Mountain Resort Architecture, Mammoth Lakes, CA, US, Architect

STEPHEN B. KABALA, ARCHITECT

The practice was established in the Sierra Nevada ski resort community of Mammoth Lakes in 1985 to provide turn-key planning and design consultation for a wide variety of project types, with special emphasis on mountain resort architecture in alpine regions of heavy snow, and the high desert; split between residential and commercial assignments in areas which receive more than 300 inches of annual snow fall or as little as 2 inches of rainfall per year. The average construction valuation of design projects exceeds $3 million.

In addition to Public Works; Educational; Health Care; and Hospitality, the Architect has successfully completed several Remediation projects to correct for winterization design and construction deficiencies and defects. These have been exceptionally challenging propositions due to the technical nature of the forensic investigation necessary to identify the origins of the building failures.

Client communications are essential to a successful project delivery. Program needs and client expectations are evaluated against the available construction budget, each in terms of the other. Site parameters are then established which factor viewshed and visibility; micro climate and hydrology; topography; circulation; security. Project context is an essential planning priority; the principles of Site Repair embrace a philosophy that no building exists in isolation in the world, and the successful project is the one which recognizes the opportunities to repair the contextual fabric around the new building, in and how as it is being made by the new building.

Prototypical solutions are explored early in the design process. These are then evaluated against a matrix which includes logic, function, durability, aesthetics, labor and materials availability in remote locations, sustainable design and construction principles; cost. The most promising of these solutions are then presented to the client at periodic milestone progress completion reviews established early on.

Prior to relocation to the Sierra Eastside, the Architect was employed by several San Francisco-based Architectural and Engineering firms, for 11 years; these offices ranged in staffing levels from small to very large, and their project types included banking; retail/sales; research and development; heavy manufacturing.

REGISTRATION

California Architect 1982
NCARB 1988

EDUCATION

University of California, Berkeley B.A. Architecture 1978

Continuing Education
“Mountain Resort Design” Whistler Centre for the Arts, Whistler, B.C.
“Identifying Trends and Opportunities in Mountain Resorts,” Vail, CO
“Low Slope Roofing,” NCARB monograph
“Sustainable Design,” NCARB monograph
“ADA Compliant Design,” AIA webinar

INTERESTS
Alpine and Nordic skiing, winter mountaineering; rock climbing; hiking; anthropology.
Expeditions: 1980 Popocatepetl, Mexico 17,800'; 2007 EuroAm North Pearlyland, Greenland 83.40.44 north latitude

University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, US, Bachelors, Architect

1 year grad studies +
Continuing Education
“Mountain Resort Design” Whistler Centre for the Arts, Whistler, B.C.
“Identifying Trends and Opportunities in Mountain Resorts,” Vail, CO
“Low Slope Roofing,” NCARB monograph
“Sustainable Design,” NCARB monograph
“ADA Compliant Design,” AIA webinar

INTERESTS
Alpine and Nordic skiing, winter mountaineering; rock climbing; hiking; anthropology.
Expeditions: 1980 Popocatepetl, Mexico 17,800'; 2007 EuroAm North Pearlyland, Greenland 83.40.44 north latitude