PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CRISTINA FACIO, RA AIA NCARB LEED GA
318 Velarde Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Tel: 310.291.1233
Cristina Facio has over 30 years of experience as a Registered Architect. As principal of an architectural firm, consultant and director of other companies, she has set up Architectural Offices and managed multiple projects within budget and timeline success. Regardless of the size or type of project, her commitment and involvement in each project remains professional, passionate and successful. As Design Manager, Project Manager and Construction Manager, Ms. Facio has managed and overseen projects throughout all levels of planning, design and construction.
- A variety of these projects include commercial with retail and offices, restaurants, condominiums, hospitality, multi-family and high-end custom single family residences. Her experience also includes working on hospitals, public schools, mixed use and residential developments, extensive interior architecture work and tenant improvements, in particular corporate offices, banks, airports and most recently industrial projects.
R.J. Heisenbottle Architects – Coral Gables, FL 9/2015 to present
Senior Architect / Sr. Project Manager
As Senior Project Manager for this firm, I worked on Pinecrest Community Center Renovation and Addition from the Conceptual Design through Construction Administration. The project’s overall 21,600 sf included a 7,100 sf addition and a 7,500 sf renovation within a $5 million budget, including FF&E. A unique project included the Historic Shrine Building for Crystal Cruises Tenant Improvements showcase displays, materials showroom and a Grand Hall to exhibit their custom residential cruise suites. A restaurant with lounge and outdoor dining were part of the Design and CD package.
C. Facio Architects - Santa Monica, CA 1/2000-11/2012; 4/2014-8/2015
Principal, Design Architect, Sr. Project Manager, Construction Manager, Property Development and Consultant
As principal of this architectural firm, all the projects were designed, developed, coordinated with consultants and managed through bid/negotiations and construction.
-From inception to completion, each project was uniquely and specifically designed and managed to support sustainable green building design and budget, the particulars of the client, the site and its surroundings.
- Developed and oversaw projects throughout all levels of planning, design and construction.
- I was especially successful in the development of challenged and substandard properties.
- Maintain each project’s design, time schedule and construction costs, while the projects are well coordinated and managed with the engineers, consultants and contractors throughout the design phases, construction documents, bidding and Construction Administration and lease coordination when applicable.
- A variety of these projects include commercial with retail and offices, restaurants, condominiums, hospitality, multi-family and high-end custom single family residences. My experience also includes working on hospitals, public schools, mixed use and residential developments and extensive interior architecture and TI work, in particular corporate offices, banks and airports.
- As an Architectural Consultant, assisted a small firm with pre-designed projects in preparation of Construction Documents.
- Design and Project Manage projects through Construction Documents, Bid/Negotiations and Construction Management on New Construction, Renovations, Additions and Remodels on Single Family Residences in Santa Monica and the West Los Angeles area. Some projects included Design/Build services.
- As a Project Liaison consultant to a school District, I was involved in the facilitation and coordination of four of Santa Monica school’s new construction project activities which included Edison Elementary School, John Adams Middle School, Lincoln Middle School and Santa Monica High School; reviewed Project Costs and budgets, identifying that they were within proper scope; processed Pay Applications, Invoicing and related documents including Work Orders, Purchase Orders, Change Orders, Substantial Completion Requests and other related documentation. Prepared claim findings, provided specific site project needs such as temporary parking provisions needed during the construction phase and CA services.
- As Architect/Owner/Builder, I designed, developed and built a legal substandard R2 lot in Santa Monica, CA creating a single family two story residence with a subterranean garage and basement and lofts opening to two private roof decks. Approval of setback variances allowed the front of the building to align with the neighboring Montana Avenue setbacks, providing a large rear court yard maximizing the open space among its R1 neighbors.
- Challenged with many constraints, including a reduced budget and time schedule, I hired all contractors and subs, and as construction manager I oversaw the entire construction, scheduled all subcontractors and trades, bid and negotiated all contracts, ordered all materials and worked closely with the City of Santa Monica to get inspections approved in a timely manner. The residence was designed as a green building with natural sun and cross ventilation provided from the SW patio into a four level atrium, which became an architectural lighthouse feature as a beacon at the end of the street. It was exhibited and included in the City of Santa Monica’s Green Building tours.
