Disruptive Ecologies | Working Within Systems Toward Transformative Change 

Architect Susan Jones has focused on bringing design to drive systemic sustainable change since founding her award-winning female-led/owned architectural firm, atelierjones, 20 years ago.

Over the last decade, Jones and her firm have become national leaders in disrupting 20th century construction practices to introduce environmentally responsible and bio-based material systems at scale, to help address the construction industry's heavy carbon footprint.

Her visionary leadership exemplifies how sustainability and design excellence go hand in hand. Collaborating, atelierjones leads nationally and internationally, seeking transparency and rigor on multiple levels, from forest health to LCA collaborations to fire testing to regulatory code design to award-winning design projects that introduce immersive, biophilic experiences for all. 

“Working with mass timber brings us closer to nature,” Jones explains. “It’s about more than just using a sustainable, renewable and carbon storing material—it’s about finding ways to build that inspires all of us to think differently about our world.”  

For Jones, it’s also about forging a new path in a traditionally male-dominated field. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "What propelled me was a vision that there was a more systemic way to design our built environment. Moving around barriers to create new transdisciplinary design and research has been an incredible experience." 

Her work in mass timber and sustainable design showcases that voice, proving that architecture can both lead with design-forward and sustainable solutions for the future. Jones was awarded the AIASeattle Gold Medal in 2023, and the national Women in Architecture award in 2024. 

Image: Nii Okaidja