Belli Architectural Group is a second-generation architectural firm
with roots in the Salinas Valley that go back 60 years. Their buildings
stand the test of time, and so do their client relationships.
Integrity, attention to detail and smart designs are three constants in
BAG projects that are as diverse as their clients. Whether designing
retail shops, schools or agricultural buildings, the first step—
and second and third step—is listening to the client. What is the
purpose of this building? What do the people who will work in this
building need to do, and will the design of the building help them
do it better? Can we achieve our goals—and save money—by using
sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs? How does this
building fit with the client’s overall goals and future plans?
“It’s not about us and what we want to design,” says Principal
Architect Lino Belli. “It’s about designing a building that works for
our client.”
To do that, he says, his creative team becomes like an extension of
the client company or organization, working in close collaboration
with those who will work in the space. While the client knows his
or her business, BAG knows buildings, how they are designed, how
they go together and how they work when completed.
It’s that expertise, and long-term perspective, that enables BAG
to ask the questions that need to be asked, questions the client
might not have thought of, but that make the difference between
a design that works for now and a building that holds its value
for generations.