Seattle-based architect Mark Johnson’s presentation, “Architecture as a Tool For Action," will be the first lecture of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s upcoming speaker series in January. Photo courtesy of the Port Townsend Marine Science Center

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will welcome Seattle-based architect Mark Johnson to start off the “Future of Oceans” lecture series as he explores current initiatives, strategies, and opportunities for building designers to counter climate change.

Johnson’s talk, “Architecture as a Tool For Action,” will explore the numerous ways architects can combat climate change.

Johnson will present at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8 at The Chapel at Fort Worden State Park. There is no charge to attend, though donations to the Marine Science Center are welcomed and appreciated.

As the first speaker for the “Future of Oceans” series, Johnson will also discuss how his award-winning architecture firm tackles climate change in its designs.

“Architecture is the result of design and engineering of a place that does something, fulfilling both practical and expressive requirements,” Johnson said. “We know that buildings contribute up to 40 percent of global carbon emissions. Our spaces and built places must become part of our climate future.”

Johnson and his Seattle-based firm, Signal Architecture, have received numerous awards, with the most recent being a 2022 American Architecture Award for the redesign of the Fort Worden Building 305 Art and Education Center in Port Townsend.

Johnson is a licensed architect in Washington state and Oregon and has delivered numerous sustainable projects to public and private clients. He brings a place-based integrative approach to his work as a design collaborator, creating places to live, celebrate, reflect, and learn.

His work with cultural institutions, municipalities, and communities has allowed Johnson to develop a sustainability of place with a keen eye toward architecture and landscape.

Johnson attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture. He founded Signal Architecture in 2013 after 18 years of professional practice.

Johnson has also served the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments in several capacities, including as a studio instructor, associate professor, lecturer, and thesis advisor.

Community leadership roles include board member of the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle, vice chair of the 4Culture Public Art Advisory Committee, and commissioner of the Seattle Design Commission since 2018.