June 15, 2022

Johnston Architects

Kohl

Guerin

Ciaccio_

Nicolai

Abdallah

Johnston Architects has hired Dana Abdallah as interior designer, Jesse Baiata-Nicolai as design technology manager, Maggie Ciaccio as project architect, Natalie Guerin as office manager, and Kristopher Kohl as graphic designer.

Abdallah, Associate AIA, holds a Bachelor in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Washington. She joined JA's Interior Design team with seven years of experience with a focus on creative workplace and hospitality spaces, including wine tasting rooms. Her past work includes the objeckts office and showroom, which was awarded Best Workplace in 2019 by the IIDA Pacific Northwest Chapter and published in Interior Design Magazine. At JA she is currently designing a full-building renovation for the pilots' lounge and administrative offices at the Renton Municipal Airport, as well as a 20,000-square-foot tenant improvement for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Operations Center.

Baiata-Nicolai joined JA in the fall of 2021 to manage the firm's BIM and strengthen its growing Innovation Lab. He holds Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Architecture from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He spent a decade working in California on a mix of single-family homes, public and higher education facilities, and mixed-use and multi-family projects before relocating to Seattle. As JA's Design Technology Manager, Baiata-Nicolai streamlines the firm's Revit models and drawing processes. To support JA's architects and designers he has developed a custom Revit Toolbar that includes a “Help” button for on-demand assistance and additional tools to centralize resources and support advanced workflows.

Ciaccio, AIA, LEED Green Associate, brings eight years of experience to JA, including several years working in the Washington DC area after graduating with her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech, where she earned the award for Excellence in Undergraduate Thesis. Her past projects have included single- and multi-family residences, collegiate student housing, corporate workplaces, and senior living communities. At JA she is currently Project Architect & Project Manager for a 6,000-square foot house in Lakewood and a cabin in the Methow Valley while leading a residential remodel and addition in Laurelhurst.

Guerin studied Human Resource Management at Western Governors University and has experience in nonprofit program management. At JA she supports HR and business practices and led a restructuring of the firm's onboarding process in response to its hybrid work policy. As office manager, Guerin is responsible for day-to-day office operations, workplace enhancements, employee onboarding, general project support, and is an active member of JA's Firm Culture and Social Responsibility committees. Kohl earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Northern Arizona University and moved to Seattle in 2019 to work with AIA Seattle before joining JA in 2021. He recently completed a refresh of the firm's brand identity, guidelines, and templates. As JA seeks to broaden its in house design services, Kohl works to elevate design opportunities across JA's project types, including environmental graphics for architecture and interior design projects. He is currently completing the signage package and branding for the reimagined Old Works Golf Clubhouse in Anaconda MT.

Coleman

Justice

Simons

Leaman

Johnston Architects has promoted Shane Leaman and John B. Simons to associate, and Kathy Justice and Liz Wasson Coleman to senior associate. Leaman joined JA in 2017, and as design technologist he has applied his unique knowledge and skillset to elevate the firm's innovative design solutions. This includes parametric modeling for complex façade assemblies and a 3D interactive website that allows users to configure a customized Accessory Dwelling Unit, called the Parametric Casita. Leaman led the design and fabrication of a custom lighting installation, Digital Sky, as part of the Kirin mixed-use building lobby, recently featured in Multifamily Design + Construction Magazine. He has also created tailored workflows to integrate the DOE's EnergyPlus analysis tool to produce visualizations and better integrate energy analysis into JA's design process. As an Associate, Leaman will continue to lead JA's Technology Committee and champion data visualization, view and daylighting studies, and the development of online tools to support community engagement and data analysis.

Simons, AIA came to JA in the fall of 2019 as a project architect with ten years of experience. He is working with the City of Maple Valley on the design of the new Lake Wilderness Golf Course Clubhouse, which will include a restaurant and lounge, golf simulators, and a venue space available to be rented for private events. Simons' other current projects include Oak Tree Village, an amenity campus for the Ovation at Oak Tree development in Lacey; Ponderosa, a planned recreation community in Lake Chelan; a multi-family building in Crown Hill; and several single-family houses. As an Associate, Simons is responsible for strengthening JA team connections by organizing internal project presentations, especially important as the firm provides a hybrid workplace and in-person charettes have been reimagined to be virtual and more inclusive.

Justice, AIA, LEED BD+C has over 25 years of design experience with a focus on multi-family and mixed-use projects. Justice joined JA in 2016, was promoted to associate in 2018, and has worked on numerous residential projects at the firm. These include Alta Arlo, a 240-unit mixed-use building in Columbia City, and Winston Townhomes, a collection of 16 townhouses in Seattle's Ravenna neighborhood, both of which just finished construction, as well as DXU, which was honored by Built Green with a Green Hammer Award in 2020. At JA Justice is currently working as project manager for entitlements on the Redmond Senior Community Center, a collaboration with Opsis Architecture of Portland, as well as a 187-unit multi-family development on the Bremerton waterfront. As a senior associate she is focused on mentoring emerging designers to support technical excellence at JA.

Coleman, CPSM joined JA in 2019 as marketing director and was promoted to associate in 2021. She holds 18 years of experience in the Northwest AEC industry and leads JA's marketing department, including project pursuits, award submissions, social media, public relations, and brand development. She recently contributed to the firm's installation at the Bellevue Arts Museum, a collaboration with Facing Homelessness called The View From Here. As a senior associate, she collaborates closely with firm leadership to help shape JA's strategic planning across multiple sectors. Coleman is a Certified Professional Services Marketer and the current President of SMPS Seattle, the local chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services.