From two designers at its inception in 1991 to nearly 30 employees today, JA has emerged as a premier Pacific Northwest design firm and an innovative leader in firm practice.

We are known for diverse project expertise, including community centers, public gathering spaces, rural and urban master planning, libraries in towns of all sizes, hospitality spaces, arts and culture centers, mixed-use developments, private residences, adaptive reuse of historic buildings, and more.

Our mission is to create exceptional spaces through intelligent, conscientious, and sustainable design. Our work is inspired by context and infused with an authentic sense of place derived from the environment, cultural ecosystem, and broader needs of the surrounding community.

JA’s values are reflected in our staff and in our work as we promote diversity, equity, and social justice within our communities. We are a Women-Owned Business recognized by the City of Seattle and a Small Business registered with the State of Washington. Here’s JA by the numbers:

» JA’s staff is 65% female
» JA’s Partnership is 2/3 women
» 75% of JA’s Principals are women

As part of our commitment to equity and social responsibility, JA is a member of the JUST Program. Beginning in 2018 and renewing our commitment every two years, we endeavor to create a work environment where employee happiness and wellbeing are an essential part of the way we work.

2022 NAHB Best in American Living / Kirin, For Rent
Development, 4-7 Stories
2022 Seattle Design Festival, Pavilion Design Competition / First Flight
2022 SMPS Seattle, Reign Awards / Marketing Advocate of the Year, Jack Chaffin
2022 SMPS Seattle, Reign Awards / Best Marketing Collateral
2022 SMPS Seattle, Reign Awards / Small, Women, or Minority Owned Business Award
2021 Seattle Business Magazine, Washington’s 100 Best
Companies to Work For
2021 Architizer A+ Architecture Awards / Gear Loft
2020 AIA + Seattle Magazine, Home of Distinction / Gear Loft
2020 Built Green, Green Hammer Award / DXU
2018 AIA Central Washington / White Salmon
2018 Golden Nugget, Best Multi-Family Community / Rally
2017 Seattle Design Festival / Seattle Pulse Project
2017 City of Seattle, Design Review People’s Choice Award / Stencil
2015 Level Technology Award, ASHRAE / GreenFire
2015 AIA Seattle, Home of Distinction / Base Camp
2015 AIA Washington Civic Design Award, Merit / Duvall Library
2014 AIA Washington Civic Design Award, Citation /
Bellevue Library Expansion
2014 Architects Without Borders Seattle / Spinning Stories,
Little Free Library
2013 Futurewise Awards / GreenFire
2012 AIA What Makes it Green Award / GreenFire
2012 City of Redmond Superior Design Award / Riverpark
2010 NAIOP, Best Mixed-Use Project of the Year / Riverpark
2010 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Best Residential Community / Riverpark
2009 Future Shack Award / Boulders at Green Lake
2008 Builder’s Choice Awards / Lake Washington Residence
2008 NW Construction Best of Awards, Best Architectural Design /
Alki Townhomes
2007 AIA Washington Civic Design Award / South Park Library
2007 NW Construction Best of Awards, Best Residential Design /
Lake Washington Residence
2004 NW Construction Best of Awards, Editor’s Choice /
S’Klallam House of Knowledge
2002 AIA National Award / Maple Valley Library
2002 AIA NW + PR, Award of Honor / Maple Valley Library
2002 AIA Seattle + Seattle Times Citation / Mount Baker House
2001 AIA Seattle Honor Award / Maple Valley Library
2001 National Wood Council Honor Award / Maple Valley Library
2001 WA Concrete Association, Award of Excellence / Fremont Lofts
2000 AIA Seattle + Seattle Times, Home of the Year /
Stonewater Townhomes
2000 AIA WA Civic Design Award / Multiple Projects,
King County Library System
1993 Sunset Magazine Western Home Award / Hull Residence
1992 Metropolitan Homes Magazine, Home of the Year /
Klimes Residence
1990 President’s Award / Seattle Carnegie Libraries
1989 AIA Seattle Honor Award / Broadway Market