WMA is known for its versatility and innovative approach to design. Over the last nine years the firm has built buildings to house its business testing their own innovation in sustainable building design. Their current office building is LEED Gold Certified and WMA also designed the first LEED Certified multi-purpose school building in California.

Charles Weston and Lesley Miles attended the first US Green Building Council conference in 2001, became members, and began integrating the concepts immediately into their projects. WMA has also extensively designed under the principles of CHPS (Collaborative of High Performance Schools) for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

The firm includes nine key team members, including architects, designers, project managers, administrative managers, and CAD technicians. Each team member's unique experience contributes to WMA's expertise on educational facilities, civic projects, residential projects, and historic renovations. Their collaborative approach to design ensures that we achieve the highest level of quality at all stages of the design process.

Principals

Charles Weston is the principal designer on all Weston Miles projects. He is unique as he is a licensed contractor as well and recently constructed WMA's LEED Gold Certified Granary, their current office building.

His design approach is focused on developing the unique details that elevate the Clients projects. His interest in light and incorporation of natural lighting systems resulted in many offices and schools that require minimal or no interior lighting during the day. He leads the team of specific Project Managers at WMA providing final review of all projects for technical coordination. This attention to detail significantly minimizes any construction oriented changes.

He has designed 4 projects that have received National awards and recognition. He is interested in being in on the cutting edge of sustainability and has used new and innovative materials and has developed systems that have then been approved by the California Division of State Architect.

Charles is a recipient of the Soldier's Medal award for service as a medic in Vietnam, and of the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. He is an Eagle Scout and past Chairman of the City of Morgan Hill Planning Commission and was on the General Plan up-date Committee and the Morgan Hill Historical Society. Charles is the President of the 500 volunteer Freedom Fest in Morgan Hill, a week-long event that brings 60,000 people to Morgan Hill.

Charles is an accomplished baker and is interested in wine, Yoga, and running and has participated in 88 marathons.

Lesley Miles has served as a Principal of WMA since 1986 and has been President since 1996. Lesley's focus is working with the community and with clients to understand and develop the Design program, and working with Charles Weston, AIA, and LEED AP, to develop the schematic concepts.

Lesley has been a registered architect for 14 years. Her interest in sustainability started 35 years ago when she worked at the first recycling center in the U.S. in Sebastopol, CA. She worked in sustainable agriculture where she developed a keen awareness of organic relationships. With roots in organic design, Lesley has dedicated herself to public education architecture. She is the managing architect for the Santa Clara County Office of Education with a $60M school program and an emphasis on sustainable schools.

Lesley has managed all of the Education and Civic programs for WMA for the past 25 years. When going for WBE certification, the Cal Trans Certification team called and said that it had never had a firm where so many clients were so enthusiastic about an Architect.

Lesley has developed two patents, one for an Emergency Preparedness program and one for the State Tracking program.

Lesley has been involved in the Morgan Hill Downtown Association for 20 years as a past board member and has frequently been president. She has served on the local Chamber of Commerce Board and has served on numerous City committees. She has been a speaker at the Green Schools Conference in Pasadena and is frequently a speaker on sustainability. She is also fluent in Spanish.