4770 Ohio Ave S
Ste B
Seattle, WA 98134
info@paxsonfay.com
The METROPOLIS Planet Positive Awards celebrate the people, projects, products, and ideas advancing a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable built environment. We’re proud to announce the 2026 finalists in the Innovation and Projects categories, representing groundbreaking work from across the industry.
This year’s finalists will be evaluated by an esteemed jury of experts from academia, nonprofits, and sustainability leadership. Together, they will select the 2026 Planet Positive Awards winners. Meet the jurors and learn more about their expertise here.
Winners across the Innovation, Projects, Products, and People categories will be announced during the METROPOLIS Planet Positive Awards Ceremony, hosted by editor in chief Avinash Rajagopal, on September 30 at the Center for Architecture + Design in San Francisco.
The following day, on October 1, METROPOLIS will host Synergy, the Sustainability Lab + Conference, at the Center for Architecture + Design. The event brings together leaders from across the built environment for a day of inspiring conversations, interactive workshops, and hands-on exploration of the products, materials, and ideas shaping a more sustainable future.

hcma architecture + design
təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre
City of Santa Monica
City Hall East
Stantec
Fort Whyte Alive Buffalo Crossing Paul Albrechtsen Visitor Centre
The Miller Hull Partnership
Redmond Library

Snøhetta
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
OVERLAND PARTNERS
MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS
WXY architecture + urban design AND HENEGHAN PENG ARCHITECTS
Storm King Art Center

HOK
Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health
PAYETTE
Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea

Prestige University
Sanjay Puri Architects
Build Health International
Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH)
Perkins&Will
Kaiser Borsari Hall
SmithGroup
Virginia Tech Academic Building One

WRNS Studio
Kona Farm and Distillery
Indidesign
Southall Farm & Inn
studio ksa
Hårtwood Treehouse Hotel

Field Operations
Seattle Waterfront Park
Gensler, HDR, and Luis Vidal Architects
Pittsburgh International Airport

Mikyoung Kim Design
TMC Helix Park
Field Operations
Presidio Tunnel Tops

Alloy LLC
505 State Street
Hariri Pontarini Architects
The Well
Henriquez Partners Architects
Mirvish Village

Brent Buck Architects
Frame 122
concrete amsterdam
Moos Euterpe
Community Development Partners
Julia West House
LPA Design Studios
El Cerrito Permanent Supportive Housing

Snow Kreilich Architects
River Hub at Graco Park

River Architects
The Bank Lofts
Progressive Companies
Amway Commons
reBuild Workshop
Java Haus

Ken Wilson Architecture and Interior Design
The Healthy Green House Project
Design Draw Build Architects & Builders
Lightwell House
River Architects
China Pond Passive

MJMA Architecture & Design
Western North York Community Centre
Design Draw Build Architects & Builders
Agualta STEAM Engine
Perkins&Will
Henrico County Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
WeBank Headquarters
Bora Architecture & Interiors
Volta

Gensler
Gensler San Francisco
IA
Seattle Studio
STANTEC
WELLNESS FOCUSED WORKPLACE

COOKFOX Architects
Terminal Warehouse
OSD
Aviation Garden at Baisley Pond Park Residences

Carnegie
Loop
Camira
ReSKU 2.0
Haworth
Closed-Loop Manufacturing Process on Performance Seating
Mohawk Group
Hero Rubber made with Nike Grind

PAYETTE
Land’s Sake Farm
Clive Wilkinson Architects
Seaview Homes Community Rebuild
The Urban Conga
The Hive

Designtex
Sustainability Specifications Documentation for Healthy Materials
Bendheim
Building A Clear Future
Nassimi
Writer’s Block
tikamoon
TikaGreen

Hart Howerton
Belle Haven Community Campus
GlasCurtain inc.
Whitehorse General Hospital – Fireweed Mental Health Unit

Gensler
One Post Office Square

ODA
Book Tower
Mercedes de la Garza Architect Studio
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Burnet Place
PERKINS EASTMAN
2LIFE COMMUNITIES: Opus Newton
Dattner Architects
Alafia

Kohler
WasteLAB DemiLav
Bolete
Armchair

The Miller Hull Partnership
Newhouse Replacement Building
hcma architecture + design
təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre

BA
Healthy Materials Initiative
CAUSE
Open-Access K12 POE & User Guide
Olson Kundig & University of Washington
Integrated Design Lab
Decarbonization Analysis for Residential Architecture
Perkins&Will
PRECEDE

El Dorado
Parrott Creek
Aanda Architects
A Supportive Workspace for Her Justic Inc
DLR Group
San Quentin Learning Center
Jonathan Rose Companies
Sendero Verde

Gensler
Gensler Product Sustainability Standards
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
FETCH by C2C Certified®

