Andy Erstad, AIA, Principal

Andy Erstad graduated in 1988 with Honors and Distinction from the University of Arizona School of Architecture, and from the College of Idaho with a Bachelor of Art degree in 1982. He studied abroad at Gonzaga University in Firenze, and received the Alpha Rho Chi Medal in Architecture in 1988. A fifth-generation Boisean, Andy is LEED certified and is a member of the Boise City Design Review Committee and the Idaho State Capitol Commission, and is affiliated with numerous local business, civic, and art and cultural committees. Andy's breadth and depth of experience both nationally and internationally, makes him a valuable asset to projects of any size and scope, from the planning stage through to completion. Andy left a position with Venturi Scott Brown in Philadelphia to come home to Boise with his young family. He seized his opportunity to create a firm in his hometown that would give something back, both with beautiful architecture and responsible business practices, to the community where his family has such deep roots. Andy's wife Shannon rocks!

Richard Honsinger, AIA, Senior Project Architect

Richard Honsinger graduated from the University of Idaho's School of Architecture in 1981. He is licensed in the states of Idaho and Washington. Richard has over 20 years of professional experience, had been the principal of his own firm for 5 years and was a consultant for erstad ARCHITECTS for 3 years before joining the firm full-time in 2002. Specializing in educational and institutional architecture, Richard has a wide range of experience in projects of all sizes, and places primary emphasis on clear, concise construction documents and construction administration services. Richard is a native of Rupert, Idaho and returned to Idaho from Seattle, Washington in 1994. No one knows what Richard does with his time off. He would like to keep it that way.

Cheryl S. Pearse, NCIDQ, Senior Project Manager/Interior Designer

Cheryl graduated from the University of Idaho in 1990 with a Bachelor in Architecture and a BFA in Interior Planning and Design. She is a member of the Idaho chapter of the American Institute of Architects and is licensed by the National Council for Interior Design. Cheryl's specialty is delivering complex projects on schedule and within budget. She pushes the team to strive for high quality and creative solutions that meet the customer's needs. The Veltex and the Horsethief YMCA Y-Camp are two projects that exemplify Cheryl's capability to deliver complex projects. Cheryl is committed to the Y-Camp and is excited to be part of a project that is so important to the community. Cheryl and her husband Troy enjoy spending time in the Idaho outdoors- rafting wild rivers, camping and fishing. Their latest hobby is making wine. They are part of RiverWoods Wineries- a local award winning amateur wine group. The real story? Nobody really knows who is in charge around here. Andy calls me The Boss and I call him The Chief. After all, his name is on the door, not mine! But that's o.k..... I have a life! And what's with the green egg? Who knows? I love working here! (Is it Friday yet?)

Taryn Wheeler, Intern Architect

Taryn Wheeler  graduated with her Master's degree from the University of Idaho. She came to Boise to participate in the Idaho Urban Research and Design Center program to gain more insight on ‘city livin’ and urban architecture. So far she is enjoying Boise, the many aspects of recreation and most of all the big-little city feeling. She enjoys working with erstad ARCHITECTS because they are supportive of her education and because of its small firm atmosphere with big ideas. Taryn recently adopted an elephant. 

Matthew Siegenthaler, Intern Architect

Matt graduated in 1999 from the University of Idaho, Moscow, with a Master's of Architecture. He has lived in Boise since he was five years old and doesn't see himself leaving any time soon.  Matt enjoys working for erstad Architects because the firm covers a wide range of project types, has a strong focus on aesthetics and design, and is just the right size. While working, Matt enjoys reading sci-fi and playing computer games. During his time off he enjoys spending time with his family, especially wife Kim and new baby, Ben.  He LOVES TurboJam and is a certified instructor. He is also slowly fixing up his old house and yard. 

Brian Garrett, Intern Architect

Brian Garrett graduated from the University of Idaho with a Master's degree in Architecture with a minor in Art in 2001. Brian is from the Washington D.C. area, where he returned after graduating from the U of I. Brian returned to Boise so he could live close to downtown, and work with Andy who he loves dearly. Seriously, it's bad... He's gonna cross the line one of these days. Brian's forward thinking and art background contribute to his design sensibility which is an asset to eA. He enjoys the opportunity that eA provides for him to explore ideas. Brian lives close to downtown in a mid 50's fixer-upper that consumes his off hours (the kitchen is almost 93% done and slated for full completion by September 2009). Brian is married to his lovely wife Melody and they have a Chesapeake Retriever, Oxford, and yellowish 18-pound Remy the Cat. 

