Emily Dovey Buchwalter – Founding Principal Architect, AIA
Medici Architects was established in 1989 by Emily Dovey Buchwalter, AIA, a seasoned architect and interior designer.
Emily’s academic journey includes a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Syracuse University in 1985 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the University of Washington in 1980. With over four decades of industry experience, Emily brings a wealth of expertise to every project, aiming to craft buildings and spaces that seamlessly integrate functionality with aesthetic appeal. Her approach prioritizes the practical needs of occupants while ensuring harmony between interior and exterior environments.
Emily is a licensed architect in Washington, Idaho, and Arizona, holds an NCARB© certificate, and maintains membership with The American Institute of Architects (AIA), reflecting her commitment to professional excellence and ethical practice.
Nicole Ramey – Principal Architect, AIA
Nicole Ramey brings more than 15 years of experience in luxury residential and commercial architecture. With both a Bachelor and Master of Architecture, she combines technical expertise with a deep appreciation for the creative process.
A past President of the AIA Executive Board, Nicole is passionate about design leadership and the positive impact architecture can have on people’s lives. She believes the best work comes from close collaboration with clients—translating their goals into spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
Outside the studio, Nicole enjoys spending time outdoors with her two children, finding inspiration in nature that continually informs her approach to design.
Matt Shannon – Managing Principal
Matt is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of the men’s lacrosse team. After college, he began his career as an economic policy advisor in the U.S. Senate. Matt then spent three years in Seattle working in leadership positions for Perch Partners, a marketing and management consulting firm where his clients included the Seattle Kraken, Roblox, and Fred Hutchinson / The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. While residing in Seattle, Matt earned his MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.
Most Recently, Matt has managed a business strategy consulting practice based in the DC area, leading corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions engagements for Fortune 100 clients. In addition, Matt supported the firm’s venture capital portfolio, helping early-stage companies in diverse industries scale their businesses and achieve organizational objectives.
Ed Buchwalter – Principal Operations
Ed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. With more than 40 years of experience in developing complex hardware and software systems, he brings a wealth of technical expertise and strategic insight to his role leading Medici’s operations.
Ed’s leadership vision for Medici Architects is inspired by the precision and efficiency of a finely crafted Swiss watch, aiming to streamline processes and drive excellence at every level of the organization.
Brianna Miles – Principal Project Manager
Whether building forts in the backyard, log shelters on a beach or just playing with building blocks in the warm comfort of the living room, Brianna has always had an eye for detail and designing perfect spaces. Following that love of design, she graduated in 2006 from Lake Washington Technical College with degrees in Architectural and Civil Graphics. Working at a local Architecture firm for nine years, she gained experience in various commercial building applications with projects ranging from tenant improvements to office spaces and community centers. She has also spent time on many project sites working alongside the contractors, increasing her understanding of the construction process. Joining the Medici family in 2015, Brianna looks forward to furthering her knowledge in the field of single- and multi-family residences.
Lauren Jones – Project Architect
Lauren grew up in the Midwest and received her bachelor’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis in 2010. She later moved to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her Masters from the University of Oregon, receiving her degree in 2013. Since then she has worked on all types and scales of housing. Her passion is for contextually-driven architecture and feels that good design lies at the nexus of people, place and planet. She thrives on taking diverse input and opinions and synthesizing them into a cohesive concept. A strong believer that constraint begets innovation, Lauren loves the tight puzzle of residential design.
When she isn’t dreaming up new designs, Lauren can be found hunched over a pottery wheel, exploring new cities, or hiking, biking, skiing and all other things PNW.
Silvija Jakovljevic – Project Manager
Born in Belgrade, Serbia; Silvija graduated from the University of Belgrade’s Civil Engineering School in the Department of Planning and Building Settlement with a Major in Urban Planning in 2003. With 3 years of experience at the Urban Planning Institute as an Associate Urban Planner, Silvija moved to the US in 2003, and earned an Engineering Design Technology Certificate from Renton Technical College in 2007. Prior to joining Medici Architects in 2013, she worked for 6+ years at DesignARK.
While her multi-tasking ability and attention to detail are invaluable through all phases, Silvija plays a key role in site design and development for multi-family projects as well as smaller single family work. She would like to continue her education at UW in Construction Management.
James West-Herr – Project Manager
James graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2009, but has been actively working in the industry since 2002. His early career focused on design/build residential architecture in Oregon, later high-end residential and commercial developments in China, recently on type 1B & 2B commercial projects in the Bay Area, and since 2017 has been very happy to be back in the vibrant northwest working on residential design with Medici Architects.
James strongly believes that by applying progressive environmental principles and conscientious building techniques that homes will feel more livable and sustainable. His design approach relies upon both sketches and technology to visualize the project effectively with his clients to reduce the number of design cycles and achieve a beautiful scheme that meets his client’s budget and expectations.
When not designing and helping take care of his daughters, James likes to explore the remote parts of the PNW on the back of his motorcycle.
Kate Kennedy-Hubler – Design Associate
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest Kate knew she wanted to be an architect when she found herself drawing floorplans in 9th grade geometry class. She then proceeded to get her Master of Architecture degree at Montana State University. When not working she enjoys reading, hording plants and exploring all the nature the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Brendan Lempesis – Design Associate
Brendan graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Arts & Architecture in 2020 and a Master of Arts & Architecture in 2022. He developed a hobby of creating residential plans and forms through Minecraft in high school which laid the foundation for a love of architecture. He has experience in various forms of construction from speculative residential to large scale wind farms.
Raised in Boise, ID and living in Moscow for 7 years, moving to the Seattle area offered new opportunities in a larger market while staying close to home. Brendan enjoys watching sports and experiencing the vibrant food and drink culture in the area.
Michael Stears – Design Associate
Michael has a Master’s Degree in Architecture and a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Design from Arizona State University. His engineering mindset and attention to detail comes from years of building cars and tinkering with machines. He approaches Architecture from a similar direction, hoping to create artful experiences balanced between what they require and what is asked of them.
