Lowney Architecture

We’re thrilled to announce that Lowney Architecture has been honored as a top workplace in not just one, but two locations! Our Oakland HQ has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times and the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Our Honolulu office has also earned a spot on Pacific Business News' 2025 Hawaii’s Best Workplaces list. At Lowney Architecture, we believe that great design starts with great people. We’re incredibly proud of our talented, passionate, and innovative team who make our firm an inspiring place to work every day. A huge thank you to our amazing employees for making this possible. Here’s to continuing to build a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence. #BestPlacesToWork #LowneyArchitecture #BayArea #Hawaii #Architecture #GreatWorkplaces #SFBT #PBN 

Next week, we’ll be heading to NAIOP's I.CON West Conference on March 26–27, 2025, at the InterContinental DTLA. This amazing event brings together the biggest names in industrial real estate to talk about trends, innovations, and what’s next for the industry. Our COO, Anthony Cataldo, AIA, LEED AP, is looking forward to great conversations, fresh ideas, and meeting new faces. If you’re going to be there, don’t be a stranger — we’d love to connect! #LowneyArchitecture #IndustrialDesign #NAIOPIcon #2025

In honor of 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, we’re highlighting some of the incredible women who have transformed the field with their innovation and dedication. From pioneering designs to groundbreaking innovations, their contributions to architecture are nothing short of iconic. Here are some fascinating, little-known facts about the women who built history—one structure at a time: 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗼 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶'𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲  Italian-born architect Lina Bo Bardi didn’t just design buildings; she became deeply immersed in Brazilian culture. Her work, like the São Paulo Museum of Art, blends modernism with local traditions, making her a true innovator in how architecture can reflect cultural identity. 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲  Often overshadowed by other modernists, Irish architect Eileen Gray is credited with designing the first truly modernist house—E-1027—in 1929. Her design philosophy was a radical departure from the past, focusing on simplicity and functionality, years before others in the movement. 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗸’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱-𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆  In 1959, Norma Merrick Sklarek became the first Black woman to be licensed as an architect in California. She later broke another barrier by becoming the first African American woman to be elevated to the prestigious AIA College of Fellows in 1980. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲  When Maya Lin designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, she chose to keep it understated and reflective. The memorial’s unique “V” shape symbolizes the conflict's division and the path toward healing, encouraging visitors to reflect upon the past in a tranquil, immersive way. 𝗝𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿  Jeanne Gang’s Aqua Tower in Chicago isn't just a striking design; it was also a pioneer in sustainability. The tower’s undulating shape not only provides stunning views but also reduces wind resistance, making it one of the city’s most eco-friendly skyscrapers. 𝗕𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗔𝗘𝗖 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻  Architect Beverly Willis is not only known for her innovative work but also for founding the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation to support research and recognition of women’s contributions in the AEC industry. She's played a huge role in preserving women’s history in architecture. These women may not always be in the spotlight, but their contributions have made a lasting impact on the architecture world. Which women in the AEC industry have influenced you? Share your thoughts! 👇🏽 #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenInArchitecture #BuiltByHer #LowneyArchitecture

Prologis Nexus in San Leandro, CA, is redefining industrial design with innovation, sustainability, and adaptability. This advanced manufacturing and warehouse space transforms a 1960s structure into a cutting-edge facility designed for modern industrial users. With a raised 40-foot clear height, an upgraded ESFR sprinkler system, and an expanded insulated metal panel envelope, the building now meets today’s highest industrial standards. A column bay removal allows for a 135-foot truck court and trailer storage, ensuring optimal logistics efficiency. Sustainability is at the core of this project, positioning it for LEED Platinum certification. Green features include a CLT-built office mezzanine, a reflective roof designed for future solar integration, and an inviting outdoor patio space seamlessly connected to the interior through a NanaWall system—offering employees a dynamic indoor/outdoor workspace. This project is a testament to thoughtful, future-focused industrial design. We’re proud to see this vision come to life and set a new benchmark for excellence. Client: Prologis Structural: HSA & Associates, Inc. MEP: WB Engineers Consultants Landscape: GreenDesign Landscape Architects, Inc. Barbara Hatch Contractor: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company Civil Engineering: Kimley-Horn Soils Engineering: Silicon Valley Soil Engineering LEED: BranchPattern #LowneyArchitecture #PrologisNexus #AwardWinningDesign #SustainableInnovation #FutureOfIndustrial

