry got attention with it’s “Got Milk?” campaign, featuring those words in black on a white billboard. The ads, featuring celebrities sporting milk “moustaches”, appeared in newspapers and were pretty successful. It got attention, and milk consumption went up. 

Here in Seattle, while serving on the Board of the Housing Development Consortium, I proposed a similar ad campaign for “Got Land?” to encourage people in King County to consider donating land for the creation of affordable housing. However, the Housing Development Consortium, a non-profit devoted to ensuring that all people live with dignity in safe, healthy, and affordable homes, didn’t have the budget to broadcast it more widely at the time. 

Most people are painfully aware of the current housing crisis, but many landowners sitting on vacant properties may be unaware that they can help alleviate it. Aside from the personal tax benefits of a land donation, utilizing existing empty lots for infill housing is a great way to reinforce the social fabric of a neighborhood, avoid sprawl, utilize existing infrastructure to reduce costs, and begin to address the dearth of affordable housing in Seattle.

Back in 2018, an existing client of my architecture firm, Schemata Workshop, came to us with an interesting proposition: Chakorn Phisuthikul and Marilyn Heinemann were willing to donate a vacant piece of property they owned across the street from the Woodland Park Zoo, but only if it were for a home-ownership development that was guaranteed to be perpetually affordable. This was the start of a project Chakorn dubbed “ZuDu,” a cheeky homage to the Zoo’s annual donation of its manure for local gardeners to add to their compost.  As the project proceeded, donors reconsidered ZuDu, and the working name became PAHO (permanently affordable home ownership).

Chakorn and Marilyn interviewed several local non-profit organizations dedicated to home-ownership opportunities in the region and eventually chose Homestead Community Land Trust (HCLT).  The organization continues to own the land, holding it in a legal trust, effectively removing the value of the land from the purchase price of a home, a strategy becoming more widespread in the effort to create more affordable housing. 

In December 2019, Chakorn and Marilyn entered into an agreement for the transfer of the land. Edge Developers were to serve as a development consultant, Schemata Workshop as the architect, and Edge Construction as the general contractor. The signing was also an acknowledgment of interdependence – not only between Chakorn and Marilyn with HCLT and their private/non-profit partnership, but also between private citizens and their greater community.

 Last spring PAHO broke ground with its final name, Woodland View. The project did not proceed without some struggle, common to many housing projects in Seattle. More than once Chakorn asked, “Why is it so hard for me to donate my land to build affordable housing?” The City has been moving to address many barriers to the development of affordable housing by streamlining permitting, exempting Design Review, increasing density, and incentivizing the development of middle housing on infill lots. We are hopeful that it will continue to become easier to develop affordable housing in the future. 

The twenty-five unit condominium building, expected to be completed in February of 2026, provides nineteen permanently affordable homes to income-qualifying buyers through the land trust, and six market-rate homes to help offset the initial home sale prices. All residents will benefit from the prime location, with access to the zoo and adjacent playground, proximity to neighborhood retail, and stunning views from the upper floors of the Cascades and Olympics. Most importantly, this affordable home ownership opportunity will allow hard-working families to put down roots and find housing stability for generations to come.

In a time when the government is unpredictable and federal resources are being cut for many basic and essential services, now is an ideal time for more private citizens like Chakorn and Marilyn to step up. Please reach out if you’re interested or know someone who is able to make a similar positive impact on livability in our region.

Resilience goes beyond sustainability. Grace and Mike heard an architect at an international conference once describe sustainability like a personal relationship. If I said I had a sustainable relationship with a partner, that doesn’t sound like it’s very positive. If I have a resilient relationship, then we’re able to weather the ups & downs of a relationship, and a community can be resilient during environmental shocks and stresses. Resilience is embedded in every design decision now reflected in the building that nine families have called home for nearly a decade.

We harvest daylight through our community courtyard at the heart of our community, bringing daylight and cross-ventilation to the homes. There is no enclosed, windowless corridor here; residents move throughout the community on covered outdoor balconies. Resident life is visible in this intimate courtyard space, plants draping over balconies, the sound of resident life coming through open doors and windows, and activity on every level.

We harvest energy from the sun through the photovoltaic panels on our upper roof. We’re a small site, and the payback on solar panels is long due to our (currently) low-cost hydroelectric power provided by one of the cleanest utility providers in the nation.

And, of course, the garden harvest on the lower roof. Photosynthesis generates fresh food that nourishes our community – produce used on site by residents, and an entire bed of produce cared for by one resident family is delivered to the nearby Byrd-Barr Place food bank.

Grace shares her lived experience and work in cohousing in her 2017 TED Talk about how cohousing can make us happy and live longer.

As profiled in the book Ideal Cities, CHUC exemplifies the kind of intentional community that contributes to the neighborhood social fabric while addressing environmental challenges.

CHUC is not just a place to live but a model of what’s possible when architecture, community, and sustainability intersect with intention.

Learn more about CHUC at our monthly Saturday tour!

Click the link and use code RESILIENCE for free tickets until the end of 2025!

Over the past few years, Schemata Workshop has been working together with Open Doors for Multicultural Families (ODMF) and Mercy Housing Northwest to create a Multicultural Village (MCV), a mixed-use, affordable housing development centered on the needs of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDDs). Below the approximately 233 residential units of the MCV, ODMF will operate a Family Resource Center (14,000sf), an inclusive Early Learning Center (10,000sf), and their own administrative Offices (8,000sf).

The Family Resource Center aims to provide people with IDDs and their families—many of whom are immigrants, refugees, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—culturally and linguistically relevant and responsive services, such as case management, mental health and education support, and advocacy. ODMF currently serves over 2,000 families every year, and the Family Resource Center will expand ODMF’s capacity.

ODMF will offer support for housing, employment, and overall navigation of government-offered services. They will also offer programming that promotes health and wellness as well as advocacy training. Programs are offered for people of all ages with IDDs, including after-school programs for youth and full-day programs for adults. The Early Learning Center, which is being designed by CAST, will integrate small children of all abilities alongside those with IDDs.

From the beginning of the project, Schemata focused on how best to serve individuals with IDDs and their caregivers and families. Schemata conducted multiple user focus groups with ODMF staff and their clients to ensure that the programming and physical design of the building will meet their needs. We also visited buildings in Portland that are known for their inclusive designs as well as the Assistive Technology Lab operated by Community Vision.

