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Christopher Coates, AIA, NCARB

Christopher Coates, AIA, NCARB

Los Angeles, CA, US

 
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About 

Licensed Architect (17+years) with knowledge of federal, state and local housing programs influencing all forms of California and Texas housing projects. Strong ability to synthesize layered zoning, state density laws, and tax credit requirements for best path towards meeting clients needs. 

Demonstrated history of Leading, Management, and Mentoring in the Architecture & Planning industry. Veteran in Master Planning and Design of Mixed-Use Multi-Family Housing, Type V, Type III, Type I, Affordable, and Modular Housing project types. 

Skilled in Revit, AutoCAD, Feasibility Studies, Mixed-use, Residential, Student Housing, and Sustainable Design. Strong Programming and Project Planning, Production Drawing Management, Construction Administration and Project Management professional with a Master of Architecture (M.Arch II) focused in Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Employment 

HED, Los Angeles, Associate - Project Architect

• Housing + Mixed-Use Sector Lead Designer for various housing projects. Including Affordable, Mixed-Income, Market-Rate, and Mixed-Use housing programs.
• Creating, Leading, and Curating architectural vision and design among all California and Texas housing projects.
• Knowledge of federal, State and Local affordable housing laws surrounding density and streamlined entitlement processing. Ability to synthesize layered zoning, state density laws, and tax credit requirements for best path towards meeting clients needs.
• Leading and Managing design teams in zoning research, programming, creating detailed feasibility studies, and entitlement processing. Ultimately, leading towards the generation and creation of architectural vision for various housing project types.
• Assisting clients with programming. Advising and consultancy with local zoning laws and regulations.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining positive client relationships throughout project duration. Keeping clients appraised of all project updates and progress.
• Providing architectural representation at community/neighborhood meetings and public hearings.
• Extensive experience in apartment design (i.e...unit plan, unit layouts).
• Active Mentorship toward growing experience and developing skill sets among colleagues.

Jun 2021 - current
 

Universal Standard Housing, Los Angeles, CA, US, Development Architect

• In-house Lead Designer establishing principles and methods of practicing Architecture for a Modular Affordable Housing Developer
• Leading the execution in creating Vision for modular affordable apartment buildings of various sizes.
• Working alongside the VP of Design, to conceptualize, program and design efficient and cost effective projects.
• Working alongside the Acquisitions Division to assist Pro-Forma development based upon early Zoning and Site Studies.
• Creating Feasibility Studies (aka Fit Plans) for potential sites, accompanied by Construction Takeoff Data & Soft Cost Analyses.
• Working alongside the Construction Division to assist and provide vital design information (aka expectations) for cost estimation development and refinement.
• Ultimately, working alongside both the Acquisitions and Construction Division in conceptualizing efficient and cost effective projects to populate the development pipeline with potential sites.
• Creating Vision, Programming and Design of projects for various Surplus Land RFPs
• Analytical understanding of Los Angeles Zoning Code, Specific Plans, and Community Plans (CPIOs)
• Analytical understanding of Los Angeles and California Affordable Housing Initiatives (including SB-1818, SB-330, SB-35, & AB-2556)
• Providing Design expertise towards further refinement and development of standard module unit types.

May 2020 - Dec 2020
 

KFA Architecture, Los Angeles, CA, US, Senior Project Designer

Sr. Project Designer of multiple projects, simultaneously, in key design phases (Concept Design, Schematic Design, Pre-Permit Entitlement & Design Development)
• Senior Project Designer producing drawings, exhibits and illustrations to entitle 454 Permanent Supportive Housing apartments across a 5 building campus-style masterplan. Located in Los Angeles (Rampart Village Neighborhood).
• Working with Design Partner, for Conceptual Site Plan Review (Long Beach) to entitle two mid-rise market-rate apartment towers.
• Working with Design Partner, while leading and managing design teams in zoning research, programming, creating detailed feasibility studies and generating architectural vernaculars and styles.
• Experienced in client programming, advising and consultancy regarding local planning and zoning laws and regulations.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining positive client relationships throughout project duration. Keeping clients appraised of all project updates and progress.
• Keen on advising clients of potential development hardships and obstacles based upon thorough review of zoning and overlay zones (if applicable).
• Providing architectural representation at community/neighborhood meetings and public hearings.
• Extensive experience in apartment design (i.e................. unit plan, unit layouts).

