Archinect
Mark Vacha

Mark Vacha

San Diego, CA, US

 

About 

A good architect is not only a good listener, but a catalyst for the client’s vision.  My job is to make your dreams a reality. Each design is unique because each client is unique, built around your needs and goals. It is a team approach between architect and owner, beginning with your visions, and then translated into architectural ideas through the design process. In our project together, I strive for an appropriate use of light, space, form and material to create an architecture not only for you, but fit in to the natural and built environment around it.  The results are homes which are not only responsive then to your needs, but also exceed expectations.

Designing a home is an exciting, challenging, and often, once-in-a-lifetime experience. To help you visualize the evolution of the design, I am willing to use whatever techniques are most instructive, from hand rendering to computer-aided renderings, to three-dimensional scale modeling.  And during construction I help watch over the work to make sure the only surprises are good ones.

Elsewhere:

Employment 

mvacha design, San Diego, CA, US, Owner/Architect

I have designed and managed custom residential homes to commercial projects out of state. I am nationally certified through NCARB and currently licensed in CA, OH, and NV. The use of BIM has been invaluable to running a small firm competing against larger competition. One example was the full coordination of a 20,000 SF 7-plex movie theatre out of state to be completed on-time, on budget with minimal change orders and RFIs. In the design and permitting of a 5200 SF modern beach home, BIM allowed me to explode the building and explain the unique construction to the building department to help them understand and approve the project. It further assisted the contractors both in bidding and building the structures.

Feb 2006 - current
 

House & Dodge Design, San Diego, CA, US, Job Captain/Project Manager

House & Dodge was a small five-person firm specializing in high-end, custom residential. I was involved in design and production of residences in Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla. My largest project was personally completing a 17,000 s.f. house in Rancho Santa Fe of a 230 sheet set, full specifications, and consultant coordination in 5 months, with subsequent construction administration.

Jun 2003 - Feb 2006
 

Poss Architecture + Planning, Aspen, CO, US, Job Captain/Intermediate Designer,

For 30 years, Poss has specialized in all phases of residential and resort architecture. I provided a supporting role on the new Grand Aspen Hotel, Job Captain for Tippler Condominiums, Job Captain for the 8,000 s.f. Evans Residence, and complete interiors package for the 20,000 SF, $25M Weitz Residence. Poss Architecture was a beta test site for SketchUp prior to its release to the public and subsequent purchase by Google, Inc.

Apr 2001 - Aug 2002
 

North Park Studio, Middleburg Heights, OH, US, Project Manager/Designer

North Park Studio was a two person firm. I created all working drawings, coordinated with consultants & suppliers, put together proposals and presentations, developed ideas from schematic design thru full contract documents, and providing construction administration. Our largest project included full services across 2 1/2 years for a five-phase, 100,000 s.f. residential complex for the Sisters of St. Joseph. With NPS, I also acted as Project Manager for Cuyahoga Community College for the 1999 calendar year.

May 1996 - Feb 2000
 

Education 

Kent State University, Kent, OH, US, BArch, Architecture

Jun 1989 - Jun 1993
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills