our team
licensed architects and design professionals
The fi architecture team is client-focused, and our many decades of experience helps us focus on fundamental problem-solving. We are rigorously passionate and enthusiastic about our work.
Darrin Filand, AIA
Founder & Senior Principal
Darrin has 33 years of professional experience in commercial, educational and residential planning and design in the Pacific Northwest. Darrin founded fi architecture in 2016. He is licensed in Washington, Oregon and Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Washington State University where he was a 4-year letterman on the track and field team. He is a volunteer for Stand Up for Peninsula Schools and serves as the Chair of the City of Gig Harbor Design Review Board.
Jennifer Butler
Senior Project Architect
Jennifer has over 10 years of professional experience in commercial, educational, and residential planning and design. She is a licensed Architect in Washington, and her interests include adaptive reuse and site responsive design. Before she became an architect, Jennifer served as an officer in the US Navy and was deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a Master of Architecture from the Catholic University of America.
Josh Murphy
Senior Architectural Project Manager
Josh brings 17 years of design and documentation experience to fi architecture. He has completed a variety of project types, ranging from K-12 educational to mental healthcare facilities to transportation buildings. He has also led various small works projects, seeing them from conceptual design to final completion. Josh lives in his hometown of Gig Harbor with his wife, and they are the proud parents of four grown children and one Chihuahua.
Nick Kostal
Senior Architectural Project Manager
Nick brings over 10 years of professional experience as a project manager in commercial and residential planning and design with a focus on creating innovative spaces. He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Business and a Minor in Viticulture from California State Polytechnic University and a Master of Architecture from the Academy of Art University. Nick has lived in Gig Harbor since 2018. When he’s not working, he enjoys exploring everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer with his family and friends.
Jamie Plater, Assoc. AIA
Architectural Designer
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington State University and a Master of Education from the University of Washington. She strives to bring sustainable solutions into each project and recently became a LEED Green Associate. A Washington local, she enjoys hiking and paddle boarding whenever she gets the opportunity.
Tichila Phantongkum
Design Associate
Tichila was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Evergreen State College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. Tichila has over 4 years of professional experience creating residential permit documents. She is particularly interested in residential architecture and urban planning.
Rowyn Stoner
Designer
Rowyn is a student at San Diego State University pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture 2025. She brings a passion for architectural design and a rigorous work ethic to fi architecture.
Eliza Filand
Office Coordinator
Eliza has over 27 years of experience in education. Before joining fi architecture, Eliza worked as a Multi-age Teacher, Inclusion Specialist and Transition Specialist. She holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Elementary and Special Education from Pacific Lutheran University.
Shana Nash
Marketing & Social Media
Shana is a communications professional with more than 15 years of experience in government, nonprofit, education and private sectors. She specializes in content strategy, writing, editing and digital marketing. Shana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria.
Ian Nelson
Office Support
Ian is a graduate of Peninsula High School and the Peninsula Community Transition Program. Ian was born near Philadelphia, PA and loves traveling, gardening, music and swimming. He grows and sells vegetables and plants at iansgreenthumb.com. Ian is supported through Trillium Employment Services.