As co-founder and design principal of Semple Brown Design since 1982, Sarah Semple Brown’s thoughtful, layered approach to the design process is guided by her innate ability to genuinely understand her clients and their desires. She has made a substantial impact on the development of Denver’s built environment, and many of her projects have involved highly visible restorations and adaptive reuse interventions of historic buildings that bring great character and a sense of history to the Mile High City. Her award-winning projects are infused with simple clean concepts, depth, warmth, and quality – and are always respectful of the site.

As President of Semple Brown Design, Rusty Brown oversees the overall management operations of the firm. Rusty is a skilled administrator of large, complex projects with more than 35 years of experience in design, management, production, and construction administration. His specialty lies in adaptive-reuse and new construction within historic districts. His work encompasses a number of Denver’s most beloved urban spaces including: The Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Temple Buell Theatre, and Larimer Square Master Plan and Revitalization.

Tom Gallagher, Principal at Semple Brown Design in 2014, brings 20 years of diverse public, private, civic, and residential project experience to his projects. His creative, hands-on approach to building design and exceptional problem solving capabilities assure on-time and on-budget project delivery and a high level of personal service. Throughout his career, Tom has proven his ability to transform the essence of his patrons’ visions into elegant, yet practical interpretations that both resonate and ring true — all within budget constraints. His expertise with software programs like Sketch-Up and Revit elevate his ability to visualize designs for his clients.

Bryan Schmidt, vice president of Semple Brown Design, has overseen many of the firm’s most successful educational, office and civic projects. His talent in programming, design, and the construction of large-scale, technically complex structures, has garnered awards, client accolades and recognition from his peers for more than 20 years. Bryan is fiercely dedicated to his work, and his clients are his highest priority. Bryan’s architecture is deeply rooted in each project’s context, the creative application of proven principles, and devotion to his clients, resulting in innovative design solutions at an exceptional value. Since joining Semple Brown in 1996, the integration of his design, detailing and construction management abilities, with his project architect, project manager, and client liaison skills, has allowed him to exceed client expectations by delivering something extra every time.

Mary Kay Sunset is an interior architectural designer with over thirty-five years’ experience in programming, design, project management, and planning. Since joining the firm in 1988, she has served as the project design principal/manager for several large-scale performing arts venues, restaurants, retail store/showrooms, multi-family residential and high end corporate interior projects. She brings an extensive and successful background working on projects with tight, fast-paced schedules and budgets. Mary Kay works closely with the in-house team and client to establish milestones for the project to ensure that programmatic goals, budgetary and schedule constraints of the project are met.

Chris brings the critical perspective of an experienced client to the Semple Brown Design team. As a senior arts executive and consultant who is specialized in the development of facilities, he creates a bridge between the client and the design team to ensure that the client’s needs are being addressed in all phases of the project. His experience as an executive helps him examine the strategic questions of feasibility and institutional need. His experience in fundraising and board relations helps him maximize the design team’s value to a capital campaign. His experience as a teacher and curriculum advisor helps him relate with faculty members, students, and administrators. His experience in organizational development helps him evaluate the operational and staffing needs of existing and new facilities.

Dalton joined Semple Brown Design in 2002; prior to joining the firm he acquired experience in the design of single and multi-family residence projects. Since joining Semple Brown he has worked on a wide variety of project types and sizes including residential, institutional, and commercial. Dalton has strong experience as a project architect and job captain.

Brad has been a valuable member of Semple Brown Design for over 33 years. He has worked on everything from complex performing arts projects, to small office interior remodels, and the various project types in between. His proficiencies and knowledge of digital technologies have helped Semple Brown leverage technology beyond just our design software. Brad assists project teams with the initial BIM project setup, BIM design challenges, and throughout the production phase with modeling, detailing, and visualization. Aside from BIM management, Brad provides hardware, network, and software support. He is the liaison for outside teams for BIM collaboration and technologies.

Aaron has been a member of the Semple Brown Design team since 2013. During that time he has worked on a variety of project types, becoming a vital team member. Prior to joining Semple Brown Design Aaron had a successful career as national level ice dancing coach. Aaron has transferred the skills he honed on the ice to the architectural arena with a passion for beautiful design that is simple, honest, and inspiring. Aaron has been at the forefront of advanced technology adoption at Semple Brown Design, allowing him to tackle even more intricate and difficult projects.