While Universal Design principles were not new for Schemata Workshop, in designing the Family Resource Center, our team incorporated the Kelsey Inclusive Design Standards to go beyond ADA accessibility requirements to make the building accessible and usable for people of all abilities. To accommodate sensory sensitivities prevalent in people with IDDs the design utilizes color for wayfinding, adjustable lighting, variation in room size, and careful consideration of air volume in the heating and ventilation systems as well as ample and strategic placement of acoustic materials. Warm wood tones, a variety of textures in the materials, and durability of finishes round out the design.

This unique project will bring much-needed housing to the IDD community and other individuals and families in the South Seattle and Kent, WA, area, while also providing the human services critical for people with IDDs to thrive. ODMF will have their offices directly adjacent to the program areas to ensure seamless delivery of multilingual and culturally relevant services.

The Family Resource Center at the Multicultural Village will be a one-of-a kind facility that will serve as a national exemplar for Inclusive Design for people with IDDs.

Our team consisted of ODMF, the owner, Lotus Development, the development consultant, and Walsh Construction, the contractor.

Additional Information:

Multicultural Village

ODMF Family Resource Center

Open Doors for Multicultural Families

It has taken nearly a decade of meticulous planning and design. Every detail, from the infrastructure layout to the rider experience, was carefully considered. What stands today is the result of tireless collaboration with Kitsap Transit, Parametrix, SCI Construction, and others, all committed to creating a space that is not only functional but forward-thinking and built to serve the residents of Central Kitsap County.

The Silverdale Transit Center includes eight bus bays along with a canopy shelter for riders, bike storage, and a bus driver comfort station. Sidewalks and paths surrounding the transit center are planted with an assortment of edible plants. The facility showcases Washington’s first wireless in-ground charging systems to support Kitsap Transit’s fleet of electric buses, supporting Kitsap Transit’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

The canopy for the transit center emerged from a thoughtful, multi-phase design process including site-specific analysis, precedent research, functional programming, and material strategy. More than just a rain shelter, the canopy reflects Kitsap County’s strong dedication to public transit, creating a civic gesture that is indicative of the public investment.

Design began with a thorough analysis of the site’s climate, orientation, and movement patterns.  Understanding pedestrian circulation, bus operations, and sun and wind exposure helped shape the canopy’s scale and alignment. The canopy needed to provide effective weather protection while maintaining clear sight lines for safety. The broader urban context further influenced its role as a visual anchor within the transit hub, offering not only shelter but a sense of arrival and placemaking.

The final design creates a striking, graceful silhouette with a blend of steel and concrete that plays with the relationship between structure and transparency. The enclosed structure is a tilt-up concrete building that houses the bus driver facilities as well as the backup generator for the bus charging system.  While tilt-up is typically used for warehouse structures, this modest facility was a clever puzzle of interlocking pieces to create openings and interest. The long canopy offers shelter for waiting passengers, clear organization of boarding zones, compliance with accessibility standards, and a creative way to signify its usage.

This time-lapse video demonstrates the scale of the transit hub and the innovative technologies integrated.

Below are some of the articles that have been written by the local media:

Kitsap Sun
Kitsap Daily News

Grace was invited to speak to the 150th graduating class of the University of Washington's College of Built Environments. This milestone marks not only 150 years of innovation but also the beginning of a new era, with these graduates poised to leave their mark on the world. The world needs their creativity, vision, and leadership to transform how we live, work, and interact with the spaces around us. Here's to the Class of 2025—your future in design and construction will shape the world for generations to come!

“I stand before you as an immigrant child who came to the US from South Korea at the age of 3. I graduated from architecture school 32 years ago…and it feels like it was just yesterday.  I remember thinking my whole life was ahead of me. Despite the recession I was graduating into, I had lined up a job at an internationally recognized firm in Chicago, and I was ready to conquer the world!

While I have accomplished many things in the past three decades, I still share the same excitement and uncertainty about what the future might hold – that you might be feeling today. The rest of our lives are indeed ahead of us.

Whether you are thinking about the party tonight, the trip you might be taking next week, or the job you are about to start - let me share a few “pro-tips” with you.

I want you to know there is no finish line. Just because you are graduating, you are not done learning. Be a lifelong learner - be curious, explore new ideas, don’t shy away from adventure. Find people who share your curiosity and work together towards the things you believe in. Don’t think of others as competitors, but rather as allies in your shared work.

There is no time to be idle - there is much to do. We must work with sense of urgency…because if we don’t, it will be easy to make excuses about how you will do it next year, and then next year becomes the next year and soon enough 5 or 10 years has passed and you’ve not accomplished or contributed in the ways you’d hoped.

But that doesn’t mean work hard for the sake of working hard. Work smarter, not harder. Be effective with your time – learn from others around you. As you learn how to do things, share that knowledge. Collaborate and delegate so your workload is distributed and make sure you take time to spend time with friends, with your family, and enjoy time off as you go.  You can go your whole life deferring vacation or time with family and friends because you have a deadline. Make sure you get your work done…but make sure your life is not defined by your work.  No one is handing out trophies for working hard…. I hope that no one ever says “boy that Grace, she was such a hard worker”. Instead, I hope they say, Grace Kim – she made such an impact in our community…on my career development. Be sure to have something you believe in and dedicate your life to creating a lasting legacy.

I encourage you all to strive for a world where kindness wins. Where you can be generous and offer someone a little grace. It won’t hurt you to open a door for someone, look a stranger in the eye and offer a smile, or help someone carry heavy bags across the street – whether they are an elderly woman or an unhoused man. Don’t judge by appearances… remember everyone has a story – if you knew it, might you treat them differently?  Give everyone a chance and give them the benefit of the doubt.  You might find yourself someday needing someone to offer that same kindness and grace to you.

Share abundantly and practice audacious generosity. I taught studio this quarter, and it was a national student competition with a single submission. On the first day I told the students if they learned something to share with their classmates – that in doing so they’d go farther and do better.  And one of the students said she’d never been told to share by an instructor.  If YOU haven’t been given that encouragement before…I’m telling all of you now - Share audaciously!

Live a life where you give generously – to family and friends, to your community to your alma mater, doesn’t matter whether it’s your high school or college…or better yet, one you didn’t go to, in an underserved area, or give to non-profit organizations who is doing good work in your community. By doing so, you might develop meaningful relationships and be remembered for your actions and your contributions.

Don’t wait for “someone” or “someday” to build your future. It’s happening now. Every day, you are actively creating your future. I’ve had students and early professionals ask me if there was a single defining moment in time or person that helped me achieve success. Generally, for most of us, there is not one moment or person. For most of you, it will be the totality of your life’s work - your cumulative actions - that will define your success.

