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.
We’re serious about design and 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
-
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
-
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
Alessandra Olsen
Project Manager • Assoc. AIA, D.Arch
-
Alessandra specializes in space planning, client coordination, design development, construction documents, and 3D modeling using Revit and ArchiCAD. Her responsibilities include working closely with consultants, preparing renderings and presentation diagrams, researching building materials, and developing building layouts, elevations, and sections.
Alessandra approaches each project with a strong focus on creating practical and thoughtful design solutions, carrying a clear design vision through all phases of work to ensure a cohesive final result. She has previous experience working on federal Department of Defense projects as well as educational projects throughout Hawai‘i, Okinawa, and Guam.
Born and raised in Kailua, Alessandra is a proud alumna of ‘Iolani School. She earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Doctorate of Architecture from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. As part of her graduate program, she participated in a professional exchange in Japan, where she worked for six months with a development company, gaining experience in international design and project coordination. She is also a member of the Gamma Mu Chapter of Tau Sigma Delta, the National Architecture Honor Society.
Alessandra Marsh
Senior Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA
-
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.
Richard “Richie” Robinson
Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA, D.Arch
-
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
-
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.
Anahita Mostafavi
Senior Architectural Designer • Assoc. AIA
-
Anahita is passionate about user centric, empathetic and inclusive design. She loves to create spaces that evoke feelings of belonging and comfort. she goes crazy for sustainability, biophilia and natural approaches to design.
She grew up in Karaj, Iran. a city full of pomegranate, apples and fig trees. She adored both traditional and Islamic architecture and also the modern/newer projects in town. At school she loved and excelled in math and geometry.
She moved to Washington DC and Virginia area for my masters degree at Virginia tech WAAC. For her thesis, she focused on Animal Shelter design, exploring designs centered around users of various sizes and requirements (animals). She loves all animals and volunteering for them.
She lived and worked in Washington DC for 9 years. She did various projects during her time with KGD architecture (from large scale commercial and research centers to interior lobbies and a community center). She moved to Oahu the Fall of 2024. Currently settling in and enjoying nature/beaches and joining in few residential design projects!
Ryan Kulovitz
Project Manager • Assoc. AIA
-
Ryan joins WhiteSpace Architects after more than twenty years of working on award winning custom homes and mixed-use projects across much of the mainland. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Studies with a minor in Urban Planning from Arizona State University and is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects. Ryan thrives on turning visionary designs into reality, ensuring each project not only meets but exceeds client expectations.
Ryan takes pride in giving back and volunteers for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and Home Repair Services and looks forward to finding new volunteer opportunities in Oahu.
Outside of work, he enjoys experiencing life with his wife Jennifer, travels across the globe whenever he gets a chance, and is always looking for opportunities to spend time with family and friends. Now that he lives here, he can’t wait to get outdoors and explore the island’s many natural wonders.
Ashley Maurer
Interior Designer
-
As an interior designer, Maurer develops spatial plans and interior concepts and curates finishes and materials to create spaces that are both functional and beautiful.
Though raised on the continental US, Maurer’s father is from Hawaiʻi, and she has returned to Oʻahu to be surrounded by extended family. She received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design at University of Texas at Austin in May 2025 and completed interior design internships at AVERLILY in Honolulu and RS&H in Orlando, Florida.
A dedicated community volunteer, Maurer was heavily involved with Texas Ampersand, the UT Austin interior design student organization, serving as the organization’s vice president, secretary and special events coordinator over three years. Locally, she also looks forward to joining her grandfather and uncle to assist with coral reef restoration in Maunalua Bay.
Amber Quinones
Office Administrator
-
Quinones is a veteran office administrator with nearly two decades of experience in operations, construction management, procurement, marketing and regulatory affairs.
Most recently, Quinones served as operations coordinator for 38 Southern California neighborhood and community shopping centers at The Irvine Company. She is a certified Project Management Professional, recently graduating from the program at the University of California, Irvine.
Quinones relocated to Oʻahu to reconnect with extended family and her roots. Passionate about perpetuating and sharing her cultural heritage as a native Polynesian, she has spent decades teaching dance and lei making – even co-founding the Moana Nui studio and Aloha Lei floral business that. areboth based in Orange, California. A dancer and performer for nearly 25 years, she competed in the 2023 Hura Tapaira dance competition in Papeete, French Polynesia.
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.
