I Am AIA:

Heather Skeehan AIA

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I started my career at ZGF as a project architect, urban designer and project manager. I was heavily involved in campus master plans, multifamily residential developments, and workplace design. My passion for seeing projects through construction developed early on. When an opportunity arose to join GLY Construction’s VDC department, I jumped at the chance to work with teams to facilitate a more seamless relationship between the worlds of design and construction. My current role draws on my communication and technical design skills to bridge the gap between the design team and construction.

Why did you join AIA Seattle?

To support and increase my involvement in an organization which has supported continuing education, outreach, and research that has contributed to my development as a professional.

What is the value of AIA to you?

To provide programming and a forum for building a strong AEC community that facilitates collaboration and trust both inside and outside of projects.

What relationships have you created?

Working with AIA Seattle and attending events that AIA has put on has both broadened my connections within the AEC community and deepened my connections to practicing professionals in the city.

What project are you working on now?

Overlake futureCARE.

How do you explain what you do for a living?

I translate between the design and construction teams to make project teams more communicative and support the design intent through construction.

My current role draws on my communication and technical design skills to bridge the gap between the design team and construction. My role goes beyond using the model to identify and resolve constructability issues; I leverage it as a truly interactive platform to confirm examinations, reflect decisions made by the design team, suggest more effective ways to execute in the field, minimize waste and efficiently schedule, and communicate project development.

Where is the field of architecture, engineering or construction headed?

I believe that the field of AEC is going to develop into more collaborative teams working more closely together as Master Builders rather than in our isolated silos with hand offs of information.