Market: Client Programs

Perspectives

Bringing MG2’s 50th Anniversary to life

March 2022 / By Ellen Dulweber

In 2021, MG2 celebrated five decades of success. And true to our humble nature, we marked the occasion without much public fanfare. With the world still partially in lockdown, it was a challenge to truly celebrate how we’d originally intended. But the lavish parties we’d envisioned soon gave way to a whole host of virtual storytelling and celebratory experiences that were just as heartfelt and inclusive. And, in a way, it was more meaningful than we could have ever expected.

 

 

With everyone’s attention focused elsewhere the last year few years, it would have been easy to let this significant milestone pass by unnoticed. Instead, we decided to mark the occasion as much as the virtual nature of 2021 allowed: by documenting the big ideas of our leaders, elevating the perspectives of our diversifying employees, and putting it all out there, rough cuts, raw emotions, and real ideas.

To commemorate, we wanted to provide the firm with something new and unexpected. We curated numerous experiences and opportunities for staff to contribute throughout the year, with those compiled into a final physical and digital “zine” to encapsulate the past 50 years and look forward to the next 50. As a group of skilled visual designers and creative writers, our Creative Services and Marketing teams were uniquely positioned to bring the firm’s story to life through in-depth interviews, thought-provoking prompts, crowd-sourced ideas, and podcast-style conversations. We illuminated our people through photography, video, editorial design, and illustration. We shot for the moon.

It was important to us that this celebration have its own personality. We wanted it to have characteristics inspired by our past, but also have a cool new slant inspired by the future we envision for ourselves. In debating whether we should celebrate our past or nod to the future, we realized, why not both? Thus our 50th Anniversary theme of “looking both ways” was formed: by looking in the mirror and really asking, “who is MG2?” we can see the vision of our past refract into the future. 

We looked past the traditional to pay homage to the innovative trajectory of our firm while honoring the grit and sheer determination our foundation is built on.

On the Creative Services team at MG2 we love round robin design. It’s a true melting pot for everyone to collaborate and put forward their ideas for iteration and improvement. We leveraged the tactic when developing our 50th Anniversary logo: one of us started with a sketch, then passed it to the next person. They refined and then passed it on again. Rinse and repeat. Over time we started to tease out these amazing ideas that everyone had a hand in. And in the end, there’s no better feeling then when each of us looks at the final product and sees a little sliver of our original idea.

With so much incredible content to gather, we leaned into a physical format to feel like a time capsule and live on past our 50th Anniversary. Our goal was to immortalize what this anniversary meant to employees from all experiences and perspectives, and bring it to life through something that was unique, artful, and a little rough around the edges. Something cool and fun to display on our coffee tables amongst editions of Rizzoli and Phaidon.

The zine is comprised of three chapters, each depicting a certain time period of the firm. Each chapter features a distinct design personality; from color palette and typography to creative writing and voice, we wanted each element to feel like it belonged.

When you read the first chapter, “Reflections,” you’ll feel the pride that our founder Doug Mulvanny felt when he started the firm from a small rented desk and a phone line. You’ll also observe the confident leadership transition to Jerry Lee and the impact he created on the firm and in the community. This chapter’s visual language consists of a magenta palette with coral accents and straightforward sans serif typography to pay homage to “what was.”  

“Looking Both Ways” gives a more in depth look at MG2 today, and how CEO Mitch Smith found his way to the firm, climbed the ranks, and intends to lead us into the next 50 years. Among stories from employees across the firm, President Russ Hazzard talks about his “take the bull by the horns” approach. This chapter’s color palette takes influence from our focus on sustainability with pops of teal and a rich grass green. Typography comes to life through our standard typefaces, but with a twist of something new.

Finally, you end in an experimental play land, “Refractions.” As our female leadership takes center stage with CCO MJ Munsell and COO Celeste Lenon, electric colors of blue and coral erupt from the page as our typography twists and turns energetically, refracting the possibilities for our future.

The small touches really allow the zine to shine. We’ve integrated our audio and video experiences via QR codes that launch you to our “Conversations” series podcasts and video interviews with our executive team. Photo spreads are punctuated with die cut paper pieces that pace your experience and add a touch of whimsy. Gate fold timelines expand our history past, present, and untold future to create something truly interactive. Even the paper choices have been carefully selected to evolve and shift with the eras of stories they tell. And finally the zine is wrapped in one final iteration of our logo, this time dissecting it with notes and key drawings reminiscent of architectural plans.

Compiling this zine was truly a passion project for us. A predominantly virtual world made for a complex challenge to solve in celebrating MG2’s 50th Anniversary. But our people and their stories made it worthwhile. We’re excited to bring this anthology along with us as 2022 ushers in year one of “the Next 50.” Cheers to a notable past, inspiring present, and very bright future for MG2.

Metal Building Systems Provide Costco with Cost and Time Savings

Metal building construction has come a long way since Costco Wholesale Corp. first tested using a system 32 years ago in California. So much so that the warehouse club giant uses metal building systems to construct 90% of its warehouse stores.

“The technology and the process for completing metal building projects have improved considerably,” said Ali Moayeri, senior VP of construction for Costco.

Read more at Chain Store Age

100 Reasons to Celebrate: MG2 Announces Global 2022 Promotions

In the wake of yet another challenging year for our firm, our industry, and our world, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the incredible accomplishments and achievements of our dedicated team. As we enter 2022—a journey toward both unlimited opportunities and possibilities unknown—we’re thrilled to recognize this dedication, resilience, and passion with the promotion of one hundred MG2 employees across our global offices.

Amongst our leadership, we’re excited to welcome four new Principals—Shannon Suess, Terry Odle, Mai-Lee Lam, and Mat Yeung—four new Associate Principals—Barbara Granados-Saldana, Amy Hart, Cheryl Usnick, and Ta-Ren Chyn—as well as two new Shareholders—Janelle Schneider and Jooyeol Oh.

See Terry’s promotion announcement in the Los Angeles Business Journal →

Beyond leadership, it is an honor and a privilege to nurture the careers of, recognize, and promote dozens of MG2 associates across every department, market, and level. There are no minor roles here; we would not be the firm we are today without all of our employees’ incredible talent and perseverance. We are grateful to have extraordinary individuals helping define and deliver a boundless future for MG2 and our clients, bringing your best to everything you do, and making our firm such a special place to be.

IRVINE

  • Christine Sa’d – Associate 2
  • Clara Gradinariu – Associate 2
  • Gustavo Montalvo – Associate 2
  • Jasmine Le – Associate 2
  • Katherine Graney – Associate 2
  • Ahmed Islamoglu – Associate 3
  • Jenny Nguyen – Associate 3
  • Garrett Honeycutt – Associate 4
  • Maribel Abrica – Associate 4
  • Meadow Pirigyi – Associate 4
  • Arturo Reina – Associate 5
  • Matthew McClellan – Associate 5
  • Renee Krause – Associate 5
  • Isaac Perez – Senior Associate 1
  • Terry Odle – Principal

MINNEAPOLIS

  • Lorren Mueller – Associate 2
  • Sarah Cooper – Associate 2
  • Elle Reinhard – Associate 4

NEW YORK CITY

  • Joseph Schafran – Senior Project Manager II

SEATTLE

  • Casey Hopkins – Senior Communications Manager
  • Chris Schanz – Facilities & Multimedia Specialist
  • Emily Walker – Marketing Specialist
  • Hannah DeVriend – Human Resources Coordinator
  • Hannah Shugrue – Senior Project Accountant
  • Kristin Troxel – Human Resources Manager
  • Kendal Solak – Shared Services Specialist
  • Mike Johnson – Senior Financial Analyst
  • Natasha Windle – Associate Director, Program Management
  • Richard Bendix – CAD Manager
  • Tyler Wissenback – BIM Account Manager
  • Abigail Shane – Associate 2
  • Alex Breuer – Associate 2
  • Charles Abuel – Associate 2
  • Cori Concepcion – Associate 2
  • Erin Dillinger – Associate 2
  • Isabella Noet – Associate 2
  • Lauren Cebulla – Associate 2
  • McKenzie Aitkin – Associate 2
  • Peter Kim – Associate 2
  • Taylor Chadwick – Associate 2
  • Yanie Hung – Associate 2
  • Carmen Campbell – Associate 3
  • Justin Bise – Associate 3
  • Marina Sosner – Associate 3
  • Melissa Lorenc – Associate 3
  • Morgan Nestegard – Associate 3
  • Sarah Bertis – Associate 3
  • Stephanie Henschen – Associate 3
  • Tais Wagner – Associate 3
  • Connor Dimick – Associate 4
  • Darren Mobley – Associate 4
  • Paul Yoon – Associate 4
  • Scott Nicholson – Associate 4
  • Colby Chapman – Associate 4
  • Moon Choi – Associate 4
  • Negin Sharifi – Associate 4
  • Alison McClellan – Associate 5
  • Amy McCurdy – Associate 5
  • Christina Puzon – Associate 5
  • Darren Thies – Associate 5
  • Jared Bassetti – Associate 5
  • Marit Jensen – Associate 5
  • Craig Chapman – Senior Associate 1
  • Eli Hardi – Senior Associate 1
  • Joe Palmquist – Senior Associate 1
  • John Leuck – Senior Associate 1
  • Megumi Matsumura – Senior Associate 1
  • Angela Balmer – Senior Associate 2
  • Elisha Person – Senior Associate 2
  • Geir Mjelde – Senior Associate 2
  • Geoffrey Grice – Senior Associate 2
  • Hong Ho – Senior Associate 2
  • Jason Breyer – Senior Associate 2
  • Kendall Williams – Senior Associate 2
  • Shawn Ronning – Senior Associate 2
  • Stephen Bullock – Senior Associate 2
  • Amy Hart – Associate Principal
  • Barbara Granados-Saldana – Associate Principal
  • Cheryl Usnick – Associate Principal
  • Mai-Lee Lam – Principal
  • Shannon Suess – Principal

SHANGHAI

  • Elva Qian – Administrative Assistant II
  • Flora Cheng – Operations Manager (no change in title)
  • Song Yan – Associate 3
  • Vicky Nie – Associate 3
  • Lily Peng – Associate 5
  • Hsin Cheng – Senior Associate 2
  • Ta-Ren Chyn – Associate Principal
  • Mat Yeung – Principal

WASHINGTON, D.C.

  • Alveena Kamran – Associate 2
  • Gabrielle Metzger – Associate 2
  • Emily O’Loughlin – Associate 3
  • Gabriella Santostefano – Associate 3
  • Katy Siu – Associate 3
  • Rosalyn Roman Iglesias – Associate 3
  • Cesar Cruz – Associate 5
  • Kevin Richardson – Associate 5
  • Nils Jonsson – Senior Associate 1
  • Meridyth Cutler – Senior Associate 2
  • Jeremy Goeckeritz – Associate Director, Cost Management


If you’re ready for a new challenge, MG2 is hiring for numerous roles across our global offices. Check out our Culture page to learn more about who we are, and Careers to find your perfect fit.

Ranked 5th in the top 100 best companies to work for in Washington state.

100 Best Companies To Work For in 2021- MG2 Ranks 5th!

MG2s mantra is people make place. The 50-year-old firm has a robust DEI initiative with a five-year timeline that involves all staffers. It emphasizes sustainable design practices and invests in staff development through leadership training, coaching programs and free LinkedIn Learning courses. Staff events include happy hours, movie nights, ping-pong tournaments and Mariners games.

Read more at Seattle Business Mag
Perspectives

Above & Beyond: A Data-Driven Commitment to Sustainable Design

November 2021 / By Above & Beyond: A Data-Driven Commitment to Sustainable Design, Russ Hazzard

Architect and AIA 2030 Founder Edward Mazria once said, “We tend to rush toward the complex when trying to solve a daunting problem, but in this case, simplicity wins. Better buildings, responsible energy use, and renewable energy choices are all we need to tackle both energy independence and climate change.”

Straightforward, responsible design has long been at the core of MG2’s strategy and philosophy, with sustainable principles and applications woven into our projects at every opportunity. Our three sustainability values—Environmental Stewardship, Purposeful Efficiency, and Restorative Measures—are a simultaneous embodiment of where our firm was the year they were defined and reflect where we want to be in the years to come. MG2 has worked to raise the bar on our designs over time, evolving to match—and where we can, exceed—sustainable certifications and benchmarks.

“We had always reviewed our specifications for opportunities to suggest sustainable products and methodologies to our clients, which when we started were just better choices from a location and ‘better for the environment’ point of view,” says Russ Hazzard, President of MG2.

“Today, those sustainable vendor and materials recommendations aren’t just convenience, they’re a fundamental part of our DNA and design process. As a result, clients who once might not have been open to alternatives are looking to us as experts and advocates, armed with the right solution to set them on a path toward a more sustainable future.”

Costco Wholesale Headquarters Campus – Issaquah, WA

As architects and designers of built environments, the implications of everything we do, of every project we take on, are unmistakable. AIA’s 2030 Challenge outlines two specific goals that pledge firms must strive toward:

  1. A 90% reduction in built environment operating energy systems by 2025.
  2. A 45% reduction—a percentage imposed by our own team—in built environment embodied carbon by 2025.

“Greenhouse gas emissions reduction is the challenge of the century for the entire industry.” states Johnny Klemke, Building Performance Analyst at MG2, “How do we keep building more and more while producing less and less impact in the natural environment? That’s the question we’re taking on at MG2. By helping teams come up with more efficient, less carbon-intensive solutions for their designs, we’re also showing clients that sustainability doesn’t need to be a cost burden on the project.”

Six Corners – Chicago, IL

By helping teams come up with more efficient, less carbon-intensive solutions for their designs, we’re showing clients that sustainability doesn’t need to be a cost burden.

Johnny Klemke, Building Performance Analyst

“Our greatest hurdle is bringing the industry along with us,” says Jon Guerechit, a designer at MG2 helping to lead our operating energy initiative, “One benefit is that indisputable data makes it easier to convince clients that a cost-saving measure can also serve the environment. But the numbers aren’t always in our favor. Embracing the mindset of being a steward of the environment is harder because it forces stakeholders to think differently and invest in the distant future. It’s a mentality we’re pushing for across the board.”

Costco Wholesale Headquarters Campus – Issaquah, WA

Today, as we continue to evaluate and evolve our firm’s sustainability action plan, we’re committed to going above and beyond the goals outlined by AIA’s 2030 challenge by adding two more of our own: 

  1. A rigorous commitment to working with forward-thinking vendors and using sustainable materials that adhere to the highest standards possible.
  2. A reduction of water consumption—30% to 45% for indoor and 50% for potable outdoor—in all of our projects by 2030
PCC Community Markets – Seattle, WA

Adding materials to the mix.

From improving indoor air quality to reducing construction waste, the materials our architects and designers specify matter. Our choices represent an enormous opportunity to enhance the health of the planet and the people who live on it.

In addition to becoming proud signatories of the AIA Materials Pledge, MG2 has created our own rigorous Materials Evaluation System. Using a stoplight structure, our specialists analyze and rank every vendor, product, and material we use, to ensure that where and whenever possible, we’re adhering to the highest attainable sustainability standards for a better future.

PCC Community Markets—the largest grocery co-op in the United States—has partnered with MG2 for years on their journey to better their store’s materials and target LBC Petal Certification. In its Ballard location, the first grocery store in the world to be certified, over 40% of the materials—just shy of $1.4M—were sustainably sourced, with 9.2% of those derived from within 100 miles. Additionally, 100% of the store’s wood is FSC certified, with 10% of the elements reclaimed or reused.

PCC Community Markets – Seattle, WA

“There is a misconception that we need to pursue green building certification to push for sustainable materials, or that we must only use sustainabile materials to make a difference in the world. Neither of these are true.”

Candon Michelle Murphy, Materials Specialist

With MG2’s data-driven materials system comes a deep reservoir of knowledge and insight, but continuous education to overcome misconceptions and help our clients and partners understand the financial and environmental investment is still critical.

“The largest challenge around the selection of sustainable materials is the misunderstanding of what costs are associated with it.” mentions Candon Michelle Murphy, MG2’s Materials Librarian, “It is true that there are specific material categories on the market that represent a high cost add if the sustainable selection is desired, but there are quite a few categories where there is no or nominal fee add to make a far more environmentally-sound final installation.

“There is also a misconception that we need to pursue a green building certification to push for sustainable and healthy materials, or that we must only put in sustainable materials to make a difference in the world. Neither of these is true, however: any selection that supplies a reduction of embodied carbon, lesser the amount of VOCs put into interior spaces, and provides for reclamation of materials or diversion from landfills still makes a difference.”

Hyatt at Olive 8 – Seattle, WA

Fundamental impact through water reduction.

Water is one of the earth’s most precious resources. While many of us take fresh, clean water for granted in our day-to-day lives, architects who create built environments in areas where this resource is not so abundant continually have its preservation, reduction, and recyclability top-of-mind.

MG2’s water conservation goal—our fourth and possibly most ambitious sustainability initiative—is to reduce indoor water use in appliances such as toilets and faucets by 30% to 45% and to reduce potable outdoor water consumption in landscaping and irrigation by 50% in every single one of our projects by the end of 2030.

“Among dozens of reasons, a reduction of water in our projects is important because it can lower water withdrawals from local water sources,” states Maribel Barba, designer and co-lead of MG2’s water conservation goals, “allowing us to better harmonize with the local environment, increase water availability for all, and improve community relations.”

Costco Santa Fe – Mexico

While our water conservation goals may be new to many of MG2’s clients, some have been pioneering innovative technologies and water reduction tactics in their build environments for years. For example, longtime partner Costco has been working with MG2 on implementing water solutions programming into its warehouses throughout Mexico and the Southwest US for years, an initiative that awards them a 20% annual water savings.

The wholesaler giant recently took an even more significant leap into the future of water conservation with its Costco Santa Fe store. Complete with a one-of-a-kind green roof that acts as a natural extension of Parque La Mexicana, the Santa Fe location was designed with numerous water-saving technologies,  including toilets and landscape irrigation that utilize recycled water and a stormwater collection system in the Parque lake. Restroom fixtures were also installed with 50% less water demand, according to baseline.

“Even when water conservation processes have been implemented for several years, I think it is still being a challenge for firms to sell this idea to some partners.” says Christian Razo, designer and co-lead of MG2’s water conservation goals, “Many do not realize how much water you can save, or even the consequences of not saving water. We do our best to educate every one of our clients on the rewards of implementing these processes, including the satisfaction of knowing that what you’re doing is helping future generations.”

Costco Santa Fe – Mexico

We’ve come a long way in our sustainable design practices and are immensely proud of the benchmarks many of our projects and partnerships have achieved. But the reality is, MG2 is just getting started. 

“When we set out to create MG2’s formal framework for sustainability, we knew it needed to resonate with all staff and be embedded in the culture of the firm.” says Mark Taylor, MG2’s Sustainability Lead, “Our data-driven approach speaks directly to the results-oriented nature of the firm and will be the backbone of our success as we continue on our journey.”

MG2’s Sustainability Action Plan

Learn more about our above-and-beyond commitment to the future of our planet in our AIA 2030 Commitment Sustainability Action Plan, or by reaching out to our sustainability team.

Perspectives

What Designers Should Know About Antimicrobial Products

October 2021 / By Candon Michelle Murphy

This article was originally published on i+s on October 8, 2021.
__________

With the ongoing conversation around cleanliness in our built environments, there has been a large push to add anything available to inhibit the spread of viruses. “Antimicrobial” is seemingly a buzzword as of late, and you may have been questioned by your clients about what is available on the market that possesses these types of properties.  

Let’s break down what you should be looking out for and what you should be wary of when it comes to doing your part as a designer around health in the built environment. 

What Are Antimicrobial Products? 

There are two ways a product can be antimicrobial. First, we have products that are inherently antimicrobial, which means that their surface does not foster the growth of bacteria. You may have heard of copper having this property, which is unusual in this category due to the unique oxidizing process which actually kills bacteria. But for most products, this means that the surface of their product in so smooth and non-porous that there is no opportunity for the bacteria to grow.  

The second way a product can be defined as antimicrobial is with certain classes of chemicals integrated into the product or added on to a product as a coating. Although these products have been available on the market for many years, the advertising of them and the explosion of new products with these properties available has intensified over the pandemic. 

Why Scientists Are Concerned About Antimicrobials 

Despite the availability of these products, there has been much concern in the scientific community around these for nearly 20 years. After a study, the CDC said in 2003, “There is no evidence that antimicrobials in products prevent disease in hospital settings.”  Additionally, a study in 2016 noted the “FDA banned 19 antimicrobial ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, in over-the-counter consumer antiseptic wash products based on insufficient evidence demonstrating their safety for long-term daily use and that they reduce the spread of illness and infection.” Despite the ban on this particular product category, many of these chemicals are still overwhelmingly used with similar claims in other products.  

But there is a deeper concern here aside from the false advertising of these claims: there is quite a bit of proof available to show that antimicrobials are not only ineffective but the chemicals that are used in these products provide far more harm than good. 

[Related: How to Specify Cleanable Surfaces for Healthcare]

In December 2015, citing the concern for exposure to toxic chemicals and threat of drug-resistant bacteria, the health giant Kaiser Permanente banned the use of “15 specific antimicrobial chemicals to ban from its hospitals and other buildings because they can be toxic to both people and the environment.” Shortly after, a consortium of over 200 scientists and medical professionals released The Florence Statement, which details out a wide variety of concerns about these chemicals including but not limited to their properties of being toxic, bioaccumulation, and persistent. 

It has shown that specifically triclosan and triclocarban, which are the most common antimicrobial agents, are carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors in both human and animal tests. In addition, neither of these chemicals break down over time and have been detected in urine, breast milk, and sea life worldwide. Other commonly used antimicrobial chemicals contribute to microbial resistance, are known allergens and skin irritants, and provide adverse respiratory, nervous system, immunological, reproductive, and developmental effects. 

Many manufacturers of products will assure you that their additives of antimicrobial properties will not harm the environment or the humans occupying the space. But the truth is that coatings will eventually wear off, in the air or on someone’s skin; products will chip and turn into airborne pollutants; items will ultimately end their life in a landfill and leach into the surrounding ecosystem. 

5 Ways to Avoid Health Harm 

Despite all the evidence supporting the avoidance of these additives, we still have many clients and owners requesting these products. Because it is our role as designers to provide the best solutions possible, we should take responsibility for advocating against harm in the built environment while still supporting health. Here are some ways you can speak with your client about antimicrobials and alternate solutions. 

1. Educate yourself, your colleagues, and your clients on the harmful effects of antimicrobial chemicals. The Green Science Policy Institute has many resources to help you understand and provide information to others. Listen to the client’s preferences but offer them the information to make an informed decision. 

