Our Mission

We focus our endeavors toward finding balance in social, financial and environmental achievements.

Started in 2006, Convergence Architecture specializes in planning, architecture, and interior design services for commercial, residential, healthcare, and public clients. The firm’s portfolio of work is diverse in scope and building type, but our design approach is always the same: strong team communication between architect, client, and consultants to converge on a design that integrates budget, program, and aesthetic goals.

Convergence Architecture is a woman owned, certified firm, with architects licensed in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota and Wisconsin as well as LEED AP BD+C.

WBE/ACDBE Washington #W2F0024307
ACDBE/DBE/SBE Federal #D2F0024307
WBE/DBE Oregon #7559
California Supplier Clearinghouse #14070087

With three experienced principals – each with complementary strengths – as well as a diverse, responsive staff, we draw on each other’s expertise to ensure each phase of a project goes smoothly and successfully.

Convergence Architecture contributes to your projects with:

Innovative thinking
Opportunity-based solutions
Proactive communication
Respectful interactions
Collaborative perspectives
Experience-based solutions

Working with Convergence Architecture to transform the playground at James John Elementary was a great experience. Joseph gracefully guided our vision for the space over the course of two years, and connected us to the right specialists and solid contractors to help accomplish our goals. The project wouldn’t have been a success without them. Thanks from the Crew at Depave!

Eric Rosewall, Program Director, Depave

When we purchased our home with a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit, we had no idea the lengths we would have to go to legalize the building and make it safe for my mom to retire in. Barb Anderson and the rest of the team at Convergence provided the expertise, guidance, insights, and ideas that got us over the panic of having to rebuild nearly everything. They helped us throughout the construction as well by answering questions and providing guidance when we ran into roadblocks. The project is nearly complete now, and the structure is fully legal per the city’s code enforcement division, and we couldn’t be happier with how it all came together. The second home is beautiful.

Daniel Ribeiro

I was privileged to work with Joe Purkey of Convergence Architecture on quite a few of his projects, and I was truly impressed with his professionalism, thoughtful designs, and knowledge of construction. I would recommend him without reservation!

Don Titus , Don R Titus, Residential Designer

Meet The Team

Barb Anderson

Managing Principal

Barb Anderson began her architectural career in 2000 with the majority of her architectural experience in the Portland area.

She has participated in the design of over twenty new and remodeled fire stations, as well as a variety of other building types, such as office buildings, optometrist clinics, and industrial buildings. She enjoys managing projects and facilitating communication among team members to ensure that the process runs smoothly and efficiently.

Barb graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from North Dakota State University and is a registered architect in Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

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Joseph Purkey

Principal

Joseph Purkey began working in architecture in 2003, gathering experience in all phases of design and project management.

He first went out on his own in 2006 and founded the firm as Profile Design, where he specialized in commercial, healthcare, and hospitality projects. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon.

Joseph also consults to the St. Johns Neighborhood Association, St. Johns Center for Opportunity, and Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association on land use and design issues.

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Elijah Elder

Principal

Eli Elder began his work in the field of architecture and construction in 1999.

Before co-founding Convergence Architecture he worked for several architecture firms in Portland and in Austin, Texas and has a great deal of experience in managing the design of projects ranging from small residential remodels to large housing projects. He spent several years at a design/build firm specializing in green construction practices and has continued to utilize this experience in his ongoing work. He is very interested in design that stems from an ongoing conversation with the client resulting in joint ownership of the design.

Eli received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon and is a registered architect in the States of Oregon, California, Indiana, Idaho and Washington.

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Allen Kabanuk

Associate Principal

Allen’s architectural experience includes retail, commercial, institutional and industrial projects.

He is a thorough project manager and enjoys the challenges each project brings. He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Washington State University and is a Registered Architect in Oregon, Washington and North Dakota.

Allen was raised in Spokane and is an avid hiker, having hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail through Washington.

