JA Announces New Associates & New Principal

Johnston Architects has promoted Architects Sarah Burk, Maggie Ciaccio and Siyao Zhang to Associate, and Marketing Director Liz Wasson Coleman to Principal.

sarah burk serves on the aia seattle board of directors

Sarah Burk, AIA, NCARB earned her Bachelors in Environmental Design and Masters in Architecture from Montana State University – Bozeman and joined JA in 2020. Burk has completed designs for numerous multi-family projects in Seattle, including the recently completed Ferdinand Townhomes in Columbia City. She now applies her seven years of experience to community projects, including the renovation of Old Works Golf Course Clubhouse in Anaconda MT, the new Lake Wilderness Clubhouse in Maple Valley and Oak Lodge Library in Oak Grove OR. Burk serves as the current Director of Professional Practice on the AIA Seattle Board of Directors. 

maggie ciaccio is managing the renovation of the edmonds library for sno-isle libraries

Maggie Ciaccio, RA, LEED GA earned her BA in Architecture from Virginia Tech in 2014 and joined JA in 2021, bringing with her experience in single family, mixed-use, multi-family and education projects. She applies her decade of experience to numerous project types at JA, currently leading the design of two residences and the remodel and expansion of a house in Laurelhurst. Ciaccio is also serving as Project Manager for the comprehensive renovation of Sno-Isle’s Edmonds Library, which was flooded in June with 60,000 gallons of water due to a burst irrigation pipe.

Siyao Zhang worked extensively on the award-winning winthrop library

Siyao Zhang, AIA, NCARB completed her Bachelors of Architecture at Tsinghua University in Beijing and earned her Masters in Architecture from the University of Michigan. Zhang joined JA in 2018 and quickly applied her technical expertise and visualization acumen to a broad mix of projects, including single family homes, mixed-use developments, commercial offices and the award-winning Winthrop Library. Zhang is currently working on several new custom homes, residential remodels and a four-floor tenant improvement for Seattle City Light in the Seattle Municipal Tower.

Liz Wasson Coleman serves on the smps seattle board of directors

Liz Wasson Coleman, CPSM joined JA in 2019 as Marketing Director and leads the firm’s efforts in marketing, communications and business development. She holds 19 years of experience in the A/E/C industry in the Pacific Northwest, which she applies to JA’s strategic planning, project pursuits and public relations. As Principal, she will continue to support the firm’s growth and long-term success through collaboration with firm operations and technical staff. Wasson Coleman is the Immediate Past President of SMPS Seattle and serves on its Board of Directors.