Architecture Competition Las Vegas Affordable Housing Challenge Honorable mention winners - Weston Baumgartner and Inesa Gishto

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to one of our Honorable mention winners for our "Las Vegas Affordable Housing Challenge" competition – Weston Baumgartner and Inesa Gishto from United States!

Weston Baumgartner and Inesa Gishto from United States

Armentrout Matheny Thurmond, P.C. (AMT) is a local company based in Athens, Georgia with a history dating from 1987. Our company provides Architectural and Engineering Services, including Planning & Design, Civil/Site, Structural Engineering, and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Design. AMT currently has 4 architects in her staff and 24 employees in total.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been involved?

AMT is a full-service Architecture and Engineering firm. We provide services for Commercial Retail, Offices (Business & Medical), Institutional, Multi-family Housing, Industrial, Religious as well as Single Family Residential. AMT also does Land Planning and Civil/Site Design. Some of our latest projects include Knoll Creek Townhouses and Puritan Mill Townhouses with Clubhouse amenities, a Boys & Girls Club – Madison, GA, Food Bank for Northeast Georgia, Briarcliff Retail Center. We are currently working with Delta Zeta Sorority, and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity as well as a new YWCO center and several single-family homes. We plan to expand our architectural team and exceed our project goals. Our mission is to provide the best quality in design within our clients’ budgets.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

Architecture is a powerful tool. While used by people gifted with imagination, it can provide solutions to the problems facing us today.  We must begin with the smallest unit, the low-cost dwelling and then incorporate it into the vaster urban schemes. It is our role as architects to fulfill humans’ necessity by designing livable communities and a healthier environment. Architecture can help in the establishment of emotional and intellectual equilibrium of a developing civilization.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

We see competitions as a challenge of our strength and potential. It goes beyond the boundaries of a real project and inspires us to explore our creativity, energy, and new techniques.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

Many architects find it difficult to participate in competitions since they process unbillable time in the present and yet doing so is a great investment for your future.  Competition helps you grow professionally and increases your creative work. Additionally, winning a competition will open new doors and could be a great way to secure more business in the future.