2. There are some antimicrobial products that do not contain chemicals of concern. Be sure to ask questions about what exactly the antimicrobial properties are and cross-reference with available information from verified sources. Create a list of these products to bring to your clients as alternate solutions. 

3. Understand the cleaning procedures of your clients and select finishes that support a high level of cleanability. Be ready with cutsheets to support how to clean the items. 

4. Think like a healthcare designer and implement highly cleanable design into every space. Consider detailing out inside corners that could be breeding grounds or incorporate bleach-cleanable textiles. Focus on making a space easy to clean rather than relying on something that may or may not work. 

5. Most importantly, build your knowledge of those inherently antimicrobial materials we touched on earlier. There are more available than you might realize, and here is a short but certainly not exhaustive list to get you started: 

  • PVD coatings: A far more sustainable way to finish metals than traditional electroplating, PVD is also inherently antimicrobial. This is available on a variety of hardware products and is also proven to outlast electrocoating. 
  • Linoleum: This all-around highly sustainable and healthy product is also a bacteria-killer. It is inherently antiallergenic, antibacterial and antistatic.  
  • Glass: The super smooth surface of glass shows to inhibit the growth of bacteria as well as being very highly cleanable while also having the ability to be super-heated for full disinfection. 
  • Some natural yarns like linen, merino wool and hemp: A wool rug is not only antimicrobial, but it also won’t stain either. 

Truthfully, the fact of this virus and others that we will face in our lifetime is that there is no magic solution to provide a bacteria and virus-free space. The most effective way to fight the spread of germs is through caution, mitigating exposure through all means available, and proper cleaning and disinfecting. 

Costco Wholesale Asia

The secrets to a successful global expansion

When industry leader Costco Wholesale sought expansion overseas, there were numerous nuanced considerations—culture, capacity, jurisdictional requirements, materials, cost, timeframes, structure variants, building codes, and beyond—that Costco needed to consider in order to ensure their debut in Asia would be an outright success. They employed long-time partner MG2 to help them tackle these challenges and provide a localized, reliable, inherently “Costco Wholesale” experience for new consumer bases across multiple countries.

Taking up residence in urban areas experiencing explosive population growth, real estate and structure footprint are major considerations with each Costco Wholesale designed and built in Asia. The employment of multilevel retail warehouses—a more common practice overseas than here in the United States—provide spatial solutions, but still require careful programming and custom resolutions that designers consider and tailor to each unique location.

While shopping at a wholesale retailer in the United States is unique unto itself, the experience can be different and novel in countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea, where spending a day at Costco Wholesale can be a destination-worthy, family-wide event. Costco and MG2 teams diligently analyzed and documented the shopping habits of each location, accounting for variants like capacity control, cultural norms, and community preferences. Departments were designed to flex within the stores, catering to regional tastes, such as robust sushi departments in Japan.

Even footprints and integrated technologies were localized—moving ramps vs elevators, additional parking, and more—ensuring familiar customer flows and elevated user experiences in what has become an extremely popular shopping experience.

With our breadth and depth of Costco project knowledge and working with the country managers through the decades, MG2 continuously delivers immediate solutions for ad-hoc challenges, such as adding new departments post-opening. Based on the unique design requirements for each location, our team has standardized each structure’s needs, working closely with Costco Wholesale operations on how they utilize their spaces. In addition to streamlining our process, MG2 has been able to control the soft cost which varies by country, ensuring no project goes over budget.

Our symbiotic relationship continues today, with our most recent projects utilizing breakthrough technology such as VR walkthroughs for executives to view floors before the opening of a new location. As Costco Wholesale’s expansion initiatives continue to grow across China and other regions, MG2’s designs continue to push boundaries and revolutionize the wholesale shopping experience in Asia.

Press Coverage

Meet Our Team

Mat Yeung

Principal

For the past fifteen years, Mat Yeung has dedicated his career to the seamless unification of design and construction management. He specializes in analyzing variables like time, budgets, and teams, formulating processes that bring together every piece of the puzzle, and result in extraordinary built environments. Mat is an avid devotee to the details, working closely with partners to ensure every facet of their brand image is perfectly represented.

His experience in retail operations and project construction—with a particular focus on international shopping centers—gives Mat deep insight into helping his design teams understand a client’s vision and intent, and conversely allows him to help brands realize how elevated design will benefit their operations. When he’s not remodeling retail experiences or managing construction operations, you’ll find Mat building scale model cars or wiling away the hours with a good book.

Meet Our Team

Mai-Lee Lam

Principal

With over 28 years of experience at her back, Mai-Lee Lam excels in bringing to life international projects that skillfully fuse function, efficiency, and practicality. Hand-selecting diverse teams of experts for each project, she immerses herself in the culture, regulations, and complex local requirements, partnering closely with clients to deliver on-time, on-budget solutions that go above and beyond.

Mai-Lee is often inspired by the passion and dedication of her teams in bringing even the most complex spaces and footprints to fruition. When she’s not focused on budgeting or project design efficiency, you’ll find her exploring exotic corners of the world, or simply wiling away the hours gardening.

Meet Our Team

Terry Odle

Principal

A jack-of-all-trades and strategic advisor, Terry Odle loves the complex challenges and client coordination that comes with bringing environments to life. With over 35 years in the industry, deeply understands the value of nimble, constant communication, investing himself wholly in the success of a client’s projects, and viewing their teams as his own.

Terry’s background his highly diversified, having worked across numerous facets of architecture—from entitlements and design to construction administration. This legacy grants him the unique ability to step in and add value at any point during a program without missing a beat, ensuring that results are beyond expectations. When he’s not collaborating with clients, Terry enjoys traveling or simply kicking back with a good book.