Jason Smith, Intern Architect

Jason is a graduate of the University of Idaho, holding both a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree from the College of Art and Architecture.  Jason spent his youth in Sacramento, CA, but considers himself a native of Idaho. Prior to graduating from college, Jason worked for a few local architects and the all-time greatest Italian restaurant ever. At Paisano's, his mother-in-law's establishment, he honed his culinary skills, creating dishes on a par with the likes of Michael Chiarello and Marie Callendar. Jason lived briefly in Maryland after graduation, where he worked for a large firm in downtown Baltimore. As it turned out, his love for the outdoors, fishing and four seasons, brought him back to the place he plans to raise a family, Boise. Jason is married to an amazing woman, his wife Rhiannon, who is still in awe of the accomplishments and talent of her husband. Jason and Rhiannon spend their free time traveling, camping and working on their first house located on the Boise bench. They also spend time endlessly chasing around their little fur balls, Dinky and Vincent the Terrible.  Recently, Stella, a yellow lab, was added to the mix.  Jason was recently  in a scooter accident where he was a terrible victim of his own need for speed.  He no longer has use of his right hand, causing him to do all drafting with his feet.

Weston Schuette, Intern Architect

Weston's appreciation of the "built environment" took root growing up on the great plains of Minnesota surrounded by farmland, lakes and the smell of cows. Trading in the silos for buildings; the lakes for streets; and cows for people, Weston moved to Minneapolis to chase his dream of becoming an architectural street performer. Unable to make ends meet, Weston enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he chased his second dream of becoming an architect. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, Weston emerged armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture.  In the summer of 2006 Weston moved to Boise to begin his career in Architecture with the green egg people. Weston would like to thank Ralph Nelson, without whom he would not feel so passionate about the integrity of design. And last but not least, he would like to thank his family and friends. 

Tony Paul, Intern Architect

Tony had several years of residential experience under his belt before he was brought to erstad Architects where he is extending his expertise. He enjoys the challenges the erstad clan gives him. Tony and his partner enjoy traveling when Andy will let him have the time away from being chained to a desk. In the few hours of the day when they let us go home, Tony enjoys cooking, gardening and refurbishing his 1926 north end craftsman. Sometimes on the weekends, when we are not working to meet deadlines, Tony goes hiking or snowshoeing.

Stephanie Clarkson, Intern Architect

Originally a Washingtonian, Stephanie found her way to Idaho for her collegiate years. While in the hills of the Palouse she gained a great appreciation for Idaho's charm and beautiful landscapes. She moved to Boise for the purpose of studying at the Idaho Urban Research and Design Center and in 2003 earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture and a minor in Art from the University of Idaho. She enjoys living in Boise's Historic North End, walking to work and is excited to be in Boise during its time of growth. She almost considers herself and Idahoan now. When she isn't working, Stephanie likes to read books on Theory, watch films, plan adventures, torment her kitty Buckminster and collect records. She truly loves design and is happy to be a member of team erstad. 

Patricia Castillo, Intern Architect

I'm a licensed architect in Mexico City, which is where I am originally from. In the 6 years and 9 days I have been in the United States, i got a Contractor's License in the State of California, I obtained a diploma in Interior Decorating from the Profession Career Development Institute (they recently changed their name to Ashworth University) and finally, after a long time and much effort, i designed a house in McCall.  It is located at Brook Street in the Payette Lake subdivision.  I am in love with life and nature.  I am thankful for everything I have and what I am. Every day is a new challenge and an adventure giving me more opportunities to do what I did not do, do what I did do better than before, and time to dream about how tomorrow might be. I love working for erstad Architects because we honestly know- Different is Good!

Kay graduated from The School of Hard Knocks, various campuses throughout the U.S. and Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California. She is licensed to drive in the State of Idaho and is a member of the Idaho Chapter of Stubborn Women. Her experience working with juvenile delinquents and sales reps prepared her to work with the staff at erstad Architects. Kay spent several years living in Alaska until coming to her senses and returning to Boise to enjoy the good life. She is an incredibly patient person and makes a decent cup of coffee. When she is not working, she can generally be found as far away from the phone as possible.