Mark Cavagnero Associates Architects

Mark Cavagnero, FAIA, founded Mark Cavagnero Associates in 1988, and has guided its growth into a design-centered practice serving clients internationally. His work embodies a timeless quality, visible in a broad range of renovation and new construction work. Mark is focused on creating tangible spaces that encourage the ephemeral aspects of human interactions.

As the founding principal of the firm, Mark provides leadership over the design of all projects within the office. He brings over three decades of expertise in the planning, design, and construction and has been recognized for seamlessly integrating environmental, cultural, and contextual strategies to curate a holistic design approach, through various building types from education, museums, civic buildings, theaters, and residential buildings.

His projects are known for careful attention to balanced natural light through all parts of the building, in support of activities and wellness of the occupants. Mark Cavagnero Associates’ approach in design has garnered the firm more than 200 awards from international, national, state, and local organizations.

Mark has personally been recognized with the AIACC 2010 Distinguished Practice Award and the AIACC 2015 Maybeck Award for outstanding lifetime achievement, among many other accolades. He is currently engaged on projects including the San Francisco Symphony Renovation and Addition, New Embassy Compound in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, New Embassy Compound in Tallinn, Estonia, St. Ignatius College Preparatory New Learning Commons, Laney College Library and Learning Resource Center, West Valley College Learning Resource Center, Gene Friend Recreation Center, and more.

As Managing Principal at Mark Cavagnero Associates, Kang Kiang, FAIA is responsible for direct oversight for multiple market sectors, overall office management, marketing, business development, PR, and implementations of firm wide goals and objectives. Kang oversees and control operations and activities to promote achievement of the firm’s design oriented objective. In this capacity, he has been leading and positioning the firm to take on innovative design, supported by research and collaboration on projects worldwide. He assists and leads design presentations, monitor project development and provides direction and support to ensure consistent and high quality firm wide output.

Kang has led numerous award winning design projects, including the California Academy of Sciences (LEED Platinum), UCSF, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Neurosciences Building, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Bowes Center for Performing Arts, and SFJAZZ Center among others.

 

A thoughtful advocate for client-centered design in both the institutional and educational realms for more than 20 years, John brings a unique balance of technical expertise and design insight to our practice. As the office leader in evolving trends for learning environments, John’s expertise crosses formal and informal learning environments in working closely with our higher education clients. He recognizes and solves technical problems as they arise with a sense of clarity and creativity, while keeping an eye on the cohesive design behind the project. John ensures that the original design intent is met and the architecture and engineering disciplines are well-documented and coordinated. John is a true asset to our clients, our firm, and the many award-winning projects that he manages.

John has directed numerous award winning projects in the office including the Oakland Museum of California, Creative Arts Building at SF State University, Burbank Auditorium at Santa Rosa Junior College, Saint Mary’s Student Chapel, and College of Marin Academic Center.

As a Principal with over 20 years of experience, Brandon has a diverse portfolio of public and private sector projects. He has worked on several award-winning projects including the Clovis Memorial District Conference Center, Marin Horizon School, Park City Museum, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, The Terrace at the California Academy of Sciences, and the Moscone Center Expansion.

Brandon has a wealth of experience managing complex projects of varying scale and typology throughout all phases of design and construction. As a generalist, he collaborates closely with clients to achieve their goals while carefully balancing design clarity, thorough technical execution, and nimble management. His current efforts focus on the corporate and hospitality realm as he directs the global design of Salesforce’s unique workplace and specialty event spaces stretching across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Mandy has more than 15 years of experience in financial accounting for architectural and engineering firms. She started her career at RIM Architects in Anchorage, Alaska and later relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2011. She joined Mark Cavagnero Associates in 2019 as the firm's Controller and was promoted to Associate Principal in 2023. She currently oversees the accounting department, business operations, human resources, and manages the admin staff. Throughout her career, she has also implemented firm-wide software conversions and established organizational policies and procedures.

Outside of the office, Mandy believes in the impact of giving her time to nonprofit community groups. She enjoys volunteering her time with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Marine Mammal Center, CANstruction, and LEAP Sandcastle.

Felicia is an Associate Principal and joined the firm in 2008. She has over 30 years of experience on public and private sector work and oversaw the completion of several of the firm's award-winning projects such as The Hamlin School, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera, Whole Foods Market, Oklahoma City, and all 4 phases of Oakland Museum of California's renovation and additions. Prior to joining Mark Cavagnero Associates, she worked on the design and construction of the iconic California Academy of Sciences. She is adept at managing big, complex projects which often includes getting consensus with large client and community groups. She is highly sensitive when integrating historic and new building elements and values the importance of placemaking for communities, particularly in the Bay Area. She currently manages several key San Francisco projects for the firm including Congregation Emanu-El, Gene Friend Recreation Center, and SF Water Department Headquarters.