We’re excited to share a project update on Leiwili Kapolei, a transformative affordable housing community designed by Lowney Architecture in partnership with The Michaels Organization and ‘Ikenākea Development! This vibrant mixed-use development will provide both rental and for-sale affordable housing, creating opportunities for individuals and families at a range of income levels. With retail spaces on the ground floor, residents will have access to shops, dining, and essential services—all within a thoughtfully designed, walkable community that enhances quality of life. Leiwili Kapolei is more than just housing—it’s a community-centered vision that prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. By leveraging tax credits and 201H exemptions, the project is moving forward to address the urgent need for affordable housing in Kapolei. With building permits expected by April 2027, construction starting in May 2027, and completion slated for November 2028, we look forward to bringing this vision to life and helping shape the future of Kapolei. #LowneyArchitecture #LeiwiliKapolei #AffordableHousing #MixedUseDevelopment #Kapolei #Hawaii #CommunityFirst #HousingForAll

That’s a Wrap on Our First Bisnow Event of 2025! What an inspiring morning at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles, where industry leaders came together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the housing crisis. Our Design Principal, Mark K. Donahue AIA, joined the conversation on affordability, rising costs, and supply shortages—offering bold ideas and real solutions. “My colleague Ken Lowney and I recently toured a modular factory in China. In Hong Kong, no one sleeps on the street—everyone has a place to live. It may not be palatial, but it’s a standard of dignity we should strive for. It’s time to rethink prefab housing as a product, not just a project.” – Mark Donahue A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this crucial discussion. Your passion fuels real change! Let’s continue pushing for a more sustainable, inclusive, and accessible future for our cities. #LowneyArchitecture #Bisnow #HousingForAll #RebuildingLA #AffordableHousing #DesignInnovation #Prefabrication #ModulaDesign

Only one more week until our first Bisnow event of 2025! We're excited to announce that our Design Principal, Mark K. Donahue AIA, will be sharing his insights on the "A Continued Housing Crisis Ahead" panel. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from industry leaders about the urgent need for affordable housing, addressing shortages, rising costs, and the ambitious efforts to rebuild Los Angeles. Join us on February 18, 2025, at 8 AM at the Sheraton Grand DTLA. This event is essential for anyone passionate about shaping the future of housing in our city. Together, we can explore solutions and strategies to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing our community. Let's work towards creating a more sustainable and inclusive Los Angeles. #LowneyArchitecture #Bisnow #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis #RebuildingLA #CRE #MultifamilyHousing #DesignLeadership

We're thrilled to share an important article by Lowney Architecture's COO, Anthony Cataldo, AIA, LEED AP, featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal. In his piece, Anthony discusses the implications of Assembly Bill 98 on industrial design in California. As he aptly puts it, “While AB 98’s sustainability goals are admirable, many of the law’s requirements actually counter that objective.” Discover how modern industrial practices can align with community needs and sustainability goals. Check out the article to learn more about the future of urban industrial design! 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gntF3Sh5 #LowneyArchitecture #Sustainability #UrbanDesign #IndustrialArchitecture #CaliforniaLaw

Please join us in congratulating Yunxuan Guo, who has recently achieved the milestone of becoming a licensed architect! Since joining our Los Angeles office in the summer of 2023, Xuan has proven to be an incredible talent and a fantastic addition to our team. We’re so proud of you, Xuan—you make us all (and Gogo) extremely proud! #LowneyArchitecture #Team #Architect #Congratulations #AIA

We’re excited to share highlights from Lowney Architecture’s recent trip to China, where Ken Lowney, President & CEO, and Mark K. Donahue AIA, Principal, Design, had the opportunity to tour a state-of-the-art modular factory. It was inspiring to see innovative production methods that could be adapted in the U.S. to address the urgent need for housing, particularly in light of recent natural disasters. As Mark Donahue said, “Despite the current climate, it is important to focus on good ideas wherever they occur.” Stay tuned as we explore how these insights can influence our future projects! #LowneyArchitecture #Modular #Design #ChinaTrip #2025