Kristofer is a licensed Architect in the State of Washington with over 17 years experience in the Architectural field. Originally from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, he received his Master's of Architecture at the University of Utah Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning. He previously worked at 3form, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah as a Project Manager for large scale Architectural installations around the U.S. and Canada. Since joining Forte Architects in 2012 Kristofer has quickly developed a capable and responsive team of consultants to effectively deliver projects in the Wenatchee area and beyond.

Ellyn is an architect with over 10 years of experience in the Architecture field that spans from New York City to Washington State. Ellyn is a Wenatchee native who returned home after years away to add her diverse portfolio of architectural work to the Forte’s expertise.  She received her Bachelor’s in Architecture in 2012 from the University of Washington and has since worked with a large collection of architecture and design firms in developing over 400K of commercial work-space projects NYC. She has since focused her design acumen on commercial adaptive reuse, multifamily and public projects here in North Central Washington. Ellyn enjoys being a steward of design and development progress in downtown Wenatchee and is excited to be making an impact in the town she loves so much.  Ellyn and her dogs Carol and Whistle enjoy trekking many miles in the surrounding mountains. She is also an avid skier, cyclist and enjoys being outdoors every moment that she can. Ellyn’s passion for the outdoors informs much of her design direction. She appreciates smart, intentional change and development in her field to protect and celebrate our unique environment.

Brandi was born in Missouri but moved to Wenatchee in 2nd Grade and has grown up in the Wenatchee Valley ever since. She is a graduate of Central Washington University with a bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Business Administration. For over 13 years Brandi has been the friendly face when walking into Forte Architects. She loves running the business side of Forte and working with clients. Her years of experience in Office Management, Payroll, Taxes, Business Management and Bookkeeping has helped Forte build a successful business in this community. Brandi is truly the life force that keeps Forte operating every day. She continues to learn and grow in her field and gain expertise through collaborating with others in the industry and business development opportunities. Brandi enjoys staying active in her community and spending time with her son, husband, family and friends.

Fun fact about Brandi: she’s an identical twin. And when we say identical, we mean identical – the entire staff has definitely messed this up a time or two!

Originally from the Yakima Valley, Tom has worked on public works projects since receiving his architectural degree from the University of Washington in 1986. Tom started his career in Everett and in 1992 he moved to Wenatchee. There he took an architectural position and in 1996 he became a principal architect and owner. In 2006, Tom and Lenka Slapnicka established Forte Architects.

Tom served on the ad hoc committee that produced the Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol, which is now the standard for all K-12 schools in the state. He has been a LEED accredited professional since 2006. Tom served as Principal-in-Charge for all of the Wenatchee and Omak School District’s projects since 1998 as well as for the Wenatchee Police Station.

Taking a step back from ownership, Tom is now a consultant for Forte Architects and still an integral part of the Forte family! His focus is on education and Housing Authority projects, and we are very fortunate to have him on our team.

It was in the Czech Republic, where Lenka gained a strong architectural education at the University of Brno. The life experiences that followed enriched her professional career and developed her multi-faceted perspective on architecture. In 1989 Lenka and her family moved to Canada where she joined LeBlond Partnership, Architects, and Planners. Before relocating to Wenatchee, Lenka was practicing architecture in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In Wenatchee, she was responsible for several large public and private projects throughout Washington State. Developing her career to new heights, in 2006 Lenka and Tom Bassett established Forte Architects.

Taking a step back from ownership, Lenka is now a consultant for Forte Architects and still an integral part of the Forte family! Her focus is on custom residential, multifamily and new commercial projects and we are very fortunate to have her on our team!

Lydia graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design and Interior Merchandising with minors in Business Administration and Art History and Visual Communications. She was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley, but caught the travel bug early and interned in Europe several times, designing with southern Italy’s renowned architect on several historic remodels. She loves pulling design inspiration from her travels both abroad and nationally. Lydia and her husband revere living in Wenatchee and take advantage of all the outdoor activities the valley has to offer. Although she has an affinity for travel and adventure, Lydia is an innate homebody and can likely be found spending time with her family and dogs, snuggled up on the couch with a good book or movie.

While working with Forte, Lydia has been honing her skills in residential, commercial and government projects. She offers a unique niche with her background in both Interior Design and Architecture, which offers a wholistic approach to her designs. Her devotion to accessible design has been a driving force for her passion on designing low income and farmworker housing. She is delighted to be aiding in making her hometown a functional and beautiful place to work and thrive.

Leslie grew up and went to school in Mexico City, Mexico. She moved to Wenatchee in 2020 to be with her husband and his family, and Forte was fortunate enough to bring her into our design family soon after. Leslie studied and earned her degree in architecture at the Autonomous Metropolitan University – Xochimilco in 2012. She has moved around with her family multiple times in her life given that her father is a pastor. Leslie is a fantastic modern design enthusiast and is always looking to push the boundaries and challenge convention in her work. She is also keenly interested in healthcare design. Leslie has incredible rendering skills and is a major asset to the Forte family.

Leslie currently works remotely with Forte from her new home in Virginia. She is not only passionate about architecture and form, but also loves to sing and play the violin. She is a woman of many talents and we appreciate that she is able to continue working with us, even if it must be from afar.

Ruben Estrada, an Architectural Associate at Forte Architects, brings a fresh perspective and a fervor for innovative design to the collaborative workspace. A proud 2023 graduate of Washington State University with a master's degree in Architectural Studies, Ruben's journey in architecture is marked by an inherent desire to create and a curiosity for exploration and innovation.

Rooted in a holistic model, he leverages strengths in learning, inclusivity, and visionary thinking, appreciating the interdisciplinary nature of architecture and its profound societal impact. Committed to social change, Ruben aspires to create architecture with a reflexive connection to societal growth, empowering marginalized communities and advocating for environmental sustainability. His goal is to contribute to the design world with expert citizenship principles and a focus on humanitarian values.

Hailing from Cashmere, Ruben's love for the Pacific Northwest is not just a sentiment but a design ethos, making it a privilege to commence his professional practice in the Wenatchee Valley with Forte Architects.

Beyond architecture, you'll find him exploring the outdoors, trekking through the mountains, and embracing the beauty of the PNW, driven by a passion for environmental harmony. Ruben looks forward to making a meaningful impact in the Wenatchee community, contributing to Forte Architects' legacy, and being an agent of positive transformation in the field of architecture.