Don’t wait to meet the “right person” that will help you become successful or to be given the “right opportunity”. In your first job, in your first volunteer service, in your community… You will meet friends and mentors who will be an important influence on you. When you get to be established in your life/career as I am, you will see that every action you have taken has informed your next steps. And one by one, you will see that these steps have amounted to something – whether that something is great or not will be informed by your values and your decisions along the way.

For those of you who know me and my work, you won’t be surprised to hear me say. Look for and create a community wherever you go. Whether it is the group of interns you start work with, or the professional organization you join, or the religious group you belong to – seek out community wherever you are and contribute. If you do, you will always find the support you need.

We have been indoctrinated as Americans to be boldly independent, and we have been told that our success is ours alone. Having run my own architectural practice for the past 20 years, I will tell you that it is not true – it takes a strong team working collaboratively together to be successful. AND you will find so MUCH more enjoyment in your success when you have a community around you to share it with.

So look for “your people”, those who you believe in and who believe in you, support them and celebrate with them– and in return they will support and celebrate you.

In the autumn of life, you will see that you reap what you sow. If you sow the seeds of kindness and generosity, you will find yourself in 20 or 30 years with the abundance of life, surrounded by family and friends who love you, work that is truly meaningful to yourself and your community. Be careful if you choose to sow the seeds of self-indulgence or personal gain, know that what you might reap in your later years could result in loneliness and isolation at a time when you might be most seeking connection.

Over the past few decades, the gap between rich and poor has grown exponentially wider, making homeownership a difficult reality for your generation.  As Courtney Martin notes in her book, the New Better Off, for the first time in the history of our nation, a generation…your generation…will not be “better off” than your parents.  At least not from a financial perspective. Adjusted for inflation, you will be making less money than your parents did at your age, and your cost of living will be much higher.

On your graduation day, this might feel defeating…But perhaps we should evaluate and redefine our metrics for measuring success.

For my parents’ generation, the sign of success was to go to college, get married, buy a house, and have 2.5 children – all before the age of 30!  But over the subsequent 3 generations, that paradigm has proven itself to be flawed. And the struggle to achieve this idealized life has often resulted in depression or low self-esteem.

I encourage you to define what success means to you, not what it means to your parents, social media, or popular culture. Rather than letting society dictate the expectations and values by which they will measure your life, think about what you would define as success. That might mean you don’t take the job that earns you more money…rather, opting for the job that helps you make a meaningful and positive impact on people’s lives. That might mean doing the thing you love rather than the thing your parents tell you to love. That might mean sharing abundantly rather than overconsuming.

By setting this metric for yourself early, YOU get to determine whether you are “better off” than the previous generation.

By many measures, these are dark times – our freedoms and identities are under attack. People who look like me, many BIPOC people, those who are LGBTQ, those who are refugees or undocumented…many are fearful for their futures.

The economy is failing us – I have heard some of you express your uncertainty about whether you might find jobs in your chosen field. But do not let darkness overcome. I’d like to remind you of a stanza from Amanda Gorman’s poem that she read for Joe Biden’s inauguration, 

When the day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.

So go forward and find you’re your light – seek out community, be kind and generous, define your ideal success. And don’t let yourself be oppressed by the circumstances and people who want to extinguish your light.

As you consider the journey ahead, know that your education has prepared you well. Expect to evolve and grow throughout your life. Whether you find yourself in traditional practice, working as the client, in an allied discipline, OR in a job seemingly unrelated to the design and construction of buildings or open space, you can be confident and assured that you will draw upon the lessons of your education-time and time again.

In these last moments of university life, look around you…in the seats and rows around you. You may see some friends, some classmates, and maybe even some strangers. In just a few minutes, as your name is called, you come up on stage and return to your seats, your viewpoint will change. You will see that ALL those around you are fellow alumni. They are now part of your network and possibly your future success. Who knows which ones of you will collaborate, which ones of you will start a company together, which one of you might find yourself standing up here giving the commencement speech in 30 years?

Whatever your next steps may be and wherever your path takes you, know that you are ready. You are enough. You have accomplished something to be proud of.
It is my great pleasure to congratulate you on your graduation.”

Meet Kriti (M.Arch ‘21), Alex (B.Arch ‘20), Joann (M.Arch ‘10), and Geoff (M.Arch ‘98), four individuals bringing a rich mix of perspectives — each shaped by their journey, role, and time with the company. From fresh perspective to seasoned insight, their diverse backgrounds weave together a dynamic story of collaboration and growth.

How to best prepare for interviews?

Kriti: There are three things that have always helped me. One, do your research on the firm you are interviewing with. Knowing the vision of any potential employer is essential in understanding if they are a good fit for you. Additionally, it indicates to the firm that your interest in them is genuine. Second, prepare a list of things you would like to discuss as a part of the interview process. This includes which projects you would like to talk through in your portfolio, your strengths, and questions you would like to ask the interviewer. Third, be well-rested and bring a positive attitude to the interview. While it can be hard sometimes, this makes a big difference in your conversations.

Geoff: Obviously, we look for people who have the skills required for a position, but I find that the best interviewees are well prepared and demonstrate enthusiasm for the work we do and what they are excited to bring to that work. They usually have some prior knowledge of the work SW does and have done their homework regarding recent projects. SW is a mission-driven firm that looks for people who understand that and share that mission for the work we do as architects, so being able to exemplify one’s work that aligns with our emphasis on community and diversity is helpful beyond your portfolio work.

Looking back, what would you tell your recent grad self?

Joann: Architecture school gave you a great foundation for design processes/thinking, which can be applied to many different career paths. Your experiences outside of the traditional architectural industry will give you the richest experiences to strengthen your architectural work. There will be many times when you will be the only woman/person of color/young person in the room. Take up space, and don’t try to change yourself to fit in. I know it seems scary, but you will find the right office culture if you stay true to your values. Also, invest in a good pair of brown steel-toe boots for construction site visits. You will ruin your favorite black boots if you wear them to a muddy job site.

Alex: I would tell my recent grad self to lean on your friends, your family, your school faculty, and your network. The post-graduation experience can be jarring (especially in such uncertain times as these), but you’ve worked so hard and have much more than you realize to show for it. Do your best and leave the rest. Take care of your health and keep taking steps in the right direction. Everything else will follow.

What, from your education, do you use the most in your work?

Alex: The design process and approach to problem solving.

Geoff: That’s a good question, and now that I’ve been working for 27 years, it’s difficult to think back to what was gained from my education this far removed. If I had to say one thing, it is that architecture education teaches you to be a creative problem-solver. It may not be totally unique to architecture education, but it is a strength of our education that you are given unique challenges that do not have a “right” answer. Therefore, no student’s project work is ever going to be the same. By collaborating in studio and seeing what others do, you can expand your own creativity and problem-solving skills.

What are some skills that are most valuable for entry-level architectural designers to have?

Alex: Familiarity with a modeling and rendering program will likely be important. Revit continues to be the industry standard, so bonus points for that. Softwares aside, what is more important in my opinion is to be an information sponge, to be proactive, and to be curious. 

Geoff: Enthusiasm. We understand that entry-level employees still have a lot to learn about the architecture industry and the work that is required. Therefore, it’s very important to have an enthusiasm to learn, network, share knowledge, and challenge yourself. Beyond just knowing how to operate Revit, for example, it’s important to understand what you are working on and why things are happening with projects. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something doesn't make sense to you, don’t just accept it at face value. Try to learn about it.

Kriti: I believe that the ability to collaborate effectively is an essential skill to have. Other skills that I have found to be valuable are proficiency in Revit or other core digital tools that you would be expected to use day to day, problem-solving, and eagerness to listen and learn.

What do you love most about working in the architecture industry?

Joann: I love the blend of technical and creative thinking that I get to use on a daily basis to create spaces for organizations that work on big societal challenges, such as food or housing insecurity. I really enjoy getting to know the clients and how they use their spaces. Figuring out the flow of people with the constraints of site, budget, and code is like a puzzle that I find extremely rewarding.

Geoff: I’ve always found that the architecture industry is always changing and very diverse. No project is ever the same. Clients and the community offer a variety of interests to our work. I also love all the collaboration with our co-workers, consultants, owners, and even the contractors. Seeing a project completed and the joyful satisfaction and pride we see from the team is my favorite part of what we do.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite college memory?

Alex: Friendsgiving Potluck

Kriti: My favorite college memory is a dance party we had in studio. It was a couple of days before final review, and one of the many nights we were all working late in studio. A bunch of our friends came in with speakers, blasting music, and taking everyone along with them as we danced our way through the studios. It helped re-energize us to keep going! 

Joann: My favorite college memory is studying architecture at the UW Rome Center, located on the Campo de Fiori. I lived with four other women in the Palazzo Pio, and we created the most wonderful community meals for our classmates with fresh ingredients from the market in the Campo. We were nicknamed the PO5, and joked about opening an architecture office/bakery together one day. I loved roaming the winding streets with Professor Trina Deines, as she shared stories that gave life to the sculptures, paintings, and buildings of the city, then finishing the walking tour with a heaping cup of gelato. It was a trip that awakened all of the senses.  

At Schemata Workshop, we go beyond sustainability and strive for resilience in all we do. This is readily apparent in the mixed-use, high-performance, internationally recognized building where the office is located at the street level, and the homes of nine families are found above. A vibrant, resilient office culture supports mission-aligned staff working with clients to achieve just and resilient communities.

When it comes to resilience, there are three pillars: environmental, social, and economic. Together, they emphasize the need to balance ecological health, social equity, and economic viability for the long term.

The environmental pillar is the most recognized and discussed aspect, focusing on protecting, preserving, and restoring our planet’s natural resources. Social equity and the well-being of individuals and communities are also critical. Economic resilience aims to cultivate an economy that is both productive and ensures long-term prosperity without depleting natural resources or exacerbating social inequities.

Our definition of resilience does not focus on any one aspect. Schemata Workshop takes a comprehensive approach to the challenge presented by each project to meet the needs of today while paying it forward for future generations to thrive.

Here are a few project examples that demonstrate resilience:

New Life Housing is an affordable housing project in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. Working with the property owner, Shiloh Baptist Church, Schemata Workshop designed two separate apartment buildings that provide economic stability for individuals and families by offering a safe and stable home at a price that they can afford. The project promotes social equity by ensuring all members of society, regardless of income, and including formally unhoused veterans, have access to a quality living environment. The inclusion of community spaces in each building helps foster a strong, vibrant community while improving social connectedness and well-being of residents. As with many affordable housing projects in the State, environmental aspects are satisfied through the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards.

Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) is designed to enhance the accessibility and capacity of the existing off-site food bank, providing a larger, more functional space to better serve the needs of the local community. RVFB plays a crucial role in ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food regardless of race, income, or immigration status. RVFB helps strengthen the local economy by supporting individuals and families who face food insecurity, allowing them to allocate their limited resources to other essential needs such as housing, healthcare, and education. The project provides a newly built addition integrated with the renovation and adaptation of an existing structure. Reuse of existing resources like the building reduces resource burden on the project – fewer new materials and fewer materials to be disposed of in a landfill.

The Capitol Hill Transit Oriented Development (CHTOD) is a mixed-use development that seamlessly integrates affordable & market-rate housing, retail, and a public plaza above an underground light rail station. This LEED Platinum-certified project is designed with passive solar design strategies and low-VOC materials to minimize environmental impact while creating a healthy living environment. Residents also benefit from a rooftop community garden, where they can grow a variety of foods and plants. The CHTOD promotes the use of public transportation, thanks to its proximity to the light rail, streetcars, and bus routes. By combining residential, commercial, and communal spaces, the development encourages efficient land use and offers increased opportunities for local businesses and job creation. Additionally, its strategic location ensures residents have easy access to essential services such as food, healthcare, education, and a robust and expanding mass transit system. All while fostering a vibrant and resilient community. 

Skyway Resource Center (SRC) is a community-led and community-owned project. SRC provides healthcare and mental health support services and opportunities to help individuals gain economic independence. Due to the services offered, SRC will create local jobs and contribute to the local economy. SRC fosters social reliance by creating an inclusive, supportive environment designed with the community in mind. It strengthens social bonds and promotes community engagement with the Farmers’ Market and Outdoor Cinema hosted on site.

In a future post, we will take this topic one step further by further exploring applied concepts of resilience, while sharing experience and thoughts on regenerative design.

Meet Kriti! Kriti is an architectural designer who joined our team at the end of last year. Originally from Ludhiana, India, Kriti moved to the US to pursue her degree in Architecture. She has lived in almost every US time zone and is excited to experience summer in Seattle. Kriti has a passion for dance. She started dance school at the age of 2, even during her educational journey.

Meet Astrid! Astrid has joined Schemata Workshop as Marketing Coordinator and Office Administrator. Originally from the Bay Area, Astrid moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. Finishing up her degree in Art and Education Studies this last year, she is bringing a creative side to her role. Astrid has a passion for teaching. On the weekend, she teaches youth art classes.

We asked them a set of questions to get to know them!

If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit?

