Bio
Adam Bastjan, AIA, LEED AP, is an Associate Principal and Senior Designer on Kahler Slater’s Sports, Recreation, and Wellness team. His design work is inspired by a lifelong enthusiasm for sports and recreation as well as a deep curiosity in creating thoughtful and unique environments and experiences. Adam has extensive experience designing sports, recreation, and wellness projects that enhance the daily lives of their users.
Passionate about the use of technology to advance design, Adam is known for his use of immersive design technology to communicate ideas and build consensus. He frequently uses VR throughout the design process, to champion a transparent and collaborative experience that integrates the design team, clients, and stakeholders.
Adam’s work has received multiple design awards from AIA Wisconsin, Athletic Business, ASID, and American School and University. His recent project, Cornell College’s Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center, was awarded a 2023 AIA Honor Award, which recognizes overall design excellence.
A subject matter expert, Adam contributes his thought leadership within the firm and across professional organizations, recognizing the importance of staying current on the latest thinking, approaches and technology in the field. His work is regularly published in industry publications and he has presented at both the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association (NIRSA) and Athletic Business conferences. Adam has served as a juror for the Athletic Business Facilities of Merit Design Awards which recognizes “the world’s best new and recently renovated athletics, fitness, and recreation facilities.”
Adam graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and received his Master of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Throughout his career he has celebrated both academia and practice, having taught multiple undergraduate and graduate studios, as well as being a consistent guest critic for studios and thesis presentations. Through his teaching, he strives to guide students in developing critical thinking skills, iterative design solutions, and to find a balance of theoretical and practical design. Adam is an Adjunct Professor in the Kahler Slater Studio at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Courses
Kahler Slater Studio