Practice of Lasting
Art, Architecture and Design

The name PLAAD, while an acronym for the Practice of Lasting Art, Architecture and Design, has a more nuanced meaning for us. Plaid, as a textile concept, has been around since the 1500’s. It is equally comfortable as a relaxed weekend flannel shirt or as refined as a tartan, gingham, tattersall or windowpane check. The concept behind a plaid is quite simple: the weaving of multiple disparate elements into a unified whole. The outcome, however, is at once varied and familiar, robust, and in the end, timeless. At PLAAD, we each bring our own strengths to every project; Mark is an award-winning designer and while Matt excels at design, his particular strengths are in project management and building science. Also within our firm are individuals with substantial experience in the residential construction industry. We have diverse backgrounds and interest but one common goal: to create thoughtful and timeless architecture, while providing meaningful, personal and dedicated service to each of our clients.

PEOPLE

We are architects and designers and we think we are pretty good at what we do. But first and foremost, we are people. We are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers and friends who understand how an intimately crafted space can augment a life well-lived. 

Mark Stankey, AIA, CID

Design Principal, Architect

Mark is a licensed architect with extensive experience in residential, commercial and retail design, and believes that every project begins as a collaborative and rigorous exercise to create spaces, objects and solutions that enhance the quality of life.

  • Mark’s design leadership continues to be recognized both nationally and internationally. Most recently, Mark was awarded the 2014 Ralph Rapson Traveling Fellowship, becoming the twentieth Fellow since the award’s founding.  As a Fellow, Mark traveled to Norway to study site-specific architectural responses to the the unique local topography.  Mark was also the recipient of the 2012 AIA St. Paul Prize and in 2011, exhibited at the AIA National Convention for Emerging Professionals.  Most notably, Mark received the Honor Award for the 2006 AIA Architectural Record competition, Rebuild New Orleans, subsequently lecturing and exhibiting at the 2006 Venice Biennale.

    Mark volunteers his time to the design profession by sitting on reviews for the University of Minnesota and serving on the Architectural Design Committee for the City of North Oaks. Mark earned both his Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Design from Montana State University.  

    Prior to helping establish PLAAD, Mark worked for Intrinsik Architecture in Bozeman, Montana, James Dayton Design in Minneapolis and Store Design for Target Corporation in Minneapolis.

    When not designing, Mark can be found wrenching on vintage motorcycles, sailing Lake Pleasant and in winter months, ski racing.  Mark and his family live in North Oaks, Minnesota.

  • ◍ Registered Architect: Minnesota
    ◍ Certified Interior Designer: Minnesota
    ◍ American Institute of Architects
    ◍ LEED AP

Matthew Byers, AIA

Managing Principal, Architect

Matt is a licensed architect and educator with broad experience in residential, corporate and commercial design and has successfully designed and managed a diverse range of projects. Through his travels, studies and practice, Matt has developed a keen interest in the relationship between structure and landscape and the act of dwelling in and movement through these two realms.

  • Earning a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University’s School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Colorado College, Matt brings a unique perspective and interdisciplinary approach to the practice of design.  

    Matt taught architectural design studio as well as courses in furniture design and ornament at the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, and, with his wife, a painting and printmaking professor, led a study abroad program to Florence, Italy focusing on the art and architecture of Renaissance Italy.

    Prior to helping establish PLAAD, Matt worked at a number of architectural firms in Minneapolis, including Architectural Alliance, 20 Below Studio and James Dayton Design. 

    Matt devotes a significant amount of time outside of the office to volunteer activities, serving as a professional mentor for the University of Minnesota’s College of Design, and having served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Environmental Fund.

    A native of Colorado, Matt has also lived in Oregon and Washington and has a passion for backcountry backpacking, hiking, camping, skiing, swimming, collecting rocks and minerals, carpentry and woodworking. Matt and his family live in Saint Peter, Minnesota.

  • ◍ Registered Architect: Minnesota, Wyoming, Oregon and Idaho
    ◍ American Institute of Architects
    ◍ LEED AP BC+C
    ◍ NCARB

Sarah Hill, AIA, CID

Project Manager, Architect

Sarah is a licensed architect with ten+ years of experience working with architecture firms on a wide range of projects from small-scale kitchen remodels to the complex configurations of international airports. As a designer, Sarah is particularly interested in helping clients ideate their vision and subsequently create the unique and intimate spaces that cultivate the lives we live. 

