Geoffrey Warner, FAIA
Architect
Geoffrey C. Warner is the principal architect and owner of Alchemy. His formal education came from the University of Minnesota where he continues to teach and mentor. He received the distinction of Fellow by The American Institute of Architects in 2021.
Back in 1989, a general impatience with business-as-usual led him to quit his day job as an architect to get real, hands-on building experience. Since then, he has designed (and constructed) buildings, furnishings, lighting—even kite boards—in a wide range of materials using hand, machine, and CAD-based processes of art and industry, maximizing the impact of modest budgets through creative construction technologies.
He currently lives in the Linden Hills weeHouse with his family after years of living in eclectic, self-renovated bungalows. He leads Alchemy with a spirit of adventure, discovery, and collaboration. Each project, regardless of size or intent, is a ‘best project’ for architecture and art.
Jonathan Aranguren
Designer
Jonathan joined Alchemy as an architectural designer in 2021. He has a background in commercial, residential, and renovation projects in Venezuela, Peru, and the United States. His experience in designing with component building systems and his background in hands-on renovation work complements Alchemy’s mission to provide attainable solutions for a variety of built-environment projects. He has a keen interest in technology, product development, and programming. He holds a B. Arch. from La Universidad del Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Bryan Carpenter
Senior Designer
Bryan has worked within the realms of sculpture, public art, and architecture. Formally educated at the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, he acquired a more hands-on education via many direct experiences and past collaborations, wearing dual caps of fabricator and designer.
Bryan’s past work includes spas, distinctive office and retail environments, and many many many residential projects, both new and renovated. At Alchemy, he uses his multifaceted experiences and influences as tools to transform places and programs into successful designs: built environments that bring enrichment to users while making a lighter environmental footprint on our planet within reasonable means.
Marcy Conrad Nutt, AIA, CPHD, LEED AP
Architect
Always curious and resourceful, Marcy spent many a summer’s day climbing through home construction sites and abandoned farm houses as a child, exploring their spaces and structures. Today, she still loves pulling on her boots and hard hat to visit a site, being part of a collaborative team, and exploring best practices to reduce our industry’s enormous impact on our environment. She received Passive House Certification, and is a board member of Passive House Minnesota.
Marcy is a registered architect in the state of Minnesota with 20 years of experience, AIA member, a LEED Accredited Professional, has been involved with developing affordable housing in Minneapolis through local non-profit pro-bono work, and is an artist sharing studio space in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. Previous experience ranges from single home and multifamily urban lofts, unique retail and restaurants, offices, and a music school.
Betsy Gabler
Business Development Director
Betsy focuses on bringing new business and collaborative projects into Alchemy while sharing news about Alchemy’s projects and special events. She received her M.S. from the University of Minnesota in Visual Communication which led to teaching and a career in graphic design. Her career path wandered into the publishing, museum, and furniture industries—all relevant to the writing, design, and artful opportunities and partnerships she pursues at Alchemy. She lives in Northeast Minneapolis, runs an Air BnB out of her home, and walks her dog Hazelnut when not volunteering with the thriving NE arts community.
Kotono Watanabe
Interior Designer
Koto graduated from the University of Minnesota Interior Design program. Her focus is on the personal, tactile, and experiential aspects of design. Before joining Alchemy, Koto worked at Perkins + Will, MAD, and Prospect Refuge Studio where she gained experience in all scales of interior design, architecture, and fashion. She also attended Minneapolis Community & Technical College to study ceramics, photography, and painting.
Koto grew up in the small town of Ibigawa, Japan. At 19, she moved to Minnesota for higher education. She retains a fondness for the simplicity and details of Japanese design.
Austin Watanabe
Designer
Austin started at Alchemy as an intern while studying at the University of Minnesota. He now holds a Masters in Architecture with minor degrees in Spanish Language Studies and Interdisciplinary Design.
In addition to designing wee-, barn-, and lightHouses, his work focuses on the reuse of neglected infrastructures. Decidedly anti-disciplinary, Austin’s work has been published by the Environmental Design-Research Association, the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, Tokyo University’s MERA Journal, Contango, and the International Conference on Robotics and Automation.
Eric Winter, AIA
Architect
Eric is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Masters of Architecture program. His passion for collaboration comes from his background in nonprofit, educational, and religious architectural design. He brings strong digital modeling and 3D representation skills to Alchemy’s design process. He is a leader in Alchemy’s project management and communication.