Our architectural design firm provides a custom approach for every project
Our Legacy since 1975
Seaver Franks Architects has worked with a diverse array of clients for 50 years. During this time, our architectural design firm has become well-recognized for impactful, dynamic designs influencing the style of Tucson’s commercial and residential spaces. We offer a personalized, collaborative, high-tech design process that allows us to create designs balancing form, function & landscape aesthetics.
We value integrity, honesty, & communication
Both commercial and residential architecture designs require ongoing communication and transparency to be successful. We hold ourselves to higher standards of honesty and integrity, emphasizing clear communication and collaboration throughout our process. Our architectural design firm isn’t out to simply win awards. Our top priority is always meeting the needs of our clients and exceeding their design expectations.
Our closely knit team drives our success
Michael Franks
R.A. | Principal
Michael Franks brings his award-winning design experience and creative problem-solving abilities to each of his projects. He prides himself on his conceptual grasp of architectural design issues and transforming user requirements into successful architectural solutions. As the firm’s managing partner, he is responsible for client development and overall project management, as well as leading several design teams developing a range of project types, including restaurants, churches, schools, casinos, luxury residences and large-scale hotel projects. A registered architect in several states in addition to Arizona, as well as a native Tucsonan, Michael holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Arizona State University and has been in practice for over 35 years. He is NCARB certified, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and involved in many community organizations in and around Tucson.
Patricia Nielsen
Finance Manager / Human Resources
Patricia is a bona fide Montana girl who relocated to Tucson in October of 2020. She graduated from Montana State University with a B.S. in Sociology, with a focus on Criminology. Patricia has a love for numbers and started out in accounting before changing her major. Her deep sense of community and beliefs in a communal effort to create a society where everyone is recognized and valued, ultimately led her toward a career in Human Resources. With over ten years of experience in Accounting/HR, her values are a wonderful fit to facilitate finance management and overseeing HR for Seaver Franks’ amazing team.
Lexie Alvarez
Office Manager
Born and raised in Tucson, Lexie has worn many hats and found joy in being part of Tucson’s diverse communities. With experience spanning operations, marketing, and team coordination, she thrives in dynamic environments where collaboration and creativity come together. Lexie loves connecting with people and brings her trademark enthusiasm, organization, and positivity to Seaver Franks every day.
Richard W. Huch
R.A. | Senior Project Architect
As a Registered Architect and proud graduate of the University of Arizona, the thirty three years of designing projects in the Southwest have given him a broad vocabulary of design styles from the traditional to the contemporary to the regional. He has considerable experience in managing projects of all sizes as well as a good technical and construction background. His last 30 years have been spent at Seaver Franks Architects working on a variety of project types including industrial, retail, casinos, hotels, fitness centers, office buildings, churches, and spas.
JaMia Dees
R.A. | Senior Project Architect
Hillary Grigel
R.A. | Senior Project Architect
Michael Josett
R.A. | Senior Project Architect
As a young boy, Mike’s dream was to become an internationally recognized architect, and began his ‘career’ designing homes for family friends when he was only 9 years old. He studied every publication he could, and graduated high school with an SAT score of 1599. He then enrolled at Cornell University for his undergraduate and master’s degrees, obtaining a 6.0 GPA for nationally recognized and gifted designs. Following Cornell, he enrolled at U.C. Berkeley for his PhD in architecture before opening offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London and Paris, and receiving the Pritsker Architectural Prize for his sensitive remodeling of Le Corbusier’s Unité d’habitation in Marseille, France……. Returning to reality, Mike enjoyed a very successful 40 year career in his own practice, and now works with Seaver Franks Architects in the design and development of award-winning residential architecture.
Fátima Valdez
Project Manager
Fátima moved from the Dominican Republic at the age of 11 to Tucson, Arizona. Being the daughter of a structural engineer, she initially studied engineering and attained in 2010 a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a focus on structures at the University of Arizona. However, not only was she intrigued on how structural components came together, but also the aesthetics of a building and how it can convey a fulfilling feeling to the user. Consequently, she decided to attend graduate school and in 2014 she earned a Master in Architecture at the University of Arizona. As a project manager, she is responsible for communicating with the design team and ensuring the client’s desires are being presented within the construction documents. In addition, she has had experience in construction administration and has worked in an assortment of projects which include, but not limited to: commercial, industrial, educational, and institutional. In her spare time, she loves to sing, dance and spend time with her friends and family — in particular her amazing son.
Ana Victoria Valenzuela
Project Manager
Nurlan Herburger
Project Coordinator
Nurlan, originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan, was raised in Northern New Jersey. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering & Technology from the University of Hartford in 2019, where he also participated in the cross country and track & field programs. In 2021, he completed his Master of Architecture at the University of Arizona’s CAPLA program. Since then, Nurlan has been with the Seaver Franks team, working on both residential and commercial projects, with a focus on understanding the construction process and enhancing his design and project management skills. He is currently pursuing NCARB certification to obtain his architectural license.
Evelyn Monreal
Project Coordinator
A Tucson native, Evelyn spent ten years in Mexico, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Sonora, graduating in May 2022. With strong skills in 3D modeling and rendering, she is dedicated to creating innovative and functional designs. Currently pursuing NCARB certification and working toward architecture licensure, she’s committed to continuous professional development. In her free time, Evelyn enjoys playing pickleball and padel, embodying an active and enthusiastic approach to life and design.
Eduardo Aguilar
INTERN
NOLA Team
