The Intentional Practice
A design studio rooted in three decades of craft and a disciplined pursuit of architectural excellence.
I am an architect.
After 28 years of experience with the Pacific Northwest’s prominent firms, I founded Gantz Architecture to return to the studio table - anchoring my practice on the raw, hands-on craft of design and collaboration.
I started this practice to offer a rare partnership: bringing the strategic depth and narrative rigor of a large scale experience to a deeply personal, one-on-one process focused entirely on helping communities and individuals achieve their goals.
My process is our process.
I believe that good architecture is born from broad conceptual thinking bonded to a commitment of strategic collaboration. Our approach starts with conversations—bringing technical expertise, economic literacy, aspiration, and a deep understanding of placemaking to every project. We curate solutions as a partnership to create functionally crafted buildings that are meaningful, lasting, and bespoke to your vision.
Thinking Across Boundaries.
I move seamlessly between typologies and scales, bringing a wealth of experience from a diverse portfolio that includes residential work, complex civic institutions, healthcare, and university projects. This breadth of knowledge allows me to think across traditional boundaries, bringing a versatile perspective to every challenge and scaling my approach to meet your unique needs.
ABOUT ME
Before establishing my solo practice, I spent my career contributing to the design excellence of prominent firms across the Pacific Northwest, including Hacker Architects and Hennebery Eddy Architects. Most recently, I spent 10 years serving as a Senior Designer and Principal at ZGF Architects.
With GANTZ architecture, I am embarking on a new chapter—bringing this deep institutional experience to a more personal, collaborative, and intentionally focused practice. GANTZ architecture is a licensed architecture firm in the State of Oregon and a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).
James Yoshiyuki Gantz, AIA
REGISTERED ARCHITECT - State of Oregon
AIA - American Institute of Architects
NOMA PDX - The National Organization of Minority Architects
LEED GA - US Green Building Council
MBE - Minority Business Enterprise Certified