BEN WAECHTER
FOUNDER + PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Inspired by experiential and clear, distilled design, Ben founded Waechter Architecture (WA) in order to pursue these concepts in his work. Prior to forming WA, he worked locally and internationally with leaders in architecture including Allied Works Architecture (Portland, OR) and world-renowned architect Renzo Piano (Genoa, Italy). Ben is an award-winning and published designer whose principles lie in providing bold forms arrived at through exercises in concept, distillation, and intelligent programming. His experience includes a wide range of building types: cultural, hospitality, commercial, and multifamily and single-family residential.
RAND PINSON
PROJECT LEAD
Rand is an alumnus of Auburn University, and the world-renowned Rural Studio in Hale County, Alabama. His professional work includes design-build work at the Epicenter in Utah and Lake Flato Architects in Texas, with a focus on residential, environmental, and agricultural projects. Rand’s work has won numerous AIA awards and has been featured in international publications and exhibitions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and La Biennale di Venezia. He is drawn to an architectural narrative that is specific to its place, responsive to its environment, and characterized by its timelessness.
EMILY KAPPES
PROJECT LEAD
Emily joined WA after 10 years spent progressing award-winning cultural work with Allied Works Architecture. She received her architecture degrees from UVA and Harvard, and came to WA to continue applying her advanced design principles to new programs. Emily’s architectural interests focus on innovative spatial and planning solutions. She especially enjoys working collaboratively with clients during the conceptual design phase.
BRADLEY SHANKS
PROJECT LEAD, ARCHITECT
With more than 17 years’ experience working for internationally recognized firms in Boston, Phoenix, and Portland, Bradley is an award-winning and LEED accredited professional. So far in his career, Bradley has won a Fulbright Fellowship, an AIA Medal, and a Rotch Travelling Scholarship, which allowed him to pursue independent architectural study in eight different countries. Bradley holds his B. Arch and M. Arch from Washington University in St. Louis.
ALEXIS KURLAND
PROJECT LEAD
Alexis holds a BA in philosophy from Lewis & Clark College, a M.Arch from the University of Texas at Austin, and has studied and traveled throughout Japan, Mexico, Central America, and Western Europe. He is a LEED accredited professional who has worked in several prominent architectural offices. Prior to joining WA, Alexis worked at Allied Works Architecture on a variety of project types, including the National Veterans Memorial Museum in Columbus, Ohio.
GIOVANNI SIDARI
PROJECT LEAD, ARCHITECT
Giovanni earned his M.Arch at the University of Oregon, and has a B.S. in Real Estate Finance and Urban Economics from the University of Illinois, giving him rich experience in all aspects of the building industry. He has more than fifteen years of experience at firms in Seattle, Portland and New York, notably the award-winning practices of TEN Arquitectos and Morris Adjmi Architects. Giovanni works on projects of all types and scales at WA, and he is especially interested in how architects can affect the quality of life for people as cities evolve.
BLAIR BARONE
STUDIO MANAGER
Blair earned her BA with honors from New York University concentrating in Art History. She joins WA with experience in various administrative and business development roles in the art and architecture industry including Phillips Auction House and Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Prior to joining WA she worked as a studio assistant for Allied Works Architecture in Portland, Oregon. With equal passion for organization and design, Blair’s interested in thoughtful solutions to streamline operations and increase engagement with the wider community.
DUNCAN SCOVIL
DESIGNER
Duncan earned his M.Arch, with distinction, from Harvard University and holds a BFA in Sculpture from Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to joining WA, he worked for several architecture offices in the Northeast, including Merge Architects and Jonathan Levi Architects in Boston. Along with his professional work, Duncan co-taught a series of advanced architecture studios at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, which were run in collaboration with the furniture company Knoll and explored the evolution of the work environment as a space of design.
MATTHEW BRENNAN
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Matthew joins WA with a unique background and experience in all facets of the development process. As a client and investor in our Origami Project, he brings a distinct perspective and innovative vision that will help shape our brand. A lifelong Portlander and a graduate of Portland State University, Matthew is deeply committed to the future growth of the city. In addition to his work at WA, Matthew sits on the advisory board of Urban Gleaners, a local non-profit focused on food being an essential first need.