William Frei
Founder & Chief Executive Officer Architect & Structural Engineer
Founder & Chief Executive Officer Architect & Structural Engineer
William Frei is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of William Frei Group, bringing a rare combination of architectural vision and structural engineering expertise to every project the firm undertakes. His dual background allows him to see buildings the way few professionals can simultaneously as spatial experiences and as structural systems, understanding both the human impact of design and the physical forces that make it possible.
Under William's leadership, the firm has established a reputation for delivering projects that meet the highest standards of structural integrity, functional efficiency, and architectural distinction. His hands-on approach to project oversight means that clients work directly with the founder, benefiting from his personal commitment to excellence and his deep technical knowledge.
William Frei's career in the built environment began with a fundamental question that would shape everything that followed: why are the people who design buildings and the people who engineer them so often working at cross purposes? This question born from early professional experiences where he witnessed coordination failures, redesign cycles, and compromised outcomes became the driving force behind the creation of William Frei Group.
Trained in both architecture and structural engineering, William developed a professional identity that defied conventional categorization. He was not content to be an architect who deferred structural decisions to consultants, nor was he satisfied being a structural engineer who received architectural drawings as fixed inputs. He wanted to be both simultaneously so that the act of designing and the act of engineering were inseparable from the very first concept sketch.
William Frei Group was founded on the belief that integrated practice produces fundamentally better buildings. William structured the firm so that architectural design and structural engineering operate as parallel workflows rather than sequential handoffs. This means that structural considerations inform the earliest design decisions, while architectural intent shapes the engineering approach from the outset. The result is a body of work where form and structure are in complete harmony buildings that are both more efficient to construct and more compelling to inhabit.
Despite the firm's growth, William has maintained a deeply personal involvement in project delivery. He reviews structural calculations, participates in design critiques, visits construction sites, and engages directly with clients throughout the project lifecycle. This is not a ceremonial presence it is an active, technical engagement that ensures every project meets the firm's exacting standards.
William believes that leadership in a professional services firm means doing the work, not just managing it. He leads by example, demonstrating to his team that the founder's commitment to quality is not an abstract value statement but a daily practice. When a structural detail needs refinement, William is at the drafting table. When a field condition deviates from the drawings, William is on site. This accessibility and engagement have become defining characteristics of the firm's culture.
William's structural engineering expertise spans the full range of building types and structural systems. He has designed and overseen the construction of steel, concrete, masonry, and timber structures across commercial, institutional, residential, and mixed-use sectors. His experience includes new construction, renovation, seismic retrofit, and structural assessment projects of varying complexity and scale.
As an architect, William brings a sophisticated understanding of spatial planning, building envelope design, code compliance, and construction documentation. His architectural work is characterized by clarity of organization, material honesty, and an emphasis on natural light and proportional harmony. He does not pursue architectural fashion; he pursues architectural substance buildings that are thoughtfully composed and built to endure.
William's leadership philosophy can be summarized in three principles that govern how the firm operates:
Every project has a name attached to every decision. William insists on clear ownership at every stage, from the architect who sets the design direction to the engineer who stamps the drawings to the construction manager who signs off on the field work.
Clients deserve honest communication about costs, schedules, risks, and tradeoffs. William has built a firm culture where difficult conversations happen early and solutions are presented alongside problems. There are no surprises only informed decisions.
After every project, William leads a thorough review of what worked, what didn't, and what can be improved. This commitment to self-assessment has produced measurable improvements in project delivery efficiency, document quality, and client satisfaction over time.
William has assembled a team of architects, engineers, and construction professionals who share his commitment to integrated practice. He recruits individuals who are technically excellent, professionally curious, and genuinely invested in the quality of their work. The firm's culture reflects William's belief that great projects are produced by people who care about their craft, about their colleagues, and about the clients and communities they serve.
Under William's direction, the firm has cultivated a collaborative working environment where knowledge crosses disciplinary boundaries. Architects understand structural principles. Engineers appreciate spatial design. Construction managers contribute to design discussions. This cross-pollination of expertise is not accidental it is the deliberate result of a leadership philosophy that values breadth of understanding as much as depth of specialization.
William Frei continues to push the firm toward new capabilities and higher standards. He is committed to expanding the firm's capacity while preserving the personal engagement and technical rigor that have defined its work from the beginning. For William, growth is not measured in headcount or revenue alone it is measured in the quality of the buildings the firm produces, the satisfaction of the clients it serves, and the professional development of the people it employs.
Whether leading a complex multi-story commercial project or overseeing a targeted structural assessment, William brings the same level of attention, expertise, and commitment. His dual identity as architect and structural engineer is not a marketing distinction it is the authentic foundation of a career dedicated to building better.
"I founded this firm because I believe the best buildings come from professionals who refuse to separate the act of designing from the responsibility of building. Every line we draw carries the weight of the structure it represents."
William Frei
