As RMC continues to grow, expand, and promote new leaders we’re excited to feature Associate Robbie Wright AIA, LEED AP so you can get to know why we think he’s extraordinary.
Some people are born to the profession and Robbie is no exception. He took an interest in design at an early age, particularly home renovations. But he was also drawn to art and loved the technical side of it. Eventually he began to appreciate how architecture was a convergence between those two things. “If I’m producing 2D or 3D perspectives there’s a logic to it and rules, and that intersection really interested me. I had an aptitude for it.”
Robbie also grew up playing soccer and was awarded an athletic scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design where he received both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Architecture. After practicing architecture in both Savannah and Seattle, he returned to his Bellingham hometown in 2014 and has been with RMC ever since. He is a talented architect with a commitment to design excellence, a client centric approach to every project, and a philanthropic ethos making him the obvious choice for firm leadership.
As an RMC Associate, Robbie has been working with the Associate Team on developing a mentorship program within the firm. Seeing a need among the staff, the program goal is to be there for support, answer questions, and empower them to do their best work. As they roll out this new plan, Robbie is hoping it will set the firm apart when recruiting new talent, while investing in the professional growth of the team.
Those home improvement projects from childhood eventually led to an affinity for designing multifamily housing, one of RMC’s areas of expertise, as well as Robbie’s. He is currently working on Millworks Phase II for Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF), one of RMC’s largest projects to date. The development will have 109 units of workforce housing on the Bellingham waterfront in addition to a food campus, and nonprofit office hubs that will include offices for WCF and other community partners. The food campus aims to support our region’s farms and food producers by providing opportunities for training and collaboration. It will include commercial kitchens, education and development assistance, and more. The seven-story project will also have a 300-person event space and rooftop garden. Robbie admires WCF’s ambitious aspirations to merge housing with public resources and the food campus, while remaining in service to the community. “They’ve dreamed big dreams and are setting a new standard for what’s possible in Bellingham.” The project intends to break ground by the end of 2025.
Robbie has also worked on the recently completed Samish Commons project for Bellingham Housing Authority (BHA). The mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development provides affordable housing for diverse populations, including senior, workforce, family, and houseless. BHA’s new offices and a future early learning center on site serve both the public and residents. What Robbie enjoyed most about working on this project was the ability to provide people with a dignified place to call home. “I think the rising tide raises all ships with this one.” Samish Commons has received awards from the American Institute of Architects Northwest Washington (AIA NWW), Habitat for Humanity International, and National Association of Housing and Redevelopment (NAHRO).
Robbie’s portfolio isn’t exclusively multifamily housing, however. He is currently working on the Port of Anacortes (POA) Subarea Master Plan and recently completed the Cap Sante Marina Park Pavillion for the POA. His robust volunteer portfolio includes sitting on the AIA Northwest Washington Chapter Steering Committee, the Career Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Board for Ferndale High School, and the City of Bellingham Design Review Board (DRB). The purpose of the DRB is to encourage quality building design and site planning that remains consistent with the neighborhood city’s character.
Robbie finds ample time to spend with his 12-year-old son, Jude and nine-year-old daughter, Elliot. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jude represented Washington State for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program while Elliot enjoys competing as a gymnast. His wife, Dusta, works locally as a registered Nurse and is a talented artist. As a family, they spend spring through fall traveling the West Coast camping and hiking, including in the Antelope Valley near Lancaster, CA pictured here.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Robbie and his fabulous work. For more information about RMC, e-mail us at contact@rmcarchitects.com.
Photography by Benjamin Benschneider
