TCA Architects

IRWIN YAU, AIA, LEED AP

TCA Staff - Nov 15, 2016

Irwin Yau is the Principal-In-Charge (PIC) of TCA’s Orange County office with over 20 years of architectural design experience. As the PIC, he works closely with multiple Studio Directors and Designers, focused on high density housing projects throughout the state. Irwin started at TCA as a designer and is still heavily involved with the design process and guides multiple projects with national clients from initial conceptualization through design and completion of construction. He enjoys the challenge of designing complex projects and obtaining approvals from demanding municipalities that can positively affect local communities. As Principal-In-Charge, Irwin oversees the operations and profitability of the OC office and works closely with TCA leaders to ensure the success of their projects.

Since he began his tenure at TCA, Irwin has designed and built over 20 projects and 5,000 units. He is a proponent of collaborative design and teamwork by working closely with TCA’s design staff to explore all possible avenues and options. He is skilled in analyzing sites to develop a product that balances the needs of the client’s program with the community’s desires.

Aside from his project responsibilities, Irwin is a Partner at TCA, involved in multiple facets of the firm’s business, internal structure and future planning. In addition to recruiting and leading the Orange County office, he is engaged in the training, mentoring and professional development of the teams.

Irwin is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He continued his education with postgraduate work at Columbia University in New York, earning a Master of Science in Advanced Architecture degree. His combined education and experience have provided the requisite design skills to create dynamic architecture through a hybrid process of hand drawings and computer 3D visualization.

ERIC OLSEN, AIA, LEED AP

TCA Architect - Nov 15, 2016

Eric Olsen is the Principal in Charge of TCA’s Los Angeles and Hawaii offices, and a partner in the firm. He has 29 years of experience in master planning, residential/mixed-use architecture, TOD, high rise, and affordable housing. In his role, Eric leads project teams and provides overall office management. He also provides leadership for the Architecture Department for TCA and acts on the firm’s Board of Director’s Executive Committee. Eric also serves as cochair of the ULI Los Angeles Housing Council.

Eric’s DTLA office has recently completed several notable mixed-use and high-density housing projects, including G-12 and Olive DTLA, The Camden, Cumulus, Hanover Grand, and El Monte Veterans Village a 42-unit affordable housing SRO serving military veterans in El Monte, CA. In addition to architectural education, Eric’s study includes a specialized degree in architectural history and urban planning.

His designs have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Congress of the New Urban (CNU), The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Pacific Coast Builder’s Conference (PCBC), among others. Eric is a speaker on housing and high-density design at industry events, and volunteers as a studio critic at Cal Poly Pomona’s School of Environmental Design. His projects have been featured in industry publications such as Urban Land Magazine, Green Home Builder, Architectural West, Builder Magazine, and Multi-Housing News.

Eric holds an NCARB certificate and is licensed in California, Hawaii, Arizona, New Jersey, South Carolina, Nevada, and Montana. He received a BA from the University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA) and holds a MA from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Eric and his family are long-time Long Beach residents and frequent visitors to Hawai’i.

STEVE HUTSON

TCA Staff - Nov 15, 2016

Steve Hutson is a Partner at TCA with over 31 years of architectural experience in construction technology and the production of construction documents. Prior to TCA, Steve’s architectural focus was on municipal work, commercial and retail projects, and high-end custom homes. He has been a team leader at TCA since 2001 with senior management oversight on a countless number of mixed use projects along the west coast while assisting in the advancement of office wide architectural standards, processes and drawing disciplines. Over the years, he has grown his position from a singular project focus to be a companywide asset in quality management, construction oversight and mentoring. He has very strong and innate communicate skills which are highlighted in his daily coordination with project teams, consultants and government agencies. Steve is energetic, highly experienced, and a passionately devoted practitioner.

As Director of Quality Management (QM) and Construction Administration (CA), Mr. Hutson has been instrumental in providing detailed project analysis reviews and oversight for all of TCA’s projects. He is responsible for reviewing construction contracts, establishing project schedules, budgets, staffing needs, mentoring project team members and directing projects from Schematic Design through Construction Administration. His highly detailed approach to drawing content, coupled with an ability to respond rapidly to a variety of challenging situations in ‘real time’, makes Steve uniquely suited for this position. He is highly valued internally and externally for his technical knowledge, leadership, personality, clear communication style and the direct approach he brings to the construction process.

As a Partner, Steve assists in setting the direction of the firm. He mentors and trains staff members, leads project and staff scheduling meetings, participates in office management, assists Human Resources with interviewing and hiring, conducts routine employee engagements, directs project management meetings, and serves as a resource for all projects.

DAN SCHMID, AIA

TCA Architect - Nov 15, 2016

Dan has over 25 years of experience in high-density multifamily housing including mixed-use, urban infill, senior, affordable, and Transit Oriented Design (TOD). Prior to TCA, Dan, as a Project Architect at Gillis and Associates, created construction documents for large scale public works facilities located in the City of Corona and the City of Carlsbad.

He is responsible for the successful completion of some of TCA’s largest and most high-profile projects including: Wilshire La Brea in Los Angeles, Westgate Apartments in Pasadena, Boardwalk in Huntington Beach, and The Haven in San Jose.

