Welcome Amy Watson: New Principal at Arch Nexus

We are thrilled to welcome Amy Watson as a new principal at Arch Nexus. Amy brings a wealth of experience in designing public spaces that inspire community, curiosity, and connection, and her passion for architecture is as palpable as it is inspiring.

A Lifelong Love of Libraries

Amy’s path to architecture began long before she even knew the term. Growing up in a small town in Illinois, she spent countless hours at her local library, where librarians saved new books just for her. That library became her second home and sparked a lifelong fascination with how spaces can shape human experience.

Her love for libraries deepened in high school, where she worked part-time shelving books. When her town raised funds for a new library, the architect took the entire staff, including Amy, on tours of public libraries around Chicago. That experience solidified her calling: to design places that spark curiosity, foster community, and leave a lasting impact.

Why Arch Nexus

Amy was drawn to Arch Nexus because of its alignment with both her professional focus and her values. “The people here genuinely care about the work and about building community,” she says. “Sustainability isn’t just talk. Our offices serve as a living lab for greywater systems, biophilic design, and energy conservation.”

Design and Collaboration

Amy’s approach is inside out. She begins every project by listening, understanding the goals, stories, and aspirations of the community and staff. From there, she shapes spaces that bring those ideas to life while ensuring each decision aligns with the shared vision. “True collaboration builds both design and trust,” she notes.

Sustainability and Stewardship

For Amy, sustainability is deeply connected to stewardship. “The most sustainable building is the one that already exists,” she explains. She loves revitalizing older or historic structures to meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs. Each adaptive reuse project becomes a way to honor community history while preparing for the future.

Excited About the Region

Amy is energized by the unique qualities of the West and Utah in particular. She admires the combination of rugged geography, industrious communities, and strong family connections. “The region’s rapid growth creates both urgency and opportunity to design thoughtful public spaces,” she says, “places that reflect a shared identity while responding to evolving community needs.”

Projects That Matter

Amy looks forward to leading projects that touch daily life: libraries, community centers, senior centers, recreation facilities, and college campuses, places where thoughtful design has a tangible, positive impact.

Life Outside Architecture

Tennis is Amy’s reset button. She plays doubles regularly and enjoys watching the pros at work. “There’s something deeply satisfying about putting away a high, slow floater at the net. It clears the mind, sharpens focus, and reminds me of the joy of precision and play.”

Looking Forward

For Amy, architecture is a lifelong conversation between people and place. She is excited to continue that dialogue at Arch Nexus, one thoughtful design at a time.

Please join us in welcoming Amy Watson to the Arch Nexus team.