About Us

CLARK | BARNES – A Seattle Architecture Firm

We create timeless buildings in urban environments. Founded in 1993 as Clark Design Group and rebranded October 15, 2017 to CLARK|BARNES in order to recognize the contributions of Brenda Barnes. Lauren Garkel joined the firm directly out of school in 2007 and became a partner in 2020. W. Scott Clark, Brenda Barnes, and Lauren Garkel built CLARK | BARNES as a Seattle Architectural and Interior Design firm with experience in various building types, innovative site strategies, and integrating new construction with the historic fabric. We have a passion for designing community-centric and thoughtful places that link the past and future. CLARK | BARNES values developing long-term relationships with our clients, through which we believe the best design solutions are achieved. Our staff includes Architecture, Interior Design and Historic Architecture with project teams often comprised of a mix of disciplines. We place a special focus on Sustainable Design, Tenant Improvement, and Preservation. This allows us to work collaboratively and think differently about the solutions required by each client, their goals, and the site.

Our Design Culture

At CLARK | BARNES we have built a culture that lives not only in our office but also in our projects and how we collaborate with clients and consultants. Our three partners and one associate are intimately involved in the design process and the wealth of talent and diverse skill sets allow us to create effective teams based on the needs of the project not the needs of a studio. Our focus on providing the best technically delivered project possible begins in pre-construction and our focus on design, detail, budget, and schedule ensures that our projects are successful all the way through to the end-users experience.

From our renovated open-plan office in Interbay, CLARK | BARNES is pushing the boundaries for what it means to have a successful project. Meeting your goals and solving tough problems while having a fun time doing it are just a few of the things that set us apart. Our personalized service will ensure that the smiling faces below will provide you with the knowledge and expertise that you need.

Give us a call, or stop on in. We’d love to meet with you.

PARTNERS

W. Scott Clark

Partner, AIA, AIBC, NCARB

Scott is an architect, planner, designer, and founding partner of CLARK / BARNES. He is committed to designing spaces that promote sustainable urban living and a quality user experience. He brings over 40 years of expertise to a portfolio of work that has collaboration, creativity, and sustainability at its core. Growing up in Brazil and Melbourne, Australia, Scott developed a lifelong passion for travel and the outdoors that continues to influence his deeply human-centric approach to design.

 

Lauren Garkel

Partner, AIA, NCARB

A partner at CLARK / BARNES, Lauren’s 17 years of multiple market sector experience is enhanced by a commitment to research, client engagement, and a robust understanding of a project’s goals. Lauren’s expertise in managing complex projects coupled with her passion for pushing the boundaries of possibility through detailed exploration and creativity, result in efficient, effective, and enduring design solutions. Originally from Arkansas, Lauren is a diehard sports fan with a lifelong allegiance to the Razorbacks.

Brenda Barnes

Partner, AIA

A co-founding partner at CLARK / BARNES, Brenda brings more than 37 years of design experience in both large and small projects ranging from complex multi-faceted urban developments to single family homes. Brenda’s wealth of expertise delivers architectural solutions that center the human experience to create places where people can live, work, and connect.

OUR TEAM

Alexander Watchman

Project Architect, AIA,NCARB

Alex’s career spans nine years and combines experience in architectural, design, and construction. His technical expertise and ability to coordinate complex details and systems, creates seamless experiences and strong working relationships with clients and consultants. A diverse background and knowledge of digital fabrication provides a unique perspective and insight on projects, resulting in astute and distinctive solutions that create unique project identities. A native of Denmark, Alex is an avid archer, and an amateur woodworker who builds custom furniture.

Becca Pheasant-Reis

Director of Historic Conservation, Senior Associate, AIA, NCARB

Becca finds the delicate design balance between old and new and is passionate about preserving historic buildings. Her work preserves and revitalizes old buildings to give people a sense of place and an important connection to the past. Becca is an active member in Historic Seattle and the Association for Preservation Technology (APT). She actively supports community preservations through historic bicycle tours of Seattle landmarks and masonry restoration workshops in Portland. Becca is also Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.

Ben Thornton

Senior Interior Designer, AIA, NCARB

Ben has a decade of experience working at the intersection of architecture and interior design across commercial, higher education, and multi-family projects. He approaches projects with an emphasis on the relationship between people and the spaces they occupy. An ability to change scale and balancethe broad architectural view with finerinterior details helps bring his clients’ visions to life. Ben is an avid hiker, backpacker, and traveler with a thirst for experiencing as much of the planet as possible.

