FGA STUDIO

The path to SNEHA AVARGERIMATH ’s career is a unique one: she fell in love with architecture during the design and construction of her own family home in Australia and went on to pursue her architecture degrees at the University of Melbourne.

Upon graduation, Sneha spent two years working on high-end residential projects across Australia followed by one year working on commercial projects in San Francisco. After spending several summers with family in Palo Alto, Sneha decided to permanently relocate to the Peninsula to pursue her love of residential design and joined FGA in 2015. She loves the challenge of leading projects of different styles, scales and goals. With her clients, she focuses on building trust through open communication and fostering a collaborative atmosphere across the project team. Born in India and raised in Australia, Sneha enjoys traveling with her husband or diving into a great design book.

“I’m a very visual person so, naturally, I’m inspired by beautiful imagery. I have a deep appreciation for stellar design and like to pull from a large library of design books and magazines. Researching online sources, like Instagram and Pinterest, spark new ideas and embolden me to try innovative details and design solutions.“

VICTORIA CARDOZO joined FGA in 2020 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Supplementary Major in Italian Studies.

While at Notre Dame, Victoria served one year as the Vice-President of the Student Association for Women in Architecture, and was active in clubs including Students for Classical Architecture, Students for New Urbanism, and Dance Company. She also spent a year abroad studying in Rome and traveling throughout Europe. These experiences inspired her thesis proposal for an immersive resort in the Azores that encourages visitors to interact with and learn from the locals, in an effort to fight cultural ignorance and enclave tourism. In her free time, Victoria can be found planning her next trip, crafting and painting, trying new recipes, and eating what turns out well.

“Architecture can affect how people experience spaces in ways they may have never considered. Having the ability to enhance that experience for someone and make a space more meaningful or comfortable is something that I’m passionate about and proud of.”

ALI CHEN, a Saratoga-native, joined FGA in 2021. Ali appreciates the firm’s supportive knowledge sharing culture where continual learning, open communication, and client service and education is paramount.

Ali earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During undergraduate school, she spent a semester studying in Rome and traveling throughout Italy and Western Europe where she immersed herself in the urban fabric and rich architectural history of the ancient cities. Ali relishes in time spent outdoors and can be found roller skating, hiking, and relaxing at the beach in her free time.

“As a designer, I enjoy observing the different ways that people live their lives, and I feel privileged to be able to curate and create the personal spaces that help my client’s live their best lives.”

DANIEL COLVARD joined Fergus Garber Architects in 2020 with over 10 years of design and construction experience on custom residential, civic, and commercial projects.

A registered architect in Pennsylvania, Daniel holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Yale University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Dartmouth College. He currently teaches classes in architectural design at Stanford University. Outside of work and teaching, he enjoys playing ice hockey and soaking up the California sunshine with his wife, son, and their beloved hound.

“As an architect, I try to hold a broad, adaptable mindset. There are so many variables to weigh: client desires, site and environment, scale and proportion, materials, technique, not to mention regulatory constraints, time, and cost. I find it tremendously rewarding to partner with our clients and find harmony among the elements unique to each project and community.”

OLIVIA DELBONO became a part of the FGA team in 2018 after graduating from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Architecture and minors in Construction Management and Sustainable Architecture.

At FGA, Olivia appreciates the unique perspectives of her clients and finds joy throughout the design process from initial space planning to interior finishes and construction details. Prior to FGA, Olivia gained practical experience completing an internship with Tesla for the design of their new campus and with Kitchell Construction for managing school construction in Sacramento. As a student, Olivia was awarded scholarships from the Association of Women in Architecture and the National Association of Women in Construction. She studied architecture abroad in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Mexico. Besides feeding her addictive hunger for travel and foreign languages, she enjoys painting, woodworking, and cooking in her free time.

“An architect’s greatest strength is her ability to interpret a client’s dream into an idea and, ultimately, into a reality. It is both a skill and an art. Our architects are adept at translating between the languages of building code, our consultants, and our clients to design them a home that truly speaks to their aesthetics and needs.”

SAM FISCHER joined FGA after earning his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2020.

Upon graduating, he received the Dean’s Graduate Award for Design Excellence in Architecture and an Acanthus award recognition from the Chicago Institute of Classical Architecture and Art for his thesis work. Sam’s architectural education has taken him around the world, having spent time studying and traveling in Rome and throughout Italy, and also Greece and Guatemala where he furthered his love of traditional architecture and urbanism.

