Kristi Thompson
Principal Architect



Principal, Vice President and COO

Education: 5 year Bachelor of Architecture, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. 1992

Registrations:
- California Architect 1995
- Nevada Architect 2005
- Idaho Architect 2019
- Washington Architect 2020
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) 2004.

Experience: since 1988 in the San Francisco Bay Area and since 2000 in the Truckee-Tahoe area.

Ms. Thompson's responsibilities as Vice President and COO of MWA, inc. include Principal-in-Charge of design, operations, quality control, standards, scheduling, marketing, and project management.

Ms. Thompson has been with MWA, inc. since 2000 and principal since 2008 and has served as project manager and/or chief designer for many projects including:
- Numerous custom residences in Martis Camp, Lahontan, Northstar, Old Greenwood, Tahoe Donner, and the greater Truckee area.
- The Rock commercial mixed-use project, Truckee.
- Phoenix Executive Building, LEED Silver, Soaring Way, Truckee.
- Ski Run Center commercial development in South Lake Tahoe.

Ms. Thompson's talent and diversity of style has been recognized by winning the top award in the Tahoe Quarterly's 4th Annual Mountain Home Awards in 2007 for a mountain-modern residence at Northstar-at-Tahoe. The same home also won the gold award for The Best Home of the Year in the May 2006 issue of Electronic House. The 2016 Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards recognized her Lakefront design 'Tahizzle' for its stunning and unique combination of modern and Tahoe style. A Martis Camp family home she designed won the 2013 Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Award for "Legacy Home". In 2011 her 'alps-style' design in Martis Camp won Merit:Unique Vision award. Her efforts associated with the redevelopment of the Ski Run Center in South Lake Tahoe were rewarded with a TRPA Best in Basin Award. The 2015 Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Awards awarded her "Eco Estate" design, the Eco-Friendly Award. In 2004 she won another Tahoe Quarterly Mountain Home Award for a Truckee residence, and in 2008 the CEDIA Electronic Lifestyle Awards gave her the Best Large Home Theater Overall award for a home she designed in Lahontan. The fall 2006 issue of Diablo Magazine featured Thompson's Casa-California style design of a residence in Orinda, CA for its involvement in the Artful Living Home Tour.

As a member of CATT (Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe), Ms. Thompson serves on the Local Government Affairs Committee (LGAC) and is the Chair of the Affordable Housing Solutions Committee. In 2016, Ms. Thompson was award the CATT Professional of the Year award. For six years Ms. Thompson served on the Design Review Board for the Glenshire/Devonshire HOA. She is a founding member of the Queen of Hearts philanthropic organization and also spends time in the community advocating for open space and sensible development. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, visiting her two adult children, skiing, hiking, playing the violin, reading, gardening, cooking, and traveling.


All Staff

At Spirit Interior Design, we have had the pleasure on numerous occasions to work with Kurt Reinkens and the team at MWA, Inc. Each time the collaboration has culminated in dynamic, successful projects that not only relay the creative talents of the architects, but are sensitive to the needs our clients. We have been thoroughly impressed in MWA’s ability to provide architectural services in a professional, timely fashion while always being mindful of the project budget. They possess the unique ability to skillfully facilitate and coordinate work between design team members, contractors, the building trades, consultants, and the end users.

MWA’s clear and concise communication skills and solid project administration have made our collaborations with their office smooth and efficient. Familiar with the politics and issues local to the Tahoe region, Kurt and his team have a proven track record in representing their clients’ interests in a variety of settings. Their team is motivated, well-organized, and possess the ability to move though issues as they arise, and simply “make things happen.” They appear at ease in a leadership role, frequently attaining the best work from their consultants, and understand that great design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. While one senses a certain amount of pride in their design skills, we have seen first-hand their ability to set aside personal ego, and work toward enhancing the team. I count this among their greatest assets.

Of course, a primary reason one hires an architect is to help make a building project a reality in the most creative, aesthetically appealing way possible. At this, MWA truly shines. Their experienced design staff is “top notch,” and is especially adept at creating spaces that are both energetic and harmonious while relating design elements and concepts to the existing environment and site conditions.

It is my opinion that if you choose to work with MWA, Inc., you will be virtually assured a successful project and, by way of getting there, a professional, quality service from one of the best design firms in the region.


-- Spirit Interior Design
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