Chloe (Yike) Ding

Designer

Chloe joined CLARK / BARNES after completing her Master of Architecture. Originally from China, her multicultural background provides a diverse design lens that translates globally. She is passionate about creating quality design outcomes that enhance the everyday experience of those who encounter her work. Chloeis adept at integrating site context into new designs, and focuses on embracing natural light and raw materials to createunrestricted spaces that encourage interaction.In her free time, she enjoys traveling, experiencing new cultures, and trying local foods.

Claire Hermann

Interior Designer

Claire is an ambitious creative with a demonstrated history in the design industry. They prioritize client collaboration to enable designs that exceed expectations, and is passionate about working closely with the architecture team to ensure a seamless flow between architecture and interiors that enhances design outcomes. Agile and versatile, Claire is skilled at all facets of the design process, including drawings, documentation, furniture, and materials. In addition, Claire has been producing ceramics for a decade and spends her spare time in the ceramics studio.

Craig Carney

Director of Residential, AIA

Craig is a licensed architect with over 20 years’ experience. His skillset is comprehensive, possessing a detailed understanding of construction and design. Craig’s passion lies in single-family dwellings and working with owners to create unique homes. He is responsible for the CLARK / BARNES Residential studio, focused on high-end custom homes, remodels / additions, second homes and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. He designed and built his first custom home in 2003 with his father and has since designed and completed four full-home remodels.

Derek C. Smith

Associate, Senior Project Architect

Derek discovered the built environment during an internship for the University of Washington Capital Projects team, which formed a solid foundation for a design career. He initially designed commercial, retail, and assisted-living projects, before transitioning to multi-family residential. His conscientiousness and commitment to solving architectural challenges engender close working relationships with colleagues, clients, and consultants. He is a passionate long-distance runner, swimmer, cook, road tripper, and renovator of old homes.

George Schweikart

Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP

George has 19 years of architectural expertise with a focus on the residential sector, and experience in mixed-use multi-family, building envelope design, condominium remediation, work-force housing, senior living, and single-family residential. George seeks enduring and practical design solutions to create engaging and liveable urban structures with a focus on durability and sustainability. In his free time, George reads classic literature, collects vinyl records, and plays guitar.

Jingwen Liu

Designer

Jinwen’s interest in design began as a child in Beijing, where she developed a love of craft and drawing. She applied this to studying Architecture, completing three internships and working on various cultural, commercial, and educational projects in China. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she came to the University of Washington and earned her Master of Architecture and further developed her love of design. She believes in the power of architecture to enhance society, environmentally and aesthetically. She enjoys hiking, bouldering, gardening, and photography.

Johnathon Cave

Associate, Interior Designer

Johnathon has over eight years of design experience working on a wide range of multi-family, residential, hospitality, retail, office, medical, and commercial projects. A core member of our Interior Design group, Jonathon works of all facets of project development from concept design to construction administration and project management. Johnathon’s imaginative and considered designs connect interior spaces to their context and the human experience. A music enthusiast, Johnathon has been playing drums for 22 years and owns and runs an independent record label, Redact Records.

Jonathan Vlach

Project Architect, LEED GA, RA

Jonathan has several years of experience in commercial, multi-family residential, and religious projects. His diversetypology backgroundbrings a fresh perspective and broad knowledge base to new projectsthat enables him to realizeclientgoals.An expert in computer modeling, Jonathan develops drawingsthat help his clients visualize their projects. Jonathan is LEED Green Associate certified, bringing competency in sustainable building principals to projects. Born and raised in Seattle, Jonathan is an amateur photography enthusiast.

Jono Valentine

Office Manager

Responsible for the front desk, facilities, services, and IT, Jono keeps the CLARK / BARNES office running seamlessly. He provides critical daily support to the entire team, both onsite and remote, and is the backup for accounting, payroll and human resources. Jono’s responsibilities are wide-ranging and ensure he is a valued member of the CLARK / BARNES team and a critical part of the client experience. Jono is an avid traveler who had been to 36 different countries by the time he turned 14.

Karla Gonzalez

Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, NCARB

Karla’s career spans 15 years and is strengthened by diverse experience across the United States and Mexico. She believes in an integrated process, from inception to completion, and focuses on collaborative client and consultant coordination to realize the potential of a project’s program and site. Karla has experience in commercial, mixed-use, and residential project types, with a passion for designing places that people call home. She enjoys exploring the Northwest on hikes and runs.

Kim Nightingale

Project Architect, RA

Kim brings 8 years of diverse architectural experience to CLARK / BARNES, completing projects from boutique hospitality to historic preservation. She delights in the challenges and unique conditions of each project, with a passion for creating enduring architecture that blends history with modernity. Kim’s love of adaptive reuse shows in her efforts to restore, preserve, and renovate legacy buildings to maintain the historic urban character of our communities. Kim is a volunteer rowing coach at Lake Washington Rowing Club and is the head of the Learn to Row program.

