Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Architecture Firm Announces New Higher Education Leader

  • By Matt Jones
  • 10/04/23

Baker Barrios Architects recently announced the addition of a new leadership position to its staff, according to a news release. William Maffett, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, MBA has been named as the firm’s new national director of higher education. Maffett works out of the Baker Barrios office in Nashville, Tenn.

The firm also announced the appointment of Jeff Saad, LEED AP, as the new Midwest regional director of healthcare.

“Establishing a physical presence in multiple markets and attracting top talent in the sectors we serve has been key to our success in growing from Central Florida’s biggest architecture firm to becoming a nationally known player with a portfolio of high-profile projects across the country,” said Baker Barrios cofounder and CEO Tim Baker. “The experience and expertise William and Jeff will bring to our higher education and healthcare practices in the Midwest and beyond will be a tremendous asset to Baker Barrios and our clients.”

Maffett’s experience includes decades of experience in higher-education planning, design, and construction. He previously served as a campus architect for Auburn University and oversaw more than $360 million in capital projects.

“William is known as a relationship-builder, both in terms of fostering collaboration and innovation among his team as well as serving as a solutions-oriented resource for clients,” Baker said. “Designing spaces in the higher education sector often involves balancing the desired outcomes of many stakeholders, and William is great at addressing the needs of every group at the table.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • St. Lucie County, Fla., Breaks Ground on New K–8 School

    St. Lucie Public Schools in St. Lucie County, Fla., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new K–8 school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., for the design of the upcoming Ft. Pierce K–8 School, which comprises six buildings covering 215,000 square feet.

  • Wyoming District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    Laramie County School District #1 in Cheyenne, Wy., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Mountain View Elementary School, according to a news release. The facility has an estimated completion date of summer 2028, and it will have the capacity for 650 students in fifth and sixth grade.

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey

    Spaces4Learning recently launched the 2026 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey, which collects data on the previous year’s K–12 and higher education construction projects nationwide.