Mutuus Studio

Kristen co-founded Mutuus Studio in 2016 with architect Jim Friesz and artist and Saul Becker. Kristen has over 20 years experience working on a broad range of project types, from art collaboration projects, innovative workplace design to private residential design and interiors. She leads the residential and interiors projects in the firm and draws from her background in dance, theatre and film, to create thoughtful, provocative architecture and interior environments. She holds a Master's in Architecture from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Design Studies from TUNS and graduated from WIBO Business in NYC.​

Known for her enthusiasm and boundless energy, Kristen tackles complex projects with humor and grace. Kristen formally ran a solo practice Mutuus Brooklyn, worked as an Associate for Olson Kundig Architects in Seattle and Matthew Baird Architects in NYC. She has collaborated with world renown artists on numerous art installations on the High Line in NYC, Times Square, Art Basel Miami and the Acid Ball public art icon which transformed a former waterfront industrial artifact in Bellingham, Washington.

She has collaborated on multiple award-winning projects and her work has been published in a variety of national publications including The New York Times , Architectural Digest and World Architecture. Kristen has also exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) as a part of the Rising Currents: Projects for the New York Waterfront. She is co-author of The Good Office: Green Design on the Cutting Edge and is serves on the Board of Trustees the Henry Art Museum and serves on the National Council of Madame Architect.

Saul co-founded Mutuus Studio with architects Jim Friesz and Kristen Becker in 2016. He leads the Mutuus Made Maker space which is the research and development portion of the studio along with the public art projects and installations part of the studio. Most recently, Saul received an Award of Excellence in Design from the Public Art Design Commission in New York City for an installation artwork in the new addition of the Snug Harbor Music Hall in Staten Island.

As a practicing fine artist with a background as a shipwright boat builder, Saul designs and fabricates the Mutuus line of lighting, hardware and objects and leads the Mutuus Made space in the recently expanded studio space. Saul grew up in Tacoma, Washington where you didn’t have nice things, you made nice things. Saul's meticulous and hands-on approach to design brings craft and experimentation into our design process.

Saul Becker also runs an active studio practice as a painter, printmaker, and sculptor obsessed with landscape. He has had numerous solo shows at Horton Gallery in Chelsea, New York and has an upcoming exhibit at Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle. His work has been exhibited at Zeiher Smith & Horton, Artists Space, the Horticultural Society of New York, and Socrates Sculpture Park, among others.

Saul is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, residencies, and travel grants including a NYFA Fellowship, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art Fellowship, Artist Trust Fellowship, The Artic Circle 2010 Expedition, and Gros Morne Artist Residency. His work has been published in numerous of national publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, NY Arts Magazine, The Seattle Times and New American Paintings. He also serves as a board member for 4 Culture in Seattle.

Jim co-founded Mutuus Studio in 2016 with architect Kristen Becker and artist Saul Becker.Jim leads Mutuus Studio's civic projects with over two decades of experience working on museums, college facilities, offices, multifamily mixed use and restaurants. He is passionate about working with the complex organization of civic projects with people that value community.

Currently Jim is leading the design of the Grocery and Supernova Night Club in Seattle.

Like the other partners in Mutuus Studio, Jim comes from an artistic background and is a lifelong practicing musician, offering a different perspective to our creative design process. He currently leads an all designer band (The Gray Band).