Kim Simonoff

Director of Operations

Kim provides accounting and operations expertise to CLARK / BARNES to ensure a seamless back-of-house to enhance the client experience. She began her career with the firm as an accounting manager in 2014 and is motivated by the challenge of balancing numbers. She spent the early part of her accounting career working for luxury car brands and brings this experience to the CLARK / BARNES team.Kim’s grandmother taught her to crochet as a young child and she has since earned several blue ribbons and one creative award for afghans at the Evergreen State Fair.

Leticia Flores

Project Designer

Leticia has 12 years of diverse architecture experience. Born and raised in Nicaragua, she moved to Spain to complete her undergraduate and masters degrees, and is currently undertaking an MBA. Leticia’s passion for travel and multicultural background provides her with a unique design perspective. She is fascinated by ideologies, cultures, and languages, and infuses this into her designs. She speaks several languages, paints, and volunteers for CONANCA, an organization that helps Nicaraguan children fight cancer.

Max Hasse

Associate, Designer

A lifelong Seattle resident, Max brings regional knowledge and love of local architecture to CLARK / BARNES. His affinity for Northwestern-style architecture is deeply rooted in Seattle design vernacular and forms the foundation for creating an enduring sense of place. Max is focused on expanding and building his knowledge of multiple design styles as well asconstruction materials and methods to continually advance his skillset. Music is Max’s core creative outlet and he spends his free time casually producing beats and melodies for fun.

Maximillian Foley

Senior Project Architect

Max is a creative architect, natural collaborator, and problem solver. His curiosity and creativity combine with commercial and technical acumen to lead design teams to successful project outcomes. He has strong design, communication, permitting, and construction administration skills, with additional expertise in three-dimensional modelling tovisualizeideas. He enjoys surfing the Northwest Pacific Coast and volunteers with Warm Current, a non-profit organization that makes surfing accessible for native youth on the Washington Coast.

Meghan Toner

Marketing Manager, Project Manager, AIA Associate

Meghan brings a love of design to her work coupled with a commitment to building lasting team and client relationships. Her national experience in healthcare, education, workplace, commercial, and adaptive reuse demonstrates her flexibility, attention to detail, and ability to create holistic client solutions.She has a passion for breathing new life into old buildings and embraces all creative and technical aspects of preservation work. Meghan’s love for old buildings was inherited from her parents who met on an underground tour of Pioneer Square.

Rob Ryan

Senior Project Designer, NCARB

Rob has 14 years of experience across a wide range of commercial, multi-family, specialty retail, and technology projects. He began his career in retail design before transitioning to the multi-family sector to fulfil his passion for large and challenging projects. His diverse experience adds value to the built environment through creative and practical design solutions that create enduring relationships with developers and contractors.An avid hockey player, Rob’s loves to play at Joe Louis arena, the former home of the Detroit Red Wings.

Suzanne Salandi

Director of Interior Design, IIDA Associate

With 15 years of expertise, Suzanne specializes in commercial, retail, hospitality, and multi-family projects. As the lead interior designer at CLARK / BARNES, she nurtures projects from concept and space planning to construction administration and completion. Suzanne focuses on achieving a balance of practicality and elegance, and emphasizes finish and furniture selection, reflecting her attention to detail that ensures functional, cost-effective, and timeless solutions.Suzanne lived all over the United States before calling Seattle home.

Vitaly Ogorodnik

Associate, Senior Project Designer

Vitaly brings comprehensive architecture and planning expertise, including medical, veterinary, single and multi-family, commercial, and corporate projects. His work is consistently underscored by curiosity, craft, and innovation, as well as a desire to leave a lasting, positive impact on urban communities. His designapproach is sensitive to the human experience, while still articulating the needs of the client and project. Vitaly is an outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, camping, cycling, and riding electric scooters.

Xueqing Tong

Senior Interior Designer, LEED GA

Xueqing’s interior design journey began with a summer internship in college.  Growing to appreciate the importance of interior design and its impact on users, she soon switched from an art history major to interior design as a means of following her passion With a focus on creating spaces that inspires its users, Xueqing delivers enthusiastic designs that are specific and unique to their context, anchored by

Zack Zimay

Associate, Digital Design Manager, NCARB

Zack has been involved in the delivery of an assortment of mixed-use and hospitality projects, from concept through to construction delivery. He has developed a creative and dynamic approach to complex projects, delivering research-driven solutions that balance design needs with client goals.Zack is a drone pilot, has a robust understanding of digital technologies and is proficient in 3D modeling, Revit, graphic design, and design drawings. Zack is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, backpacking and getting back to nature.

Careers