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Adam Robins

Project Manager

Adam has over 11 years in design and over 15 years in construction, with experience in contract…

administration, project management, design, and waterproofing investigations and consulting. Adam has worked on a broad variety of projects including transportation facilities, public works, historic buildings, single and multifamily residential, civil projects, site planning and development, and educational and religious institutions, with project history spanning Oregon, California, Washington, Utah, and Ireland. He collaborates with design professionals, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders to successfully complete projects meeting client needs.

Adam has a B.A. in Mathematics from Reed College and a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon.

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Kristie Van Boxtel

Interior Designer

Kristie began her career in 2006 after graduating from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design.

Along with general project work in office/tenant improvement, senior housing, multi-family housing and civic sectors, past projects also include a summer camp and a waterpark.

One of her favorite project types is housing. “I remember going to the “site” of one of my projects in NW that was already operating with construction almost wrapped up to check on furniture deliveries and talk about touch-ups with the Contractor. I saw a new resident lounging on a couch in the community room watching TV. It really hit me that what was “work” for me was literally someone else’s “home” and that felt really meaningful.”

When she’s not working, she enjoys baking, photography, writing letters, cheering on the Portland Trail Blazers and spending time with her family and friends.

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Monica Ahlers

Project Manager

Monica began her architecture career in 2007. Her project experience includes fire stations,

police stations and commercial tenant improvements – seeing the projects through from programming through construction. She has coordinated LEED certification of four projects and assisted with four others – all meeting their goal or better! In her spare time, Monica does floral design for weddings and other events with Monica Ahlers Floral Design.

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Crystal Glanz-Kreutz

Project Manager

Crystal earned an AAS in Interior Design from Portland Community College,

with an emphasis on sustainability as well as an AAS in General Studies focused on Business Management. Small space solutions are a personal passion of Crystal’s, from private residences to tenant improvement projects. Crystal has strong verbal and written communication skills, abilities which strengthen design conversations with clients and the design team. Crystal wears a marketing hat as well, managing the company website, blog, and social media outlets.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, working in her garden, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

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Amy Peterson

Project Manager

Amy has a bachelor’s degree in History from Lewis and Clark College and a master’s degree in Architecture from Portland State University.

She has experience in education, single family and multi family residential, wine, and beverage projects and recently acquired her Living Future Accreditation.

Amy focuses on how architecture can accommodate various users to address local needs, promote social equality within a building’s context, and extend economic and environmental impact. While completing her master’s program, she volunteered on a temporary housing project for houseless veterans and post-earthquake redevelopment in Ecuador. She also volunteers with the Rebuilding Center. Outside of work, she plays in the woods with her partner and a white german shepherd named Baloo.

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Philipp Zbirun

Designer

Philipp is currently a Portland State University student, pursuing a degree in architecture.

Philipp initially connected with us through an internship with the 2019 Summer Works program and joined Convergence Architecture as an employee when he finished that program. He is a quick learner and is getting proficient in CAD, Revit, and Photoshop.

In his spare time, Philipp volunteers for the annual Russian Conferences, Habitat for Humanity, and Friends of Trees.

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Alisa Pallister

Designer

Alisa Pallister joined Convergence Architecture in 2022 as a recent graduate of the Architectural Design…

and Drafting program at Portland Community College and is excited to jumpstart her new career in architecture with the Convergence team. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McGill University, along with many years of experience as a registered nurse.

Alisa has a passion for sustainability and universal design. She loves working with clients to understand their unique needs and creating designs that will stand the test of time. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, paddle boarding and hiking.

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Maria Bubriski

Office Manager

Maria brings to the team over three years in management experience.

Managing herself as a freelance landscaper, managing a movie theater, and even managing our local St. Johns Farmers Market. Maria is currently the co-chair head of the St. Johns Museum steering committee and is on the board for the St. Johns Boosters Association. She grew up in Vermont and moved to Portland in 2008. She completed her Bachelor degree at Portland State University. She loves fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest, board games, and sports.

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