  • Sarah received a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and a Master of Urban Design from Washington University in St. Louis. She presented her graduate studio project “Growing Greens to Grow Minds” at the Architecture for Humanity - Design Like You Give a Damn Conference in San Francisco in 2012 and was awarded fourth place for her Open Mic presentation. In addition, Sarah was the recipient of a Citation for Design Award from the Boston Society of Architects for her collaboration on the Faith in Place Competition - The Building: Problem or Solution? which won the Mixed-Use category. Sarah was also selected as a finalist in the 2023 Ralph Rapson Traveling Study Award.

    Prior to working with PLAAD, Sarah worked for Alliiance in Minneapolis and CAST Architecture in Seattle, Washington, as well as for a graphic design firm in Duluth.

    As an equal urban and natural enthusiast, Sarah loves spending her time divided between city-life and the off-road trails that surround it. Out of the office, you can find her outside with her family, or working on one of her many creative endeavors – jewelry, sewing, screen printing, or her current obsession of transforming all recipes to be deliciously plant-based. Sarah and her family live in Duluth, MN.

  • ◍ Registered Architect: Minnesota, State of Washington
    ◍ Certified Interior Designer: Minnesota
    ◍ American Institute of Architects
    ◍ NCARB

Michael Meer

Project Manager, Architect

Michael is a licensed architect with focused experience in single family homes and renovations. In Seattle, Michael worked at a small architecture firm designing single family residences, offices, apartment buildings and a pub. After exploring the west and starting a family, Michael and his wife moved back to Minneapolis to be closer to family and raise their son in the Land of Lakes…and frigid winters. A native of Wisconsin, the cold is in his bones.

  • After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Michael worked in Minneapolis on office remodels, campus plans and award submissions. Michael moved out west to attend the University of Oregon for graduate school. Michael and his wife quickly fell in love with the west coast and later moved to Seattle.

    During his graduate studies, Michael focused on sustainability and resiliency in architecture. Michael and three classmates were awarded second place in the 2016 Timber in the City Competition for their Hybrid Domains project, utilizing and showcasing innovative mass timber technologies in a mixed use development. Michael’s graduate thesis, h2o, focused on water contamination in our current societal structure and how architecture can aid in a more resilient and sustainable society.

    Away from his architectural work, Michael loves camping with his family, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and woodworking, while also leaving time to travel and explore new places.

  • ◍ Registered Architect: State of Washington

Ryan Andrews

Project Manager and Technology Manager

Ryan is a designer with a wealth of experience designing, documenting and managing residential and commercial projects. With a particular passion for parametric modeling and digital visualization, Ryan brings a fresh perspective to each project. To Ryan, the most rewarding aspect of any project is developing deep and meaningful relationships with clients and being able to witness their delight upon the completion of their home.

  • At an early age, Ryan was impressed by an architect’s ability to design and influence the built environment. He began his journey into architecture when he studied abroad in New Zealand, where he embraced his passion for modern architecture and its balanced relationship to the landscape and nature. He returned to Minnesota with a new-found appreciation for his hometown and earned a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the University of Minnesota.

    Prior to joining PLAAD, Ryan worked for a number of nationally recognized design firms, including Charles R. Stinson Architects, RSP and 292 Design Group.

    When away from the office, Ryan enjoys spending most of his time outdoors. In the winter months, one can find him on the ice rink, cruising down the slopes, or skijoring with his dog. In the summertime he enjoys golfing, sailing, mountain biking and working on projects around the house. Ryan lives in Shoreview, Minnesota, with his dog Lucy.

Emily Little

Senior Designer and Marketing Coordinator

Emily is a versatile designer and problem solver. Equally enthused by art and science, she strives to savor both through the practice of architecture. She enjoys the adventure of transforming ideas into spaces and embraces projects of all shapes and sizes. 

  • Emily received a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and has studied abroad in Germany and Italy. Emily was an AIAS president and continues to be an active member of AIA Minnesota serving many years on the Homes by Architects Tour Committee and the Women in Architecture Committee.

    Prior to joining PLAAD, Emily worked with Distyle Design Architects on a variety of project types & with DOM Interiors importing Italy’s finest cabinetry, doors and furnishings. With DOM Interiors, she had the opportunity to collaborate with incredible architects, interior designers and builders on extraordinary homes throughout the United States.

    Minnesotan through and through, Emily enjoys the outdoors in all seasons. Camping & boating with friends & family in warmer months and hockey & broomball all winter long. She enjoys sharing ideas over coffee and lives in Hopkins with her husband, son and charming dog.