Walter Schacht

Principal

FAIA

Walter believes in the power of architecture to transform people and places. His strategic thinking and communications skills enable him to bring communities together around a common vision for their projects. His planning and design process engage the specific circumstances of each project, leading to solutions that are connected to their unique situation. These skills enable him to contribute as a team leader, designer, teacher, writer and speaker.

Walter’s commitment to designing environments that foster community, culture and context is reflected by national, regional and local recognition of his design achievements and his advocacy for public policies that support them. In 2013 Walter was inducted into the AIA College of Fellows for his distinguished body of work and his activism. In 2015 he received AIA Seattle’s Community Service Award and AIA Washington Council’s Jennie Sue Brown Award for his service to both the profession and the community. He received the AIA Seattle Gold Medal in 2020 for distinguished lifetime achievement in architecture, including design, professional practice and service to the profession, the community, education and the arts.

Education

  • University of Washington — Master of Architecture
  • Connecticut College — Bachelor of Arts Architectural Studies

Memberships And Accreditations

  • Fellow, American Institute of Architects

Community

  • AIA Seattle, Past President
  • AIA Washington Council, Past Board Member
  • Architects and Engineers Legislative Council (AELC) Washington, Past Chair
  • Design Build Institute of America (DBIA), Member
  • Washington State Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) Design-Build Best Practices Committee, Past Co-chair
  • Washington State Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) Life Cycle Cost Analysis Committee, Past Member
  • Washington State Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB), Chair