Press Releases July 14, 2026

Perkins&Will Expands Aviation Practice in the Pacific Northwest

Aviation leader Ken Miller brings 15 years of experience leading complex airport projects, including major work at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, to the firm’s growing practice.

SEATTLE—As demand for airport modernization and expansion continues to grow across the Pacific Northwest, global architecture and design firm Perkins&Will has hired Aviation Principal Ken Miller to strengthen its ability to support major airport infrastructure projects across the region. Miller has led several of the largest recent projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including Alaska Airlines’ new Gateway Lobby and the Concourse D Annex, North America’s first LEED-certified passenger terminal.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ken to our Seattle studio,” says Julie Wienberg, Perkins&Will’s firmwide aviation practice leader. “His experience delivering complex airport projects in the region adds valuable depth and local knowledge to our growing Pacific Northwest aviation team, strengthening our ability to support clients with expertise from across the firm.”

Miller joins a growing aviation team based in Seattle. Todd Buchanan, managing director of Perkins&Will’s Seattle studio, has worked with the Port of Seattle for more than a decade, helping lead the North Main Terminal Renovation and the South Concourse Evolution program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Port’s largest capital program—projects that Miller also contributed to.

Perkins&Will is a people-first practice committed to social and environmental sustainability. This, combined with a global reach and growing aviation portfolio, made joining the team in Seattle an exciting opportunity I could not pass up.

Ken Miller

Why the Pacific Northwest, why now?

Miller joins Perkins&Will as airports across the Pacific Northwest prepare for sustained growth and long-term investment in aviation infrastructure. Recent reports show travel demand is rising as more American tourists seek cooler destinations. Beyond seasonal trends, travel volume is on track to exceed the capacity of the region’s commercial airports by roughly 27 million passengers annually by 2050.

“The Pacific Northwest is an active and growing hub for aviation infrastructure and aerospace innovation,” says Buchanan. “Our region is rapidly expanding across multiple fronts to meet surging travel demand. Ken and I have worked on some of the biggest projects to date together, and I look forward to our continued partnership in shaping the future of transportation here.”

Perkins&Will provides aviation master planning, terminal architecture, interior design, and wayfinding for airports around the world. Its portfolio includes the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Terminal F Design Concept, the Charlotte Douglas International Airport Concourse A Expansion, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, helping clients create more intuitive, efficient, and memorable passenger experiences.