- Designed and developed a legal substandard R3 lot in Santa Monica, CA to allow maximum building area for a two unit, 3 story condominium building with a large roof deck off lofts and parking in a subterranean garage.
- Approval of multiple variances granting modified setbacks and approved parking was the success in bringing this property in conformance with the surrounding properties’ allowed building envelope.
- The building was designed with one unit per floor to enjoy natural light, ventilation and views with exposures on all sides. Both units have their own “green” space in the front garden, patios and private entry off Idaho Avenue.
- Construction Documents, Specifications, Bidding and pulling building permits were completed for the project.
Designed and developed a new Retail and Office Building for an existing commercial project on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, CA. Processes thru the Planning Department for different approvals became a critical step in seeing the project’s final design outcome and success. As Project Manager, expedited the preparation of Construction Documents, coordinating all consultants; as Construction Manager oversaw the project’s schedule, coordinated subcontracts, etc. and after completion, took a lead role in leasing the retail and office spaces as the final process taken with this project. The project gained extra interior square footage, creating an additional retail space.
URS Corporation Architecture Department – Los Angeles, CA 11/2012 to 3/2014
Senior Architect / AOR / Project Manager / Interim Department Manager
As Project Manager of the Architecture/MEP Department within the URS Corporation, my role was to manage, oversee, coordinate and schedule the projects in order to maintain a seamless work flow, schedule and meet project deadlines.
As Interim Department Manager, the Architectural/MEP Department was set up with new positions in order to maintain an upward growth within the Department. I provided training and mentoring for the Intern Designers towards becoming Projects Architects, including review of NCARB IDP Programs. As the Department’s AOR, I oversaw all Building Department Submittals.
As the Department’s Senior Project Manager, a primary role was to:
As Senior Architect, AOR and Project Manager, I oversaw many different types of projects:
Wolfgang Puck Food Company, Design Group - Santa Monica, CA 2/1993 – 6/1999
Director of Architecture, Design Architect, Sr. Project Manager, Construction Manager
- Created the Design Group, an in-house Architectural and Interior Design Department, initially set up to document an existing original Wolfgang Puck Café restaurant design concept and items created by the owner.
- As Director of the Design Group, we developed new designs by simplifying and prototyping details and materials in order to standardize the WPFC style for production and cost efficiency with vendors and manufacturers.
- Developed the Asian restaurant concept, ObaChine, using a more upscale design with natural materials such as brick, wood and copper for a warm ambiance.
- Developed the Wolfgang Puck Grand Café in which the Architectural and Interior Designs were toned down from the original concept to support the new Exhibition Kitchen, Sushi Bar, with food and wine display areas.
- Successfully created a more upscale restaurant with new design elements, warmer use of colors and natural materials and furnishings that allowed a more versatile clientele to experience the restaurant’s newer features.
- Hired and oversaw all Architectural and Engineering Consultants, and originally did all the bid/negotiation processes to assist with the General Contractor selection, including processing all Requests for Payments, Change Orders and punch list items prior to approving Substantial Completion. Mentored the in-house staff through Construction Administration and did Construction Management for a number of the initial projects.
- Project Managed the in-house Architects and Interior Designer. Established the Design Group Department’s standard forms, created the Interior Design Specifications Books, I.D. Purchase Orders and a Maintenance Book to reorder all I.D. items which allowed for efficiency with a reduced department size, and were used for all franchises.
- Participated in the expansion of the restaurants within prominent retail shopping centers working with the landlords and real estate departments throughout Southern California and other out of state locations. Worked closely with the in-house Real Estate Department, creating a lease exhibit of the restaurants’ requirements to use for negotiations at all locations. Worked with landlords in order to obtain maximum TI allowance and negotiated signage, site and building conditions to obtain the best circumstances for each individual restaurant.
- Oversaw the Projects’ Architectural Development from Conceptual Design through Construction Administration on all completed projects which included 12 Wolfgang Puck Cafés, 3 Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafés, 3 Obachine Restaurants, 5 Airport Wolfgang Puck Expresses, 4 Wolfgang Puck “grab and go’s” at Gelson’s Markets, among numerous other completed designs and projects that did not make it into construction.
C. Facio Architects - Santa Monica, CA 10/1991-2/1993
Principal, Design Architect, Project Manager, Construction Manager, Consulting Services
- Designed and provided construction management for a Miami Beach, FL condominium remodel, from hiring of all the sub contractors to selection and purchase of all materials, fixtures, appliances, cabinetry and finishes.
