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Architect Steve Rice to Retire from Rice Fergus Miller

December 1, 2021

Architect Steve Rice to Retire from Rice Fergus Miller on December 31st; Firm to Remain in Bremerton, Guided by Second Generation of Leadership

Bremerton, Wash. –- Rice Fergus Miller, Inc., a B Corp., congratulates firm founder Steve Rice, who will retire at the end of this year after 34 years as Principal and owner of the Bremerton-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm.

Rice’s career-long leadership of RFM’s Community Architecture Studio paved the way for the firm’s other specialties that today include the design of senior living, hospitality, tribal, healthcare, and fire and emergency services facilities. Rice started the firm in 1987, which is known for cultivating deep client relationships and leading projects that serve people, communities, and the environment.

A Career Focused on Design for the Community of Kitsap

Rice’s passion for local projects developed into an abiding commitment to serve the Kitsap County community. His work is linked to many projects emblematic of Bremerton’s revitalization, either in his role as architect or as a community leader. Notably, Rice’s vision sparked the 7-year effort to create Quincy Square, a complete remake of a central block of Bremerton’s downtown core into a resurgent mixed-use neighborhood and transformable festival street. Quincy Square is designed to serve as downtown Bremerton’s everyday cultural front yard. The square honors music icon Quincy Jones, who grew up in Bremerton, and celebrates decades of contributions made by the city’s African American community.

Rice’s projects also include a women’s shelter; elementary schools; community centers; libraries; healthcare clinics; and RFM’s own office, a LEED Platinum renovation of a downtown Bremerton building that doubles as a community event space. Each strengthens the fabric of the broader Kitsap community.

“We are so proud of the firm Steve started and built. His work is created in the spirit of service to community. It’s a way of designing and thinking that imbues all of the firm’s work,” said Jennifer Fleming, RFM Principal and owner. “We enthusiastically congratulate him on the milestone of retirement.”

Today’s Firm Leadership

The community ethos Rice developed will continue to shape Rice Fergus Miller, as Fleming and Greg Belding, both Principals and major shareholders, co-lead the firm’s operations today. Fleming began her career in 2006 at Rice Fergus Miller and today leads RFM’s Hospitality and Senior Housing Studios. Notably, she served as the lead interior designer of the LEED Platinum, award-winning Rice Fergus Miller Office & Studio. Belding became the firm’s first employee in 1990 and is recognized nationally and regionally as a leader in sustainable design. He specializes in tribal community projects and special needs housing.

Both Fleming and Belding—along with Rice, Dave Fergus and Mike Miller—have worked to nurture other members of the firm’s new generation of leadership. Principals and shareholders Gunnar Gladics and Dean Kelly have joined RFM’s leadership team. Gladics leads the firm’s Fire & Emergency Services Studio; Kelly co-leads Senior Housing efforts. Kelly, along with Principal Greg Belding and Associate Principal Angie Tomisser continue the firm’s Community Studio, which Rice started. Blake Webber and Gena Lee, both Associate Principals, now lead the firm’s Healthcare Design Studio. Travis Hauan, Associate, and interior designer Becky Wall co-lead the firm’s Education market.

Rice’s representative projects include:

  • Barker Creek Community School, Central Kitsap School District
  • Birkenfeld Stella Maris House, St. Vincent de Paul, Bremerton
  • Catalyst Public School, Bremerton
  • Centennial Building (Vibe CoWorks, Crabtree Kitchen + Bar, Chocmo, High Spirits), Poulsbo
  • East Bremerton, West Bremerton, and Port Townsend Branches, Kitsap Bank
  • Kingston, Silverdale, and Port Orchard Libraries, Kitsap Regional Library
  • Kitsap Community Resources Headquarters, Bremerton
  • The Mustard Seed Project Assisted Living Homes, Key Center
  • Our Lady Star of the Sea K-8 Catholic School, Bremerton
  • Quincy Square, Bremerton
  • Rice Fergus Miller Office & Studio, Bremerton
  • St. Antony’s Episcopal Church, Silverdale
  • Skookum Contract Services Headquarters, Bremerton
  • Sophia Bremer Child Development Center, Olympic College, Bremerton
  • South Kitsap Community Event Center, Port Orchard (in progress)
  • Spyglass Apartments, Bremerton
  • Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Silverdale
  • West Hills STEM Academy Classroom Wing, Bremerton

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About Rice Fergus Miller

Rice Fergus Miller, Inc.—a B Corp., is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm based in Bremerton, Washington. Established in 1987 and the only architecture firm in Washington State with Certified B Corporation status, the firm is committed to performing meaningful work that builds and strengthens communities. Housed in a reclaimed Sears auto service center that is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the United States, Rice Fergus Miller blends the personal aspirations of its more than 50 team members with a vision for sustainable design. Learn more at www.rfmarch.com