Prior to earning his Master’s degree, Sam received his Bachelor’s degree in writing and literature from the University of Wisconsin—his home state. Outside of the office, you can find him honing his culinary skills in the kitchen or enjoying the great outdoors.

‘One of the things that excites me about the field of architecture, is the pursuit of lifelong learning. As an example, I see hand-drawing as a lost art that I am dedicated to practicing and preserving. To me, a drawing is one of the greatest tools that can be used to clearly communicate a three-dimensional idea in a two-dimensional manner.’

SAIZWIN KADIWALA earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from K.R.V.I.A, a design-based school in Mumbai, prior to earning her master’s degree in Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design.

As a native of India, Saizwin has experience working abroad in both residential and commercial architecture, a great asset for FGA and their clients. Saizwin finds design inspiration in daily interactions with her clients and colleagues and from traveling and closely observing the world around her. Outside of work, Saizwin enjoys cooking a variety of cuisines from around the world.

“As a designer, I have the power to shape lives through spaces. Taking an idea and helping to build it into a reality motivates and inspires me.”

ELIZABETH LABRA brings a unique perspective and diverse range of work experience in luxury lifestyle brands to FGA.

Elizabeth launched her career in New York City where she merged her love for architecture and fashion as a Store Planning Project Manager for an Italian luxury fashion house. There she managed the design, development and construction of their North American stores for five years. In 2019, Elizabeth and her husband traded Brownstones for Victorians and relocated cross-country to San Francisco. She spent weekends walking and admiring the city’s architecturally-rich homes and neighborhoods—an exercise that encouraged her to reconnect with her passion for residential design.

Elizabeth holds a Master’s degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona, which included a wondrous year studying Renaissance architecture in Florence, Italy.

“Empathy is an important quality that often gets overlooked when hiring an architect. We design spaces for others, and we can’t do that without taking the time and initiative to walk in their shoes. It is critical to designing a home that—functionally and aesthetically—reflects who they are and the way they want to live.”

JILLIAN LANGLEY is a versatile project manager who works on an array of home designs from extensive historic remodels to high-end custom residences.

Regardless of the project or its size, Jillian’s goals remain the same: to efficiently organize her projects and to clearly communicate ideas with clients and contractors. More broadly, Jillian is a leader in ensuring office productivity as well, assisting with ArchiCAD technology and optimizing graphic standards. Prior to joining FGA, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo. Outside of work, Jillian enjoys hiking, baking, and playing with her vizsla puppy Gus.

“I love getting to know my clients so well that I can often anticipate their preferences and reactions before they even share them with me. This deep insight guides me in crafting a design that is tailored to their tastes based solely on the information we have exchanged throughout the project. Even once it’s complete, I am thankful for the bond we develop that stretches far beyond just that of client-architect.”

SHUXIN LIN’S diverse background with experience in science, graphic design, and vernacular architectural history greatly enriches her work in residential architecture today.

Shuxin received her Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame in 2018, with an emphasis in hand drawing and watercolor techniques of classical architecture. While in graduate school, Shuxin strengthened her interest in traditional architecture and historic construction techniques during a semester study abroad program in Rome, Italy. She also conducted extensive first-hand research on existing Song dynasty buildings in China from the years 950-1020. At FGA, Shuxin enjoys working at a variety of scales, from connection details to complex site plans, and appreciates the firm’s ability to create timeless, elegant, and intuitive designs. Outside of work, Shuxin enjoys tennis, hiking, and frequenting the farmer’s markets in the area.

“My heritage and love of travel are endless sources of inspiration for me. They greatly influence my designs by affording me a unique global perspective.”

ANDREA MILOSLAVIC brings a global perspective to FGA. 

Born in Southern California with Croatian heritage, Andrea studied architecture abroad in Rome, Athens, and Berlin prior to earning her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies from the University of California at Berkeley. At Berkeley, she conducted significant research on ancient Egyptian artifacts and her findings were published in a Harvard Egyptological series.

Andrea’s travels and global experiences have trained her eye to see design  critically and have helped her understand different architectural expressions. For Andrea, architecture and building methods play an important role in creating a sense of place and identity.

In her free time, Andrea enjoys revisiting her Croatian roots, playing soccer, and hiking. She is proud to have summited Mt. Whitney in 2021. 

