IN THE BEGINNING…
I’ve always had this inexplicable yearning to transform mundane objects into interesting and useful things. I distinctly remember finding a block of wood one day and turning it into a very cool game. I was in the fourth grade. That was when I knew I wanted to become an architect.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the influence Mike Brady had on me as well. The Brady Bunch was one of the most popular shows on television at the time and there was something about Mr. Brady’s character that intrigued me. He was an architect, a seemingly nice guy, a good husband, and dad, and he had a pretty groovy drafting table. Like most kids growing up in the 70’s, there was a part of me that wanted to be a little bit Brady. Perhaps that explains why now, 40-something years later, one of my favorite shirts is the one my wife refers to as my “Bobby Brady shirt.”
GETTING EQUIPPED & REALIZING MY STRENGTHS
In 1994, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona and began my career working alongside some of the most well-respected architects in the nation, as an employee of Altevers Associates, Safdie Rabines + Moshe Safdie, and my home of 15 years, Studio E Architects. I worked on projects for the Affirmed Housing Group, Charities Housing and charter school visionaries including Escondido Charter High School founder, Coach Dennis Snyder and High Tech High School founder, Larry Rosenstock, as well as UCSD, SDSU, San Diego Unified School District, Murrieta Valley Unified School District, and Santa Ana Unified School District
Along the way, I developed every skill needed to run an architecture project of any size from start to finish–from contracts to drawing software to code review and construction oversight. I also learned how much I loved designing charter schools and affordable housing. Not only do these projects often welcome creative opportunities, they also tend to attract clients who share my appreciation for meaningful work and long-term professional relationships where my creative skills are used to solve problems with accuracy and efficiency.
Some of my favorite projects to date include CASA affordable housing and Escondido Charter High School.
THE BIG LEAP
In 2017, a client from the past found me and invited me to apply my experience in modular housing to design an affordable housing development using shipping containers. The writing was on the wall: it was time to start my own firm. And so I did.
I’ve always been one to choose names purposefully. I’ve also always believed my faith intertwines with every aspect of life — be it my role as an architect or a father and everything in between. That’s why my children are named Joshua (God saved me), Josiah (God healed me), and Ella (God completed me). The inspiration behind the name of my company came from Matthew 5:16 which says, “let your good works shine that they might see them and glorify your Father in heaven.”
GLO Architecture was born.
Within a matter of a few short months, GLO Architecture grew from not just me, but an amazingly talented team privileged to serve clients such as Abode Services, Affirmed Housing Group and Bridge Housing. We’re committed to creating affordable housing solutions in economically challenging communities and educational environments that foster learning, creativity, innovation, and relationships.
