Two Principals Celebrating 20 Years with Scott Edwards Architecture
It’s a milestone year for two Scott Edwards Architecture principals—Alden Kasiewicz and Jennifer Marsicek are both celebrating 20 years with the firm. Through a quick Q&A with both of them, we learned that while much has changed over the years—firm size and office location, as examples—much of what makes SEA, SEA has remained the same, from a prioritization of people to a dedication to diversified design. Also striking is that while both interviews were held at different times, there is quite a bit of overlap in responses, a testament to resonant firm qualities that make milestones like 20 years possible.
Alden Kasiewicz
Managing Principal, Architect, AIA
Q: Do you remember your first day at SEA? What moment stands out to you?
I remember it vividly. I had recently wrapped up working on construction on Sid’s house and he asked if I would come in and build a model for SEA’s Virginia Garcia McMinnville project. I showed up at the predetermined time and got to work on the model. About 2 hours into my day 1 model-making journey, I managed to cut a significant piece of my left middle finger off. After a trip to Good Sam, and several stitches later, I returned to the office and finished the model. Shortly thereafter, I was offered a job, perhaps out of pity.
Q: 20 years is a significant milestone. Can you describe why SEA is a firm where a milestone like that is possible and why you’ve chosen to work here for two decades?
This office has always been (and currently still is) full of good human beings who like to have fun. I’ve always said if you don’t like what you’re doing, with the people you are with, then go find something else to do. Milestones like this happen when you have both.
A strong advocate for company culture-building activities, Alden practices what he preaches and took a turn as the dunk tank tribute during SEA’s 2022 Parking Lot Party.
Q: When you reflect on your work at SEA over 20 years, can you think of a project that influenced the firm’s growth or trajectory?
My first project at Salem Health jumps to mind, a tenant improvement of a small OBGYN/ MFM clinic. Though fairly insignificant in terms of scale and scope, it was the start of what has become a 15-year relationship between SEA and Salem Hospital. One of our longest-running clients and certainly one of our most important.
Q: Where do you hope to see the firm 20 years from now?
I look back at the evolution of SEA over the last 20 years, and I am amazed at how the firm has grown in every way. My expectation is that the firm will continue this trajectory over the next 20 years and become even more diversified, capable, and sophisticated. All the while celebrating and cultivating the things that we love about the firm in its current iteration.
Jennifer Marsicek
Principal, Architect, LEED AP, AIA, NCARB
Q: Do you remember your first day at SEA? What moment stands out to you?
My first day was unique because it was a project tour day. This was actually before my start date, but the firm didn’t want me to miss out on seeing projects, so I joined. At this point, SEA was still a small enough firm to fit in a 15-seat passenger van and mini-van, much different than the charter buses we use for project tours today. Looking back, this was such a great introduction to SEA.
We went to a community center and a church in Lincoln City, a private residence and brewery in Pacific City, and farm worker housing and the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville. I met and got to know my new coworkers, swam and played basketball at the community center, and experienced the wide range of work I’d have the opportunity to design. Tough to beat a first day like that.
Jennifer and fellow SEA staff touring the Lincoln City Community Center during the 2005 project tour day. Alden is taking the photo (maybe).
Q: 20 years is a significant milestone. Can you describe why SEA is a firm where a milestone like that is possible and why you’ve chosen to work here for two decades?
Prior to joining SEA, I primarily worked on large retail projects. Outside of my career, I was active in my neighborhood as a development co-chair and experienced first-hand the impact local, community-based work can have. SEA was a small firm when I joined, but worked across a broad spectrum of project types, including the non-profit and civic spaces that I wanted to be a part of. Within a few years, I had the opportunity to work on many different project types, learning and growing with each opportunity. The work was challenging, inspiring, and meaningful. The ability to practice this type of work, expanding to larger projects in more and more communities, has made SEA an easy place to be for 20 years.
Q: When you reflect on your work at SEA over 20 years, can you think of a project that influenced the firm’s growth or trajectory?
Pretty early in my tenure at SEA, I worked on the Chehalem Cultural Center project team as the LEED Green Building Administrator. This was the firm’s (and my) first large-scale phased project, and the relationship led to three more phases at the Center, including the Performing Arts Wing that was recently completed. This relationship and experience led to us designing the Chehalem Aquatic and Fitness Center, which then opened the door to more aquatics and recreation work, and grew our ability to design adaptive reuse and historic projects. Much of SEA’s portfolio has touchpoints to that very first Chehalem Cultural Center project, showing how influential it has been to our growth.
Q: Where do you hope to see the firm 20 years from now?
I hope to see the continuation of a strong balance of work and larger community-based projects. I’d also like to see the continued development of our partnerships nationwide, with SEA growing into a nationally recognized firm that people want to team with.
Jennifer (left, white t-shirt) and Alden (right, burgundy shirt), and more SEA staff, enjoying an OSU Beaver’s game in 2005.
