Kimberly Mahnken, AIA, NCARB, CDT, WELL AP

Kim’s passion for architecture was ignited by her early artistic inclination and her aptitude for math and science. When her parents remodeled their home, she had the opportunity to shadow the architect they hired and realized that the culmination of art and engineering made architecture an ideal career pursuit.

With over three decades of experience, Kim brings a wealth of expertise to Fentress Architects, particularly in technical design. Her background encompasses material and system selection, code compliance, technical detailing, and constructability. Additionally, Kim’s experience in construction defect investigations and litigation support equips her with valuable insights on avoiding construction defect claims, ensuring that the firm’s projects are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.

Kim has contributed to many notable projects, including the Charles Schwab Corporate Campus, the Miami Beach Convention Center, and the firm’s ongoing work at the Nashville International Airport (BNA). Among these, she holds the Miami Beach Convention Center and the International Arrivals Facility at BNA in high regard for their unique challenges and rewarding outcomes.

As Director of Technical Design, Kim believes that architecture is fundamentally about user experience and strives to create beautiful spaces that seamlessly integrate structural, infrastructural, and code requirements, allowing the beauty of the design to shine through without the functional elements becoming intrusive.

Beyond her work, Kim is a member of the AIA and CSI. She also dedicates time to teaching and mentoring young staff and peers on construction documentation, quality assurance and control, and implementing progressive strategies for designing healthy, high-performance buildings. Kim believes that every team member plays a vital role in a project’s success, with attention to detail at the heart of effective architecture.