Mogavero Architects

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How the 2024 CEBC Update Enables California Office Conversions 

The COVID-19 pandemic left a crater-sized hole in downtown office markets across the country and yet the reckoning is far from over. Vacancies are up, values are down and many assets inch closer to a painful refinance or possibly foreclosure. Can this market shift create opportunity for buyers and developers? A pending update to the California Existing Building Code looks to move the needle on the feasibility of Office to Residential conversions but will it be enough? Download our White Paper that explains these changes to learn more: Office Conversion White Paper (click to download) For over forty years, Mogavero Architects has designed buildings and communities with the goal to inspire sustainability and create places with meaning. Our award winning architecture, planning and urban design services have been provided to clients throughout California in small towns and intensely urban settings.  As skilled facilitators and outreach consultants, we assist clients in project communications and approvals, gain support for controversial projects, and let community thought inform our designs. Mogavero Architects’ LEED accredited professionals dedication to green, sustainable design has been demonstrated on projects since its inception. For a broad variety of economic, social and environmental reasons the practice focuses on dense urban infill mixed use projects. Our firm’s founders pioneered cutting edge, green building with an emphasis on passive heating and cooling and ventilation systems, daylighting and other natural conservation systems. Mogavero Architects assess the context of the building on the site, position in the neighborhood, contribution to the built environment, and future purpose. Materials, methods, and technologies are continually evaluated with an eye towards enduring value, efficiency and acclaimed design. We thrive on complex projects that involve many product types, financing sources, and stakeholders.

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Erin Reschke Appointed to Planning Commission

Kudos and congratulations to Erin Reschke on being appointed to the City of Sacramento Planning Commission! Erin’s longstanding commitment to fostering positive change within our community is invaluable. She brings a unique breadth of knowledge to the table and joins a prestigious legacy of Mogavero Architects who have had a hand in shaping our great city while in this role: Alix Ogilvie, and the late Michael Notestine who dedicated 21 years to the planning commission. Erin has actively participated in the transformation and growth of our city as an architect and Sacramentan for over 20 years. She has worked with over a dozen planning and development agencies across the state allowing her to work with various zoning codes and people in leadership roles at California cities. Erin’s dedication to sustainability is evident in her personal and professional life. A year-round bicycle commuter and former co-housing resident Erin lives her values. She has spent time in various realms of advocacy in Sacramento including responsible infill development, active transportation, affordable housing, urban agriculture, nature connection and green building in a carbon-constrained future. Erin is eager to bring her unique background and insights to the planning commission. Sacramento has made significant strides to increase affordable housing construction through a ministerial process. This has allowed projects that effectively meet code standards to bypass political interference. Therefore, The planning commission can focus on more varied and pressing matters including local general plan, specific plans, rezonings, use permits and subdivisions. Congrats, Erin!

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Sacramento’s Housing Renaissance: Breaking Down Barriers for Affordable Living

The Mogavero team is back in Sacramento after an inspiring 3 days in Long Beach at the Housing California Annual Conference. We were privileged to be surrounded by California’s most ardent advocates for affordable housing and to connect with our cherished clients and friends. Housing CA provides an impressive array of educational sessions, practical workshops and most importantly a space for hope and new ideas to approach California’s largest crisis. A recurring theme of the week was identifying ways to remove the many barriers to affordable housing throughout the state. Sacramento is leading the way with its proactive and promising approach utilizing a “more of everything” housing strategy. This sentiment was echoed in a recent SF Chronicle article which identified some key changes Sacramento has implemented to streamline the process.  Arguably, the most important change has been removing the politics from the building approval process. Instead, decisions are made by planning staff through a “ministerial” process, meaning if the building complies with code, it’s automatically approved. As a result, Sacramento is experiencing a higher rate of housing construction per capita than any other region in California. Several of our projects are a direct result of this change; 1212 Del Paso, Salvator Apartments on Arden Way, and San Juan Apartments and 4995 Stockton on Stockton Blvd, to name a few. As Sacramento continues to grow, it is heartening to see some of the obstacles to building affordable housing removed. With several projects on the horizon, we are proud to be involved in the Renaissance of Housing happening here in Sacramento. Salvator Apartments San Juan Apartments 1212 Del Paso

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The Lofts at Fort Visalia Grand Opening

Self-Help Enterprises and Mogavero Architect’s new 80-unit multifamily affordable housing complex, The Lofts at Fort Visalia, opened on December 7th. The grand opening celebration included an incredible reception that attracted community members, new residents, artists, historical society members and many stakeholders who had a hand in bringing to life this much-needed affordable housing community to the City of Visalia. The Lofts, located at 340 East Oak Avenue, are situated on the site of the first building in Visalia, the Fort, built by early settlers in the region. The historical significance of the site and the importance of preserving its integrity was essential to both the Visalia Historical Society and the development team. Prior to construction, the site was radar scanned and excavated for potential historic remnants. More Recently, the Arts Consortium of Visalia and My Voice Media Center had been occupying the site, both of which, along with the Historical Society, would be included in the reimagined Lofts at Fort Visalia. While no official artifacts of the early days at the Fort were found, the Mogavero team was motivated to honor the historical influence of the site.  Thus, the design and materials selection were thoughtfully curated to reflect this narrative.  For example, the team paid homage to the Fort by integrating a sculptured log wall at the main entrance.  This log wall is an artistic interpretative piece, retelling the past and mimicking what once stood. Considering the site’s more recent history as an active creative and exhibit space for the Consortium, there was a strong emphasis on maintaining their influence. Artists’ lofts and studio spaces have 11-foot ceilings, to take advantage of natural light.  An art walk along the street with elevated terraces allows for open house events on special occasions. In addition, there are two large murals within the courtyard space that speak to both the artistic and historical significance of the complex. The goal was to create an inclusive community where artists and residents commingle and celebrate the sense of community and belonging. The Historical Society of Visalia was an incredible resource throughout the project. Not only did we strive to encapsulate the Fort’s history within the design, but a museum space was also set up to provide the group with an opportunity to display original tellings of the past. A diorama of the original fort, historic photos of that time and information about the town of Visalia are housed here. The Lofts is a precedent-setting development for Visalia, spanning almost an entire city block and fully immersed in the downtown landscape, pointing a way forward for the whole region. Thank you to Self-Help Enterprises, the Historical Society of Visalia and the Arts Consortium of Visalia for helping us bring our vision to life, it was an honor to be a part of the team.

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MA Shortlisted for International Architectural Competition

Thank you for making us all proud!   Results were recently announced for the 2023 Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge. Mogavero Architects is honored to be shortlisted and recognized as a winning design amongst other esteemed global firms. Our team of designers collaborated and introduced a stellar approach to tackle LA’s housing crisis. As the city grapples with skyrocketing rents, gentrification, and expensive starter homes, affordable housing for lower-income households has become increasingly scarce. The Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge, the 16th installment of Buildner’s affordable housing competition series, welcomed international architects and design enthusiasts to submit inventive solutions to address Los Angeles’s housing plight. The competition called for an adaptable-focused design where site and scale were not intentionally specified. The ideal project would challenge typical housing norms while maintaining practicality and utilizing sustainable materials. Replicability on various scales was also a requirement of the winning design. Our team was prompted to go beyond photovoltaics and to explore new materials, one of which being the RSG-3D Panel System, an extremely durable, resilient, and energy-efficient alternative for the exterior and interior walls which would also be utilizing carbon negative cement to fill. This allows the project to provide a high-quality product that balances sustainability, durability, construction schedule and design. An inherent tension in the design process was balancing the competing goals of a unique sense of place and community feel, while having a flexible and adaptable prototype that could be utilized in various contexts and scales. It was important to the team to incorporate the sense of place and belonging that Mogavero projects are known for, features such as farmer’s markets, shared mobility pathways, ample green spaces and most importantly, community spaces of various scale and hierarchy. These are critical elements that transform a project from a place to live, to a real home, and empower residents to write their own stories and make the project their own. Site selection was therefore a critical part of the process. Mogavero analyzed various conditions regarding connectivity, existing services and amenities, and a housing/job imbalance to ultimately land on the final site. Design inspiration came from a broad variety of precedents, including Habitat 67, a Modular building in Montreal, QB. The tiered, almost “Lego-like” design of that project was visually striking, but also balanced the need for community and a sense of place for the residents. The submission (below) displays the design process, showcasing stages from inspiration to final form. Mass extraction opens the courtyard, fostering an inclusive atmosphere with connected green patios, corridors for interaction, and various connection points throughout the building. This outstanding submission secured its place on the shortlist among a select group of exceptionally talented designers. Beyond the recognition, the real victory lies in the inspiration gleaned and the insights into innovative sustainable materials, some of which are already being implemented in an upcoming project here in Sacramento.

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Mogavero Architects: Why we do what we do

It had been a year and a half since our last retreat and Renner Johnston,Mogavero President, and I (Lisa Halpin, Associate, Architect), felt we had been toonose-to-the-grindstone with our day-to-day tasks. We needed to step back andrevisit the Mogavero Architect’s “why.” Not only why the companyexists in the first place (thanks, David Mogavero), but why we continue todesign and operate with such passion today. As we were planning the retreat, it was clear that we needed to find alocation that reflected our “why.” What better place than one of ourown projects? Cashin’s Field recently opened with 51 affordable rental unitsand a central community center – which our client graciously opened to us forthe day. The project is beautifully situated in Nevada City, lending theopportunity to get away from our desks and see one of our projects in actionwith a true “retreat” feeling of being in the mountains. The day’s activities were structured around Simon Sinek‘s book “Start withWhy” which encourages individuals and groups to center themselvesaround why they do what they do, instead of focusing on the whator the how. So, for one day we put down our pencils, left ourcomputers, and talked about the things that make us most proud to be designers. Peter Oliver, Architect and Code Specialist, shared a story from the SantaFe Commons grand opening, an 81-unit affordable housing project with 25 permanentsupportive housing units for those transitioning from homelessness. Aresident talked about her journey from an abusive relationship which led to herbeing un-housed…until finally she was able to move into a brand-new apartmentat a rental rate she could afford by herself! Another shared a story aboutseeing the ripple effect of our projects: in this case, one unit serving asenior who could now take care of their grandchild during the day so theirchild could go to work. Something that makes me proud of our workplace isseeing one of my intern mentees graduate from college and continually developher skills and maturity as a full-time designer working towards herlicense. Why do we do what we do? It’s hard to put feelings into words, but here is anattempt: We want to leave a legacy of inspiring places for people thatcontribute to a sustainable future. We have a diverse and inclusive companythat we love showing up to every day. In short: We envision communities thatconnect people and place, empowering them to write their own stories.

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Celebrating Black History Month: James C. Dodd, Architectural Pioneer

We’re taking the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month this year by sharing the work of a significant driving force for architectural design and innovation in our community – the prolific and trailblazing local architect, James C. Dodd Sr., FAIA. James C. Dodd Sr., FAIA, NOMA, is recognized as Sacramento’s first Black registered architect and is responsible for several architecturally notable buildings around the city. Born in Texas, Dodd received his architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1952 after being discharged from the US Army. Following his relocation to Sacramento, Dodd practiced as a Draftsman with the State Division of Architecture and later joined the local firm Barovetto & Thomas before then starting his own practice, James C. Dodd and Associates. Over the firm’s nearly 40-year span, Dodd’s work gained notoriety in the Mid-Century Modern and Brutalist movements, with many examples of his work later earning a place on local and national registers of historic significance. In the later years of his career, Dodd expanded his practice to include affordable housing developments, places of worship, historic rehabilitation projects, and schools. Dodd was licensed to practice architecture in several states and served on the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges and the Sacramento City Board of Education. Dodd was a founding member and contributed to the Charter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), which still operates to this day. Notable examples of James C. Dodd’s work around Sacramento include the Shiloh Baptist Church, the Sacramento Convention Center complex, renovations to Sacramento High School, and the Nathaniel Colley Building, which served as the law offices of Nathaniel Colley, one of Sacramento’s first Black lawyers and is the current home to the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. Dodd’s contribution to architecture in the Sacramento region and beyond is immeasurable and has had a lasting positive impact on the architectural community as a whole. We are honored to share this field’s space with such a talented, visionary individual and to bring a little piece of his story to you today. Happy Black History Month! #BlackHistoryMonth #JamesCDodd #BlackArchitects #NOMA #Architecture #Engineering #Design #Sacramento

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Broadway 39 Construction Update

