BAMO announces multiple promotions of individuals in both design and operations roles within the firm. Each of these team members has contributed greatly to the firm’s portfolio of award-winning work, built strong relationships with their colleagues and clients, and sustained a dynamic company culture. BAMO’s promotions recognize key team members who’ve made the most of their opportunities and the commitment of the firm to their ongoing leadership and growth.

“These promotions represent the next generation of the firm,” says Michael Booth, BAMO Principal. “Collectively, they have an incredible body of knowledge and projects. They are a united force with diverse backgrounds, strengths, and experiences that support and complement each other. There’s a renewed energy and momentum to the firm as we look to the future.”

BAMO Principal Gerry Jue, adds “We are relying on our new leaders to move the firm forward. This is natural, and necessary for our practice to evolve. This group has worked and traveled together over the years and gained a true understanding of the firm’s ideals and how we practice. Their leadership brings new perspectives, a diverse set of voices, and shared common values. All the right elements to prepare BAMO for the future.”

Addy Williams becomes BAMO’s first-ever Director of Operations

As Managing Principal Gerry Jue explains it, the Director of Operations role at BAMO was truly tailor-made for Addy. “It reflects who she is, and what she has largely done for us over the past eight years,” he says. “We needed to make a change and were fortunate to have someone in-house who had already shown the most amazing aptitude to juggle all that falls under the ‘operations’ umbrella.”

“Addy gives a tremendous amount of herself to make sure that we’re on-target in so many ways,” he says. “Not simply technically and organizationally but helping BAMO live up to what we aspire it to be.”

Addy sees herself as a facilitator: “Bringing great ideas to fruition requires offering everyone the right level of support,” Addy says. “It’s a balance of elements that allows us to deliver — any one of them being out of whack throws it all off.”

Perhaps most crucial of those elements is communication: “Teamwork is a muscle,” she says. “It can atrophy. It thrives on communication and conversation. You have to bring people together because the tools don’t do all the work.”

Teamwork extends well beyond the walls of the firm. Part of her task, she says, is “knowing when to fix something, even if it isn’t broken, because there is a new and better way of doing things. We need to keep current with other consultants. We’re not an island; we’re an archipelago.”

As for how BAMO has evolved over the past few years, Addy says: “Like many companies, long held ideas about our company identity and how we do our work have been challenged. What we have learned is that there are many ways to create great design and still be true to our identity. Continually honing the practice of how we work is as important as the designs we create. As we design our future, form, and function have equal seats at the table.”

Amaza Lam Promoted to BAMO Senior Associate

“As one of the lead designers in our studio, Amaza brings great energy and sensitivity to each project and team she manages,” says Gerry Jue, Principal. “In all her work, she’s skilled at designing to meet her client’s needs, while at the same time remaining flexible and adaptable.”

For much of her 20-year career at BAMO, Amaza has designed hospitality and multi-family residential projects around the world. However, given her upbringing in Macau and knowledge of Chinese culture and language, she has long hoped to grow BAMO’s presence in the Asian market. With her recent completion of the Capella Hotel in Bangkok, and ongoing work on a large-scale senior living community in China, Amaza has turned this goal to reality. “I enjoy collaborating with all our clients throughout the design process, but the culture in China is very client-facing and a different way of working,” Amaza says. “Maintaining close relationships with our Asian clients has been a rewarding experience. It’s allowed me to grow professionally and personally with each new project.”

While BAMO has been designing high-end senior living spaces since the firm’s inception, this is Amaza’s first foray into this unique market. She has quickly developed a passion for the intricacies of multigenerational design . “The Chinese culture embraces multigenerational living, and its aging population is living longer,” says Amaza. “As such, I’m approaching this sector of work similar to an ultra-luxury residential project – with an enhanced sensitivity to aesthetics, programming, and amenities to create the most respectful, safe, fun, and inspirational housing for seniors and their families.”

Amaza continues to see herself as a liaison between BAMO and future opportunities in Asia. “We benefit greatly from Amaza’s language skills and experiences in new markets,” says Gerry. “Everything she is learning, she brings back to the office. There’s so much value in knowledge sharing between different countries and cultures, and Amaza is helping to lead the way for us.”

Martin Oestlund Promoted to BAMO Senior Associate

When Martin reflects on his design process, he describes how an idea turns into a sketch, that informs a design language, for the team to build on. “The pen is powerful. It builds connections and explains more than words ever could.”

It is this intrinsic understanding of visual language and the built environment that has made Martin such an asset to BAMO over the last 18 years. “When we think about the future of design, and more specifically the future of BAMO, we know that it’s creative, confident people like Martin who will take us there,” says Anne Wilkinson, Principal.

His work, from the Waldorf Astoria Miami to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai, and large international projects in locations like Japan, Los Angeles, and Brazil, are synonymous with luxury and a creativity. “I design spaces to be memorable. I want all my concepts to offer meaningful experiences. Context and story are key. But I also spend a good deal of time thinking about design from a practical, operational and construction perspective because I know that ultimately, our clients come to us for both the creative and the pragmatic,” Martin says.