Mar 2019 - May 2020
 

MVE + Partners, Inc., Irvine, CA, US, Senior Project Designer

• Design Manager & Sr. Project Designer of multiple projects, simultaneously, in all design phases (Concept Design, Schematic Design, Pre-Permit Entitlement & Design Development)
• Lead team member of progressing multiple projects through entitlement documentation and submissions. These projects total over 2 million square feet of mixed-use multi-family housing (both Type I, Type III & Type V construction types).
• Senior Project Designer and Lead team member of producing drawings, exhibits and illustrations to entitle a student housing project including 606 beds spread amongst two buildings.
• Working with Design Principals, while leading and managing design teams in zoning research, programming, creating detailed feasibility studies and generating architectural vernaculars and styles.
• Working with Design Principals, while leading and managing the preparation, submission and presentation of various pre-permit entitlement submissions, (i.e. Design Review Boards, Planning Commissions & City Council Commissions)
• Working with Design Principals in developing approaches to create specific, yet appropriate design styles and vernaculars for multiple project sizes and types.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining positive client relationships throughout project duration. Keeping clients appraised of all project updates and progress.
• Responsible for communication, management and coordination with multiple consultants to ensure incorporation of all design information into project requirements and providing support as necessary through Concept, Schematic and Design Development phases.

Aug 2014 - Mar 2019
 

DFH Architects, LLP, Project Designer/Manager

- Project Designer and Manager of pre-permit entitlement preparation and submissions for over 147,000 square feet of multi-family (mixed-use) buildings within Santa Monica.
- Project Designer and Manager through all phases of design and construction for over 147,000 square feet of multi-family (mixed-use) buildings within Santa Monica.
- Project Designer and Manager through all phases of design and construction for over 30,000 square feet of built Office Interiors & Retail; 21,000 square feet of built Historic Adaptive Reuse to Hospitality Program; and 3,000 square feet of built Single Family Residential programs.
- Project Designer and Job Captain (under supervision) of various stages for over 610,000 square feet of multi-family (mixed-use) buildings.
- Leadership and Management in the preparation, submission and presentation of various pre-permit entitlements, (i.e. landmark commissions, coastal commission, Santa Monica Planning Commission, SM City Council & SM Architectural Review Board)
- Leadership and Management in the production of Design Development, Construction Documents & Details.
- Leadership & Management in the coordination of project consultants, in-house project coordination and in-house project schedules.
- As a LEED AP BD+C, I am positioned to inform clientele & contractors/builders on various LEED practices and procedures. LEED Homes, LEED-NC, LEED-Multi-Family, LEED-Core & Shell

Oct 2007 - Aug 2014
 

Johnson Fain, Junior Designer

Participation in team-oriented projects. Various project type experience including, Urban Planning, Resort Design and Planning, Project Feasibility Studies, and Architectural Design Competitions. Additional assistance in marketing phases of various projects. Projects included high profile and visibility buildings and planning with locations throughout the world.

Jun 2007 - Oct 2007
 

Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc., Architectural Designer

Duties included participation in team-oriented design processes, coordination and production of the contract documents, including computer drafting. Additionally, providing assistance in marketing phases, which included the coordination with private developers. Projects included Condo Residence Conversions, Office Interiors, and Workplace programs.

Jan 2007 - Jun 2007
 

BFGC Architectcs Planners, Inc., Architectural Designer

Duties included participation in team-oriented design processes, coordination and production of the contract documents, including computer drafting. Additionally, providing assistance in marketing phases, which included the coordination with private developers. Projects included Condo Residence Conversions, Office Interiors, and Workplace programs.

May 2006 - Sep 2006
 

Education 

Harvard University, MArch, Architecture

Please note Masters Degree is MArch II - Post (second) Professional Degree

Sep 2005 - Jun 2007
 

Woodbury University, BArch, Architecture

Accredited BArch Degree received.

Aug 2000 - May 2005
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills