This month, we’re proud to spotlight SILLMAN, a firm known for its thoughtful design, community-centered projects, and enduring values. From affordable student housing to net-zero civic work, each project is rooted in the belief that good design makes a difference.

We recently sat down with Principal Brett Tullis and Associate Principal Jada Price for a conversation about trust, collaboration, and purpose-driven design. Their insights reflect a clear mission: to create architecture that serves people and the planet.

Fifty Years of Purposeful Design

Celebrating 50 years in practice, SILLMAN has evolved—from a blend of public and private work under the name Sillman Wright Architects to a renewed focus on educational and civic projects.

“We like to do work that makes a difference, for the community, and for our clients alike,” Jada said.

Brett summed it up simply:

“We never look at our work as just buildings. It’s not just bricks and sticks—it’s about creating spaces that improve lives. That’s what drives us.”

Culture & Core Values

At SILLMAN Architects, culture isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the foundation for everything they do. The SILLMAN team prides itself on fostering a studio rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and authenticity. Their team is notably diverse, with a strong balance of gender, race, and backgrounds represented across the office. “We’re lucky to have such a vibrant and well-balanced group of people working here,” Brett shared. “It makes for a richer, more thoughtful design process, and a stronger team overall.”

Creating an environment where people feel supported and heard is central to their values. “We want this to be a place where everyone can thrive,” Brett added. “If working here helps you find your purpose, we’re all in.”

Jada Price echoed the emphasis on team-driven culture:

“Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Every voice matters, and everyone is part of the decision-making process. That shows in our work, and it shows in our relationships with clients.

And their final core value? Kick Ass Designs. It’s even printed on their 50th anniversary T-shirts. “We debated whether we could really say it out loud,” Jada laughed. “But it’s true to who we are. We want our work to be impactful, enduring, and excellent.”

*SILLMAN staff volunteering with International Relief Teams in Tijuana*

Their commitment to meaningful, sustainable design is backed by action—SILLMAN Architects is a proud AIA 2030 signatory, emphasizing smart materials, long-term durability, and healthy environments for users. “These buildings will be part of their communities for 40, 50 years or more,” Jada said. “They should look good, perform well, and make a difference.”

That philosophy comes to life in projects like the recently completed Ramona Community Resource Center, a LEED Gold Certified, Zero Net Energy facility designed to serve County residents in need. Beyond its environmental performance, the building offers essential services and a welcoming space that supports resilience—socially and sustainably.

That value—Making a Difference—is more than a design philosophy. It shows up in how they treat people and in how they give back. A few times each year, the SILLMAN team volunteers with International Relief Teams to help build homes in Tijuana for families in need. Staff members spend their weekends physically constructing safe, reliable housing, another way they bring their values to life and invest in a better future for everyone.

Purpose-Driven Projects

When we asked SILLMAN Architects about recent work they’re excited about, Principal Brett Tullis didn’t hesitate: “Let’s talk about the projects we’re doing with McCullough.”

*SDSU Calexico Student Housing, Image Courtesy of SILLMAN*

One standout is the San Diego State University (SDSU) Calexico Affordable Student Housing Project, a dynamic, design-build collaboration that brings together three of SILLMAN’s core strengths: higher education, affordable housing, and public-sector design. This project pulls together everything SILLMAN does best. It’s one of the first affordable housing efforts they’ve done for a higher education client, and it’s going to be a real asset to the community.

The project is more than just good design, it’s meeting an urgent need. And SILLMAN is already thinking long term. “We designed it to allow for a future phase that can double the housing capacity on site,” Brett said. “That kind of forward-thinking is what makes this work meaningful.”

Also in partnership with McCullough is the Environmental Monitoring and Technical Services (EMTS) Lab Renovation and Addition, a sustainable, mass timber project with a narrative design twist. The lab is focused on ocean water quality, and the team envisioned a landscape that immerses visitors in an undersea environment, like a reef off Tahiti. It’s playful and meaningful, with the new structure designed as a sleek research vessel surrounded by ocean-inspired planting.

*EMTS Lab Renovation and Addition, Image Courtesy of SILLMAN*

The EMTS Lab was also recently featured in McCullough’s “Best of 2024” blog post, selected by one of our staff members as a favorite project of the year.

A Collaborative Process, Grounded in Trust

For SILLMAN Architects, design isn’t a solo pursuit, it’s a team sport. Their process is rooted in collaboration, drawing on the voices of clients, consultants, and each other to arrive at ideas that feel shared and intentional.

“We’re always looking for the best idea,” Brett said. “And sometimes the best proof of collaboration is when no one can quite remember who came up with it. Everyone’s bought in, and that’s when you know it’s good.”

This ethos shows up across their work, from project kick-off through construction. As Associate Principal Jada Price put it, “More voices equal better solutions. We check our egos at the door, and everyone has a piece of the project.”

This collaborative mindset extends to their client relationships, where listening is a priority and transparency guides every decision. By clearly communicating project goals, constraints, and priorities, the team is able to design with intention and find creative opportunities within the framework.

*Baja-Mex Mixed-Use Gateway Parking Structure, Gold Nugget Merit Award Winner, Image Courtesy of SILLMAN*

Looking Ahead: Growth with Purpose

For SILLMAN Architects, the future is all about growth with intention. With recent success in higher education and affordable student housing, the team is excited to deepen their work in those spaces.

“There’s a lot coming up in the San Diego Community College District, and we’re proud to be part of the conversation,” Brett shared. “We’ve also been added to UCSD’s as-needed list, which opens new doors in student housing—particularly affordable student housing, which we feel passionate about.”

As a firm, SILLMAN isn’t chasing growth for growth’s sake. “We want to grow organically, in a way that aligns with the types of projects we care about,” Jada said. And more importantly, they want to keep their company culture strong. That’s what makes SILLMAN special.

On the design front, sustainability remains a central focus. Brett pointed to trends like design for disassembly and a more mindful use of materials as opportunities to push the industry forward. “We’re starting to ask: do we need all this stuff? Less is less. Less material, fewer finishes, it all adds up to lower embodied carbon and longer-lasting buildings.”

The ultimate goal? Design spaces that not only serve today’s needs but are resilient and adaptable for decades to come.

*EMTS Lab Renovation and Addition, Image Courtesy of McCullough*

Final Takeaway

With a deep commitment to meaningful design, a collaborative culture that nurtures talent, and an eye on sustainable innovation, SILLMAN Architects is shaping resilient spaces that serve communities today and for generations to come. We’re grateful for our partnership with the SILLMAN team. Their creativity and purpose-driven approach are felt in everything they do. It’s a relationship we truly value, and we look forward to what we’ll build together next.

Client of the Month: SILLMAN Architects