Kari Hayenga - Designer.
Kari Hayenga was born in Prosser, Washington and grew up in Kennewick, part of the Tri-Cities, along with an older brother, her father, originally from Coeur d’Alene who worked as a mechanical engineer at Hanford, and her mother, a music teacher originally from Spokane.
An early fascination with the built environment, especially historic buildings, drew Kari to architecture, eventually studying at the University of Oregon in Eugene. After graduating, when jobs were scarce in 2008 upon the onslaught of the Great Recession, she honed her design crafts at a cabinet shop in Portland. Shortly thereafter, she returned to the U of O to gain her masters degree in architecture, with collective study abroad experiences in Angers, France and Copenhagen, Denmark.
After gaining her masters degree, Kari went on to work at SERA and Hacker Architects in Portland, then in 2021 moved to Bend for the active outdoor lifestyle and a richer quality of life, and landed a position with Henneberry Eddy's historic buildings and national parks team. With HE low on work, Kari decided to make a pivot, and joined Life Design Build, drawn by the firm's strong ethos around sustainability, and the small-team culture.
In her free time, she enjoys gravel biking, skiing, and quilting.
Get to know Kari
Best Sandwich?: Grilled cheese (Vermont white cheddar) dipped in tomato soup.
What’s the one thing you own that you really should throw out?: All my socks with holes in them.
What’s the scariest animal?: Brown bear.
Apples or oranges?: Apples.
Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?: Leslie Feist (lead singer of Feist)
What the ethnic origin of your last name?: Frisian (a coastal cultural region primarily in The Netherlands, but also Germany and Denmark).
Favorite Smell?: Coffee
How do you drink you coffee?: With a little milk.
First concert?: Incubus in Seattle.
Aliens real or not?: Yes. Definitely. Not questions asked.
If you could go anywhere on your next vacation where would it be?: Italy (Dolomites, specifically).
Cats or Dogs?: Cats.
Fun fact about yourself?: I’m currently learning some jump rope tricks!