ABOUT SPACE ADVOCATE STUDIO
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MISSION
To elevate small-scale commercial design in Northwest Washington through strategic planning, code-aware interiors, and practical, buildable solutions that align people, purpose, and place.
We advocate for every space — ensuring it functions beautifully, performs efficiently, and reflects the organization it serves.
VISION
To be the Pacific Northwest’s most trusted resource for thoughtful commercial interiors — where design decisions are grounded in clarity, collaboration, and long-term value.
By combining design expertise with community connection, Space Advocate Studio sets the standard for how small projects can make a big impact on the region’s built environment.
BUSINESS MODEL
Space Advocate Studio operates as a fee-based commercial design and planning practice offering:
- Tenant Improvements – full-service design, documentation, and permitting.
- Branded Interiors – translating mission and identity into the built environment.
- Owner-Side Project Support – guiding clients through pre-design, coordination, and implementation.
Our process is structured for transparency and efficiency, using hourly and phased agreements tailored to each project’s scope. To maintain high-touch service, the studio accepts a limited number of projects at a time and refers out work beyond our scope through a trusted professional network.
As part of the broader Space Advocate, LLC ecosystem, the studio is supported by The Interiors Dept.™ — a neutral, public-facing resource that connects designers, builders, and product partners, strengthening the commercial interiors industry across Northwest Washington.
About Tristen Dolores
Tristen Dolores is an interior designer and planner with deep expertise in institutional and healthcare environments. Her background includes leading campus planning and design at Western Washington University and serving as Director of Interiors for Kaiser Permanente Washington, overseeing statewide healthcare projects. She holds a Master of Science in Interior Design and a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Planning and Design from Ball State University.
Rooted in Northwest Washington, Tristen founded Space Advocate Studio to bring her experience home — combining research-based design, practical planning, and community commitment to strengthen the region’s commercial interior landscape.
The TEAM
Lead Designer of Space Advocate Studio Curator of the Interiors Dept.
Lead Designer of Space Advocate Studio Curator of the Interiors Dept.
Lead Designer of Space Advocate Studio Curator of the Interiors Dept.
Tristen Dolores
17 Years Experience
As founder and principal, Tristen Dolores leads the studio with nearly two decades of experience in institutional and healthcare environments. Her leadership bridges strategic planning, design execution, and community advocacy to deliver thoughtful, high-performing spaces across Northwest Washington.
Cr
Tristen Dolores
17 Years Experience
As founder and principal, Tristen Dolores leads the studio with nearly two decades of experience in institutional and healthcare environments. Her leadership bridges strategic planning, design execution, and community advocacy to deliver thoughtful, high-performing spaces across Northwest Washington.
Credentials:
NCIDQ Certified
LEED AP Interior Design & Construction
MS Interior Design – Evidence-Based Design
Executive Certificate in the Planning and Design of Healthcare Environments
IIDA
Executive Assistant
Lead Designer of Space Advocate Studio Curator of the Interiors Dept.
Lead Designer of Space Advocate Studio Curator of the Interiors Dept.
Kim Mergens
Kim blends a background in health coaching and project coordination to support smooth, thoughtful execution across all studio operations. She brings both structure and creativity to the team, ensuring every detail moves projects forward with care.
Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Kim approaches every project with intention and
Kim Mergens
Kim blends a background in health coaching and project coordination to support smooth, thoughtful execution across all studio operations. She brings both structure and creativity to the team, ensuring every detail moves projects forward with care.
Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, Kim approaches every project with intention and balance — reflecting the studio’s commitment to both precision and people.
Education & Credentials:
B.A. in Community Engagement in Holistic Health & Food Justice, Western Washington University
Certified Health Coach, Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
Industry Partners
Lead Designer of Space Advocate Studio Curator of the Interiors Dept.
Industry Partners
Each project is unique, and so are the teams that bring it to life. Space Advocate Studio engages trusted industry partners selected specifically for the project’s scope, budget, and delivery needs. These partners may include architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty consultants, and manufacturer representatives who align wit
Each project is unique, and so are the teams that bring it to life. Space Advocate Studio engages trusted industry partners selected specifically for the project’s scope, budget, and delivery needs. These partners may include architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty consultants, and manufacturer representatives who align with the studio’s values of quality, transparency, and collaboration.
Together, we form purpose-built teams designed to deliver well-coordinated, successful outcomes from concept to completion.
"Good design is the sum of a designer's experience. It results from the ability to analyze and solve problems by organized thinking and imagination."
Florence Knoll