/ /

Costco Wholesale Headquarters Campus

Costco Wholesale first opened its global headquarters campus in the mid-1990s and has continued to expand as the company grows. Working closely with the City of Issaquah, MG2 has been partnering with Costco on developing a 30-year agreement to expand on the original master plan, which features up to 1.5 million additional square feet of office space. 

The design aims to evolve Costco’s corporate campus by reimagining working environments, enhancing connectivity to the surrounding natural environment and community, and integrating modern, efficient, and sustainable practices and materials. In its current phase, open, collaborative workspaces, multi-functional parking facilities, and high-efficiency sustainable materials and operations take center stage.

Flexible Workspaces for Wellness and Collaboration

MG2’s interior design programming for Costco’s new nine-story building serves as the standard and foundation for all office spaces across the company. Layouts and furnishings place a consistent emphasis on health and wellness, providing employees with open-concept workspaces and flexible meeting areas. To further promote collaboration and culture, three new food and beverage spaces, an auditorium, and an art-centric exhibit space contribute to the brand’s principles of “campus, connection, and community” that it has envisioned for its evolved headquarters.

The expanded fitness center, which now includes a gym in the parking garage, allows for more daylight and promotes overall employee well-being. The flexible exhibit area on the ground floor of the new parking garage provides a space for vendors to showcase their products to employees.

A Multi-Functional Parking Garage

In tandem with Costco Wholesale’s new nine-story office building, MG2 also designed a complimentary parking structure for employees, featuring 1,694 stalls and 712,000 square feet of space. Connected to the workspaces via a sky bridge, the first floor of the parking garage features a 13,130-square-foot staff wellness center—complete with a fitness gym, aerobics room, full-service locker rooms, and secure interior bicycle storage—a 14,500-square-foot exhibit hall—which provides a space for vendors to showcase their products to employees—and a catering kitchen.

Building a Greener Future Inside and Out

Costco and MG2 prioritized sustainability throughout the design, targeting sustainable certifications and sourcing local materials. Key sustainability features include:

  1. Triple-glazing: The building envelope utilizes triple-pane glazing and strategic positioning of north vs south facades to reduce energy demand and optimize natural daylighting.
  2. Daylighting: Daylight sensors, LEDs, narrow floor plans, and an intelligent interior layout maximize natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
  3. DOAS System: The dedicated outdoor air system efficiently recovers energy and reduces heating demand by using interior building heat to warm up outside air, reducing fossil fuel usage.

Additionally, a 43.75 kW solar photovoltaic system on the roof trellises—equating to roughly 2,250 square feet of solar panels—is installed atop the parking garage, while the interior of the garage houses three large backup generators to support the adjacent offices.

Costco’s commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by providing real-time feedback through a display in the Headquarters lobby, helping inform employees on how they can improve their energy and water consumption.

Setting a New Standard for Corporate Campuses

As the 30-year master plan continues to evolve and take shape, MG2’s forward-looking design approach for Costco’s Headquarters expansion creates a dynamic, interconnected, and sustainable work environment that fosters collaboration and well-being. 

The emphasis on a healthy interior design language, multi-functional environments such as its new parking garage, and sustainability features both inside and out showcase the brand’s dedication to its employees, the local community, and the environment.

Press Coverage

Costco Wholesale

Costco Wholesale has partnered with MG2 for over 30 years.
Costco Wholesale Santa Fe La Mexicana by MG2

An enduring partnership with a global leader

Over 30 years ago, our partnership with Costco Wholesale began with one warehouse. At the time, the wholesale leader was putting down roots in rural and suburban communities, where space was ample. However, as the brand gained popularity and expanded its reach into urban neighborhoods, development became more challenging with greater constraints. Simultaneously, Costco Wholesale boldly began to broaden its offering, with services such as optical and hearing centers, pharmacy, gas stations, and fresh, high-quality meat, deli, and seafood selections. As jurisdictional codes became more complex and demanding, creative design solutions were required. A dedicated partner—one who understood their goals, embraced their values, and sought to grow with them—was needed. They went all-in on MG2.

Three decades and 780+ locations worldwide later, MG2 remains that partner today. Our relationship has grown and strengthened, both personally and professionally. We have worked together to streamline organizational efficiencies in building design and delivery, cost management, entitlement services, built asset management, and program management. MG2 anticipates Costco Wholesale’s needs, evolving alongside, and elevating the speed and consistency of our results over time.

Costco warehouse: New Orleans, LA (Photo Credit: George Kuchler)

With MG2 as their program partner, Costco Wholesale has set the bar by creating and maintaining the platinum standard in optimized rollouts: It takes just 110 days from the time construction begins to the moment doors open to their members. Their “high quality, best price” approach toward building design—also reflected in their products and customer services—is an inherent part of Costco Wholesale’s brand promise. 

MG2 evolves the Costco Wholesale warehouse prototype every month, finding innovative ways to update and improve the concept while upholding our swift construction schedule and high-quality standards.

Our relationship goes beyond the depth of resources and broadness of services MG2 provides; there’s a consensus-driven approach across a joint team that keeps the proverbial ship moving forward. We work together to create modern, industrial retail environments that are contemporary, clean, safe, and never compromise Costco Wholesale’s standard of delivering quality. We’ve tackled countless new challenges together, leaning into the seemingly impossible to come up with solutions foundationally based on our co-journey. 

And along the way, we’ve optimized Costco Wholesale’s program to the business benefit of millions of dollars per year, while continuing to help them grow and expand to new consumer markets across the globe.

Press Coverage

Awards

Public Storage

public-storage-interior

An experience as valuable as their storage solutions

The leader in self-storage across the U.S. and Europe, Public Storage, remains wholly dedicated to customer service by going above and beyond merely leasing storage space. They are steadfast in their commitment to long-term energy efficiency and sustainability. To help them continue to shine in an increasingly crowded marketplace, Public Storage partnered with MG2 to refresh and reimagine the customer journey. 

