Grace Kim, Schemata Workshop
Task Force Co-Chair
Grace has practiced architecture in Chicago and Seattle for nearly 30 years. She is a co-founding principal of Schemata Workshop, a Seattle-based architectural firm with a keen focus on community and social equity. Her clients include public housing authorities, non-profit housing developers, and social service providers. Grace has been a long-time champion of modular construction as one solution to quickly produce high-quality multifamily housing. In 2014, she completed the first affordable, multifamily, volumetric modular-construction project in Western Washington. She serves on the Board of Directors for the HDC as Vice President as well as the Puget Sound Regional Council’s TOD Task Force.
Matt Laase, Jackson Main Architecture, P.S.
Task Force Co-Chair
With an extensive career spanning over 25 years as a licensed architect, Matt has solidified his standing as a respected figure in the commercial, retail, and multi-family sectors. His deep knowledge of construction issues and ability to provide valuable solutions make him a crucial resource to any join effort. Matt is committed to delivering quality in all aspects of his work and is particularly adept at providing architectural design solutions, project management, and interdisciplinary consultant coordination.
Rick Mohler, UW College of Built Environments,
Task Force Co-chair
Rick Mohler, FAIA, NCARB is a licensed architect and Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Washington where he leverages synergies between his teaching, research, practice, and advocacy to promote just, policy-driven cities, shaped by principled design, addressing all scales of urban experience while building connections between the academy, profession, government, and community. His students have been recognized twenty times in regional, national and international student design competitions and awards programs. As co-chair of the Seattle Planning Commission, which advises the Mayor and City Council on issues of land use, housing and transportation, Rick is leading the commission’s efforts to revise Seattle’s inequitable growth strategy in the current major update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Justin Stewart, Synergy, Inc.
Task Force Co-Chair
Justin leads Synergy Inc. as CEO with a commitment to operational excellence and developing innovative solutions to industry problems. Under Justin’s direction, the company launched Synergy Modular, Inc. to solve the cost and trade shortage issue prevalent industry wide. By partnering with offsite suppliers to provide full modular construction services, they are able to offer a single source contract for turn-key buildings with a fixed cost in 40-50% less time. Justin’s extensive knowledge and expertise of the construction trades come from both growing up in the family business and the depth of experience gained over the last 25 years in the industry.
Loren Tierney, Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County
HDC Staff Liaison
As Deputy Director, Loren provides overall direction for the HDC’s member services program, implementing a comprehensive member and business development agendas, and creating programming for HDC’s wide array of membership, including support of the Offsite Construction Task Force, the Exemplary Building Program and the Practical Development Solutions Affinity Group.