Love Schack Architecture
Aska’s Animal Haus
LTL Architects
All Straw House
Winners across the Innovation, Projects, Products, and People categories will be announced during the METROPOLIS Planet Positive Awards Ceremony, hosted by editor in chief Avinash Rajagopal, on September 30 at the Center for Architecture + Design in San Francisco.
meet the team
We’re inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.
tessa franchini
principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com
Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.
amy golden
principal
amy@paxsonfay.com
Originally from Seattle, Amy left her home in the Pacific Northwest to attend Fordham University, fulfilling her dream of living in New York City. After graduating with a BS in business administration, specializing in marketing and minoring in economics, Amy began her career in advertising sales at CNN and the Hallmark Channel in New York and LA. However, Amy’s love of writing, design, and connection with people ultimately led her to PR. While finishing her MBA back home at Seattle University, in 2015, Amy cofounded Paxson Fay with her friend and business partner, Tessa, driven by a shared vision to build a PR agency that reflected their values and passions. At Paxson Fay, Amy thrives in media relations and pitch development, enjoying the process of diving deep into each client’s story to craft compelling narratives that resonate with editors and journalists. Amy has a particular passion for architecture-focused projects, and securing SHED’s feature in The New York Times was an especially rewarding moment, as they were her first client. Another major career milestone was helping build out Paxson Fay’s talented team, fostering an environment where young professionals can grow their skills and pursue their passions. Outside of work, Amy loves spending time with her family, chasing after her two little boys, exploring Seattle’s restaurant scene, traveling with friends, and reading.
colby wood
account manager
colby@paxsonfay.com
After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.
paige childs
senior account executive + digital lead
paige@paxsonfay.com
As a child, Paige wanted to be an architect; but after falling in love with storytelling, the power of words, and yes, the show West Wing, she decided to pursue journalism at The George Washington University in the nation’s capital. Following graduation, Paige crafted communications for the beauty and banking industries. Craving space for creativity, she joined the small team that would reopen the congressionally designated National Children’s Museum. There, she played an integral role in establishing the museum’s brand, bringing it to life across digital channels, including social media, email, and advertising. After nearly eight years in DC, she decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having grown fond of the title Washingtonian, she made the cross-country move to Washington State. She landed in Seattle at Paxson Fay, where in true full circle fashion she is the architect of social media and public relations strategies for our architecture and design clients.
martina povolo
account executive
martina@paxsonfay.com
Martina joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern when she was a senior at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communications, Martina is now continuing with the team as a Communications Assistant. During her time at UW, Martina worked as the Special Sections Editor at the university’s newspapers where she won multiple awards for her front page spreads. Looking to blend her minors in real estate and environmental science with her focus in communications, Martina is passionate and excited to join the Paxson Fay team.
tara lyons
account executive
tara@paxsonfay.com
With roots in Napa and Denver, Tara ventured to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Education. Tara's love for writing began when she delved into songwriting, building on her pre-existing passion for singing and playing the piano. Following her undergraduate years, she returned to Paxson Fay, where she had previously interned, transitioning into the role of Communications Assistant. With a keen interest in PR and social media, Tara seamlessly integrates her creative flair into the professional realm. Outside of work, you'll find Tara passionately supporting the Kraken, embodying her love for both storytelling and sports.
Jamie Paxton
Communications Assistant
jamie@paxsonfay.com
Growing up in the Bay Area, Jamie made her way to the Pacific Northwest to attend the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communications and Psychology. Jamie first joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern during her senior year at the University of Washington and is excited to continue her journey with the team as a Communications Assistant. With a passion for writing and social media, Jamie is excited to bring her creativity and unique perspective to the role. Outside of work, you can find Jamie exploring local restaurants or picking up a good book.
We're looking for a communications intern with a passion for storytelling, social media, public relations, and design. Click here to learn more and apply.
what we do
We are a communications firm founded in our passion for good design. Our unique approach to marketing and public relations in the architecture and design community has elevated our clients work to the next level. We’re backed by a talented community of creatives. From copywriters to social media experts, we provide a complete package of customized services. We strive to create a personal experience with each client, integrating teams and tackling your biggest marketing and public relations challenges from a high level. Then we help execute those plans ensuring lots of reporting along the way, with lots of coffee breaks in between because we’re from Seattle and that’s what we do.
marketing
marketing strategy
brand strategy
project management
partnerships acquisition and management
e-mail blasts
public relations
media strategy
content production
media communications and outreach
awards: strategy, content development and submissions
social
platform strategy and management
content production
targeted campaigns
results + reporting
advertising
advertising strategy
budget strategy + negotiation
calendar management
creative coordination
content
storytelling
copywriting
website and e-mail marketing
video: sourcing, storyboarding and scheduling
photography acquisition + curation
events
event management
sponsorships + partnerships
tradeshow coordination
press tours
clients
Here is a little taste of who we love to work with and what we love to do.