James O. Jonassen FAIA

AIA Seattle Medal of Honor 2008

The far-reaching leadership of Jim Jonassen FAIA has helped shape the practice of architecture, not only locally but nationally and internationally.

Over his 40+ year tenure at NBBJ, including leadership as CEO and Managing Partner, Jim (BArch UW 1964, MSArch Columbia) has led the firm from a 100-person Seattle office to the 800-person international firm it has become, with offices in Seattle, Shanghai, Beijing, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Columbus, London, Moscow, and Dubai. Through NBBJ's healthcare practice, Jim has had a profound influence on health care design, as an authentic thought leader shaping modern health care.  His work with the AIA Large Firm Roundtable has helped advance the profession, furthering the prominence of Seattle as a base of national leadership in the practice of architecture.

Jim Jonassen has received widespread recognition for his innovative approach to delivery methods and contracting vehicles, his enormous impact on health care design, and his business development and leadership. His projects have received numerous design awards and extensive publication.

He has addressed a range of professional audiences on the future of architecture, practice development, and design performance; and written numerous articles on architecture, health care futures, and architectural technology.

References:
* Jonassen, *Designing the Design Firm, 2011
* AIA Doer's Profile, 2006