ARCHITEKTON

Excited to share that Rachel Green Rasmussen, Principal and Partner at Architekton, will be speaking at the Zak World of Façades conference on May 14th! This is the first time this national conference is being held in the Valley. Her session, Extreme Climates, Calibrated Façades: When Building Performance Meets the Human Condition, addresses something every designer working in the desert needs to grapple with: how do you design a building skin that’s truly calibrated to its climate, not just code-compliant? Rachel will cover: → Climate as a design driver from day one → Moving from reactive to precisely tuned envelope strategies → How façade decisions shape occupant comfort, daylight, and the human experience of a space The event is free for AEC and AEC-adjacent professionals! Register at the link in the comment below.

Big congratulations to our interiors team for recognition at the IIDA Southwest Chapter Design Awards!   🏆 Design Excellence – Higher Education Walton Center for Planetary Health In collaboration with Grimshaw The jury noted the “logical approach to how interior and exterior environments create a unique overlap of riparian zones and living thresholds,” and the integration of technology for educational use as both creative and well resolved. 🏆 Award of Merit – Design on a Budget The Centers for Habilitation Described by the jury as illustrating “the power of thoughtful design to transform experience,” with “superb use of color and lighting to greatest effect.”   🏆 Award of Merit – Single Space DC Ranch Desert Camp Community Center Renovation & Expansion In collaboration with Studio 8 Recognized as a successful addition that “connects old and new thoughtfully and seamlessly,” with furniture that is “very successful in elevating the overall feel.”   These projects each reflect something we care deeply about: spaces that respond thoughtfully to people, place, and purpose.   From creating learning environments that blur the line between interior and exterior experience, to thoughtfully connecting old and new, to proving that impactful design does not require an unlimited budget, each project represents the kind of work we’re proud to be part of.   Grateful to our clients, collaborators, and project teams who helped bring these spaces to life. And proud of the work this studio continues to put into the world!

Rachel Green Rasmussen, AIA NCARB NOMA of ARCHITEKTON will be delivering her presentation titled "Extreme Climates, Calibrated Façades – When Building Performance Meets the Human Condition" at Zak World of Façades United States edition on 14th May 2026 in Phoenix. Visit the link in comments for more information on the conference and complete lineup of speakers. #zakwof #facades

Don’t miss the opportunity to network with peers and industry leaders! Join Rachel Green Rasmussen, AIA NCARB NOMA from our very own studio, Michelle Romero from SmithGroup, and Sidney Smith from HKS, Inc. for this NOMA arizona event on Tuesday 4/28 at 5:30pm. Many professionals spend years wondering what it takes to move forward, and this conversation offers a chance to explore that question more openly. Bring the questions you’ve been wanting to ask about promotion, personal growth, and professional advancement. Seats are limited. Check the link 🔗 in the comments to secure your ticket now! See you all there!

This Earth Day, we’re thinking about the different ways to approach sustainability in design. Sometimes, it’s not about building something new, but recalibrating the old.   For the ongoing renovation at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, our approach started with a simple question: what’s already working, and what isn’t?   Instead of defaulting to full replacement, we focused on understanding the building first. Where it was underperforming, where systems were compensating poor envelope performance, and where targeted moves could have the greatest impact.   By prioritizing envelope performance, reusing existing systems where possible, and reducing overall demand, we were able to shift resources toward what matters most: create a welcoming, light-filled environment that supports student engagement, strengthens the identity of the College of Pharmacy, and fosters a more connected campus experience.   The result is a revitalized building that performs better, adapts to future needs, and puts people at the center.   Construction is now underway, and we’re excited to share more as this project takes shape! In collaboration with Vigil & Associates Architectural Group, P.C. #EarthDay #SustainableDesign #Renovation #HigherEd

It’s an exciting week for us at Architekton! Installation is underway for the Tempe Gateway Signage project, with the sign pylons installed last week and the main “Mill Ave” letters set in place Monday morning. There’s still a couple weeks to go, with lighting and stainless steel cladding up next, before it is officially complete. Commissioned by the City of Tempe, the project rethinks what an entry can be. Not just a marker, but a moment that frames arrival into downtown Tempe. Fabricated by Spectacle Works, the stainless steel gateway is designed to be a lasting part of Mill Avenue.

We are so excited about this incredible project with the UNM College of Pharmacy in New Mexico, in collaboration with our friends at Vigil & Associates Architectural Group, P.C. Breathing new life into this building for these students in such a joy!

SLATTERY Partner Amy Slattery will join an esteemed panel at The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Women’s Leadership Summit for the session: “Evolving Firm Strategies for What’s Next” - - Tuesday, November 4, 2:00 PM   Other leading ladies on the panel include: Natasha Espada of STUDIO ENÉE Architects Rachel Green Rasmussen, AIA NCARB NOMA of ARCHITEKTON Rosa Sheng of SmithGroup   This discussion will explore how design firms are adapting to change, embracing innovation, and preparing for the future of practice. It’s an incredible opportunity to gain insights from leaders shaping the next chapter of the architecture profession.   #WLS2025 #AIALeadership #WomenInArchitecture

Architekton Principal and Partner Rachel Green Rasmussen, AIA NCARB NOMA joins an incredible panel this week at the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit!