Mogavero Architects

Trying to search for nothing are we?

Blog

Turns out where you live can affect your health

I found this study done by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to be very intriguing….and sobering. Article at nejm.org Being somewhat of a health and fitness enthusiast, I find that sometimes it is easy to jump to judgment, and criticism, of those who appear to be out of shape, overweight, and unhealthy. It has never occurred to me that for some folks, their daily living environment – their own home and neighborhood – could have a direct link to the state of their personal physical health. A new Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) study released last week shows fascinating findings regarding health risks for women in neighborhoods with high concentrations of poverty. This is just the latest evidence proving the need for revitalizing America’s poorest neighborhoods into sustainable, mixed-income and mixed-use communities. Having worked with MNA for the past 20 years and being part of an organization that advocates for healthy and whole living environments for all human beings, I really should have connected those dots. Here’s to pushing for the provision of healthy homes and neighborhoods for all people, no matter what their financial circumstance may be. The findings, which were published in an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that very low-income women who are able to move from high-poverty neighborhoods into lower-poverty neighborhoods are less likely to suffer from extreme obesity or diabetes. HUD’s Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing Demonstration Program study tested the long-term health impacts of approximately 4,500 very low-income families living in public housing in high-poverty neighborhoods in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York from 1994 to 1998. During that timeframe, families were randomly assigned to three separate groups: the experimental group, which allowed families to only use housing vouchers in low-poverty neighborhoods; the Sec. 8 group, which allowed families to use vouchers in any neighborhood; and the control group, which didn’t receive vouchers. Some of the key findings featured in the New England Journal of Medicine article include: The women who were not offered housing vouchers through the HUD study had a prevalence rate of 18 percent for extreme obesity; the national average for women is approximately 7 percent. For the those women who received vouchers to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods, the rate was 3.4 percentage points lower than the women who didn’t receive vouchers. The women who were not offered housing vouchers through the HUD study had a prevalence rate of 20 percent for diabetes; the national average for women is 12 percent. For those women who received vouchers to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods, the rate was 5.2 percentage points lower than those without vouchers. “This study proves that concentrated poverty is not only bad policy, it’s bad for your health,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan in a statement. “Far too often, we can predict a family’s overall health, even their life expectancy, by knowing their ZIP code. But it’s not enough to simply move families into different neighborhoods. We must continue to look for innovative and strategic ways to connect families to the necessary supports they need to break the cycle of poverty that can quite literally make them sick.”

Blog

Hot Tar Roofers Played Mogavero

We have a lofty garage space off the alley where we usually store extra paint, back issues of Architectural Record and Craig’s old Alfa.  This weekend we opened up the extra large roll-up doors to perfect fall weather, put up some party lights and used the space to bring together some friends and colleagues from Sacramento’s environmental advocacy community. The occasion was to welcome Bruce Reznik to the Sacramento area.  Bruce, originally from San Diego, joins Planning and Conservation League (PCL) as their new executive director.   David Mogavero has been a long-time board member at PCL, a leading advocacy organization for sound planning and responsible environmental policy for the state of California. MNA team member, Casey Marshall and his incredible band Hot Tar Roofers played us some tunes and even got some of us out there cutting a rug (shout out to Renner and Monica!).

Blog

NiceRide Bike System: We need this in Sac!

I had the opportunity to use this new automated bike rental system in Minneapolis this weekend. See attached photos....

Blog

Our firm’s new site – woo hoo!

Okay, so woo-hoo sounds a little sarcastic; in fact I'm really happy to see this come to its fruition: there are some dark elements to this joy here or there, but they mostly are just the process bumps which anneal the final product into exactly what we've needed for a long time....

Page

Leadership

David Mogavero, Senior Principal David Mogavero is the Senior Principal of Mogavero Architects. He began his career designing naturally heated and cooled buildings over thirty years ago. David’s practice embraces the full range of progressive community design, such as high density mixed-use infill and holistic building systems, including daylighting, natural ventilation, passive heating and cooling, solar shading, water recycling, on-site energy generation and agriculture. David’s roles as developer and environmental advocate help him conceive projects that are economically viable and sensitive to the community and the environment. Through his professional practice, writings and lectures, service as past president and board member of the Environmental Council of Sacramento and the Planning and Conservation League, and current board member of the Council of Infill Builders, David has promoted the widespread adoption of sustainable building and smart growth practices and policies. Craig Stradley, Principal Mr. Craig Stradley, Director of Architecture and Principal at Mogavero Architects, brings more than 30 years of experience in design and urban planning to his work. He has specialized in urban infill projects ranging from multi-family and student housing to complex retail and mixed-use developments. Mr. Stradley enjoys working closely with clients to create projects that balance function and ef ciency with environmental and social concerns. He leads his team of designers with constant attention to the principles of humanistic environments and the creation of a unique sense of place for each and every project. Renner Johnston, Principal Renner became passionate about architecture while working in Europe and returned to the U.S. for a Masters in Architecture at the University of Oregon. Joining Mogavero Architects in 1997, Renner shares the firm’s long commitment to green sustainable design. As Principal, he has designed and managed projects including infill, affordable and market rate housing, mixed-use, urban design and large solar arrays. Renner has also worked on several master planning projects including, the Mather Campus Vision plan, Grass Valley Workforce Housing plan and the Baechtel Charrette for the City of Willits. Cecilia Chouhy, Principal Cecilia is a Principal at Mogavero Architects. With over 15 years of experience in affordable and mixed-use residential architecture, Cecilia is focused on design excellence, bringing new ideas and fresh perspectives to the firm’s housing projects. Cecilia is committed to creating spaces that elicit joy often in spite of restricted project budgets and accelerated timelines. Creative design solutions include shaping light, which can make such a difference to residents. She remembers the dark patio houses common in her native country of Uruguay, and how she long imagined how much better they would look and feel if brightened.  Within Mogavero, Cecilia runs the Project Management Forum, an open platform for discussions about best practices and troubleshooting project issues. In addition, she leads the office BIM Committee, which establishes and maintains office standards and design templates, in an effort to increase project quality and efficiency. With a strong belief in creating inclusive and equitable environments both within Mogavero and across the architecture industry, Cecilia is a mentor to junior staff and an advocate for women and diverse design professionals often promoting and encouraging their excellence, community engagement, and professional development. Cesar Medina, Principal Cesar is Design Director and Principal at Mogavero Architects. With over 25 years of combined experience in residential architecture and design, Cesar has delivered exceptional housing projects throughout Northern California, including student housing at UC Davis, Sacramento State, and University of the Pacific. Originally from Mexico, Cesar has a high design sensibility that merges innovation, functionality, and empathy for the residents who call Mogavero projects “home.”  As the firm’s Design Director, he is responsible for ensuring a high level of quality design across all projects within the firm, with particular expertise in designing affordable, market-rate, and student housing. Cesar has a holistic approach to design, from big decisions early in the process down to the smallest details through construction. An advocate for people in need of housing, Cesar is dedicated to making housing more accessible for all, including for seniors, people with disabilities, and students. He is currently working on a SB169-funded, 400-bed student housing community at Ohlone College. He is passionate about making buildings that are dignified, well designed, and well integrated into the community. He finds great joy in having projects reach completion but also in seeing the communities they foster for years to come.

Page

Sustainability

Being committed to sustainability has been central to the firm’s ethos since its founding. David Mogavero was practicing ecological architecture prior to founding his first practice over 30 years ago. Principal Craig Stradley has collaborated with David since 1986 to design a wide range of sustainable projects, with approaches ranging from macro site-design considerations to sustainable building systems. Long recognized as thought leaders in the field of sustainability, the firm integrates technologies and natural systems into projects, increasing longevity and reducing life-cycle inputs. Our designs respond to site and context, reflecting the values of our clients while responding to community concerns and fulfilling program goals and objectives.

Page

Blog

Mogavero Architects takes great pride in celebrating and cultivating a diverse and inclusive team. With 30% of our employees being first-generation immigrants, we embrace and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences they bring to our firm. We represent a tapestry of national origins and languages spoken in the workplace, with individuals hailing from twelve different […]

Blog

Good Videos

Overview of the Good Project, LJUrban and MNA, featuring Craig Stradley, AIA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0NC7Omfdkc Discussion of Good project from MNA Junior Designer and Good resident Gerard Falla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLnrmUz9wg

Page

Contact Us

Mogavero Architects 1331 T Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 (916) 443-1033 Get Directions This map can be used to help you get walking, or driving directions and cycling information to get you here safely to meet us in person. Drop us a line

Page

Firm Culture

Mogavero Architects takes great pride in celebrating and cultivating a diverse and inclusive team. With 30% of our employees being first-generation immigrants, we embrace and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences they bring to our firm. We represent a tapestry of national origins and languages spoken in the workplace, with individuals hailing from twelve different countries (Mexico, Thailand, Lebanon, Egypt, Iran, Uruguay, Argentina, Spain, China, Hungary, Moldova, and Ukraine). We are particularly proud that 50% of our firm comprises talented and accomplished women and nonbinary individuals, promoting gender equality and inclusivity throughout our ranks. We are also thrilled to witness the ongoing evolution of our leadership, evidenced by additions to our Principal group that incudes both Hispanic and female representation. Many of our staff members bike to work, access nearby transit lines, or carpool, earning the label “green architect” while living what we promote in the work we do. As a group, we like to ski, hike, white water raft, take cooking classes, go to baseball games and play softball. We have company picnics in the summer and holiday parties in the winter. We also have an outdoor living room terrace with wifi and a great city view where we meet in small groups or take a break from our desks. We take field trips to look at our work and the work of others. We encourage our staff to keep up with our continually evolving field by visiting sites and places of interest. Our senior staff mentor young professionals in their areas of expertise. We encourage creative thinking and knowledge sharing at weekly team meetings so that we can all benefit from our collective experiences. We foster collaboration on design projects within the firm and with our consultants.