Michelle Linden

From a young age, Michelle's passion for architecture was evident. Hailing from a small town in Massachusetts, she was determined to pursue her dream despite the lack of exposure to architecture professionals. Her unwavering focus and drive led her to select every class and after-school activity with her future career in mind. Now, with over 20 years of experience, Michelle has established herself as a skilled architect and mentor and developed her own boundary-pushing, user-centered approach. Her journey, which included studying abroad at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, is a testament to her bold and context-sensitive approach to design.

Michelle's unique ability to balance being both people-oriented and pragmatic is a cornerstone of her design philosophy. She takes pride in designing spaces that evoke emotion and enrich the lives of her clients. At the start of each project, she works diligently to establish a clear vision tailored specifically to the users of the space and the challenges the design needs to solve. From tactile surfaces and light fixtures to the overall building massing, Michelle's meticulous attention to detail ensures that every aspect of her design is in harmony with the central vision. Her upbringing in a family of social workers also instilled in her a social impact lens, which she applies to every project she leads, regardless of its scale or nature.

As the leader of Atelier Drome, Michelle's direct, decisive, and people-driven approach is a source of inspiration. She places trust in the skills of every team member, encouraging them to demonstrate independence and leadership – no matter their position or scope of involvement. Her boundary-pushing mindset extends beyond the office, as she enjoys wandering Parisian museums and traveling through Morocco, tasting local cuisines in her free time. When she’s at home, Michelle finds joy in running, drinking wine, and soaking up the rare rays of Seattle sunshine.