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Sally Swanson Architects
Lead Architects & Specialists

Please click on the names below to view a full Bio on each of our Lead Architects & Specialists.

Sally Swanson, AIA, Principal
Tony Wright
Ann King
Nick Suarez
Barbara Roczniak-Kugay
Jürgen Dostert

Sally Swanson, AIA, Principal

Education
Columbia University, M.A. Urban Design and Planning
University of Illinois, B.A. Architecture
Memberships
American Institute of Architects
California Association on Postsecondary Education and Disability (CAPED)
California Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.)
Governor's ADA Task Force for California Community Colleges, Chancellor's Office Community College Facility Coalition (CCFC)
Registration
Architect, CA, 1982
Certifications
AIA
Woman-Owned Business Enterprise, San Francisco

With 33 years of architectural experience to draw upon, Sally Swanson has established herself as an influential practitioner whose work is shaping the industry's response to issues of accessibility and Universal Design. Ms. Swanson has led her own award-winning firm since 1980, creating spaces of exceptional functionality and emotional resonance for both public and private entities. Throughout her career, she has championed design solutions that meet clients' most pressing needs while making architecture of great intensity and innovation. A steady focus on educational design for the majority of her career has inspired a special proficiency in the creation of exceptional learning environments that enrich the experience of teachers as well as students. One of Ms. Swanson's greatest strengths lies in helping clients define their specific needs and future goals, a process made possible by the channels of communication she establishes among team members, project stakeholders, and all members of the affected community. Ms. Swanson sees each project as the practice of translating those goals into a built structure of unique artistry, creating a sense of humanity and enduring identity.top

Tony Wright, AIA, Senior Architect

Education
University of Bath, England 1968-1975
School of Architecture and Building Technology
Licenses
Architect, CA, 1985
Architect, United Kingdom (ARCUK), 1976
Experience
28 years
With SSA since 2003

Mr. Wright is a Senior Architect at Sally Swanson Architects. His expertise encompasses programming, code analysis, design preparation, construction document production, and construction administration for projects in both public and private sectors.

During his studies, Mr. Wright was invited to provide design concepts for a School for the Handicapped in England. Working closely with school staff as well as leaders in the industry, he developed important design parameters for creating accessible environments. The resulting schematic designs and accessible layout of the school provided practical and unique solutions for this specialized educational setting.

Prior to relocating to California, Mr. Wright successfully operated his own firm for over four years. His managerial duties encompassed adhering to project budgets and schedules, coordinating workflow, managing client communication, and the ultimate successful delivery of a project. While operating his firm, he worked closely with all professional disciplines and was also a partner working on projects ranging from residential remodels to industrial and commercial construction. These projects varied from the National Institute for the Production of Vaccines in Nigeria to Blast Resistant Production Control Buildings in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and the Persian Gulf.

In 1992, Mr. Wright developed his own business in California and worked as Chief Architect and Designer on residential remodels, custom homes, commercial tenant improvements and new construction. His projects included the design of lofts, restaurants, wineries, and numerous residences. top

Ann King, Construction Administrator

Education
University of California, Berkeley: College of Environmental Design
Bachelor of Architecture degree, five-year program.
License
Architect, CA
Experience
24 years
With SSA since 2003

Ms. King is a highly qualified professional with experience in many phases of architectural work, including project coordination, production of construction documents, construction administration and detailing. She has effectively administered large-scale project planning in her twenty-four years of architectural practice.

Ms. King works with local, state, and federal agencies during the construction process to ensure that projects meet applicable requirements, including the most current building code regulations. Ms. King also assists our firm in creating highly accurate cost estimates. She reviews project budgets and implements any revisions to the scope of work, the quality of the project, or budget revisions as deemed necessary and approved by the client and their needs.

During her career, she worked on various projects including Galileo High School and the Fillmore Center in San Francisco, Sunset Ridge Elementary School in Pacifica and Trident Center in Los Angeles. As project coordinator, her responsibilities included issuing all needed project documentation, RFI\x92s, COP\x92s, RFP\x92s; updating and maintaining all sets of logs, requests for payments, notices to perform correspondence and contracts with subcontractors; and conducting project close out and punch list work.

Ms. King successfully operated her own firm for over twenty-one years. Her managerial duties encompassed client communication, maintaining project budgets and schedules, coordination of workflow, and ultimate successful delivery of a project. While operating her firm, she worked closely with all professional disciplines. Her knowledge of building codes and quality control ensure a smooth and effective process for renovation and new construction projects. top

Nick Suarez, Senior Architect

Education
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, March 1960
University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
License
Architect, CA
Architect, Philippines
General Building Contractor, CA
Affiliations
American Institute of Architects, Member
Fil-Am Society of Architects & Engineers, Past Vice President
Philippine Professionals & Business Society of Santa Clara, Past President
Experience
40+ years
With SSA since 2003

Mr. Suarez has more than 40 years of architecture and construction experience as project architect and building contractor for a variety of projects. His range of experience includes serving as project architect for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, designing parking structures for the San Francisco International Airport, and serving as building inspector on projects overseas. Through these roles, he gained knowledge in preparing schematic designs, construction documents, specifications, and cost estimates.