Paul is an Associate Principal and joined the firm in 2007. He has over 20 years of wide ranging experience in higher education, civic, lab, healthcare, and cultural projects delivered in a variety of procurement methods. As a generalist by nature, he strives to unite the design ambition and technical implementation on projects to create elegant, holistic solutions attuned with the client’s goals. He managed several of the firm's award-winning projects such as the Arc Institute, UCSF Joan & Sanford Weill Neurosciences Building, Mammoth Lakes Courthouse, Palo Alto Arts Center, and UC Berkeley Durant Hall. He is currently working on the Gene Friend Recreation Center and the San Mateo County Hall of Justice projects.

Christopher brings over 20 years of professional experience in a range of projects in the US, Europe, and Asia/Pacific — including academic, cultural, workplace, and residential sectors. Christopher has led a number of the firms key projects including the Davies Symphony Hall Renovation & Addition, Torrington History Education Center, 1687 Artist Hub on Market, California State Capital Visitor Center, Salesforce Plaza, and numerous specialty projects for Salesforce worldwide. His keen design sensibilities are complemented by strong 3D and graphics skills, all the while anchored by his thorough understanding of construction and technical detailing. Through rational design and well-coordinated documentation, he strives to achieve design clarity and excellence for all his projects.

Federica has nearly 20 years of experience in workplace programming, space planning, interior architecture, and furniture solutions. Working with clients to find innovative solutions to complex design problems, she always seeks to create elegant and progressive spaces that enrich the lives of the people who work and live in them. She is highly skilled at translating user needs into responsive places of beauty and high performance. With vast experience in design and client management from its onset to construction, including finish and furniture selections as well as branding design, she is able to ensure the efficiency of the entire design execution process. Federica currently oversees a number of interiors projects for the firm, including the new SF Water Department Headquarters and several private residential projects in San Francisco.

Christopher joined Mark Cavagnero Associates in 2016 and brings over 20 years of professional experience working on diverse projects in the U.S., Europe, and Asia - including workplace, cultural institutions, educational facilities, transit centers, and master planning. As a Senior Associate, he currently manages the design of New Embassy Compounds for the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations. His international body of work reinforces his collaborative approach to design and commitment to shepherding his client's visions. Prior to joining the firm, he was a Director at Bernard Tschumi Architects for over 10 years where he worked on a number or award-winning projects including Le Rosey Concert Hall, New Hague Passage, Flon Intermodal Transit Center, and the New Acropolis Museum. He also taught at Columbia University, University of Detroit Mercy, and served as an invited critic at the University of Michigan, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Georgia Tech, and the University of Maryland. Chris is an active board member of Design Corp - a public interest non-profit organization that uses design, advocacy, and education to shape the environments of undeserved communities.

Katy has been working in the AE field for over 20 years, including 4 years as a structural engineer earlier in her career prior to becoming an architect. This unique blend of design and technical skills combined with her experience on a wide variety of project types, enables her to work collaboratively with design, construction, and client teams. She is highly skilled at managing the design of complex projects. She builds consensus among groups of stakeholders to define and achieve project goals and leads projects through the design, entitlement, and construction phases. Prior to joining the office, her experience focused on commercial, adaptive-reuse projects in San Francisco. At Mark Cavagnero Associates, she has worked as a project manager for tenant improvement and new construction projects for nonprofit organizations such as the LightHouse for the Blind, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Currently she is overseeing Hawkins Treasure Island - a 175-unit, multi-family housing project in San Francisco.

Since joining the firm in 2013, Ellen worked on a wide range of projects, with her most significant contributions focused on academic and civic buildings. Her prior experience includes residential, high-rise, and boutique sectors. She brings an energetic yet practical perspective to all of her projects, striving to unite the client’s goals with thoughtful, well-detailed design. She is adept at managing large stakeholder groups, particularly process-focused organizations like universities and city governments. As an Associate of the firm, she currently leads the West Valley College Learning Resources Center and SF Water Division Headquarters projects.

Amy joined Mark Cavagnero Associates in 2017 and has over 15 years of professional experience. Prior to joining the firm, Amy worked in New York City on a diverse range of projects, including timber-framed construction, high-end residential, artist spaces, and commercial interiors. Her experience has included complex renovations, often of landmarked or historically sensitive sites, and she enjoys the process of reimagining and transforming spaces to bring them life, beauty, and utility. Through her high attention to detail and leadership in collaboratively solving design challenges, Amy strives for excellence in all her projects. She currently leads the renovation of Congregation Emanu-El, an iconic Arthur Brown Jr. building in San Francisco.

Christopher is an Associate and has nearly 30 years of diverse experience ranging from large institutional to small residential projects. As a native of New York City, he practiced on the east coast for 20 years before settling in the Bay Area. Since joining the firm in 2018, he has focused on museum and education projects. For each, he carefully manages large stakeholder groups and ensures the design intent is well-executed throughout its design and construction. He currently oversees the design of the New Learning Commons for the prestigious St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in San Francisco.