Professional Architects in Federal Way, WA

The re HOME Project: Innovation for Social and Environmental Good Architect Matthew Coates’ award-winning “Re HOME: Resilience & Regeneration” project takes on two pressing social and environmental issues: the lack of affordable housing in cities throughout the United States, and the vast amount of waste produced during construction and demolition. This project won the 2022 AIA Seattle’s Award of Merit in “Research & Innovation” owing to its plan to save millions of dollars in resources while creating jobs that develop employable skills and constructing low-cost housing for diverse demographics. Through community engagement and volunteer work, future residents will benefit from the housing while learning skills of construction and management. The vision is to then introduce volunteers to industries wherein they might acquire future employment. This project introduces innovations not yet utilized in efforts to increase the inventory of affordable housing. “This is one of the most heartwarming things I’ve experienced in my life,” he added, “everyone had their hearts in the right place. It really teaches that there is so much joy in giving, and there is so much joy in seeing what we can do when we put our minds together.” Coates envisions a future with planned neighborhoods with homes built from repurposed materials where homeowners have a sense of community and an investment in their future. Toward this aim, he conveys his belief that “everyone deserves good design.”...