“Architecture is more than just a physical building— it is a culmination of the life that surrounds it.”

LUKE MORTON joined FGA as the sustainability manager after cultivating years of experience as an environmental engineer working with some of the country’s leading building energy organizations.

Luke’s background includes positions with the U.S. Green Building Council in Washington D.C.; the Rocky Mountain Institute in Boulder; the Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta; and Viron Energy Services in Oakland. During that time, he was instrumental in supporting a carbon-based standard that will be incorporated into the LEED criteria, evaluating the effectiveness of the “smart” thermostat, and serving as a HERS rater inspecting more than 500 new single-family houses for ENERGY STAR and EarthCraft House certifications. He also led the energy audit of the entire Community College District of San Mateo.

Luke is a graduate of Stanford University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Systems and Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. In his free time, he enjoys baking in his solar oven, playing the ukulele in a local bluegrass band, and lecturing about building science to Stanford undergrads.

“Improved sustainability is not a static, intrinsic aspect of any material or process – rather it’s a relationship with the world around it which can take many forms. Among the most important is the ‘culture’ of sustainability fostered at FGA between materials and process and the clients. As an engineer, my greatest strength is optimizing a building’s services while maintaining crucial design elements and aesthetics.

And in the greater service of sustainability, we know that the underlying durability of our projects is not in the life of the materials and systems, but rather in the durability of purpose and form – a home that stands up to the elements indefinitely, as well as withstanding the test of time in the seasons of life for our clients.”

KATHERINE NEUNER is a San Diego native and a summa cum laude graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she majored in Architecture and minored in Italian Studies. 

Katherine was lauded for her academic excellence and contributions to the architecture program as a recipient of numerous prestigious awards. The Building Technology Educators’ Society recognized her with their highest honor, the Edward Allen Student Award, for her commitment, passion, curiosity, and excellence in the integration of building technology and architectural design through her academic career. She was also given the Flux Design Award for her melting chess set in Cal Poly’s annual furniture competition and received a prestigious Thesis Writing Awards for her thesis on the use of bio-based materials such as wood, clay, and thatch in a contemporary setting. During her time at Cal Poly, Katherine also participated in an educational exchange program in Florence where she studied Renaissance art and architecture for one year. 

She is an enthusiastic reader and pianist and enjoys spending her downtime at grandparents’ farm in Missouri. 

“To me, being an architect is a lot like being a storyteller. Whether I’m uncovering the story behind a historic building or crafting the new story of a client’s dream home, I am grateful to play a part in bringing these narratives to life.”

While the scope of ALLISON PELL’s work is diverse—ranging from transitional renovations to contemporary new builds—each one benefits from her acute eye for detail and feature intricate architectural elements that she often draws by hand.

Allison has extensive experience with local zoning codes and is energized by the schematic phase, particularly the process of seeing different ideas come together to create a cohesive, organized result. She joined FGA in 2012 after graduating with honors from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo. As a student, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Denmark where she developed a love for Scandinavian architecture. Outside of FGA, Allison enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

“For me, being able to communicate clearly through a drawing is crucial. Whether it’s free-hand sketching for a client or presenting technical drawings to a general contractor, I revel in the challenge that comes with working out the details and communicating them through visuals.”

Office manager, FUMIE POGATCHNIK’s, fascination with human behavior and background in human resources brings a unique dynamic to FGA’s administrative team.

Born and raised in Japan and educated at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, she earned her degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She is intrigued by the intersection of job performance and environmental design.

When she is not crunching numbers at the office, Fumie is studying interior design at UC Berkeley. She has long had a passion for drawing and can trace her interest in architecture back to childhood when she stumbled upon a television program on the historical buildings of the Czech Republic. Fumie is the mother of a toddler son and a Shiba Inu pup. She likes to hike and dabble in Persian cooking.

FUN FACT: While living in Minnesota, Fumie was the office manager at a specialty ice cream company where she helped develop a new ice cream flavor!

“I wish I had started with a career in architecture, but I am looking forward to a future in residential design upon graduating. In the meantime, I’ll continue to bask in the creativity of the architects here and turn to them for inspiration. That’s what keeps me going as an administrator.”

KURT RODRIGO, a Southern California native, joined FGA in 2018 after gaining years of experience designing commercial and custom residential projects in New York City.