Located on Broadway in the historic Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, this project is new construction for affordable senior housing. The Arbors, an affordable senior housing project designed by Mogavero and completed in 2013, is located directly across 39th Street. The unit design, exterior building form, and amenities of Broadway 39 are designed to reflect and complement the neighboring Arbors project from 11 years ago, with the intent that the two projects form one larger community of seniors. Both projects are developed by one of our long-standing developer partners, Related, and are to be managed by the same company, John Stewart Company. The three-story, elevator-served building includes 43 residential units, a community room, management offices, bicycle storage room, trash collection room, and laundry facilities. The apartments are a mixture of studio units and one-bedroom units. The project took advantage of density bonus allowances because of its proximity to one of the best-used bus transit lines that operates along the Stockton Boulevard-Broadway Transit Corridor. The project site is comprised of three parcels making use of land from SHRA as well as property from a neighboring church that has long envisioned more affordable housing in their neighborhood. A public alley separates the two parcels on the west side from the parcel on the east side. The two parcels west of the alley have been merged. The east parcel contains the parking lot. Two additional parking spaces are provided at the west side of the alley. Designed and constructed according to Cal Green standards, this development is all-electric. Solar power will be provided by SMUD’s Neighborhood SolarShares program. The building design incorporates a clean, modern aesthetic that contributes to the urban fabric along the Broadway corridor. Exterior finish materials include stucco, horizontal fiber cement, and limited metal roofing. The exterior color palette includes a base of warm neutrals with bold orange accents at the building entrances. The site design allows several mature trees to remain, including a large oak tree providing shade at the parking lot. Landscape improvements include a community garden, courtyard patio with trellis for barbeques, shade structure with a garden shed, sunken lawn (which serves as both an outdoor amenity space and stormwater detention basin), and water-efficient trees and plants. As we reach the halfway point in the construction schedule, we are excited to share significant milestones achieved over the past six months. The slab and building framing are nearly complete, showcasing the structural foundation of our vision.  On the exterior, the current focus is ensuring a watertight building to allow interior trades to work during the wet winter months. The weather-resistant barrier installation is in the final stages and is set to be completed in early February. Simultaneously, fiber cement siding finish is wrapping up with an anticipated completion date in early February as well. After some rain delays, the TPO roof is being installed and is projected to be completed in mid-February.  The next phases involve rough MEP work, covering of electrical wiring, access control and security, low voltage, and fire alarms. This stage—requiring intricate coordination of multiple trades—is scheduled to kick off in February and extend into March. With all the progress, the building is steadily taking shape. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey with a projected completion date of May 30, 2024!

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Celebrating Jen Winnett’s Success on The Hope Center & Berkeley Way Apartments – AIA East Bay Honors Award & Terwilliger Center Award

Jen Winnett, AIA, LEED GA has brought a tremendous skillset in the field of affordable multifamily housing to our firm since coming aboard in February of 2023. A graduate of UC Berkeley and passionate advocate for sustainable, equitable, and affordable housing, Jen has already positively impacted several major projects with our firm including Mutual Housing California’s much-anticipated new affordable housing development at the site of the former San Juan Motel. Prior to relocating to the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Jen was employed with Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects (LMSA) where her team designed a multifunctional housing and social services project, The Hope Center & Berkeley Way Apartments, in the heart of Berkeley’s downtown. With its doors open to residents in October of 2022, the 206-bed low- & very-low income housing development by BRIDGE Housing & Insight Housing has transformed the Berkeley Way corridor into a place of community engagement and access to vital resources. The population has benefitted from onsite services for mental health, substance abuse treatment, job training, social activities, and daily community meals. In addition to serving as the newest housing and services hub of the neighborhood, the project has recently received some of the industry’s highest architectural accolades. The Hope Center & Berkeley Way Apartments was named the recipient of AIA East Bay’s 2023 Honors Award in the Large Project category, as it exemplifies the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and the meeting of social needs through exemplary design. Earlier this year, the project was also awarded a ULI Americas Terwilliger Center Award for Innovation in Attainable Housing. This award highlights “unique yet replicable developments that offer or preserve deeper affordability,” which the Berkeley Way/Hope Center project accomplishes through the strategic use of multiple funding sources, dynamic collaboration with co-development teams, multi-sector partnership for fulfilling onsite services and amenities, and leading industry environmental standards. Uniting communities and providing life-saving shelter & services to our neighbors is at the heart of what all of us in the affordable housing design field aim to accomplish. Mogavero Architects could not be more proud of Jen and her former colleagues at LMSA on this monumental achievement in our field. Congratulations!

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Ruhstaller Farm Wins AIA Central Valley Regional Recognition Award

Ruhstaller Farm, the nearly 40-acre hop growing and production facility for Ruhstaller Beer, has been awarded the 2023 AIA Central Valley Regional Recognition Award! The annual Regional Recognition Award selects a project from AIACV’s 17-county membership area through a nomination process by Chapter members. This prestigious design award acknowledges a project’s embodiment of regional vernacular and expression of local architectural significance. Located in Dixon, California, this unique project exemplifies the Central Valley’s farm-to-table fame by hosting every step of the entire beer production process onsite. The site features a hopyard, kilnpicker, brewhouse, and a taproom open to the public where guests can enjoy live music, food trucks, and, of course, beer! Mogavero Architects partnered with JE Paino of Ruhstaller to repurpose an existing structure on the former Wellco Manufacturing site into facilities for the drying and processing of the hops grown in the surrounding fields. The site also features a 1,000 square foot open-air taproom with space to accommodate 150 guests. Ruhstaller Beer is the only brewery in California that grows the majority of its own hops, so it is a true joy to have worked on this special project for them. We are incredibly proud of JE and his team and beyond honored to have received this recognition from AIA Central Valley!