Who Is Graphite?
We are a group of designers dedicated to the idea that thoughtful design has the ability to positively impact everyone who touches it - owners, developers, builders, tenants, and neighbors.
Our backgrounds with other firms have provided us with priceless experience across a myriad of projects and an array of continents. That experience informs the way we’ve structured Graphite, focusing on edifying, collaborative, and drama-free relationships with our clients and each other, along with a commitment to both personal and corporate responsibility.
In the years since our founding we’ve continued to refine what we value as persons, as well as how best to maximize our value to our clients. We’ve also managed to do a sizable amount of gratifying work for some of the world’s most prestigious companies while operating and innovating alongside some of tech and retail’s biggest names in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. As we move forward, we’re excited to design more spaces that inspire both those who fund and those who exist within them.
Martin L. Hill, AIA, NCARB
Founding Principal
Whether building an island in Dubai or an ATM in a wall, Martin’s depth of knowledge and experience is integral to Graphite’s success. If you need something designed and built, it’s probable that Martin has not only built it, but also developed a program to build it better. His career spans multiple continents, thousands of projects, and long-running relationships with giants such as Nike, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon Retail. Martin is licensed in 49 states and 5 Canadian provinces. Martin’s team-oriented focus has helped him build a resourceful and tight-knit organization, while his sharply analytic mind allows him to recognize issues others miss and solve them before they mature into problems. This attribute helps Martin develop experience-driven solutions that help Graphite’s clients save money on projects and increase speed to market.
Peter Krech, AIA, LEED A.P.
Founding Principal
Peter’s approach to architecture is centered around two beliefs: that the most difficult problems contain elegant solutions, and that if you’re going to build something, endow it with balance, grace, and beauty. Over the past two decades, he’s used this approach to lead projects that transform neighborhoods and span continents, from Seattle’s South Lake Union, to Shanghai’s Nanjing Road, and boast notable tenants such as Amazon, Google, and Facebook. This portfolio of over 5 million square feet is the product of his intense desire to understand his clients’ needs, preferring to uncover the right question rather than presume the right answer. With his colleagues at Graphite, he continues to emerge as one of the region’s thought leaders in design.
Alex Shapleigh
Principal
An executive level creative leader in the retail and brand experience space, Alex has over 25 years of experience helping brands of all sizes and sectors create customer centric, engaging, award-winning and scalable brand experiences. Alex brings a hands-on approach to everything he works on and has proven success creating bold solutions, while never losing sight of the details needed to bring them to life. Always striving to create an inclusive and collaborative process with clients and internal teams alike, he is well versed at building consensus within complex corporate and C-Suite settings, for initiatives of any scale. Alex is a former member of Contract Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board and has been a speaker and panelist at retail industry conferences and events such as IRDC, RDI, Retail Nexus, ICSC and ULI.
Patrick DiStefano, LEED A.P.
Principal
If Patrick’s genuine, personable nature is immediately apparent upon meeting him, his 25 years of experience and mastery of his work becomes clear shortly after. While he often performs the role of project manager, his depth of knowledge - gleaned in some of the world's most demanding markets - makes him truly cross-discipline, understanding not just the complexities of design and execution, but also the economic drivers that permeate clients’ desires. He tirelessly anticipates and advocates for clients’ priorities while tackling the most challenging undertakings, manifesting order from apparent chaos, and focus from complexity.
Marc Oplinger, AIA, NCARB, LEED A.P.
Principal
With more than thirty years in the design profession, Marc Oplinger is a seasoned project manager in both institutional and commercial projects. His portfolio includes life sciences, healthcare, corporate offices, mixed-use and educational facilities.
An expert in project delivery from inception through construction, Marc’s emphasis is on inspired team leadership and collaboration. Since joining Graphite in 2014, Marc has led the design of projects for a range of clients, including RED Development, Vulcan Real Estate, Mary's Place and Northwest Administrators.
Brian Ochs, LEED A.P.
Principal
An experienced design leader with projects found throughout the country, Brian Ochs brings a people-first mentality to his work, whether it be an urban tower, boutique hotel, mountain resort or retail center. Brian’s designs inspire clients and communities through creativity and insight, and his practical knowledge ensures successful delivery of the design vision from beginning to end. As Graphite’s residential market lead, Brian is making his mark in the Pacific Northwest with projects such as Clise’s 40-story McKenzie tower and the Parque Kirkland with Henbart Development.
Our Team
Alex Hedges
Alex Shapleigh
Principal
Alina Pinchuk
Senior Associate
Amy McCurdy
Senior Associate
Austynn Machado
Brian Moe
Associate Principal
Brian Ochs
Principal
Caroline Campbell
Caroline Graham
Cindy Hill
Cory Ackerman
Emily Vyrostek
Graphic Designer
Eric Foulke
Gil Jaffe
Hyunjin Im
James Sundstad
Director, Brand Strategy
Jasmine Seaman
Administrative Assistant
Jay Thoman
Associate Principal
Jessica Wenger
Associate Principal
Joe Marek
Director, Project Delivery
Karen Lee
Katelyn Bristow
Senior Associate
Kelly Van Gelder
Kim Krech
Leslie Radovich
Marc Oplinger
Principal
Martin Hill
Founding Principal
Matt Marek
Director, Retail
Michael Medina
Principal Emeritus
Parag Sharma
Senior Associate
Patrick DiStefano
Principal
Peter Krech
Founding Principal
Rachel Abbott
Senior Associate
Rachel Cui
Savannah Hovingh
Senior Associate
Steven Cagle
Takeshi Okada
Associate Principal
Yugyeong Lee
Zenifer Macalino