Spotlight on Staff | Adam Gardner, Principal, Senior Designer, WHA NorCal

Adam has over 25 years of experience in the building industry. He has designed a wide range of domestic and international projects including detached and attached single and multi-family homes, recreational, resort, and mixed-use projects. Join me as I ask him about his career journey.

1. Tell us about your journey to become an architect.

I enjoyed drawing from an early age. Sketching and drafting buildings was an enjoyable way to pass the time on days when my brothers and I couldn’t be outside. I took a drafting class in both middle school and high school. I was part of a small group of “radicals” that used mechanical pencils and refused to design ranch houses. My designs were influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and were “mid-century modern”…before the term had been coined. I submitted one of my designs at the local County Fair, won a merit award and received a call from a local architect looking for help to fill in for one of his designers who was taking an extended vacation. I ended up working there every summer and holiday through college. This was my big break that landed me a full-time position after college.

2. Where did you attend school?

I attended the University of California, Berkeley where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a minor in the History of the Built Environment. I was in the last term of Cal’s old semester system. Four and five units classes were the norm with long days and nights studying to meet the requirements. I made it out in four years with exactly 120 units; just barely. One of my classes had been dropped from the list and I had to petition to keep it. Fortunately, I saved every scrap of paper during those years and I still had the syllabus from my freshman year proving that the class counted. I was eager to start working in the “real” world and was not looking forward to spending another summer at school. Cal was very design-centric and I had some very talented professors: Donlyn Lyndon, William Turnbull, Ian McHarg and Stanley Saitowitz to name a few.

3. What was your first job?

Prior to High School I worked for a local Architect in my hometown. He was looking for an intern and since I had some drafting experience I applied and was hired for a summer. The firm was just the principal, his partner and me. I learned how to run the blue-print machine, draft with ink on mylar and was exposed to all aspects of how a small architectural firm was run. One day towards the end of summer I arrived at the office and found my name on the front door along with the partners’ names, I should have taken a picture; a week later the principal retired and they closed the office and removed all the names from the door.

4. What is your architectural experience?

Most of my career has focused on residential design, however, I have been involved with mixed-use, institutional, historic, resort and commercial design. I spent a number of years leading a custom home studio working on high-end luxury homes throughout the West Coast and Hawaii—that mixed with neighborhood development from single family detached, multi-family and everything in between. In addition to working for design-oriented architectural firms I also worked for a boutique custom home builder. Working for a contractor exposed me to estimating, scheduling and all aspects of managing a small construction business. Prior to joining WHA, I worked in Charlottesville, Virginia for a few years designing mixed-use student housing and a high-rise dormitory.

5. What do you enjoy most about working at WHA?

I really enjoy the collaborative process and team spirit that makes up WHA. Working at WHA feels like a home away from home. People are allowed to flourish and are encouraged to develop their best skills in a way that helps themselves advance and stay excited while helping the entire firm. I also enjoy working with our talented younger staff as a mentor and collaborator.

6. What is the most exciting project you’ve worked on at WHA?

As the saying goes…” the next one.” Each and every project has its challenges and is an opportunity to become something special; whether it is the product type, the site, the client or budget, each project is unique. Several favorites come to mind:

– Hamilton Cottages in Novato. A senior pocket community with 16 “cottage-style” homes oriented around a common open space. The garages are detached and each home has a large front porch facing the common area, encouraging social interaction and a strong sense of community.

– The Scott Residence in Durango, Colorado. A modern-rustic luxury mountain lodge on 40 acres.

– The Canon Station community buildings in Fairfield and the Pell Clubhouse in Livermore.

– Saratoga Estates. 7 Mediterranean style luxury homes on a former vineyard.

7. Describe your architectural design process?

The design process starts with listening and learning long before any drawings are started. Sketching begins once the client’s goals, city’s requirements, site constraints, neighborhood issues and a host of other factors are considered and evaluated. Ideas and alternatives are quickly explored and formulated into a concept that eventually, through a collaborative process, becomes reality. WHA has a wealth of talented experts to draw from and this makes for a strong design process that is both professional and enjoyable.

8. Do you have any advice for those hoping to pursue a career in architecture?

I would suggest that anyone interested in a career in architecture get as much working experience as possible, as early as possible. Intern at a firm like WHA if possible. There are so many aspects to the industry that a wide range of exposure will help focus one’s attention. WHA is unique in that there are many studios with complimentary but distinct career paths that enable someone to pursue their passion. Stick with it and work hard. Architecture is more than just a job, it is a passion and should carryover into one’s non-working hours.

9. How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy spending my free time hiking and traveling with my lovely wife Diane and our two dogs (Betty and Simon) and spending time with our parents in Marin and Mendocino Counties. We also have a horse named Henry that takes up a good deal of our free time and spare money (at least we won’t have to pay for the dogs’ college tuition). When Diane is off with Henry, I can be found on the coastal bluffs flying radio control competition sailplanes in timed events.