Kurt focuses his practice on listening well, carefully calculating design decisions, and being aware of the continually shifting complexities of a project. He strives to balance creativity with practicality and enjoys helping clients identify what they find visually appealing. Kurt earned a Master’s Degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University and graduated with honors from CalPoly, Pomona. Outside of the office, you’ll find him playing sports, traveling, reading, and watching reruns of the sitcom, “The Office.” He enjoys spending time with his wife, friends, family and chi-weenie, Brooklyn.

“Thanks to modern technology, I find a world of inspiration through online research. When I identify a special project, I study it because there is always a lesson to be learned from precedents. I can employ what I’ve discovered in a new way and see where the results lead.”

For EMMA SCHOTT, hands-on experience is an education in its own rite. As an Honors architecture student at Cal Poly SLO, she took advantage of countless opportunities in the field, including a program that installed solar panels for families in need.

Emma, a Santa Barbara native, was drawn to architecture because it combines creativity and artistry with critical thinking skills like math and engineering. Prior to graduating Summa Cum Laude, she spent a year studying abroad in Copenhagen, where she took classes in architecture, furniture design, Nordic design principles, and textile design. She also worked in construction management which afforded her valuable knowledge on the fundamentals of building. Emma believes that using both the sides of the brain is crucial to achieving success in design.

In her free time, Emma enjoys working with her hands, whether it is building furniture, sewing, or making quilts and clothing.

“What sets FGA apart from other firms is the diversity of our projects. We aren’t tied to a particular style – we have mastered many rather than having just one strength.”

CAMILLE SHAMBLE is fueled by the talent of FGA team members and their exceptional projects and works diligently to share their stories and successes.

Camille has led FGA’s marketing efforts since joining the firm in 2018. A licensed architect (Oregon) with advanced degrees in architecture, she draws on her extensive knowledge and education to promote the firm. She nurtures strong relationships with clients and consultants and coordinates outreach through the website and various print and social media outlets.

Prior to joining FGA, Camille completed a PhD in the History of Art and Architecture from the University of Virginia. During her program, she taught architectural history and design courses and held research fellowships at Dumbarton Oaks Library in Washington D.C. and the Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena. She holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts from U.C. Santa Barbara. If you’re looking for Camille outside of office hours, you can likely find her at the park chasing her three young daughters.

“Day after day and project by project, I garner a new appreciation for our architects. I’m enlightened by the grace and ease with which they manage such complex tasks, and by the creativity, artistry, and whimsy they impart while staying focused and detail-oriented. As a result, our projects speak for themselves and that makes my job quite simple.”

LAUREN TILTON draws inspiration for her designs from the neighborhoods around her. She pulls from classic styles and spins those elegant proportions and original details to give them a more modern look and feel.

Lauren, a licensed architect, has extensive experience in custom residential and hospitality design including resorts, club houses, and wineries in New York, Boston, and San Francisco prior to joining FGA in 2019. Lauren’s love for architecture sprouted at an early age as she watched her mother, who is also an architect, design custom homes from her home office. She remembers stomping around job sites in work boots and a hard hat as early as four years old. Lauren graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. While in school, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome and travel throughout Europe for a year. In her free time, she loves to travel, cook, and search for new plants to add to her ever-growing windowsill garden.

“Our architects come from many different backgrounds and have unique experiences that enrich and diversify our work. Our firm culture is one of collaboration and comradery and that is evident in how we work with one another and with our clients as well.”

Affiliations

American Institute of Architects

National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

FOSTER WESTOVER thrives in the collaborative and inventive design culture at FGA. In his practice, he aspires to create timeless, livable designs – inspired by many of the elegant homes on the Peninsula where he was raised – and continually strives to investigate the best design approach for each modern family.

Foster received his Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2021 and officially joined the firm after spending two prior summers as an intern. During college, Foster spent time in Seoul and Tokyo and traveled across Japan by Shinkansen, the bullet train, stopping in locales including the beach town of Ichinomiya and the art islands of Naoshima and Teshima. The diverse cultures and topography of Eastern Asia continue to rank among the greatest sources of inspiration for his designs. When he is not at work, Foster can be found adventuring outdoors – surfing, skiing, and wakeboarding.

“In custom residential architecture, I love that I get to explore different ways to create and personalize well-designed homes for our clients that will transcend the passage of time. Flexible thinking, resourcefulness, and teamwork are essential, and I find joy in knowing that there will always be new things to discover in the process.”