Leadership Spotlight: Meet Richard Williams

For Richard Williams, architecture has been a lifelong pursuit—but moving to Seattle gave him a new city to discover.

Richard grew up in Iowa, studied engineering and architecture in New York State, and built a career that included work with what is now Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and architect Alfredo DeVido before founding his own practice in 1987. After retiring in 2022, Richard and his wife, Linda, made Seattle their home.

His introduction to Seattle Architecture Foundation came through Jim Bourey, SAF Executive Director, and, fittingly, began with a walking tour. Since then, Richard has joined us for exhibits, gatherings, and lectures—and his curiosity about Seattle’s built environment has only grown. Inspired in part by those experiences, he enrolled in a University of Washington course on Seattle architecture taught by Professor Jeffrey Karl Ochsner.

“I continue to be fascinated by the ingenuity and cleverness of designers, builders, and policy makers,” Richard says. “Seattle Architecture Foundation opens eyes.”
That belief in the value of understanding the places around us is also what inspired Richard to become one of SAF’s most generous individual supporters. To him, supporting SAF is an investment in a more informed and engaged community.

“Having a deep understanding of our built form and the processes by which urban decisions are made will improve future designs and public policy decisions,” he says. “An educated public is more likely to participate in the decision-making processes leading to healthy, enjoyable, and just built environments.”

And what would Richard say to someone considering supporting SAF for the first time? “Just do it!”