Directed by principals Kava Massih, Jerry Mastora and Mark Schlientz, and senior associate Mary Young-Williams, Kava Massih Architects has been a driving force behind a wide range of innovative architectural designs in the Bay Area since its founding. The firm does not focus exclusively on one building type, but applies the totality of the staff’s collective experience to many different kinds of projects. The firm has completed a wide variety of projects including public institutions, commercial buildings, market rate and affordable housing, and highly specialized medical facilities. This studied flexibility is an essential skill when designing for challenging urban sites or where existing structures must be incorporated into a rehabilitation project or preserved.
Like much new construction in the Bay Area, many KMA projects are located in former industrial areas that are now transitioning into vibrant mixed-used and residential districts. The Sierra—an eleven-story, 500,000 sq ft mixed-use development comprised of ground floor retail, 227 loft-style condominium units, a recreational facility, and three levels of parking, occupying an entire city block—is an excellent example of a project that incorporates industrial scale and detailing with residential warmth, helping bridge the gaps between formerly disparate areas of the city.
The firm has also focused on working with many non-profit groups and educational institutions. Principal Kava Massih often donates additional services and time to help non-profits secure financing through grants and fundraising efforts. We are adept at expediting the approval process by investigating and addressing community concerns early in the design process. This kind of commitment to clients and the community has helped the firm establish long-term working relationships with both private clients and public institutions.
We believe in a holistic approach to design which allows a balance between the current needs of our clients and a respect for the future needs of the planet. We fully understand that sustainable development needs to be an integrated process involving all members of the project team. Commitment to a sustainable process leads to a high quality product with minimal impact on the environment and a solid return on investment.
