Meet the Team
About Us
Honolulu-based WhiteSpace Architects is dedicated to innovative and sustainable design that embraces the way that its clients live, work, learn and play.
Serious about design. Serious about relationships.
The WhiteSpace ‘ohana is nimble, creative and responsive, but – most importantly – client-centered. The company prides itself on its ability to work intimately and collaboratively with diverse organizations and individuals to produce architecture suited to the style and demands of each project, whether commercial, institutional or residential.
Meet the Team —
Principals
Laura Ayers
Principal • AIA, LEED AP
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In April 2001, Laura walked into Philip K. White Architects and interviewed for a job. That moment would change her life, as she found in “Pip” White not just a new boss, but a beloved mentor and a dear friend she will miss forever.
Until his passing in 2022, Laura partnered with Pip on many of the company’s most notable award-winning commercial and residential projects. Her commitment and talent earned her a leadership role: In 2016, Laura became a partner, and the firm was rebranded as WhiteSpace Architects.
Despite the rigors of this demanding profession – and responsibilities as the firm’s leader – Laura is known as much for her friendly smile and sense of humor as she is for her technical acumen and collaborative work style. She helps young architects develop leadership skills through mentoring and leadership workshops, while instilling in them a strong spirit of community involvement, like her own.
Laura received her bachelor’s degree in architecture from Georgia Tech and her master’s from the University of Michigan. Her undergraduate curriculum included a year at the prestigious École d’Architecture La Villette in Paris, France.
When not in the office, she loves spending time with her husband and two children, hiking with her crew of working moms and dreaming of travel to new places.
Laurel Swan
Principal • AIA, LEED AP, D.Arch
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Laurel leads residential, educational, and commercial projects across the state by bringing a designer’s passion and a get-it-done drive to her work. She also directs our Big Island branch in Waimea, bringing local design and management services to Hawai‘i County projects. She is focused on bringing a sustainable, community-oriented mindset and collaborative communication style to help craft appropriate and unique solutions for each client and site.
Laurel arrived on the Big Island in 2005, after growing up in Connecticut and graduating from Haverford College. After four years gaining invaluable experience in the construction industry, she earned a doctorate in architecture from UH Mānoa. She has practiced architecture for over a decade in both Hawai‘i and New York. After working with WhiteSpace for years, she started the Big Island branch in 2020.
Outside of work, Laurel loves travel and outdoor exploration. Her husband, children, and animals keep her busy with their weekend adventures, and you can often find her working on their family farm!
Meet the Team —
Staff
Ana Ruiz
Architect, Project Manager • AIA, D.Arch
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Ana values each phase of a project and enjoys taking a holistic approach. From helping define a client’s program, interim design iterations, to the consultant management through construction. She treats projects as unique puzzles, and is experienced to oversee any size and complexity, from educational facilities, commercial kitchens, to custom residences.
Raised on both sides of the Texas/México border, Ana earned a degree in architecture from Texas Tech University, worked on her master’s at the University of New Mexico, and completed her studies by earning a Doctorate of Architecture at UH Mānoa.
She enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and exploring Oahu’s mountains and beaches with her family and friends. An avid animal lover, Ana invites clients and partners to stop by and check out her pet axolotls.
Alessandra “Ali” Olsen
Senior Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA, D.Arch
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Ali’s design solutions merge the practical with the beautiful, so that her projects always feel cohesive and thoughtful.
Born and raised in Kailua, Ali earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a doctorate in architecture from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She specializes in luxury homes and complex educational projects.
She enjoys spending weekends hiking or at the beach, spending quality time with her husband and two dogs.
Alessandra Marsh
Senior Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA
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Architectural designer Alessandra focuses on residential, educational and commercial projects. She enjoys working with clients on projects that inspire, comfort and improve well-being.
Born on O‘ahu and raised in Kahala, she left the islands to explore life in Colorado and California. She received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from California College of the Arts.
After 15 years in San Francisco, she is back home in Hawai’i, happy to be closer to family, and once again immersing herself in surfing, hiking, foraging and sailing with her dad.
Rebecca “Becky” Ziebelman
Senior Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA
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Becky’s design focus is on merging client needs with a responsibility to the community and context, working on residential and educational projects remotely from California.
After growing up in Illinois, Becky earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental design from CU Boulder, worked in project management and retail construction, then earned a master’s in architecture from the University of Texas.
On the weekends you can find her exploring the region’s hiking trails with her husband and dog, lounging on the beach or working on a home project.
Richard “Richie” Robinson
Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA, D.Arch
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Richie sees architecture as a way for people to connect and share their vision through problem solving and the creative process. He values unique perspectives and insight when it comes to collaborative design.
He spent a portion of his childhood growing up in Okinawa, Japan. Followed by his teen years in Washington State, before moving to O'ahu to pursue his Bachelors in Environmental design and his Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Due to his travelling upbringing, Richie enjoys seeing new places and jumps at opportunities, such as studying abroad in both Copenhagen, Denmark and Shanghai, China.
Outside of work, Richie enjoys getting fresh air, hanging out with his dogs, friends, and experimenting with art and woodworking. Though really, experimenting in any craft that involves making things with his hands.
Shawn Halvorson
Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA
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Shawn is a collaborative designer who ensures design solutions prioritize the needs and values of our clients. He believes successful projects honor our history while accommodating contemporary lifestyles. Shawn’s experience in furniture making gives him a keen eye for detailing and interior design.
He is originally from Saint Paul, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota. It was seeing the Midwest architecture that repurposed old industrial buildings for modern businesses that sparked his appreciation for adaptive reuse.
Outside of work, Shawn enjoys surfing, diving, basketball, and golfing. He loves cooking to new music and hosting movie nights with friends, but… he sometimes talks during key parts.
Felice Geoghegan
Office Manager
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Felice provides financial, operational and administrative support to all of our architects and designers, while ensuring that the office operates efficiently and smoothly. She has a love for numbers, a good excel spreadsheet and project-management software.
Originally from Sydney, Australia, she has lived in Canada and Guam, but has called Hawai‘i home since 2001.
Felice loves to bake delicious desserts (check out her blog, “All That’s Left are the Crumbs”), read books with happy endings and hit the beach with her family. Until she can bring her own golden retriever into her family, she is enjoying friends’ dogs and baking them doggy treats.
OffiCe Culture —
Work With Us
Our success is built on our friendly, down-to-earth, and collaborative culture, where everyone feels valued and is encouraged to shine.
Everyone who works at WhiteSpace Architecture is passionate and great at what they do. Join us on our mission to build a better future.
CAREERS —
Building a Legacy
Philip “Pip” White
Renowned architect, mentor, family man, founder of WhiteSpace Architects and former president of AIA Honolulu – died of cancer Aug. 25, 2022, at the age of 74.
All who knew him can certainly picture Pip in his trademark Aloha shirt with slacks and slippahs – which made heading out to surf that much easier. His easygoing personal style and devotion to the natural world combined with his immense talent and work ethic to inspire wonderful achievements over a nearly 40-year career.