Martin’s European roots inform his design language, and allow him to connect with many of BAMO’s international clients on a deeper level. As Anne notes, “Martin complements many of our Principals and colleagues with his international experience, and truly encompasses the ethos of our practice. He understands our clients and why they come to us.”

As for his future at BAMO, Martin sees only good things ahead. “We have great clients. We do good work. The future presents challenges, just as design does, and the trick is to turn them into opportunities. That is where BAMO excels.”

Janet Mercier Promoted to BAMO Senior Associate

Janet is a conscientious designer. “Everything inspires me,” she says. “Whether it’s the elements of nature, the landscape, texture, textiles, or a particular culture, I like to think of myself as a site-specific artist. I go into every project with all my senses to create the most thoughtful and beautiful environments for my clients.”

Janet’s expertise in hospitality and residential interior architecture provide an invaluable skillset to the firm, but it’s her personable approach and a confidence in her ideas that makes her so relatable to clients. “Janet brings an attention to detail and a holistic design mentality to each of her projects,” says Michael Booth, Principal. “She’s an effortless mentor to her colleagues; providing counsel and instilling confidence in her teams throughout the design process and beyond.”

Her capacity to manage a project from design to completion builds a sense of community between her clients, the design teams, and consultants. She says, “It’s important for me to be ‘present’ on all my projects. A leader observes and is even a better listener. Good design comes from understanding what your client wants and collaborating with your team to make it happen.”

Janet is one of many BAMO designers focused on elevating sustainability and wellness across all projects. “As a firm, we’ve always been sensitive to designing spaces and selecting the best materials that promote health and wellness, and we must have the same conscientiousness for the environment. Sustainability continues to be a growing platform to BAMO, and I am championing everyone, including our clients, to be more sustainable.”

Janet believes change is good for any firm, and even better for designers. “As BAMO continues to grow its projects and design teams, we must not forget that we are a community, and that foundation makes us stronger,” says Janet. “BAMO’s client services and quality of design has always gone the distance. Whether past or future, our projects are relevant and timeless—and that’s good design.”

Ryan Barr Named Associate at BAMO

An undergraduate degree in biology doesn’t readily translate into a career in Architecture. But for Ryan, the complexity of the natural world is a continuing inspiration. “Many of the solutions that architects have spent decades devising have already been created by nature,” he says. And he takes that vision for problem solving into his work as a project manager every day.

But unlike the predetermination of nature, Ryan likes to be included on a project from the very beginning. This allows him to contribute successfully to the entire design process and work together holistically with the project team — from a micro to macro scale. “Relationships are everything,” Ryan explains. “For clients, I enjoy the business development side of our practice. With my project teams, it’s crucial to build connections so that we can work seamlessly and give our clients the best possible creative solutions.”

BAMO Principal, Michael Booth says, “Having a project manager with deep roots in the creative side of design is a major asset to our team. Ryan is a vital resource to our office, answering questions about accessibility and code for our team. He can look at projects from different angles. He asks the right questions to come up with new ways to streamline the process. And he manages his teams in a way that gets them excited to work on the next project.”

And despite his multi-faceted skillset and diverse educational background, Ryan can’t imagine being in any other profession. “Being promoted to the role of Associate is an act of trust. Architecture and design is definitely where I want to be. There’s such a joy in being able to occupy something that you played a role in creating . To have a job that results in a tangible, finished project that you can occupy and really take the time to appreciate is incredibly meaningful,” Ryan says.

Lauren McGuier Named Residential Project Manager, a New Role at BAMO

At BAMO, the idea of “home” has always been an integral part of the story, from our own familial culture to the design of private residences to multi-unit developments. Over the last few years, the focus on home has taken on new significance within the world. In recognition of this shift, BAMO is expanding its residential team and has asked Lauren to fill a new role: Residential Project Manager.

“This is a very exciting moment for BAMO. We have huge opportunities for growth both as individuals and as a studio. Having a talented designer and project manager like Lauren in a new leadership role is one of the ways we’re preparing for a bright future ahead,” said Michael Booth, Principal.

Lauren has spent her 20-year career at BAMO getting inspired by what’s right in front of her: her colleagues. “My inspiration all comes down to the people I work with. From the managing principals to the junior designers, we all bring something unique to the table, and it encourages everyone to do their best work,” Lauren says.

As she settles into her new role, Lauren says that she will continue to focus on the people she works with, both clients and those on the BAMO team. “Transparency is really important to me. The new voices and more diverse perspectives we are bringing to our team are only going to strengthen our design work and our practice as a whole,” she adds.

Prior to her new position, Lauren spent 15 years working on senior living projects and signature hospitality work like the Villa Feltrinelli in Gargano, Italy and the Four Seasons Dubai. She was exposed to the world of private residences early in her career, designing homes in Hong Kong and San Francisco, and has recently circled back with clients around the Bay Area. “Lauren’s experience at BAMO has run the gamut from design to project management to supporting all our projects with the latest technology,” Michael says. “She’s the type of rare person who can be a mentor and a detailed project manager within the space of an hour, so she was a natural choice for this new role as we expand our residential portfolio.”