Team

Emily Dovey Buchwalter – Founding Principal, AIA

Medici Architects was founded in 1989 by Emily Dovey Buchwalter, AIA.

Emily earned a Masters 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 40 years of experience in Architecture and Interior Design, Emily aims to create buildings and spaces that speak directly to the needs and practicality of the people who will be living in and using them. She creates spaces and buildings that work both inside and outside.

Emily is licensed in the states of Washington and Idaho and is a member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA)

emily@mediciarchitects.com

Schuyler Tutt – Principal, AIA

Starting at an early age with blocks and Popsicle sticks Schuyler’s interest in building and organizing spaces grew into a passion for design. With field experience in construction, including carpentry and welding, he has an eye for detail and a mind for problem solving.

Schuyler works closely with Emily coordinating and assisting in all phases of a project. Before joining Medici Architects in 2013, Schuyler worked with landscape and design-build firms in Mississippi, Nebraska and Texas. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Master of Architecture and continued his studies in Europe.

Schuyler is a licensed architect in the state of Washington and is a member of  the AIA.

schuyler@mediciarchitects.com

Jennifer Kim – Principal, AIA

Jen graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 2000 and a Master of Architecture in 2004. Her early career focused on high-end custom residential design, but most recently spent time as the in-house architect at a regional production home builder. She believes that architectural design is a vital part of every person’s daily experience and aims to create spaces that are beautiful, usable, and unique.

Jen has a passion for traveling the world and experiencing new cultures. Among many other countries, she has had the opportunities to study abroad in India and Mexico and led Habitat for Humanity trips to El Salvador, Thailand and Kenya. When exploring new places, Jen is never without her camera which she uses to capture all of her adventures.

Jen has been licensed to practice architecture in the state of Washington since 2009 and is a member of the AIA.

jenn@mediciarchitects.com

Priscilla Wenzel – Senior Project Architect

Priscilla earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from Arizona State University-College of Architecture and Environmental Design. Priscilla practived green architecture before it was cool to be green. Priscilla is dedicated to designing projects that meet our client’s needs, budget and yet exceeds their expectations.

priscilla@mediciarchitects.com

Nicole Ramey – Senior Project Architect

Nicole received a BS Architecture degree from the University of Utah and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Idaho. Nicole is a registered architect in the State of Idaho and holds an NCARB© certificate. Nicole has worked in the luxury residential architecture market for over 15 years and has also worked for several commercial architecture firms in Boise, Idaho. Nicole served as President of the AIA Mountain Section Executive Board in 2015. She is a firm believer that everyone deserves good design and loves working closely with clients to help them achieve their dream result. A Boise, Idaho native, Nicole has two children and lives in Ketchum. She loves everything about mountain town life, including skiing, hiking, biking and lake time.

nicole@mediciarchitects.com

Jackie McDowell-Logen – Project Manager

Jackie began her creative career with a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the University of Washington. When her sculptures became too large, she pursued a larger medium! In June of 2014 she graduated with a Masters of Architecture from the Newschool of Architecture and Design in San Diego, CA. While studying in Southern California she expanded her love to landscape architecture and participated in many community park building events. She has built parks in San Diego, Mexico and Taiwan, and looks forward to continuing her volunteer efforts in her home state of Washington.

jackie@mediciarchitects.com

Brianna Miles – 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.

brianna@mediciarchitects.com

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.

james@mediciarchitects.com 

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.

silvija@mediciarchitects.com

Jeffrey Glad – Project Manager

In 2014 Jeffrey graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis with a Master of Architecture degree. Prior to graduate school he attended the University of Florida where in 2011 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture degree. In 2014 Jeffrey moved to Seattle to gain experience in urban architecture and has over 4 years’ experience designing single family, townhouse, rowhouse, and apartment residences. He has always been intrigued by how architecture fits within its context and believes each design should create usable spaces in which occupants can enjoy.

Jeffrey loves exploring new places, in his free time you can find him hiking or skiing on the many mountains in and around the Pacific Northwest.