Kriti: I would like to travel to the Indus Valley Civilization. I am curious to learn about their ways of living and daily practices.

Astrid: The time of the dinosaurs, I just want to see them then I’m all good.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Kriti: I have been wanting to go to Japan!

Astrid: Japan, mostly to eat

If your home was burning down, after family members and pets, what three things would you try to save?

Kriti: My passport, jewelry, and phone

Astrid: My laptop, snacks for the long road ahead, and probably important documents

If you could talk to any one person now living or dead, who would it be and why?

Kriti: My Dadi (Paternal Grandmother). She passed away when I was young so I would love to talk to her life and tell her all about my life achievements.

Astrid: The inventor of cheesecake, to thank them for a delicious dessert.

If you had to give up one of your senses, which would it be and why?

Kriti: This is tough. Probably my sense of smell because I am prone to allergies.

Astrid: Touch, maybe, because then I could realistically try to touch anything without fear.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Kriti: I would be Mumble from Happy Feet since I also love to dance!

Astrid: Hill stream loach, all they seem to do is glide, sit, and eat.

Do you have any pets? If not, what sort of people would you like?

Kriti: I grew up with dogs. We plan to get a dog sometime in the future.

Astrid: My fiancé has a lot of shrimp and fish (at least 100) and since I live with him, by association they are also mine.

Name a gift you will never forget.

Kriti: My paternal grandfather gave me my grandmother’s ring which I greatly value.

Astrid: Bo, the big foot Jellycat.

What is one of your favorite family traditions?

Kriti: Sunday brunches with family are my favorite. We always had something special.

Astrid: Going to Din Tai Fung in every city we happen to be in, my mom’s choice.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?

Kriti: Walking outdoors in the sun and lying down on fresh grass.

Astrid: Going on long walks.

At Schemata Workshop, we believe in the power of diversity and inclusion and are committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of other organizations with the same mission. The organizations we work with are not only making a positive impact on their communities but are also dedicated to the growth and development of the next generation.

The Black Home Initiative is a network of nonprofits, private companies, philanthropy, government, and associations focused on addressing the housing disparities faced by Black communities. Its goal is to create more equitable access to homeownership, support Black families in building generational wealth, and increase the availability of affordable, high-quality housing in the Puget Sound region. By uplifting Black homeowners and renters, the Black Home Initiative strives to make opportunities to own a home, and the potential benefits of that asset, available to 1,500 new low- and moderate-income Black homeowners within the next five years. 

1DROP Development is a nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering developers of color to design affordable and sustainable housing. Through its efforts, 1DROP helps build affordable homes for people of all incomes and stages of life, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Recently, 1DROP was awarded a grant by the Washington State Department of Commerce to further its mission of advancing economic development in underserved communities. This funding supports 1DROP’s work to empower local developers, strengthen community ties, and ensure that historically marginalized groups have access to vital resources and opportunities. The organization is playing a key role in creating more inclusive housing options and contributing to the broader goal of equitable growth across the state. 

The Nehemiah Initiative Seattle is a community-driven, faith-based organization focused on preserving and empowering Black communities in Seattle. Established in 2020, the Initiative works to combat displacement and gentrification by repurposing underutilized Black church properties into affordable housing, business spaces, and community hubs. By partnering with local faith organizations, architects, and community leaders, the Nehemiah Initiative strives to ensure that Black communities remain rooted in Seattle while fostering economic and cultural growth. Their efforts aim to balance development with the preservation of heritage, creating spaces that serve both current and future generations. 

By showcasing these partnerships, we aim to foster greater awareness and appreciation for their incredible work and to encourage continued collaboration and growth. Together, we can build more inclusive and vibrant spaces, and help to create a stronger, more equitable future. We would encourage you to connect with one of these organizations whether it is a one-time donation or advocacy or directly volunteering. Your support will help amplify their efforts.

Everest Park Restroom Facility: Enhancing Community Spaces

Schemata is proud to partner with the City of Kirkland to design a new restroom facility at Everest Park. This project will replace the outdated, inaccessible restrooms, which have struggled to accommodate the park’s growing number of visitors, particularly during the busy summer months.

The new restroom shelter will be a visually striking addition to the park, thoughtfully located for optimal accessibility. Drawing inspiration from the shapes and elements of the adjacent ball field, the design ensures that the facility will complement the park's environment while offering functional, welcoming spaces for all parkgoers.

The upgraded restroom facility will feature:

-          Men’s and women’s restrooms

-          Two single-stalled all-gender restrooms

-          Seating areas for visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings

-          An overhang to provide shelter from rain in the winter and sun in the summer

MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025: Stewardship with Green Kirkland

On MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025, Schemata volunteers joined the Green Kirkland Partnership to contribute to park restoration and environmental stewardship efforts. Our team made meaningful contributions, including:

-          Removing invasive species to ensure a thriving, balanced ecosystem

-          Mulching to improve soil conditions and promote sustainable growth

Why Volunteering Matters: Making a Lasting Impact Beyond the Project

Volunteering is deeply embedded in Schemata’s values. It is not only an opportunity to give back to the communities we serve but also a way to foster growth, collaboration, and a lasting positive impact. Through volunteering, we empower our team members to create meaningful change—not just in the projects we directly work on but in the broader community.

Our commitment to volunteerism extends far beyond the confines of individual projects. As part of our JUST certification, we encourage each team member to volunteer at least once per quarter, ensuring that we engage with and contribute to the broader needs of the communities where our clients operate. By supporting these communities in ways that go beyond the scope of our architectural and design work, we strengthen relationships, promote shared responsibility, and build a deeper connection with the people we serve.

This approach fosters collaboration, supports sustainability, and reinforces our commitment to the well-being of every community we touch, allowing us to make a tangible difference not just through our work, but through our ongoing presence and dedication to service.

As Schemata Workshop celebrates two decades of growth and innovation, the firm looks to the future with optimism and ambition. Over the next 20 years, we aim to:

• Champion Sustainability: Lead the way in regenerative design processes that create a positive environmental impact, while also taking into account the social and economic resiliency of our design solutions.

• Innovate with Technology: Embrace emerging technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) and MMC (modern means of construction) to revolutionize the design process and deliver smarter, more economic solutions.

• Foster Talent and Diversity: Nurture a diverse, inclusive workforce while inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders and creatives.

• Uplift Marginalized Voices: Advocate for and amplify underrepresented communities through our projects, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs prioritized.

• Leave a Lasting Legacy: Shape communities with mission-driven projects that elevate quality of life, blending functionality with beauty.

