About Heather Skeehan

AIA, RA, LEED AP BD&C

(lapsed: Associate DBIA, NCARB)

Head of Strategic Design Implementation/Head of Black Ops/Bearer of Good News at citizenM

I am a technical architect and project/process/people manager. I am brought on to teams to identify shared values and goals; build teams focused on  deep collaboration and empathy; and implement tools to embed and support the use of data that can be used throughout the life of a building. I bring my expertise in codes, contracts, and documentation strategies to teams to support successful communication and implementation of designs

Through working in the architecture, construction, and now Owner/Developer sides of the industry, leading teams and developing a diverse array of projects, I have learned an approach to projects that focuses on: identifying shared values and goals; deep collaboration and empathy; and use of tools to embed and support the use of diverse data that can be used throughout the life of a building.

As the industry continues to diversify and buildings continue to become more complicated, the importance of coming back to the shared goals and values of a project is increasingly important as is leaning on and helping guide the expertise of the broad team (the designers, the architects, the project managers, the builders, the engineers, the inspectors, the client, the users, and the surrounding community). And as the impact of the built environment on communities and the climate is increasingly clarified, the role of the architect is expanding to encompass responsibilities and skills that may not have been previously considered but which we, as a profession, are excited and willing to learn and embrace.

I am on the Board of Directors at AIA Seattle and Seattle Design Fesitval (development committee, executive committee as president, member advancement committee). I have served on the board of the Washington Ensemble Theater, Tombolo Institute at Bellevue College, and Swedish Standing Advisory Committee. I regularly present to industry groups, participate in panel discussions of topics driving the industry, and consistently mentor individuals both inside and outside my firm.

Graduate of Tulane University School of Architecture and the University of Washington Construction Certificate Program