Jeffrey is currently working toward his professional Architecture License.

jeff@mediciarchitects.com

Kelly Hallstrom – Project Manager

Kelly graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelors of Architecture in 2011 and a Masters of Architecture in 2012 from UI’s urban design center in Boise. Prior to starting grad school, he spent time studying environmental architecture around England and Wales.  During his career in architecture, Kelly has gained experience in education, healthcare, urban planning, and residential design.

Being raised in Idaho, he has always appreciated the natural beauty of the Northwest. In 2015, moving to Western Washington became a great opportunity to gain experience in urban architecture while being closely intertwined with nature. Kelly joined Medici in 2017 where he continues to work on residential projects.

When not working, Kelly enjoys exploring the coastline of Washington, British Columbia, and getting “lost” in the Cascade mountains.

kelly@mediciarchitects.com

Ratana Suon – Project Manager

Ratana has a Masters Degree in Architecture from Washington State University and a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. Prior to graduate school, she attended the Royal University of Fine Arts in Cambodia where she received a Bachelor Degree in Architecture. Prior to joining Medici Architects, Ratana worked in Cambodia, China, and the United States where she worked for over 5 years at BLRB Architects and Caron Architecture.

When not designing, Ratana enjoys reading, cooking, hiking and exploring different parts of the United States and the world. One of her main goals in life is to travel to as many countries as possible and learn about different cultures, lifestyles and especially residential architecture.

ratana@mediciarchitects.com

Joshua Thomas – Design Associate

Born in the Pacific Northwest, Josh graduated from Washington State University with his Bachelors of Architecture degree in 2015 and a Masters of Architecture in 2016.  After graduation, his life has focused around the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by hi-tech, yet with the ability to quickly venture into the mountains with family and friends, it is the perfect place to explore architectural and artistic interests.

With interest in both commercial and residential architecture, Josh has worked briefly in the field of commercial design. Having always been intrigued in residential architecture he has decided to pursue design where the relationship between client and designer can be more closely articulated. He believes that the design should be conscientious, meaningful, and memorable to those who design or inhabit the space. In his spare time, he designs and fabricates custom furniture.

When not designing he loves to have fun, from hiking the Pacific Northwest with his Bernese Mountain dog or exploring world with close friends. He believes life should always stay interesting.

josh@mediciarchitects.com

Ron Button – Design Associate

Ron has been working in the field of architecture for 47 years. He graduated in 1972 with an Associates in Architecture degree. His areas of expertise are custom residential design and small commercial projects. Ron has admired the Pacific Northwest since a childhood family vacation and living on the Oregon coast, but he spent most of his life in the Midwest. In 2018, he and his wife moved to the Seattle area following the birth of their grandson, whom they adore.

ron@mediciarchitects.com

Jessica Gentile – Design Associate

A recent West coast transplant, Jessica grew up in Maryland and graduated from New York’s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2019. With experience in historic documentation, mental health facilities, and low-income housing, she looks forward to designing innovative spaces that promote health, happiness, and well-being.

Jessica leaves the cookie-cutter technique behind and believes in a unique and personal approach to each project. When she’s not pursuing architectural feats, she enjoys sharing her talent in the world of theater, creating scenic designs for musicals and plays. And when she’s not designing, she can be found practicing yoga, exploring hiking trails, or finding the best place to eat in Seattle. Until she gets a dog of her own, she loves to dog-sit for friends or volunteer at local shelters.

jessica@mediciarchitects.com

Austin Ross – Design Associate

austin@mediciarchitects.com

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.

kate@mediciarchitects.com

Ed Buchwalter – Principal – Operations

Ed has a Bachelors degree from the University of Washington and a Masters degree from Cornell University in Electrical Engineering. He uses the experience derived from building complex software systems for over 40 years to direct Medici’s operations. His goal is to see Medici Architects operate like a fine Swiss watch.

ed.buchwalter@mediciarchitects.com