WC Studio team
Cady is a founding partner at WC STUDIO. As a principal architect, she excels in the discovery of graceful solutions to complex building and site conditions using a comprehensive People, Place, Planet approach. An expert in deciphering complicated code language, Cady finds a way to thread the needle through logistical and jurisdictional challenges ensuring building designs are elegant and unexpected, pragmatic and uplifting.
Prior to founding WC STUDIO, Cady contributed her skills to leading firms in Detroit, Chicago, and the Netherlands. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois in Chicago and was the recipient of the American Institute of Architects Martin Roche Travel Fellowship for her research on design and adaptive reuse in post-industrial Germany. Cady is a licensed architect and Certified Passive House Professional. Her commitment to sustainability extends to year-round bike commuting and water-wise gardening.
CADY
Architect, CPHC
John is an architect and co-founder of WC STUDIO Architects, an adventurous architecture agency that specializes in the design of exciting and resource-efficient building projects. John guides owners toward profitable and marketable projects from feasibility through construction. Since the firm opened in 2014, John has led the STUDIO through several successful residential development projects in Chicago, Seattle and Tacoma.
Before founding WC STUDIO, John worked with Studio Gang Architects in Chicago and a leading design firm in Rotterdam, NL where he developed his rigorous design methodology that results in thoughtful and often striking building forms the firm is known for.
John received his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois in Chicago and is a licensed architect and LEED accredited professional. Currently he is pursuing a Certificate in Commercial Real Estate from the University of Washington. Additionally, he enjoys giving back to the community and is currently serving on the Tacoma’s Permit Advisory Group as well as the Design Review task force.
JOHN
Architect, LEED
WC STUDIO is an adventurous architecture agency with roots in Tacoma and projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. We design exciting and resource-efficient homes and buildings that delight the people, places, and planet they serve.
Led by architects John Wolters and Cady Chintis, our studio specializes in custom homes, multi-family, mixed-use developments and small apartment buildings. Our team particularly excels at creative solutions for urban infill sites in Tacoma though we work on projects in a range of locations throughout the Puget Sound region.
Central to our practice is the belief that imaginative and well-crafted architecture makes people feel uplifted and nurtures the human spirit. We love collaborating with clients who share our mission to realize people centric, site specific, and high performance architecture and environments where individuals and communities can thrive.
Although modernism is often associated with open floor plans, large windows, and simple building shapes, our approach to modern design is more a way of thinking about modern life. The common thread in our work is not any particular style, but rather architecture that makes sense. We consider the characteristics of the site, the qualities of light and space, make thoughtful material choices, and pay attention to important details.
Our design process involves a three-sided approach to high-performance building design:
SENSORY
We design buildings and spaces that perform for all the senses, that feel good to be in and around. In addition to visual appeal, maximum comfort is achieved through the choreography of views, sounds, textures, colors, air flow, natural light, connections to the outdoors, and relationships to the surrounding environment be that a landscape or neighborhood.
Sustainability
Whether it's a piece of land or an existing structure, we believe sustainable design begins with recognizing the value of existing resources at a site. We first seek to capture all naturally occurring or already present assets, from daylighting to reclaimable materials, followed by smart implementation of green building materials and technologies.
Value
While the economic performance of a custom home will be measured differently than a multifamily or mixed use project, we understand that all projects must be executed within the financial constraints of the project budget or pro forma. Throughout our work, we seek solutions that are as practical and economical as they are exciting and beautiful.
Custom Homes
People are the focus in every project we design, but few types of architecture are more personal than a custom home. By seeking an understanding of your needs and wants that goes far deeper than a list of rooms and requirements, we aim to design spaces that graciously accommodate and reflect every aspect of our clients’ individuality—from daily routines to inspirations and values—and to guide you throughout the entire messy adventure of building your new home.
Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Buildings
Well-designed buildings are durable, energy efficient, have reduced operation and maintenance costs and measureable health benefits. Exciting buildings stand out in the market, adding value in the form of higher rents, fast lease-up, and reduced vacancy. Quite simply, these are places people love to be. From duplexes and triplexes to townhouses, rowhouses and apartment buildings, we aim to help you maximize your investment with multi-family and mixed-use designs that are fresh, people centric, and environmentally conscious. Our rigorous design process elevates efficiency while creating places with distinct character, taking into consideration neighborhood demographics, market demands, sustainability, zoning, and code compliance.
As architects with multi-family development and construction experience, our team is uniquely capable of guiding owners toward profitable and marketable projects in every project phase from feasibility through construction.
Pre-Design Services / Feasibility Studies
Knowing what is legally and economically feasible is a critical first step for any development project or business relocation. With your ideas and goals in mind, we work with you to determine whether a site can accommodate your vision before you purchase a property or lease a space. A Feasibilty Study will quickly help you understand and visualize the development or renovation potential of a given property as well as identify any potential concerns or considerations, reducing surprises during the planning and building process to save you time and money.
WHY WORK WITH US
As architects with on-the-ground building and development experience, we are able to stretch project budgets further by understanding construction process efficiencies and the budget impacts of early design decisions. During construction, our eyes on the jobsite help protect the long term value of our client’s investment by ensuring the details for the durable and energy-efficient design are executed to perform.
