Mi Casa es Su Casa: Creating a Sense of Home in High Density Housing
This moderated panel discussion will focus on key drivers in designing and building high-density multi-family housing. The distinguished panel includes Patricia Centeno, AIA, Principal at BAR Architecture & Interiors; Melissa Iris Garcia, AIA, Principal at Herman Coliver Locus Architecture; and Iveanette Santiago Rivera, AIA, Associate Principal at Mithun. Drawing on recent built works around the Bay Area, the panelists will discuss their unique approaches to creating a sense of home and community, technology impacts on design and construction, urban vs. suburban considerations, and equity driven design. Robert Herman, FAIA, Founding Principal of Herman Coliver Locus Architecture, has been a design leader in Bay Area affordable housing for over 50 years. As the panel moderator, he will bring an invaluable perspective to the discussion.
6:00 PM-6:30 PM - arrival, check in, reception with drinks and snacks
6:30 PM-7:30 PM - panel
7:30 PM-8:00 PM– reception
Moderator:
Robert Herman, FAIA is a Founding Principal of Herman Coliver Locus Architecture, a 14-person practice which, for 56 years, has focused on the design of affordable housing for families, seniors, developmentally disabled adults, those recovering from substance abuse, homeless individuals and other underserved populations. 100% of HCLA’s clients are non-profit organizations, including housing development corporations, social service agencies, schools, adult day health centers, synagogues and other civic institutions. A graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Design, he taught Architecture at UC Berkeley for 25 years, where he still serves as a visiting critic.
Panelists:
Patricia Centeno, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, is a Principal with BAR Architecture & Interiors, a 75-person architectural, interior design and planning firm, with offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. Patricia creation of multifamily and affordable housing has been the primary focus of her career for over 20 years. A San Francisco based, licensed architect in California, she has been instrumental in helping successfully realize numerous award-winning housing communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area that residents and the broader community embrace. A purposeful leader driven by team collaboration and integrated project management, Patricia has found that “bringing diverse voices to the table results in stronger, more inclusive and resilient design solutions”.
Melissa Iris Garcia, AIA is a principal at Herman Coliver Locus Architecture in San Francisco and has been with the office since 2000. This unique firm focuses on affordable and supportive housing and sacred spaces with 100% of clients being non-profit organizations. A Los Angeles native and first generation Mexican-American Melissa believes designing socially and environmentally-resilient communities enables architecture to serve as a fulcrum for justice. She has contributed to the design of over 1,100 units of affordable housing in the Bay Area. Each project is designed to improve and elevate its surroundings and embody its neighborhood’s, client’s and user’s needs, giving shape to their collective dreams and aspirations
Iveanette Santiago Rivera, AIA is an Associate Principal at Mithun. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Iveanette draws inspiration from latin culture to craft vibrant mixed-use, affordable housing developments that support family and foster community. She has designed and managed urban infill housing projects including Kapuso at the Upper Yard, 1036 Mission, and Casa Adelante 2060 Folsom. She is an active member of Mithun’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) working group.