Goodbye to 2025, Hello to 2026

STā Architecture Newsletter — Winter 2025–26

As we close the chapter on 2025, STā Architecture would like to extend our sincere thanks to our clients, partners, and collaborators for an incredible year. As we close the chapter on 2025, STā Architecture would like to extend our sincere thanks to our clients, partners, and collaborators for an incredible year. Thank you for an amazing 2025—see you in 2026.

Did you know – how misunderstood architects are?

40% OF AMERICANS DON’T KNOW WHAT ARCHITECTS DO.

WHY PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND ARCHITECTS

• Design Gets All the Spotlight: Many people only see the artistic side of architecture and miss the technical work. Architects are well versed in not only budgeting, but also detailing, codes, and compliance.
• The Job Is More Complex Than It Looks: Architects coordinate engineers, consultants, and contractors while ensuring safety, regulations, and project performance.
• Generational Gap: Younger adults often show less understanding of architects’ responsibilities compared to older generations, according to an Architects’ Journal article.
• Overlap with Other Roles: The rise of project managers and design consultants sometimes blurs the public’s perception of the architect’s core duties, notes The Architects’ Journal.

WHAT ARCHITECTS ACTUALLY DO

• Design & Documentation: Turn client needs into clear plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Project Management: Guide budgets, schedules, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Technical Integration: Ensure structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems all work together, and meet codes and zoning laws.
• Regulatory Navigation: Secure permits and approvals from authorities.
• Bridge Between Client & Contractor: Communicate with clients and steer the construction team throughout the build.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Nikka Smith

We are excited to announce the newest addition to our U.S. team, Nikka Smith.

As a Drafter for STā Architecture, Nikka’s role includes construction documentation, design development, permitting, consultant coordination, and site visits. She is currently pursuing her graduate studies in architecture at Arizona State University.

Outside of work and school, Nikka enjoys traveling and creating art.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Prospect Road

Originally built in the late 1800s, this home is one of the oldest standing properties in Fort Collins. While full of historic charm and character, its layout no longer served the needs of a growing family. The owners came to us to expand their living space and reimagine the flow of the home to better suit both everyday life and entertainment.

Our design approach was to respect the home’s heritage, while unlocking its full potential for 21st-century living. We opened up the interior to create a more functional, family-focused layout. One of the most transformative elements was reorienting the living spaces to embrace the property’s large backyard and the natural stream beyond, aspects that were previously hidden from the main living areas.

STā Architecture is proud to celebrate 20 years of shaping spaces with purpose. For two decades, our team has delivered thoughtful, custom-designed solutions across residential, commercial, multifamily, and disaster-restoration projects.

What began as a small, devoted practice has grown into a trusted architectural partner known for creativity, technical excellence, and a deeply personalized approach to every client and every project.

Would you like more information? Get in touch today.

Trimmer Spotlight Winter 2025

Company Spotlight

Holiday Party 2024

Each year the Trimmer Associates team gets together to celebrate the holidays with the STa Architecture, U.S. and the STa Design, U.K. Teams. This year the festivities were at Top Golf with an Ugly Sweater theme. What great fun it is to get together and have the teams bring a guest so we can all get to know each other’s families and continue to bond as a close-knit team.

Service Spotlight

Where Does Trimmer Associates do Construction Risk Management?

Do you have a project in Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, or Alabama? Trimmer Associates can assist you in all 50 states. Please reach out to any of our Project Managers for a quote at any time.

Have You Heard?

Trimmer Associates has designed and developed their own project management software with the assistance of construction lenders. This has been designed to fit a lender’s needs. We modify the software on an ongoing basis to keep up with the lender’s changing needs as well as continually making an easier interface for everyone that uses this platform. Trimmer Associates does not require anyone to use our platform, but if you are not utilizing it and would like to, please contact our Project Managers at any time to get login information and a tour of how to use it.

2025 – Q1 Quarter One

Looking into 2025, it appears that the year is getting off to a great start with commercial projects heading into planning at a rate of 13% higher than January 2024. This is 4.2% higher than December 2024. These numbers take into account standard office buildings, warehouses and hotels (it excludes data centers). With this information, it would appear that late 2025 and early 2026 should be a strong commercial construction market as long as inflation stays under control and lending standards ease. As the news has stated since the new administration has taken over, this market will be affected by fiscal policy, construction costs and labor shortage. It remains to be seen if these factors will affect the construction industry.

Los Angeles County Recovery

A recovery organization is being formed to plan, design and build the destroyed communities within LA County. The clean up of Altadena has started with the infrastructure removal and repair. This cleanup will be followed by the toxic removal from any of the burned areas. After the area has been deemed safe by the proper authorities, the State will get permission to enter private property to remove the debris at no cost to the owner. This is a federal plan that was established years ago to assist in this type of devastation. Finally, the utilities will assess the watershed, both for damage and debris in order to make the water safe to return to use.

Trimmer Associates has connections throughout this area, and we are heartbroken for these families and communities and we wish them well and hope we can be of any assistance in the rebuild that these small businesses could use.

STā Newsletter—May 2024

Company News

Welcome Aboard, Jack Badger!

We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our U.S. team, Jack Badger. He has moved from our U.K. office in Cardiff, Wales, to our Mesa, Arizona office. Jack will assume a pivotal role in leading our firm’s strategic growth and overseeing operations in both regions.

As a Principal of STā Architecture, Jack brings over 12 years of architectural design, construction, project management and facilities experience in the residential and commercial sectors.

Outside of work, Jack volunteers with kids in Ghana, just became an uncle for the 1st time, jumps out of airplanes, races cars, surfs (even in freezing cold UK waters!), snowboards, plays “football” (better known as soccer), and is giving it a go at golf and horseback riding (we will make him an Arizonan at some point).

Welcome to the U.S. Jack! U.S. Teams, STā Architecture and Trimmer Associates look forward to having you here.

Service Spotlight

Restoration Studio

Restoration Industry
Why do restoration companies need architects?

Building Assessment
Assess the integrity of buildings affected by disasters, identify areas that require immediate attention and determine the feasibility of restoration or reconstruction.

Code Compliance
Know and understand building codes and regulations, ensuring that restoration efforts comply with legal requirements and safety standards. Knowing how to talk with and negotiate with the jurisdiction having authority to arrive at the most efficient and cost effective solution for our Clients.

Design Expertise
Disaster restoration is one of the most technically complicated areas of design. STā has the Team that can envision and plan the restoration or reconstruction of damaged structures in a way that maximizes functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Our input ensures that the restored buildings not only meet safety requirements but also fulfill the needs and preferences of the occupants.

The collaboration between STā Architecture and disaster restoration companies combines design creativity, technical expertise, and project management skills to effectively address the challenges posed by natural or human caused disasters and facilitate the speedy recovery of affected properties.

Project Spotlight

Our team recently completed this commercial disaster renovation project in Tucson, Arizona. Out of the six units in total, two units were completely destroyed by fire. Our scope of work included architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical services. We worked closely with Pima County to ensure efficient and smooth permit approval.

Did You Know?

The Ancient Romans used to drop a piece of toast into their wine for good health – hence “we raise a toast”