Mithun

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/pages\/6464938-the-aia-2030-commitment","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Mithun, founded by beloved University of Washington Professor Omer Mithun in\n1949, is an integrated design firm that introduces positive change through its\nholistic, interdisciplinary pursuit of architecture. With a deep belief in\ndesign\u2019s ability to change people\u2019s lives and connect them deeply to place, the\nfirm embraces its 70-year history of excellence but remains committed to\naddressing today\u2019s critical challenges. In doing so, Mithun carefully balances\nthree crucial outcomes of a successful modern architecture practice: beautiful\ndesign, an eager embrace of sustainability leadership, and commitment to the\nsocial contract. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"At its founding, Mithun emerged as an award-winning firm producing\nMid-century Modern work across the Pacific Northwest. True to Omer Mithun\u2019s\ncurious spirit, the firm engaged in early explorations in passive solar design.\nAt the same time, his commitment to education shaped a strong culture and\nmentorship within its Seattle office. That spirit and the firm\u2019s dedication to\nthe environment, the communities it serves, and civic engagement endure. Today,\nthe firm has additional offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, but its 180\nprofessionals espouse a \u201cone studio, three doors\u201d spirit as they advance\nMithun\u2019s mission: Design for Positive Change. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Mithun has remained at the forefront of the sustainable design movement\nsince the 1990s and was among the earliest signatories to the "],[0,[0],1,"AIA\n2030 Commitment"],[0,[],0,". Mithun\u2019s portfolio includes seven AIA COTE Top Ten\nAward-winning projects, 11 net-zero energy buildings, and four Living Building Challenge target buildings. In addition, its sustainability research is shared\nwidely with the profession through countless presentations and publications as\nwell as design tools such as buildcarbonneutral.org, which design professionals\nacross the country regularly access. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Mithun\u2019s groundbreaking and inspiring work\u2014such as a net-positive 30-acre\ncampus expansion at Chatham University near Pittsburgh and 2060 Folsom, a net-zero\ncarbon ready affordable housing development in San Francisco\u2014has distinguished\nthe firm as a leader in the profession. Its commitment to advancing research,\none of the firm\u2019s most essential attributes, is on view at the Louisiana\nChildren\u2019s Museum in New Orleans, where a transformative design entwines indoor\nand outdoor learning opportunities that support literacy, early childhood\nresearch, and environmental education. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"As a multigenerational firm founded by a professor celebrated for his\nmentoring ability, Mithun has long explored ways to empower its junior\ndesigners and professionals early in their careers. The firm was an early\nadopter of emerging design and visualization technologies, centering those\ntools within a culture of mentorship and integrated design. The resulting\nconcept, which Mithun called the coLAB, is a central component in its offices,\nallowing the next generation of design leaders to spur innovation. Within the\ncoLAB, designers of all levels rely on digital and analog tools to uncover bold\nnew ideas together."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To address today\u2019s most pressing challenges, Mithun realized the need for a\nnew model of a silo-smashing architectural practice. That thinking is embedded\nin every facet of the firm\u2019s operations; for example, it resisted forming internal\ndesign studios so that ideas can be shared more broadly across its practice.\nWith all design disciplines working closely together, Mithun has produced an\nauthentic body of work that is steeped in place and community rather than the\nvision of a single designer. This, too, has shaped a new breed of architect: an\ninspirational collaborator and listener rather than an all-knowing designer. "]]]]}