The partnership has resulted in a prototype design solution slated to stitch together and cohesively unite 2,400 existing locations and future property acquisitions under one brand. In tandem, the team innovates on new construction projects through a unique, patent-pending “office of tomorrow” prototype design. These initiatives set the stage for an instantly recognizable brand to offer a seamless transformative experience, regardless of location, that stands out from the competition.

/

Nordstrom Rack

The next evolution of mission-driven design

Today’s retail customers crave simplicity, fun, and personalization in their shopper journeys. To meet this rising demand, Nordstrom enlisted the help of MG2 and challenged us to design an innovative, flexible ‘Store of the Future’ concept for their Nordstrom Rack locations. 

The resulting design granted Nordstrom a new direction they could trust in, complete with elegant, bold details such as impactful in-store diagrams, signage, and fixtures that highlight merchandise stories. MG2 also delivered gender-neutral fitting areas and user-friendly check out zones. These cost-neutral solutions advance Nordstrom’s mission to offer the customer the best possible service, selection, quality, and value.

MG2 continues to work with Nordstrom in evolving the store planning and design of this concept, positively impacting the customer experience for over 25 locations across the US and Canada. The innovative design remains active today, helping consumers achieve their immediate goals while providing moments of delight.

Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers

Ritchie Bros

Program unification through iteration

MG2, Ritchie Bros.’ select corporate architect, has worked on more than fifteen of the auctioneer’s projects around the world since 2007. Before our partnership, the company replicated outmoded concepts for all their new builds without iteration, resulting in each location running into the same problems time and again.

Each location presented MG2 with unique challenges and opportunities for innovation, from navigating site conditions internationally to undertaking master planning in Dubai and Beijing, to determining how to establish new utility infrastructure in rural areas.

From the onset, MG2 immersed ourselves in the program by leveraging lean design methodologies and benchmarking analysis. The team toured existing, preferred facilities, spending time with the construction teams, vendors, and staff, learning their pain points, and documenting areas of opportunity.

Based on what they learned and leveraging a fresh perspective of the barriers the client was facing, MG2 created a new prototype, set of design guidelines, and specs. For each build, we were able to customize, observe, and refine solutions, making each new location better than the last. Finally, we worked hand-in-hand with Ritchie Bros. teams to successfully maintain their facilities and implement behavioral changes, ensuring guidelines were followed both now and in the future.

Ritchie Bros

Through it all, MG2 provided comprehensive architectural services while providing coordination with Ritchie Bros.’ other project partners and consultants to deliver project success again and again.

Meet Our Team

Eric Marks, LEED GA, RA

Principal

For over two decades, Eric has been using his creative problem-solving skills to lead clients and teams down the road to success. Heading up MG2’s Washington DC office, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the built environment. Furthermore, his technical knowledge allows him to create innovative solutions that influence customer behaviors, deepening brand engagement for clients.

Eric thrives on solving complex puzzles; the more challenging, the better. By living in one of the United States’ most historic cities, Eric finds inspiration in creative design solutions where change rarely happens. The inclusion of technology in adaptive reuse projects are of particular interest. When he’s not master-planning new initiatives or designing mixed-use environments, Eric is recreating restaurant dishes in the comforts of his kitchen, often with great success.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Risa Yuki, LEED GA

Principal

With more than 20 years of experience, Risa has been with MG2 since the beginning of her career. Her passion spans multiple areas of expertise, including design and delivery for new construction, prototyping, and adaptive reuse projects. Risa is the go-to person on every team. She consistently pioneers effective solutions that translate into new business practices for clients.

Risa not only cares about the work but the people associated with it. Her focus on collaboration and team-building has helped her foster long-term partnerships with internal and external teams. She is not only an inspiring leader but the glue that holds projects together. Her colleagues often request to work with her on critical challenges to observe and emulate her ability to develop authentic, trusting relationships with clients. A “foodie” at her core, if Risa isn’t driving new solutions for dynamic projects, she’s exploring new restaurants and learning about emerging cuisines.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Mostafa Ahanchi

Principal

Since joining MG2 in 1994, Mostafa has spent more than two decades growing the relationship with MG2’s longest-existing partner, Costco Wholesale. As the MG2 leader of the account, he plays an integral role in supporting Costco’s strategic expansion by delivering high quality in service, process and product. Mostafa is responsible for leading a team of over 140 professionals in prototype development, project implementation and senior architect supervision for a program delivering over 30 new warehouse projects a year worldwide.

With more than 23 years of experience at MG2, Mostafa is relied on heavily to research, validate and implement architectural solutions for Costco as the company continues to refine their warehouse prototype through monthly cumulative modifications. Both Costco and his colleagues hold Mostafa in high esteem for his persistent management style and ability to overcome challenges without jeopardizing budgets or construction schedules.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Matthew Goelzer, AIA, LEED AP

Principal

Matthew’s extensive background designing warehouse, distribution, food process and cold storage facilities has resulted in his emergence as one of MG2’s most valued design experts. His diverse experience working for both architectural and engineering firms, as well as time spent at a design-build construction company early in his career, has provided Matthew the ability to bring integrated design solutions to projects.

Project stakeholders rely on Matthew for his comprehensive understanding of complex design and entitlement processes. The vast technical knowledge Matthew possesses enables him to serve as MG2’s professional practice lead and sit on the executive committee responsible for maintaining the firm’s overall QA/QC standards and professional risk mitigation.

Throughout his time at MG2, Matthew has been a catalyst for change, overseeing the mentorship of several young architects and working with internal partners to implement a formalized talent development program to foster their progress. The totality of his efforts has ensured MG2 is primed to meet the demands of clients today and tomorrow.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Brian Bonar, AIA, NCARB

Principal

With almost three decades of experience designing and developing across everything from education and aviation to residential and retail, Brian Bonar excels at architectural versatility. He’s spent his career leading clients and teams through complex programs and processes, honing each step of development, strengthening relationships, and pushing edges to create dynamic projects.

