Our staff members have many years of experience with expertise in all areas of project types - intricate to medium size projects, rehabilitation, code upgrade including accessibility, public and private facilities. We have managed many projects with various client types including governmental, commercial, and residential.
Our project management system makes it possible for us to dedicate personal attention to your project. We assign highly skilled staff to oversee and implement every project and provide day-to-day personal contact with clients, consultants, and contractors. Every project is unique and our design team is tailored to the specific needs of each. We have developed our project delivery system to reduce large team inefficiencies.
For preservation projects, we are fully versed in the Secretary of Interiors Standard for Rehabilitation, the California Historic Building Code, as well as various funding resources, the California Environmental Quality Act and federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits. Many of us exceed the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards. Our knowledge of the standards, regulations, codes and technology enable us to easily identify how they apply to unique or complex structures and allows us to comfortably explore all options presented by the design challenge.
Michael Garavaglia, AIA, LEED® AP
Principal, Preservation Architect
Exceeds Secretary of Interiors Professional Qualification Standards - Historic Architecture
With over 28 years of experience in the architectural profession, Mr. Garavaglia is committed to providing architectural services that create unique and interesting design solutions which respect the clients needs, the concerns of the community, as well as the project's scheduling and budget requirements. He has completed a wide variety of projects ranging from major multi-building programs to intricate residential remodeling.
Mr. Garavaglia is dedicated to historic preservation and sustainability. He sets the tone for the entire firm and supervises all major projects and decision-making. Mr. Garavaglia initiates projects with his comprehension of preservation and sustainability ideals, expertise in the modification of existing buildings, and the importance of maintaining the character of the surrounding community in mind.
Regarded as an expert on historic preservation, Mr. Garavaglia also passionately continues to share his knowledge on the subject through lectures with many organizations. He is an active member with the California Preservation Foundation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Association of Preservation Technology, San Francisco Architectural Heritage, National Main Street center, and the Preservation Action Council of San Jose.
He received his professional Bachelor of Architecture from California State Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo that included a special study program in Historic Preservation, and is licensed to practice architecture in California. The National Institute for Conservation has named Mr. Garavaglia a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) Assessor. He is also a LEED® Accredited Professional.
Becky J.W. Urbano
Preservation Services Manager
Exceeds Secretary of Interiors Professional Qualification Standards - Architectural History
Ms. Urbano is a talented architectural conservator with a solid background in historic preservation, materials investigation and historic documentation. Recognized for laboratory expertise as well as research, leadership and project management skills, her experience includes architectural conservation management plans, existing condition analysis, repair recommendations and documentation, construction specifications and identification of historic resources through field surveys and archival research.
Ms. Urbano manages Garavaglia Architecture Inc.'s Preservation Services and her work includes historic structure reports, resource evaluations, material analysis, Secretary of the Interior's Standards Reviews, and historic context statements. Her thorough research capabilities have been complemented by her superior report and writing skills. Her professional experience continues to expand as her contributions evolve.
Professional affiliations include California Preservation Foundation as an Education Committee member, Sacred Sites International as a board member, and she holds active memberships to the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, Architecture Group; Association of Preservation Technology; National Trust for Historic Places; Oakland Heritage Alliance; Preservation Alumni.
Ms. Urbano's educational background includes a Masters of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Middlebury College with Departmental Honors. The National Institute for Conservation has named Ms. Urbano a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) Assessor.
Ambrose Wong
Project Manager
Meets Secretary of Interiors Professional Qualification Standards - Historic Architecture
Mr. Wong has over 16 years of experience in the architectural profession designing a wide range of facilities for clients in the governmental, commercial and residential community. Since entering the architectural field in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1994, he has participated in the design and construction of many and varied historic preservation, tenant improvement, and residential remodel projects in the greater San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. As Project Manager, Mr. Wong is responsible for the day-to-day management of Garavaglia Architecture Inc. architectural projects as well as providing the oversight and coordination of architectural related issues for our preservation services projects.
Mr. Wong is dedicated to professional development and has actively participated in numerous design charrettes at for local communities for over seven years. He is constantly expanding his knowledge in related fields of carpentry and residential electrical and plumbing. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and is now approaching the last phase of the California Architectural Registration Examination.
Chris Lutjen, LEED® AP
Job Captain
Mr. Lutjen joined Garavaglia Architecture's team as a Job Captain and brings a diverse background of experience primarily with large format retail, commercial and industrial buildings. He has significant experience with light gage metal framing, steel and concrete structures and also has considerable work experience with building renovations. Mr. Lutjen's serves as our in-house project coordinator for architectural projects and also provides support services for architectural related issues for our preservation services projects. Mr. Lutjen has a long appreciation for the field of historic preservation and a record of documenting existing buildings in both domestic and international cities.
Having graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Mr. Lutjen moved on to attend the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) to broaden his experience studying urban environments. In this graduate school program while spending a semester in Italy, Mr. Lutjen conducted field research in various European cities including Rome, London, Amsterdam and Berlin. Being dedicated early on to the social, environmental and economic causes that fall within the framework of architecture, Chris became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2004. His current focus is the natural fusion of the more technical aspects of sustainable design and historic preservation. Mr. Lutjen is currently preparing to undertake testing to obtain a license to practice architecture in the State of California.
