my resume
Experienced and ready to lead.
BUILD WHAT MATTERS.
experience
Spencer Sommers balances thoughtful design, quiet leadership, and meaningful engagement. His commitment to the next generation, effective storytelling, and hometown revitalization positions him as an influential member in his community and the state at large.
Education
• Master of Architecture – South Dakota State University (2017)
• Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies – South Dakota State University (2015)
• Construction Minor – South Dakota State University (2015)
Professional Experience
• Associate Principal Architect – CO-OP Architecture, Aberdeen, SD (2023-present)
• Design Architect – CO-OP Architecture, Aberdeen, SD (2017-2023)
• Adjunct Instructor – SDSU Department of Architecture, Brookings, SD
ARCH 673: Professional Practice (SP 2022-present)
ARCH 331: Tensile Building Shop (FA 2017)
• GA / Instructor – SDSU School of Design, Brookings, SD
ART 121: Introduction to Design (FA 2015-2016)
• Student Intern – CO-OP Architecture, Aberdeen, SD (2012-2017)
Awards, Honors, & Recognition
• 4 Under 40 Recipient – Prairie Business (2025)
• Futurist Innovation Masterclass – Future Festival (2024)
• Young Architect Forum & AIA College of Fellows – Align Mentorship Program,
Education + Small Business/Firm Ownership (2023)
• Partner – CO-OP Architecture (2023)
• 4 Under 40 Recipient – Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce (2022)
• Friends & Citizens – AIASD Merit Award (2022)
• Emerging Leader – Community Champions Awards (2022)
• Friends & Citizens: Citizens Bank Building – Architect as Developer Contest, DesignClass (2021)
• First Licensed Architect – SDSU DoARCH Graduate Program (2020)
• Dezeen’s Top 10 Student and Graduate Projects (student work) (2020)
• Emerging City Champions Fellowship – 8 80 Cities & Knight Foundation (2019)
• PH01: BRK – AIASD Honor Award (award for student work) (2019)
• Wrigley Square, Mobridge, SD – AIASD Merit Award (student work) (2016)
• Merit Award Scholarship – AIASD (2016)
AIA Conference Speaking Roles
• AIA Wyoming, Jackson, WY – Presenter, September 2024 (1)
• AIA Iowa, Des Moines, IA – Presenter, September 2024 (1)
• AIA National, Washington, DC – Presenter, June 2024 (1)
• AIA Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN – Presenter, November 2023 (1,2)
1. DART: A Bullseye in Main Street Revitalization
2. Shaping Tomorrow’s Communities: The Role of Friends & Citizens in Urban Design
Other Speaking Roles
• Dakota Resources Housing Learning Network, Lemmon, SD
Presenter/Panelist, 2022.
• SDSU Chicoine Architecture, Math, & Engineering Hall Renaming Ceremony,
Brookings, SD, 2021.
• Midwest Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit, Cincinnati, OH, 2019.
Publications & Articles
• ArchDaily
“The K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library”, Photographer 18 Apr 2018.
• Architect Magazine (student work)
“Residential Project: PH01:BRK”, Student work featured, Oct 2020
• DART: Downtown Aberdeen Revitalization Program
Co-author & editor, Jun 2023
• The Aberdeen Insider
“Downtown Association Supports Two-Way Main Street”, Author, 25 May 2023
• Friends & Citizens Series
Co-author & editor, 2019–2024
• Dezeen (student work)
1. “Arch Students complete Passivhaus in South Dakota.” Klein, K., 27 Apr 2020
2. “Dezeen’s top 10 student and graduate projects of 2020.” Hahn, J., 8 Dec 2020
• South Dakota Magazine
“Malchow Plaza”, Featured, November/December 2021