In loving memory of Mike Cina.

He left a legacy of "quality, originality, and durability".

 “…He is helping redesign a corner of Heaven right now. He was a sweet gentle guy!...” 

Randy Lush

El Shaddai Ministries

 “…Mike has been a great friend, customer and respectable part of our community for decades…” 

Paul Boucher

ByteSmith, Inc.

 “…Mike was such a joy to be around…the real highlight for me was just spending time meeting with or going to lunch with Mike, he was quite a character. I always left with a smile and feeling better about the day…” 

Gary Cooper, Director of Public Works, Parks & Facilities

City of University Place

 “…We appreciate his gift and time with us…” 

Tralayne and Alex Davis

Clients

 “…my time with Mike was always enjoyable. His smile never left his face. It was a pleasure to have known him…” 

Mike Givens, Owner

Tacoma Firs Golf Center / Gamerz Golf

 “…He will be greatly missed. He was always so kind and respectful to me…” 

Kathy Owens, Landscape Architect

Nature by Design, Inc.

 “…Mike was a true professional and a great guy, we were always pleased with the quality of his work and how he did it. . .I enjoyed working with Mike, he was one of the best architects I’ve had the pleasure of working with and will miss him…” 

Barry Gourley, CEO

Children’s Therapy Center

Graduated Washington State University inn 1977. John Austin Architects was organized in 1953 and Mike joined John Austin Architects in 1978. He became a partner in 1982 and AustinCina Architects was incorporated in 1983. When it came to architecture Mike believed practicality and the quality of design best served his clients.

Mike's work in the community encompasses 10 school districts, multiple projects for Pacific Lutheran University, and a multitude of churches and commercial projects.

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Graduated Washington State University inn 1977. John Austin Architects was organized in 1953 and Mike joined John Austin Architects in 1978. He became a partner in 1982 and AustinCina Architects was incorporated in 1983. When it came to architecture Mike believed practicality and the quality of design best served his clients.

Mike's work in the community encompasses 10 school districts, multiple projects for Pacific Lutheran University, and a multitude of churches and commercial projects.

 I remembered the first time I met Mike. It was back in 1972, our freshman year at WSU in Architecture 101 class. 

What caught my attention was his long, curly locks, short stature, and carrying a backpack. No one carried backpacks and perms were not in fashion yet. Yes, he was a trend setter! He just stood out of the crowd and was a friend to everyone. 

Mike was a generous man. He always insisted family comes first, work second. He was a friend that I could always talk to. I miss our office lunches, talking about sports, our kids & the funny stories he shared, and the endless jokes he had stored in his head. 

I will always remember him. Rest in peace. 

– Bill Parretta

 Mike hired me on April fool’s day 1991 and in honor of John Austin’s legacy for the newly employed, Mike spent my entire first week away on vacation. 

During my first month I learned a lot about Mike’s philosophy on life, work, business which evolved around treating everyone like family. I also learned about his humbleness when he took me to play golf after I had bagel-ed him in tennis but instead of getting revenge he coached me on my golf swing. 

There are too many stories to tell from being recognized as regular diners by wait staff when we were trying to determine who the regulars were, to having a pastor close a meeting prematurely as he noticed Mike nodding off, to all his off the wall ideas like a “Richard Cranium” t-shirt. 

Mike would introduce me as girlie man, because of my long hair, and I would retort that my long hair was for his future toupee….there was nothing presumptuous about Mike. 

Mike was simply a good boss without being a boss and a good friend who’d come to your aide whether you asked him to or not. I will always miss him. 

– John Manuel

 I am forever grateful for my time working with Mike. I learned so much working with him. I admired his sense of humor and generosity and his “can-do” approach to projects and life. Everyone was a friend he knew or hadn’t yet met. 

Thank you Mike! 

– Neitha Wilkey

Mike was a great visionary and supportive mentor. He modeled patience and generosity not only at the office but also with our clients. Whatever the setting or situation, Mike taught me to “always sit back and listen” and “always see the good in people”. 

Mike always expressed “family comes first and hopefully work comes second”. And his belief overflowed into the office creating a family work environment. I am so grateful to be a part of the AustinCina family. 

Mike’s witty sense of humor and cackling laughter always made my day. I remember when he had an idea for a coffee table book titled “The Swoop” filled with pictures of comb over hairstyles. The logo would be similar to the Nike Swoosh but turned upside down . . . a lot of cackling in the design room that day! 

Mike was a fan of soul and classic R&B music – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, The Chi-Lites and Earth Wind & Fire. One of my favorite live music memories was spending the evening at Pier 51 in Seattle grooving to Earth Wind & Fire with Mike & family and staff & family. 

Mike – thank you for the life lessons, the laugh lines, and your friendship. I love you and miss you! 

– Linda Shoemaker

Professional and Civic Affiliations

Board of Trustees, Puget Sound Christian College

President, 2006, Puyallup-Sumner County Chamber of Commerce 

Puyallup Main Street Association, Board Member, Ex-Officio 

Valley Arts United, Current Board Member, Vice Chairperson 

City of Puyallup Design Review Board Member 

City of Puyallup Developer’s Advisory Group 

City of Puyallup Economic Development Task Force Member 

Pierce County Arts Commission, Former Board Member 

Parkland-Spanaway Rotary Club, Past President, Secretary 

Franklin Pierce School District, Past School Board Member 

Fircrest Golf Club, Finance Committee 

Member, American Institute of Architects, Past Board of Directors 

NCARB Certification, Licensed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah 

Significant Projects

Business

  • Centerforce
  • KeyBank 23rd & 24th Corporate Office Tenant Improvement 
  • Puyallup Valley Bank 
  • Rainer Tower, Seattle 

Civic

  • City of University Place City Hall 
  • City of University Place Police Station 

Educational

  • PLU Ordal Hall Residence Hall Renovations
  • PLU Rieke Annex Greenhouse
  • PLU Rieke Hall North Wing Addition 
  • Multiple school districts projects 

Healthcare

  • Dr. Shields Macula Retina & Macula Specialists
  • Memory Haven Sumner
  • Pioneer Place Memory Care Centers
  • Western State Hospital Building 27 Upgrades

Hospitality

  • Meeker's Landing
  • Uptown Koffee & Kate

Industrial

  • Toray Composites/TCA – 2 & 3

Religious

  • Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church
    – original church, gym addition, and 1,500 seat worship addition
  • Over 500 church projects throughout the Pacific NW

Residential

  • Kiehl Residence, Lake Steilacoom
  • Koch Residence, Vashon Island
  • 11th Tee Residences at Fircrest Gold Club

Retail

  • South Tacoma Mazda