We’ve Moved!

Garavaglia Architecture, Inc. has relocated our offices to the historic Hobart Building in downtown San Francisco.

We are excited to inform you that as of June 2010, our new address is:

582 Market St. Suite 1800
San Francisco, CA 94104
P: 415.391.9633
F: 415.391.9647

The Hobart building was completed in 1914 by the famed architect Willis Polk, and is easily one of San Francisco’s most recognizable historic landmarks along Market Street. From the sculpted terra cotta exterior to the handcrafted brass and Italian marble interior, the building is a stunning example of Classical revival architecture.

As we approach our 25th year in business, we found it necessary to movie our offices to a larger space to accommodate our growing firm. This space will allow us to continue to expand our staff to better serve your needs.

Garavaglia Architecture Inc. will continue to provide innovative and cost effective solutions for all your architecture and planning needs. From project inception through completion, we provide a full range of services balancing your objectives with the needs of each unique resource.

Working with Historic Materials – A Case Study Recap

At the annual California Preservation Foundation’s conference, Garavaglia Architecture’s Preservation Services Manager, Becky Urbano, served as the workshop leader and moderator for the Working with Historic Materials: A Primer for Building Owners, Stewards and Craftspersons pre-conference workshop held before California Preservation Foundation’s 2010 Grass Valley-Nevada City conference.

Ms. Urbano not only heads up Garavaglia Architecture’s Preservation Services division but she is also a talented conservator and brought her expertise in material conservation to the workshop. Serving on the panel of presenters were Johanna Street, Architect; Bill Essert of Wooden Windows; Kelly Thomas of RKT Builders; and Dan Aldridge of Aldridge Plastering. The workshop was geared towards owners, building stewards and crafts people and took place in the historic Julia Morgan-designed North Star House.

The workshop was a combination of conservation methodology, manufacturing and material history. The morning session began with a primer on project processes, introduction to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and an overview of historic materials as they compare to new materials. After a lunch break, they group divided into small groups where attendees participated in hands-on sessions that focused on the practical aspects of working with historic materials. Each session involved a different historic material with emphasis on what to do, and what not to do. Sessions included restoration of historic windows, finishes, and plaster with the emphasis on gaining an understanding of these materials and how to work with them to foster better stewardship and responsible long-term maintenance.

Historic Chinese Structures win AIA SF 2010 Honor Award

We’re proud to announce the Fiddletown project of two Historic Chinese Structures has just won a AIA San Francisco 2010 Design Award

We’re proud to announce the Fiddletown project of two Historic Chinese Structures has just won an 2010 Design Award from the AIA in San Francisco. It won an Honor Award in the category of Historic Preservation and Innovation in Rehabilitation. Michael Garavaglia accepted the award at the gala held at the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center on May 6th. The two buildings, the Chinese Store and Gambling Hall, were built c.1850 during the California gold rush era and are being planned to be part of an interpretive exhibit.

To read more about the project, click on 1850 of our timeline. Read more about the award on the AIA San Francisco Awards web site.