Georgia has been a designer at Semple Brown since 2014. She has a broad range of experience in commercial design, and has practiced in both Washington DC, and Denver CO. She was drawn to the profession early on seeing the challenges and rewards that come through problem solving, teamwork and design. Georgia has worked as a collaborative team member on a number of project types, working closely with the designers at Semple Brown, as well as managing consultants, managing project BIM modeling and working with contractors through the construction process. Although the process of design is what drew her to architecture, it is the reward of seeing projects come to life in the construction process that continues to inspire her love for the profession.

Nathan is new to the Semple Brown team, joining the studio in December of 2018. Prior to the move, he split his previous 10 years of professional practice between a large multi-national firm and a small regionally focused design boutique, both Denver based.  He has worked on everything from complex Net Zero Energy government facilities, to highly complex and detailed high-end single family homes, and many project types in between. His proficiencies and knowledge of materials and detail assemblies will help Semple Brown delivery exquisite design with quality physicality beyond the design software. In addition, Nathan is a Lecturer at CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning.  He is as passionate about both pre-professional and professional education as he is about high quality design, and enjoys working with junior members of the studio on licensure goals and professional development.  He is a Past President of the American Institute of Architects Denver and developed and led their highly successful ARE ASAP licensure program for 6 years.  In addition to Architecture, Nathan enjoys competing in distance triathlon, is an accomplished home cook and pastry chef, and spends countless quality miles with his Dalmatians Inky, Archer and Parker.

Since joining Semple Brown Design in January 2019, Daniel has worked on the LCCC renovation and theater addition.  Before joining Semple Brown, Daniel worked primarily on large scale commercial, cultural, and institutional projects near Seattle and Toronto with Perkins + Will and Moriyama and Teshima Architects respectively.  With experience in major urban areas across North America, he has a broad design perspective that helps him to find creative solutions to complex problems at all scales and across diverse building typologies.  His deep knowledge of emerging software and technologies make him an asset to the studio and to the projects and clients that he serves.

Kaylyn is an architect who joined the Semple Brown team in June 2017.  Her background in Lafayette, Louisiana and Minneapolis, prior to moving to Denver in 2014, has given her a passion for designing with a sense of place. Her previous experience ranges from small scale renovations, to large-scale coastal sustainability research, state office renovations and space planning. She enjoys the story-telling aspect of design – capturing the core issues of a project or idea through clear graphics to facilitate design and communication. Her experience with large, complex projects has sensitized her to truly listening to a client before drawing assumptions, and to see the larger context of a project, while not losing attention to detail.

Erin Killian is an interior designer with an underpinning in architectural studies. Erin’s twelve years of experience has been primarily focused in the hospitality sector where she has designed and managed the interior build out and FF&E of dozens of large Hotel projects. Erin is meticulous in her attention to detail and possesses an astute understanding of the overall selection, design and construction, budgeting and procurement aspects of the FF&E process.

Since joining Semple Brown Design in 2015, Chelsea has been a part of many Performing Arts projects. Her prior experience includes historical renovation and adaptive reuse projects in St. Louis, MO, her hometown. As a dynamic and ambitious designer, she has a unique perspective towards solving complex problems. Her advanced software capabilities allow for complex geometry to be visualized as well as contributing to an efficient workflow to keep projects moving forward.

Francesca is a licensed architect. She joined the Semple Brown team in 2018. Born and raised in Italy, she grew up with a respect and appreciation for the relationship between historic and modern architecture, and how they can relate to each other. With experience in Arizona, prior to moving to Denver in 2015, Francesca has had the opportunity to focus on the materiality of architecture and the fascinating role that nature can play into design. She believes in architecture that establishes a quiet, yet powerful presence on the site, but is not fragile and is designed to be timeless like the architecture she grew up with. Her visions utilize a minimalist approach, where the landscape frames the architecture, and the use of a few beautiful materials, artfully detailed, creates the ideal backdrop for human experiences for the generations to come.

Olivia is an architectural designer who joined the team at Semple Brown in 2021. She was drawn to the profession early in life seeing the challenges and rewards that come through problem solving, teamwork, and creativity. She has worked on a range of project types including mixed use, residential, restaurants and hospitality. She graduated with a Master of Architecture from the University of Kansas and participated in KU’s study abroad program in Paris, taking classes at Val de Seine and working for Paris design firm, Ibos & Vitart. Following graduation, Olivia spent a year exploring her interest in furniture design and apprenticed at a custom furniture studio, studying under founder, designer and master craftsman, Matthew Castilleja. Olivia’s interest in and experience with materiality and craft informs her approach as a young designer.