Brian’s diverse blend of expertise and leadership skills allow him to look ahead and anticipate stakeholder needs, simultaneously focusing on both minute details and the big picture to ensure clients see their visions realized. Continually influenced by the technical precision yet elegant simplicity of modern architecture, Brian has a deep appreciation for, and understanding of, what it takes to bring inspired spaces to life. When he’s not studying the amalgams of light, mass, and shadow, you’ll find him kicking back to a baseball game, or spending time outdoors with his family.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Jonathan Chang, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB

Principal

Originally from Taiwan, Jonathan Chang has long been fascinated with and influenced by the cultures, spiritual experiences, and communities born from architectural design. He has traveled the world chasing that inspiration, studying and working in the United States, and settling in Shanghai where he now serves as MG2’s international lead for our longtime client partner, Costco Wholesale.

Jonathan is an ardent project manager, commercial and mixed-retail designer, and observant Principal. He passionately applies his expertise to solving complex challenges that transform the fundamental fabric of global metropolises, guiding and mentoring his teams along the way. Outside the office, you’ll find Jonathan wiling away the hours on long road trips, gardening, or simply day-dreaming about the future of urban landscapes.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Doug Brookbank, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB

Principal

With over 20 years’ experience with MG2, Doug Brookbank has proven expertise around navigating the complexities of client programs and helping our partners reach their business and development goals. As versatile as he is passionate, Doug strategically gets involved with projects early on, expertly guiding stakeholders through due diligence, schematic design, design development, and the entitlements process.

His team-first approach to leadership and dedication to finding the right solutions help solve our clients’ most intricate and novel problems. Above all else, Doug values his relationships, built on collaboration, professionalism, and a shared desire to achieve results; it is the friends he has made along the way that create a sense of unity and connection. Ultimately, it is Doug’s purpose-driven approach and rigor that elevate the work of MG2 in every way. When Doug isn’t solving a challenging problem for clients, he is inviting them into a competitive game of golf, exercising strategy, agility, and dexterity in an entirely new way.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

Meet Our Team

Russ Hazzard, AIA

President

A fearless and revered leader, Russ Hazzard is a master conductor. He knows how to orchestrate the right team and cues each player to jump into a project at the exact moment they are needed. With Russ at the podium, innovative solutions become the perfect score, exceeding clients’ expectations and tempting them to experience a repeat performance.

Russ knows firsthand how enduring relationships with our partners, some of which span 40 years, elevates MG2’s unique ability to understand and help shape their enterprise. Contributing to the mastery and evolution of dynamic programs deepens his commitment to creating synergies and shared successes. This commitment also helps MG2 pioneer new offerings that elevate all our core practice areas.

Team collaborating around a table

Perspectives

People Make the Place: Leading the Way at MG2

MG2 is thrilled to announce the promotion of over 40 employees across our studios and offices. With a culture rooted in recognition and appreciation, MG2 celebrates not just the advancements of those within leadership, but those of every single team member. There are no small roles here; without the outrageous talent and unwavering dedication of all our employees, we would not be the firm we are today.

2020 promotions grid of photos and quote

It’s with great pride that MG2 fosters creativity, acknowledge achievements, and promotes from within, and with that, we’re excited to introduce you to this year’s rising stars who are paving the way for our future across design, operations, program management, and more:

Irvine

  • Nubia Herrera | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Mackenzie Gibbens | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Meadow Pirigyi | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Jessica Labac | Promoted to Associate 4
  • Isaac Perez | Promoted to Associate 5

WASHINGTON, D.C.

  • Gabriella Santostefano | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Hazel Ventura | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Krysten Gormly | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Ishana Mistry | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Paola Moreno | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Behbood Vatani | Promoted to Senior Estimator
  • Meridyth Cutler | Promoted to Senior Associate 1

MINNEAPOLIS

  • Ryan Hartsuff | Promoted to Associate 5
  • Monica Russell | Promoted to Associate 5
  • Liz Aiello | Promoted to Senior Associate 1

SEATTLE | COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTS

  • Jacob Southard | Promoted to Associate 2

SEATTLE | CLIENT PROGRAMS

  • Sarah Bertis | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Whitney Gomes | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Morgan Nestegard | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Marina Sosner | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Connor Dimick | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Trevor Gunderson | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Darren Mobley | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Kyle Bembenek | Promoted to Associate 4
  • Willie Mak | Promoted to Associate 4
  • Brian Dobry | Promoted to Associate 5
  • Fiona Cutner | Promoted to Senior Associate 1
  • Amy Hart | Promoted to Senior Associate 1

SEATTLE | CONSUMER EXPERIENCES

  • Bridget Arnold | Promoted to Associate 2
  • Robyn Burgos | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Elle Reinhard | Promoted to Associate 3
  • Howard Schulien | Promoted to Associate 5
  • Min Jae Kwon | Promoted to Senior Associate 1

SEATTLE | OPERATIONS

  • Abbie Drake | Promoted to Senior Graphic Designer
  • Kelli Cook | Promoted to Program Manager
  • Natasha Windle | Promoted to Program Manager
  • Chelsea Pagdilao | Promoted to HR Specialist

Amongst our leadership team, MJ Munsell has been promoted to Chief Creative Officer. And, in addition to two new Principals — Risa Yuki and Mark Taylor — and two new Associate Principals — Scott Owen and Mitch Pride — we’re also excited to welcome two additional Shareholders: Melissa Gonzalez and Nick Caputo, who recently joined the MG2 family through our merger with The Lion’eqsue Group.

2020 promotions grid of photos and quote