For over a decade, Mr. Suarez managed the operations of his own design-build company in the Bay Area. Projects included custom homes, commercial, industrial, and office buildings. Experience was gained in all facets of the industry, from initial architectural design to cost estimation and construction management.

As a key member of architectural and professional societies, Mr. Suarez stays abreast of industry news and trends - following closely advances in technology, energy efficiency, and construction techniques.

His wealth of design and construction experience ensures that each project is designed thoughtfully as well as on time and within budget. Mr. Suarez's international experience brings valuable creativity and innovation to each design. top

Barbara Roczniak-Kugay, Senior Architect

Education
Master of Science in Architecture,
Technical University of Warsaw, Poland, 1976
License
Architect, CA
Architect, Poland
Certifications
ICBO Certified Building Inspector
ICBO Certified Plans Examiner
Experience
27 years
With SSA since 2001

Ms. Roczniak-Kugay is a highly experienced professional who specializes in architectural design, feasibility studies, building code consultations and plan reviews and has owned and operated her own firm for the past several years.

Some of her projects include residential additions and alterations in Millbrae, San Bruno, Daly City, and San Francisco, California. She has conducted building code consultations and ADA access reviews for various commercial buildings and designed numerous remodels and additions. Her expertise extends into historical renovations and feasibility studies. She recently conducted detailed research on the historical status of an existing industrial building in San Francisco and designed the adaptive reuse of fire damaged Masonic Hall in Calistoga.

Prior to creating her firm, Ms. Roczniak-Kugay established herself in the Bay Area working as an architect for the San Francisco Unified School District and as a building inspector for over ten years with the City and County of San Francisco. Working in the Code Enforcement, Residential Plan Check, and Building Inspection Divisions for the City and County, she reviewed and processed abatement cases, trained new inspectors, coordinated the work of numerous departments, and conducted inspections of commercial, institutional, residential, including high-rises, hazardous buildings, assembly buildings projects under construction.

Her experience in building inspection has been invaluable to clients in providing well-detailed and constructable designs for each project. top

Jürgen Dostert, AIA (Associate Member)
Accessibility Specialist, State Agency Advocate

Education
Fachhochschule Trier, Germany, Architectural Degree
Glasgow School of Art, Scotland, Scholarship
Kansas State University, Scholarship
Ecole Nationale Sup\xe9rieure de Cr\xe9ation Industrielle, France, Scholarship
Memberships
American Institute of Architects, Associate Member
International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)
National Association of ADA Coordinators (NAADAC)
European Disability Forum (EDF)
Certifications
ICBO Certified Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner
Licensed Member, State Chamber of Architects, Germany
ADA and Title 24 seminars
C.A.S.H. seminar on ADA Transition Plans
C.A.S.H. round table on best practices
Caltrans/DSA seminar on public rights-of-way
DSA seminar on K-12 compliance program
DSA seminar on plan review procedures
DSA seminar on state operated facilities
DSA seminar on plan review guidelines
Lorman seminars on disabled access
National ADA Conference for ADA Coordinators

Since October 1997, Mr. Dostert has focused on code research and access compliance for Sally Swanson Architects, Inc. -Architecture, Planning, and Accessible Design- in San Francisco, California. He reviews construction documents and surveys buildings for compliance with ADA/ADAAG, CCR Title 24 requirements and other relevant access standards.

Jürgen Dostert provides access compliance plan reviews and back checks of drawings and specifications for the Division of the State Architect/Access Compliance Program (DSA). To date, he has checked plans for access compliance with a construction value of over $300,000,000. Presently, Mr. Dostert is finalizing the first comprehensive plan review desk manual for the State of California.

Mr. Dostert also conducts access compliance training for design and construction professionals. Most recently, he developed and facilitated a 2-day seminar on California plan review procedures for Division of the State Architect staff and consultants.

For public, private, and commercial entities, which are covered under Title II and III of the ADA, Mr. Dostert conducts access surveys and prepares Barrier Removal Plans. He assesses compliance status and potential solutions; develops cost estimates for barrier removal; analyzes and interprets codes; coordinates legal requirements with the built environment; prepares comprehensive schedules; facilitates public meetings; monitors project progress; and reviews the entity's compliance efforts.

Jürgen Dostert has emerged as one of the leading access compliance specialists the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) relies upon in analyzing, evaluating, developing, and implementing complex access compliance issues. These issues focus on existing and planned California State Accessibility Regulations (i.e. Title 24 and DSA/AC policies and interpretations of regulations) and their relation to other applicable state and federal requirements, specifically the ADA. Mr. Dostert possesses an in-depth knowledge of the following relevant codes, regulations, laws, and guidelines:

American National Standard A117.1 (ICC/ANSI)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
ADA Title II Regulations (28 CFR 35 & 49 CFR 37)
ADA Title III Regulations (28 CFR 36 & 49 CFR 37)
Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
California Building Standards Code (Title 24)
California Civil Code (Access Provisions)
California Government Code (Access Provisions)
California Health and Safety Code (Access Provisions)
Division of the State Architect Policies and IRs
Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA)
International Building Code (IBC)
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act
Uniform Building Code (UBC)
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
Universal Design Principles and Guidelines
Unruh Act

Mr. Dostert's comprehensive understanding of local, state, and federal code requirements allows him to provide reliable access compliance consulting on all phases of architectural and programmatic projects. top