Karen Chiu
Karen (she/her) began her professional career as a lawyer, but she fell in love with architecture during a sabbatical and hasn’t looked back. As an architect, Karen has worked on a variety of typologies including custom single-family residences, dental offices, K-12 schools, and higher education buildings. When not architecting, Karen works in her garden and is an avid participant in the Seattle social partner dance scene.
Hometown: Youngstown, OH
First Day at Scharrer AD: April 28, 2025
Favorite Building: No one favorite, but sacred spaces hold a special appeal, and I am fascinated by the intricate concrete façade of the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette, IL.
Current Obsession: I love to learn new kinds of partner dances, and I can’t get enough time on the social dance floor. My dance obsession changes all the time, but I keep coming back to cross step waltz, west coast swing, Balboa, and Argentine tango.
Favorite Thing about Seattle: You are never far from a view of mountains, water, or forest.
Benjamin Lynn
Ben’s motto is to never stop learning. He grew up in sunny South Florida as the son of a juggling instructor and a recording studio engineer. He has over 15 years of interdisciplinary experience having studied interior design at Florida State University before attending the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. He’s worked at firms in San Antonio, TX and in the Seattle area on projects that include healthcare, residential, workplace, renovation, adaptive reuse, and transit. He’s the newest member of the Scharrer AD team. Ben is a people-oriented person, and relishes the joy of working with clients most during the design process to bring ideas to life. An avid traveler, he’s been to 43 states and 20 countries. Ben started a wine business in 2022 and divides his time between ScharrerAD and his new passion.
Hometown: Hollywood, FL
First Day at Scharrer AD: January 12, 2020
Favorite Building: Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona
Achilles Heel: Sparkling Wine
Happiest Place: Sailing on Lake Washington
Memorable Book: Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything
Prized Possession: My record collection
Current Obsession: Former Yugoslavia’s Spomeniks
Latest Accomplishment: Graduating wine school and starting a small business
Favorite Thing about Seattle: The city changes but the mountains stay the same.
Quote to live by: Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.