- Provided Schematic Design Services for 22 hospitality suites on two consecutive floors of a high-rise condominium conversion in Miami Beach. With limited square footage and double height ceilings, the units were designed to maximize the volumetric aspect of the space.
- Preparation of feasibility studies for several development properties in Los Angeles, CA.
- Provided Consulting Architectural Services in Design, Construction Documentation and Project Management in Retail Projects for Thane Roberts, AIA Architects in Santa Monica, Ca.
Grinstein/Daniels Architects - Los Angeles, CA 8/1987-10/1991
Sr. Project Manager, Design Architect
- As Sr. Project Manager, I created and implemented standard office forms and procedures necessary for time and budgetary guidelines to administer each project’s architectural phases, in order to financially manage the projects. Bidding the consulting engineers and awarding the various disciplines were part of each project’s process, which included reviewing their invoicing and making sure their coordination met the project’s timeline.
- Met with clients, helped develop the projects’ programmatic requirements, established schedules and budgets.
- Oversaw the projects from design through construction; project managed and assigned the project architects, bringing consistency through the project’s phases. Creating communication procedures through bidding and construction administration was critical to the success of each project’s construction budget and completion.
- Maintained project budgets by engaging competitive bidders during the Design development phase and preparing cost estimates for all specialty design items to be included in the Construction Documents and Bid Packages. Maintaining the project schedules and meeting specific deadlines awarded the company with bonuses.
- The following are some of the projects I oversaw as Sr. Project Manager:
Peacock and Lewis, AIA - West Palm Beach, FL 4/1985–7/1987
Design and Project Architect
- Under talented mentorship, this respected and well-established architectural firm enabled and strengthened my abilities in design and as a project architect. From meeting with clients through construction administration, I successfully took projects through design and construction documents. One of my opportunities included working on a few healthcare projects with St. Mary’s Hospital, in West Palm Beach, where I worked directly with the Hospital’s Administrators and Medical Staff.
- The following are some of the projects I worked on as Designer and Project Architect:
Labouisse and Waggoner, AIA - New Orleans, LA 6/1984-4/1985
Design and Project Architect
Perez Associates Architects - New Orleans, LA 3/1983–6/1984
Design and Project Architect
Baldwin, Sackman& Associates - Coconut Grove, FL 1/1982–3/1983
Design and Project Architect
- Worked on large residential development projects, involving urban design to create pedestrian scaled village centers integrating residential buildings in park setting with water elements and landscaped parking areas within walking distance to support centers, in simultaneous phases of design, working drawings and field observations.
- Residential addition and remodel, taking the project from conceptual design through construction documents.
Charles Sieger, AIA - Miami, FL 7/1980–10/1981
Design and Project Architect
- Worked on a variety of over 20 projects in design, model making, presentations and working drawings.
- Schematic Design for The Terraces, a residential condominium project in the Biscayne Bay.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES / AFFILIATIONS:
Registered Architect, California, License: C-22735 - 10/31/2019
Registered Architect, Florida, License: AR-0013562 - 02/28/2019
A.I.A. Local, State and National Affiliation #30018652 - 01/15/2018
NCARB Certification #41143 - 4/30/2018
LEED Green Associate Certification #10579681 - 02/24/2020
USGBC National Account Credential #3086627- 02/24/2020;
US Green Building Council-USGBC Florida - 02/01/2020
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Architecture / University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (5 year program)
PROFESSIONAL COURSES – CONTINUING EDUCATION:
Revit Architecture Level 1&2 Certificate, Miami Dade College Continuing Education, 4/20/2016
LEED Sustainable Design Seminar for Certificate of Completion, LEEDTeacher, LLC; LEED AP BD+C Prep Course, 2/18/2014
Project Management Associate Certification, URS 5/2/2013
Autodesk’s Revit Architecture Seminars + UCLA 2012 Revit Architecture Class, UCLA Extension 3/2012
Advanced AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop + 3D Modeling, Santa Monica College, 1/2002
UCLA Extension Courses: Real Estate Development for Planners and Architects 12/1994, Construction Management 10/1993
LANGUAGES:
Fluent in English and Spanish.
University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, US, BArch, Architecture- 5 year program
Architecture Design
Urban Planning
