The Business of Architecture with Peter Miller and Jeff Wandersman from Palette Architecture

Palette’s three founding partners, Peter Miller, ‘06 M.Arch, Jeff Wandersman, '06 M.Arch and John Sunwoo, '06 M.Arch met in their first architecture studio at Columbia University. After working for several years at internationally renowned architecture offices in New York City, they formed Palette Architecture in 2010. What ties them together is a shared belief that exceptional design is the product of focused problem solving.

Peter and Jeff will discuss the business of architecture from the perspective of owning an architectural firm in NYC and Los Angeles and the sustainable business practices that have kept Palette Architecture successful for the last 15 years.

Peter Miller is a founding partner of Palette Architecture and a registered architect with over 20 years of experience in innovative building design. His notable projects include Grace Farms (CT), The National WWII Museum (LA), and NYC-HPD’s Small Lots Program. His work has received several AIA National Honor Awards and the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, and has been featured in Architectural Record, Elle Decor, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Peter serves on the Executive Board of AIA-NY and is a member of the Design for Freedom Working Group. Peter holds a B.S. in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and an M. Arch. from the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation at Columbia University.

Jeff Wandersman is a founding partner of Palette Architecture, where he leads the Los Angeles office. He specializes in client engagement and has overseen diverse projects ranging from custom homes and retail spaces to institutional work. Previously a Project Manager at Sharon Davis Design, he contributed to international projects including the award-winning Bayalpata Regional Hospital in Nepal. Jeff is a LEED-accredited professional and a licensed architect in New York and California. He holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from George Washington University and an M.Arch. from Columbia University, where he received a Kinne Fellows traveling scholarship. Jeff leads the Los Angeles branch of Palette Architecture.

John Sunwoo is a founding partner of Palette Architecture, where he leads multifamily and early education projects, including new construction and major renovations. Before co-founding Palette, he worked at notable firms such as Kevin Kennon Architects, Studio Zhu Pei, SOM, and Rafael Viñoly Architects, gaining experience in culturally significant and technically ambitious design.

John’s passion for architecture’s impact on communities began early, through volunteer home-building and research at MIT on embedded technology in domestic life. He has been a registered architect for over thirteen years and holds a B.A. from MIT and an M.Arch. from Columbia University. At Palette, he builds lasting partnerships with developer and institutional clients as their projects grow in scale and ambition.

The conversation will be moderated by Syeda Shirin Kakakhel, '25 MSAAD.

When: May 11th, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Where: Ware Lounge, 600 Avery Hall

Register in advance for this meeting

This event is hosted by Karen Cover, Associate Director of GSAPP Career Services