At Schemata Workshop, we are committed to continuously evolving, ensuring our next 20 years are marked by creativity, collaboration, and positive change.

Mike and Grace founded Schemata Workshop twenty years ago with a clear idea of the kind of firm they wanted: one focused on community, direct client engagement and inspiring design. 

Empowering all members of the firm to feel ownership, they eschewed putting their own names on the door, instead opting for a name that would state their intentions – one that could carry on long past their own tenure. Collaboration and inclusivity are central to the studio culture. The pair had worked for too many firms where the design was constantly being reinvented with competing ideas. They chose “schema” the Latin word for “framework,” meaning the intentional design idea from which a project evolves. “workshop” evokes collegiality, craft and teamwork in a way that is more approachable than “studio” or “atelier”.   

Shortly after a trip to Copenhagen where Grace was taking a sabbatical to research cohousing in 2004, Mike and Grace had a chance to re-think their professional situations. While neither had actually aspired to taking on the responsibility or risk of owning their own firm, they realized it was the only way to practice architecture in a truly collaborative and inclusive environment. 

Within one month of their decision, they had a tax ID and bank account and a lease for an office space that still needed to be built out. For that first month, Schemata Workshop operated with a total of four employees out of their Belltown condo. They soon set up shop in the Northwest Work Lofts at Denny and Western Avenues with a water view – but no acoustic or thermal insulation to speak of.

After hopscotching around several office locations, they ended up in a 12-foot-wide, 50-foot-deep “shoebox” with a skylight and 14-foot ceilings on Capitol Hill - at the site of what would become their permanent home. A former garage, their new space in the one-story brick structure was originally the building’s loading bay with the rest of the building occupied by a tattoo parlor.  

A major milestone in 2016 was the construction of CHUC (Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing) on the same site. Reflecting their interest in creating intentional communities, the five-story building has residential homes for nine families (including Mike, Grace and their 17-year child), a “common house” kitchen and gathering space, an internal courtyard and rooftop garden that follow the cohousing principles of community. The courtyard is a bright yellow, echoing similar courtyards they saw in Copenhagen multifamily homes. The ground-floor storefront office is also painted the same bright shade on the exterior, making it a landmark on the busy streetscape. Reflecting their desire to be part of the community they serve, the glass storefront allows passersby to see the firm’s daily activities.   

Employees of the firm have happily nicknamed themselves “froggers” in light of Schemata Workshop’s iconic red and white logo designed by artist and graphic designer friends Nino Yuniardi and Tania Liminardja. The simplistic icon, originally meant to represent two people sitting at a table,  also evokes  a frog’s face. In Coast Salish* culture, frogs are communicators, travelling between land and water - a  fitting mascot for a NW-based practice committed to engaging with and creating community. 

From its inception, Mike and Grace’ s mission for Schemata Workshop’s was “empowering communities through architecture,” with a focus on direct community engagement in the design process. Twenty years later, we continue to be mission-driven, holding community central to our work, along with racial equity and sustainability.

We are proud of our contributions to the community throughout the past twenty years – represented in the way we conduct our practice, engage with our clients and partners, and approach our design work.

This year, Schemata Workshop proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to community-focused design. Since our founding, we have dedicated ourselves to creating spaces that not only fulfill functional needs but also foster connection and enrich the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision has always been rooted in the belief that thoughtful design can inspire change, promote sustainability, and empower individuals.

As we reflect on upon the past two decades, we take pride in the transformative projects we’ve undertaken, which also highlight our evolution as a firm. From early consulting efforts to our current multidisciplinary collaborations, we remain focused on creating inclusive, resilient, and vibrant environments for people to live and thrive. As we reflect on this milestone, we’re reviewing some of our past projects with our current endeavors, showcasing how our approach has evolved, while still prioritizing our commitment to strengthening a sense of community.

Rainier View Senior Apartments (2007) & Multicultural Village (In-Progress)

Seattle Public Schools Renovations (2005) & Pacific Science Center Technical Feasibility Study (In-Progress)

Alliance Center Renovation (2005) & Rainier Valley Food Bank (In-Progress)

Kent Senior Activity Center & FAST Resource & Outreach Center

As we mark 20 years of Schemata Workshop, we reflect on the significant impact our projects have made in the communities we serve. From our early consulting efforts to our current innovative developments, our commitment to creating spaces that foster connection, inclusivity, and sustainability remains unwavering. We look forward to the next chapters of transformative design and meaningful community engagement, as we continue to evolve and respond to the needs of those we serve. Here’s to a future filled with collaboration and positive change!

Open Door for Multicultural Families (ODMF), Mercy Housing Northwest (MHNW), Lotus Development and Schemata Workshop are creating a 225 unit mixed-use housing development in Kent that will include the new offices for ODMF, a Family Resource Center, and an inclusive Early Learning Center at a transit oriented development called the Multicultural Village (MCV). The physical and programmatic design of MCV will center on the needs of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) and will also support people of all abilities.

The campus will include a 13,000sf Family Resource Center, 8,000sf of office space, and a 10,000sf inclusive Early Learning Center – all of which will be operated by ODMF for residents on site as well as people with IDDs coming from around the region. Programs and partnerships are being developed with Highline College (located across the street), Project Feast, and regional service providers.

Twenty percent of the homes will be allocated to individuals with IDDs and their families. Due to the diverse population the project is intended to serve, more than half the units will have two to four bedrooms. This is a unique residential model for people with IDDs, and one not currently found in the general marketplace.

Schemata is working closely with the landscape and civil teams to solve for a constant flow of pedestrians around the building, as well as the potential for a significant amount of stormwater. This poses ample opportunity for well-designed landscape and hardscape to manage the flow of people and water. A robust arts program will be informed by indigenous ways of thinking about the site, landscape and building response.

ODMF was founded in 2009 as an organization that provides culturally and linguistically relevant information, services, and programming to persons with IDDs and their families. The clients served by ODMF are often immigrants, refugees, and/or people of color. Executive Director Ginger Kwan created the vision for the MCV upon recognizing there were no inclusive residential communities for people with IDDs.

Mercy Housing Northwest owns and operates 54 properties throughout Washington and Idaho, providing over 5,000 families and seniors a place to call home at below-market rent. Beyond housing, they provide onsite resident services that focus on five key program areas – housing stability, health and wellness, community engagement, education, and financial well-being. These services help MHNW residents work toward self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty.

In response to Ginger's request for a land acknowledgement on the site, Schemata Workshop invited Owen Oliver from consulting firm Headwater People to join the team to help shape design concepts informing not only the site design but also the buildings and interiors.

