Sara Koester, AIA

Principal

Consistently recognized for her technical abilities, Sara has value that goes far beyond her intellect. She has a great capacity to mentor, and is highly respected by clients and peers. Detail oriented, smart and analytical, yet with a great sense of humor, Sara stands out as a leader in the architectural profession.

Sara received her Master's Degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Brown University. After traveling to Italy to study the architectural history of the Renaissance, she became determined to combine her interest in math, science, and technology with her abiding love of art. She enrolled in the accelerated master's program at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she won the Edwin A. Horner Graduate Fellowship and the James M. White Memorial Prize. She has a thorough understanding of architecture and construction and currently manages many of Mackey Mitchell's high-profile projects including student housing projects for Washington University in St. Louis, University of Illinois, and University of Wisconsin.

Each year she and her extended family take trips to architecturally stimulating places. What seems to appeal most to her is to always keep learning - a personality trait that fits in perfectly with the firm's guiding values.