Molly has been a part of the Semple Brown design team since the fall of 2018 after graduating with a B.Arch degree from Louisiana State University. During her education, she had the opportunity to travel and participate in several international design programs and competitions from Rome to Singapore. These experiences helped develop her passion for collaboration and shaping how people interact with the built environment. Since joining the Semple Brown team, Molly has worked on a range of project types including corporate interiors, residential, and hospitality.

Maria hails from the Pacific Northwest where her work on stress reduction in the built environment and the neurological mechanisms of aesthetics won national recognition and continue to inform her evidence based approach to design. Her beginnings in the field of merchandising embedded an interest in the experiential aspects of space while honing her composition skills and providing a holistic perspective of the interplay between interior design and architecture. She brings to Semple Brown a desire to create comprehensive solutions by balancing the intangible qualities of design with the quantifiable.

Michelle has been practicing architecture in Colorado, Seattle and Toronto since 2012 and joined Semple Brown in 2019. Her experience ranges from custom high-end residential to large scale institutional projects with complex programmatic requirements. She thrives when working with constraints to discover creative solutions that align with the project vision. Michelle’s dedication to beautiful placemaking with economic and sustainable goals are achieved through collaboration and excellent project delivery. Growing up in Korea and Colorado rooted her deep appreciation for nature, history and our built environment. To leave a place better than we found it is Michelle’s core guiding principle in every step of the process.

Kelsey joined the Semple Brown team in 2022, coming to us with over 7 years experience as an Interior Designer. She brings a modern, fresh approach to interiors, through a keen eye for simple, yet beautiful details. Taking cues from world travels, architecture, surrounding environments, and eco-friendly materials, her designs complement and enhance the lives of its users. A balance of creativity, collaboration, and forward thinking is brought forth in each aspect of a project.

Michael is an architectural designer who joined Semple Brown in 2018. He enjoys working through the unique challenges presented by projects of various scale and program, and provides thoughtful and creative detailing, coordination, and excellent communication to the clients he serves. Michael’s past experience includes working in New Orleans and New York City designing and documenting many project types including office, historic renovation, natatorium, multi-family residential, high end residential, and a new branch for The New York Public Library.

Martin joined the Semple Brown design team in 2021. Before joining Semple Brown, Martin worked primarily on multifamily projects in the Denver metro area. He is concurrently seeking his Master’s in Architecture from the University of Colorado Denver, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the table. Outside of architecture, Martin enjoys painting on oversized canvas and woodworking from his garage. This hands-on approach to design has allowed him to communicate concepts more freely.

Ben is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado Denver, where he was among the first undergraduate class to design and construct a full scale instillation on campus in his final semester. He has a knack for learning on the fly, something that he attributes to his experience working at the inWorks makers’ space at UCD, where he learned the importance of prototyping and problem solving. Ben joined the Semple Brown team in 2022 and has been involved in a variety of project, including the Colorado Mesa University’s performance arts center and it’s unique facade.

Leilani joined the Semple Brown team in 2020 as the firm’s Office Manager. She is a PHR-certified HR Generalist with experience in accounting, office administration, and operations. She studied at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, CA and has previously worked in the design and tech industries.

Katie hails from the Southeast where she received her Bachelors Degree in Interior Design and grew her experience in commercial and residential markets alike. After becoming a certified NCIDQ designer, Katie made the move to Denver and Semple Brown in Fall 2022. With an eye for detail, she is passionate for unique and creative design solutions that not only exceed expectations, but leave a lasting impact. She believes that design is an art that enhances all senses on a psychological and emotional level. She continually grows her knowledge of design trends and thrives on material selection that are sustainable, impactful and imaginative. Now an active IIDA member, Katie loves to network within the industry to share knowledge, gain opportunities and strengthen relationships.

Ben has been a part of the Semple Brown Design team since June 2021, after attaining his B.Arch degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Before joining Semple Brown, Ben had worked in a variety of roles on the Construction side of projects, allowing him to gain a unique perspective on the industry. Since joining the team, he has worked on project types including cultural, educational, and hospitality.

Sara is a licensed architect who joined the Semple Brown team in 2022. She holds a Masters of Architecture as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, and enjoys executing these disciplines holistically. Through her education and career, Sara has developed a passion for unique and innovative architecture that focuses on user interaction within the built environment. Through her experience working within large international firms and small local firms, Sara developed a deep understanding of the design process and its intricacies, which helps her foster strong client and consultant relationships. She has worked on a range of project types including office, education, multi-family, residential and corporate interiors.