Meet Some of JA's New Additions!
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SEATTLE – Johnston Architects has hired Dana Abdallah as Interior Designer, Jesse Baiata-Nicolai as Design Technology Manager, Maggie Ciaccio as Project Architect, Natalie Guerin as Office Manager, and Kristopher Kohl as Graphic Designer.
Dana Abdallah
Dana Abdallah, Associate AIA, holds a Bachelor in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Washington. She joined JA’s Interior Design team with seven years of experience with a focus on creative workplace and hospitality spaces, including wine tasting rooms. Her past work includes the objekts office and showroom, which was awarded Best Workplace in 2019 by the IIDA Pacific Northwest Chapter and published in Interior Design Magazine. At JA Dana is currently designing a full-building renovation for the pilots’ lounge and administrative offices at the Renton Municipal Airport, as well as a 20,000 SF tenant improvement for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Operations Center.
Jesse baiata-nicolai
Jesse Baiata-Nicolai joined JA in in the fall of 2021 to manage the firm’s BIM (Building Information Modeling) and strengthen its growing Innovation Lab. He holds Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Architecture from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He spent a decade working in California on a mix of single-family homes, public and higher education facilities, and mixed-use and multi-family projects before relocating to Seattle. As JA’s Design Technology Manager, Jesse streamlines the firm’s Revit models and drawing processes to ensure each project is set up for success. To support JA’s architects and designers he has developed a custom Revit Toolbar that includes a “Help” button for on-demand assistance and additional tools to centralize resources and support advanced workflows.
maggie ciaccio
Maggie Ciaccio, AIA, LEED Green Associate, brings eight years of experience to JA, including several years working in the Washington DC area after graduating with her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech, where she earned the award for Excellence in Undergraduate Thesis. Her past projects have included single- and multi-family residences, collegiate student housing, corporate workplaces, and senior living communities. At JA Maggie is currently Project Architect & Project Manager for a 6,000 SF house in Lakewood and a cabin in the Methow Valley while leading a residential remodel and addition in Laurelhurst.
natalie guerin
Natalie Guerin studied Human Resource Management at Western Governors University and has experience in nonprofit program management. At JA she supports HR and business practices and led a restructuring of the firm’s onboarding process in response to its hybrid work policy. As Office Manager, Natalie is responsible for day-to-day office operations, workplace enhancements, employee onboarding, general project support, and is an active member of JA’s Firm Culture and Social Responsibility committees.
kris kohl
Kristopher Kohl earned a BFA in Graphic Design from Northern Arizona University and moved to Seattle in 2019 to work with AIA Seattle before joining JA in 2021. He recently completed a refresh of the firm’s brand identity, guidelines, and templates. As JA seeks to broaden its in house design services, Kris works to elevate design opportunities across JA’s project types, including environmental graphics for architecture and interior design projects. He is currently completing the signage package and branding for the reimagined Old Works Golf Clubhouse in Anaconda MT