Frank Battipede, AIA
Designer / Architect
Mr. Battipede has been a licensed architect for decades, with a breadth of experience in project management, and a specialization in institutional architecture. He has worked as project manager for many projects overseeing the unique requirement for judicial and correctional systems projects. Having worked with and within governmental entities, he is well versed with the procedures of government project oversight and funding requirements. At Garavaglia Architecture Inc., Mr. Battipede participates in project program development in addition to his design responsibilities
Complimenting his vast experience with civic and governmental projects, Mr. Battipede has also managed many commercial and cultural centers, hotels, public libraries and institutions, university buildings and post offices.
Mr. Battipede is a graduate of Cooper Union in New York and earned a Bachelor degree in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley. He has professional affiliations with the American Institute of Architects, California Sheriff's Association, American Correctional Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Sarah Hahn
Architectural Historian
Meets Secretary of Interiors Professional Qualification Standards - Architectural History
Ms. Hahn has come to Garavaglia Architecture Inc. with a broad background historic preservation, art history, graphic and fine arts. She is a strong advocate of the integration of historic preservation and green design, as preservation is inherently a sustainable building practice. Ms. Hahn is an architectural historian with a range of experience in the field including hands-on conservation both in the U.S. and abroad, preservation planning, interpretation and education, and extensive cultural resource documentation and evaluation. Her research interests have lead to a specialization in the architecture of the New Deal, specifically the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in national and state parks throughout the United States.
Ms. Hahn's work at Garavaglia Architecture Inc. includes historic resource evaluations, rehabilitations, historic context statements, design reviews, historic structure reports, and reconnaissance and intensive level survey work. She has broad experience with survey and inventory for a range of property types, National Register nominations, compliance reviews, and historic resource evaluations and technical reports.
Select professional affiliations include National Trust for Historic Preservation, Member; and California Preservation Foundation. Ms. Hahn was a Graduate Administrative Fellow at the University of Oregon (2004-2005); Vice-President of Associated Students for Historic Preservation (2004-2005), University of Oregon; and she served as the Coordinator for the Historic Preservation session at the 2004 and 2005 H.O.P.E.S. (Holistic Options for Planet Earth Sustainability) at the University of Oregon.
Ms. Hahn's educational background includes a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and Art History from University of Evansville, Indiana.
Mark Serrata
Intermediate Designer / Drafter
Mr. Serrata is an experienced designer/drafter with a background in architecture, interior design and art. He has participated on a broad range of project types including mixed-use; multi and single-family homes; hospitality and educational facilities. Initially pursuing a degree in Architecture, he switched his focus to Interior Design to concentrate on rehabilitating the interior spaces of existing buildings and later further pursued his passion for architecture and received his Masters Degree in Architecture.
Mr. Seratta lends his design and drafting expertise to a wide variety of architectural projects at Garavaglia Architecture Inc. In addition to his work architectural work, he also provides support services for preservation services projects. His specific skills include expertise in AutoCAD 2008, Sketch-Up 6, Photoshop CS2, InDesign CS2, Drafting, Sketching, Perspective Drawing, and Model Making.
Mr. Serrata has a Masters of Architecture, 2007 from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, and received a Bachelors of Science in Interior Design, 1999 from the University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX. He was an Architecture Design Teachers Assistant in 2000 Assisting with the enhancement of the designs of first year architecture students. He was the AIAS - Academy of Art student chapter president 2005-2006.
Ayano Hattori, LEED® AP
Business & Financial Manager
With marketing and communications experience from the Bay Area media industry, Ms. Hattori began at Garavaglia Architecture, Inc. in 2003 to achieve her goal of fusing her skills with her long standing interest in architecture by assisting in research, marketing and office management. She continues her service here managing operational aspects such as human resources, personnel management, contracting, accounting and finances, as well as long range business and the financial planning. She also actively participates in potential LEED projects as a LEED-AP.
She received a Bachelor's Degree in both Japanese and Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. Her research at the University also included the historically significant cultural influences in Japan - particularly religion - and its effect on architecture. She currently is in the Masters of Business Administration in Design Strategy program at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco, continuing her studies in sustainability, addressing socially and culturally responsible design and business strategies.
Past travels included restoration work for a buddhist temple in Mongolia. Her volunteer work has included sitting on the board of directors for the non-profit organizations, amongst others, the Cultural Restoration Tourism Project. She is a LEED accredited professional and a current member of the USGBC Northern California Chapter. She is a Rachel Austin Prize in Computer Design recipient and an Architectural Registration Exam candidate.
Dea Bacchetti
Marketing Manager
Ms. Bacchetti is a marketing professional with almost a decade of experience serving the A/E/C industry. Her early marketing career was spent working with a Construction Management consulting firm serving exclusively the public sector. This experience has given her deep understanding of public clients and their needs. Drawing on her previous career as an archaeologist in both the New York Tri-state area and in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ms. Bacchetti current focus is on marketing for the preservation architecture and planning community.
As Garavaglia Architecture Inc's Marketing Manager, Ms. Bacchetti is in charge for the firms marketing activities including responding to potential client enquiries, business development, proposals, maintaining current company qualifications and web site development. These activities are focused on increasing the firm's profile in our current markets while expanding into new markets.
Ms. Bacchetti's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from New York University with Academic Honors. During her career as an archaeologist, she has authored and co-authored numerous archaeological field reports and site records on file at the Northwest Information Center located at Sonoma State University.
Professional affiliations include Society of Marketing Professionals Services (SMPS) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter; California Preservation Foundation; and she is the current President of Oakland Heritage Alliance.