Owen comes from the people of the Lower Columbia River, Salish Sea, and Southwest Pueblos. His work is concentrated in Indigenous education and cultural representation. In Seattle, Owen has worked with the Office of Planning and Community Development, Seattle Aquarium, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies.

At the outset of design, Owen shared importance of local waterways to Native people - to their transportation, exchange of goods and ways of living. There was a metaphorical connection made between the various local waterways - the Green and Duwamish Rivers, and the new "river" of transportation created by the Sound Transit light rail, which is connecting people to the greater region. He reminded us how Native people consistently try to construct infrastructure working with nature not in a way that was detrimental to the environment.

The importance of water, gathering, and placemaking have become central concepts for the site design and how the building meets the ground plane. There will be many opportunities for people to gather - at various scales for both the general public as well as residents of the building. There will be opportunities to see and understand the context of the building relative to larger land forms like Mount Rainier, the Salish Sea and the surrounding river valleys and agricultural lands. The materials and colors for both the exterior and interior will be informed by these ideas, as will a robust arts program that will incorporate functional art as well as traditional art objects.

While the design will be rooted in indigenous ways of thinking, with the design team continuing to explore approaches to reflect a multicultural community and foster a sense of inclusion for people of all backgrounds and abilities.

In May 2024, in celebration of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA+NH/PI) Heritage Month, the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students - University of Washington Chapter (NOMAS UW) in collaboration with the Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance (AAPIDA) hosted an event series: Making & Taking Up Space (MATUS) “Dismantling the Model Minority Myth”. 

This series of weekly events focused on architecture and other forms of creative work. Various events throughout the month were geared towards dismantling the model minority myth. In part, it was developed in response to evolving values and the growing student dissatisfaction with the lack of diversity reflected in the curriculum and faculty demographics within the UW College of Built Environments (CBE).   

MATUS seeks to create safe spaces for AA+NH/PI and BIPOC-identifying students by providing opportunities to meet with professionals with lived experiences to foster growth, learning, and awareness.  MATUS events provide inspiration and guidance to the next generation of architects and designers by bridging connections between students and other AA+NH/PI and BIPOC-identifying professionals who have walked similar paths, faced similar challenges, and ultimately succeeded. 

MATUS 2024 by the numbers: 

• 8 events in the month of May 

• 35 professional volunteers recruited for a portfolio review and mock interview event: 30 student participants. 

• 150+ attendees for Q+A Speaker Panel, Happy Hour Social, and Finale Discussion 

• $6,100 raised. 

In line with their priorities of advancing global equity, MATUS committed half of their merchandise proceeds to the support those affected by the ongoing conflict in Palestine.   

Schemata's involvement:   

• Schemata Architectural Designer, Caitlin Truong, was the founder and principal organizer of MATUS.  

• To support the efforts of MATUS, Schemata Workshop became a Title Sponsor and hosted a tour of the firm for students. Participants also had the opportunity to sit down with Principal Grace Kim and learn about her experience in the industry as a Korean American woman.  

• Shweta Sinha (Associate at Schemata) was a panelist for "Reclaimed Narratives: Reflections of the Asian American Experience in Architecture + Design" event, where she shared her reflections on the past and present as an Indian woman in the design industry.  

• Architectural Designer, Alex Lin, volunteered as a portfolio reviewer and mock interviewer, encouraging students as they prepare to enter the profession.  

Schemata is supportive of our staff's external initiatives, so we welcomed Caitlin's invitation to sponsor MATUS. As an Asian American leader, Grace especially appreciated Caitlin's leadership in highlighting an unspoken truth in our society - Asian Americans endure a lot of microaggressions and often succumb to an inadequate myth of being a “model minority”. Not all Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders share the same experiences or privileges associated with this trope. And more importantly this myth has a profound impact on personal perceptions of identity and internal racist ideologies. This was a topic and series of events that made sense for Schemata to sponsor, and we appreciated the many ways in which our staff stepped up/showed up to support Caitlin and the NOMAS chapter. As a BIPOC and women led company, we know representation matters. Not just by providing resources to sponsor an event, but also by showing up in person to demonstrate to the next generation of architects that there is a place for them, and that people that look like them hold a variety of positions within our profession.  

Schemata's hope for the Asian community/BIPOC community in our industry:  

Schemata Workshop is actively doing to the work to become an anti-racist company.  
That starts with identifying the racist systems that we are all operating in and the racist tropes that society tries to assign to each of us. We have conversations about this regularly. By supporting events like MATUS, we are helping all of us do the work. While BIPOC centered events may be geared for BIPOC communities to establish their presence and express their individual identities and stories, we hope that White allies will also attend these events to expand their perceptions and understanding. It is our hope that BIPOC students and architects continue to seek out leaders and mentors who look like them, and that those mentors keep their eye out for opportunities to engage and uplift the younger members of the profession.  

“The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” - Frederick Douglass  

Schemata Workshop is committed to being an anti-racist company. We recognize that this might be a lifelong aspiration and not an immediately achievable goal…but we will try. In addition to external trainings, we have been hosting monthly internal Conversations on Race. We are working to foster dialogue  that creates a safe space to ask questions, discuss ideas, provide context, and share personal experiences. The hope being that we each grow in our personal comfort to engage with our friends, family, clients, and consultants on this topic. And grow in our confidence to interject appropriately when actions or words in a meeting or other professional setting require our intervention, so as not to cause or continue harm. And ideally prepare us for leadership within our firm, projects, and profession to challenge and dismantle systemic and institutional racism.

The Frederick Douglas quote above, juxtaposed with the image of the American flag was the inspiration for discussion this month, exploring  the topics of patriotism, national pride, and the idea of one America. We discussed what the flag means to us individually and our experiences and knowledge around Juneteenth and the Black National Anthem.

We used a conversational tool for discussing issues of race that a number of our staff learned about recently in Courageous Conversations’ Beyond Diversity training. We talked about how we might feel, think, believe, or act when encountering racist ideas or images and how the Courageous Conversations Compass can help us to be more effective in our communication with others by  identifying the mindset in which we are individually and collectively engaging with subjects of race.

In his book, A Promised Land, Barack Obama writes in the first chapter, that America is not perfect, there are many aspects of our country that remain unreckoned and unreconciled (the legacy of slavery, the slaughter of Indigenous people, textbooks full of one-sided history). AND yet, there is great promise for what our nation CAN be. We believe in the promise of our democracy. And we believe that we need to actively reclaim the flag as a symbol of everyone's freedom. And that we need to be vocal in our words and actions to create an equitable world for all who live in our beautiful country.