Dan has been a Principal at TCA since 2012. In addition to managing projects, he is involved in additional management operations such as TCA’s staff expansion. He is a member of the technical executive committee and oversees the architectural operations of TCA’s three studio locations.

His outstanding reputation has earned TCA several repeated projects with some of the industry’s most highly regarded developers. Dan graduated with a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and has a Masters in Architecture from University of Pennsylvania. He is a registered architect in the state of California. Dan enjoys spending time with his family and competing in masters’ level swimming competitions.

TIM MUSTARD, AIA

TCA Staff - Nov 15, 2016

Tim Mustard is a Partner at TCA who brings more than 20 years of experience as an architect, strategist and master planner with an emphasis on high density housing, including market rate, mixed income, affordable, workforce and senior housing. In addition, Tim has over a decade of business development and marketing expertise in his role as Principal. A hands-on leader recognized for both his business and technical acumen, Tim is a member of TCA’s Executive Committee, leading the firm’s continued expansion into new markets, including hospitality and large scale mixed use projects.

As a proponent of technology and innovation, Tim is leading TCA’s pioneering adoption of virtual and augmented reality technology into all phases of the firm’s workflow. He is collaborating with the leaders in VR hardware and software, including HTC VIVE, IRIS VR and Kalloc Studios, pushing the limits of his profession and allowing the design teams, owners and key stakeholders to experience the built environment before it’s actually built. Tim’s additional goals are to advance the design evolution of wood construction, while pushing the limits of high design, including modular and cross laminated timber (CLT) technology.

Tim has become a highly-respected and recognized thought leader in multifamily design, and is a frequent speaker at the Urban Land Institute (ULI) national council events, Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) and Bisnow conferences. He is currently serving on the ULI Affordable and Workforce Housing Council, where he is championing the application of market-rate housing ideas to affordable housing in innovative and cost-effective ways.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic University, Pomona and is a licensed Architect in the State of California. A strong proponent of community service, Tim contributes his time and expertise to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and is on the Board of Trustees for Olive Crest, where with his wife, they have fostered and adopted two amazing children. Tim resides in Irvine, CA.

ARAM CHAHBAZIAN, AIA, LEED AP

TCA Architect - Nov 15, 2016

Aram has been a partner at TCA Architects since 1995 with over 35 years of design and management experience in the industry. As President and CEO, he guides the firm’s growth strategy and tactical operational structure, leading a group of over 100 team members across three offices. Aram possesses a wealth of experience with company leadership, community involvement and multifamily design with a focus on high density, urban infill housing and mixed-use properties. Located throughout California, these projects are mixed-use residential and retail blocks in the 150 to 230 du/ac density range and a range of 5,000 to 125,000 square feet of street level retail space.

Aram is active in professional organizations and is a full-member of the Urban Land Institute’s Orange County District Council where he has served as Vice Chair of Programs and Executive Committee Member. He is a founding Member of the ULI-OC Housing Initiative Council. Aram has been the Vice Chair of Outreach for the Multi Housing Local Product Council of which he is currently an active member, as well as a member of the National Small Scale Development Gold Product Council. He is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB).

Aram is an active supporter and contributor to the Orange County Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. He serves on Habitat’s Board of Directors as the Assistant Chair, The Executive Committee and Co-Chair or the Land Acquisition and Development Committee. He also leads TCA’s Annual Golf Tournament Committee, an event that has raised over $1,500,000 benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.

THOMAS P. COX, AIA

TCA Architect - Nov 02, 2016

Thom is the founder and Senior Principal of TCA Architects. Under his guidance, TCA has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in creative, cost effective and cutting edge design. Thom founded TCA more than 29 years ago with the goal of integrating design, technology, and new materials in the formulation of the next generation of sustainable, mixed-use, urban infill communities. TCA has a broad platform of Urban Housing, Retail, Hospitality, and Interior Design. Operating out of three California based studios (Irvine, Los Angeles and Oakland) the firm collaborates with many of the nation’s leading developers on a portfolio of projects spanning from the eastern seaboard to the entirety of California and Hawaii.

In 2012, Thom opened the Bay Area Studio of TCA. His pioneering spirit and passion for excellence in design continues as he currently guides the growth of the Oakland studio. TCA has been honored numerous times for design excellence, receiving awards from AIA, CNU, NAHB , PCBC, and ULI.

Currently, Thom is a Member and Governor of Urban Land Institute (ULI), serving on the Multifamily Green Product Council. He also shares his passion for design by speaking as an expert at industry events nation-wide, including; PCBC, Multi-Family Trends, BALA, Multi-Family Executive, University Southern California, National Association of Home Builders, and the National Multifamily Housing Council.

Thom is a veteran of the United States Navy, Submarine Service. He utilizes his love for cycling to raise funds and awareness for the fight against AIDS. Annually, he participates in the 545 mile, San Francisco to Los Angeles, AIDS/LifeCycle ‘Ride to End Aids’. Thom enjoys spending time with his wife, daughters, and granddaughters and travels extensively, exploring the wonders of the world we live in.