This summer we are joined by Emmanuella Mariano - a high school intern who aspires to study architecture in two years. In the meantime, they are getting an opportunity to gain some experience working in a professional office setting. They will be helping out with marketing and the website; as well as general office and project support. Emmanuella is a skilled illustrator and is excited to see how the concepts learned in an AP Human Geography course apply to real life projects.

If you are attending the National Cohousing Conference, you will have a chance to meet Emmanuella as they will be staffing the Schemata Exhibit Table!

If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit?
I’d go back to a little before the industrial revolution and introduce renewable energy to help slow climate change.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Antarctica, so I could see penguins and the glaciers.

If your home was burning down, after family members and pets, what three things would you try to save?
My vinyl collection, the blanket of the Washington peninsula that I brought home from our old cabin, and probably as many stuffed animals as I could carry.

If you could talk to any one person now living or dead, who would it be and why?
Probably Laufey, not only because I enjoy and am inspired by her music, but also by her life and her stories, as someone who is also half white and half Asian.

If you had to give up one of your senses (taste, smell, touch, sight, hearing) which would it be and why?
Smell, because I’m so frequently congested from my allergies, I sometimes feel like already lost it.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I think a crow, because I like giving people random things I find, like interesting rocks.

Do you have any pets? if not, what sort of pet would you like?
I’d want a penguin, even though they’re smelly, I’ve always loved them, and just want to be able to hold one.

Name a gift you will never forget.
The Swiss army knife I got for my 10th birthday. I remember feeling so grown up and trying to find anything I could use it for, like tightening all the screws on outlet covers or cutting paper.

What is one of your favorite family traditions?
Making food together, especially if it’s Korean food.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?
Spend time outdoors, going camping, and looking at the stars.

The AMP composes four different artworks: andimgonnamisseverybody (Christopher Paul Jordan, We’re Already Here (Civilization), Ribbon of Light (Horatio Hung-Yan Law), and In This Way We Loved One Another (Storme Webber). Situated around the Capitol Hill TOD project completed by Schemata Workshop in 2020.  Schemata was first involvement with the TOD project was as community members - serving on a community stakeholder advisory group, then later as consultants  documenting the community’s vision for the  site, and eventually became the architect for a developer-led response to Sound Transit's RFP.

Community members identified a desire for the future development to have high quality, sustainable design and construction, and lower parking counts than  other mixed-use development in the neighborhood. They also wanted to see the inclusion of affordable housing, community spaces, and permanent homes for the farmer's market, and performing and visual arts. Also expressed was the desire for an AIDS memorial to be incorporated into the site to acknowledge the impact of AIDS to the community, and the significant loss of lives during the late 80s. The AIDS Memorial Project was born, and later renamed The AIDS Memorial Pathway (AMP).

Initially there was discussion of hosting the National AIDS Quilt on-site at a LGBTQ+ Welcome Center. There proved to be no feasible way to do this within the bounds of mixed-use programming and available funding. Schemata looked at leveraging public spaces at the TOD development, and the developer’s desire to incorporate art into the project. The community advisory group then asked Schemata to host a series of workshops to develop the memorial project and identify appropriate artwork and potential locations around the site. This resulted in creation of an arts master plan. Schemata worked with the LGBTQ+ community, the developer Gerding Edlen, and the City's Office of Arts & Culture to select  artists to manage overall effort and produce individual pieces, meeting of challenge of not having a somber expression of memorial, while bringing attention to the AIDS epidemic and ongoing crisis.

After the completion of the Capitol Hill TOD project and the AMP, many community events have taken place here, using the X as a backdrop - whether it be dance performances  the weekly farmers market, drag shows, fundraisers, or impromptu roller skate meetups.

The Capitol Hill TOD project was important to the founders of Schemata Workshop –as Capitol Hill is their home—and they were committed to neighborhood improvement, both professionally and personally. They saw the project as an opportunity to uplift marginalized voices who had seen the threat of gentrification in their neighborhood.

Learn more about the Amp: https://theamp.org/

Take Action/Resources: https://theamp.org/take-action/#information

As we wrap up the end of AAPI Month, Schemata wants to spotlight our own talented architects and designers that represent part of the AAPI community: Alex, Joann, Ye, Grace, Shweta, & Caitlin!

We asked our AAPI team members to share with us how their cultural heritage informs their approach to work or design, and how do the values, traditions, or experiences from their background shape the way they approach projects or problem-solving.

Alex Lin

As a child of Chinese immigrants, my family has always adapted their traditions to the American context. From our living arrangements (housing three generations of my family and all of the family business’ staff under the same roof) to small daily rituals like burning incense for our ancestors, my parents purposed a typical single-family suburban home to create opportunity and community while continuing to practice their cultural traditions. As a designer, both my family’s and my experience navigating the blurring of Chinese and American culture continues to shape the values and ideas that I contribute to our work.

Joann Ware

I am a child of Taiwanese emigrants, who navigated a new culture in the US while raising children and working extremely hard. I watched my parents approach life with curiosity and saw them build community through acts of kindness and nourishing others with food. I carry these values forward in my work as a designer, community activist, and parent.

Ye Sun

Growing up in Shandong, China, I was steeped in the rich traditions of Confucianism, which permeated both my education and social interactions. Central to Confucian teachings is the emphasis on being people-oriented. This ethos compels me to maintain empathy and an open mind towards every team player and project user in all the design phases.

Grace Kim

As someone who immigrated to the U.S. in early 1970s, the Korean culture I was raised in is very collective and interconnected. There were very few Koreans in Seattle at that time. There is a high value for hard work, family, and respect for elders. At a very early age I learned we take care of each other and work together for the benefit of the whole. I think this is why I like working collaboratively to solve problems. And it’s why I like to engage the community in our projects. They have much wisdom- through their lived experiences, and knowing what their strengths and needs are. Also growing up in an America that was socializing the idea of assimilation, I see how I was indoctrinated into a very racist view of myself and my culture. This is informs my desire to have Schemata work towards being an anti-racist design practice. 

Shweta Sinha

I first came to the US for graduate studies, and brought with me influences from Indian culture, spaces, and architecture. I tried very hard to fit in and possibly even underplay those influences. I now celebrate the fact that my life experiences give me a unique perspective and allow me to think differently – aspects of community, intergenerational living and resourcefulness are integral to the architect I am.

Caitlin Truong

As a second generation Vietnamese-Chinese American, I have always felt caught between three cultures and worlds, never truly feeling like I belonged; always existing in a gray space. Through design, I hope to create a sense of home and belonging for others as I have learned how to navigate my identity in a world where I do not belong neither here nor there.