TCA Architects

Lisa Fraga

TCA Staff - Nov 29, 2016

Andy Guingab

TCA Staff - Nov 29, 2016

Andy Guingab is a Principal and the Corporate Controller at TCA Architects. He has 39 years of experience in accounting, and prior to joining the Irvine office, Andy worked as an accountant for an insurance and construction firm, and as a funds management analyst for one of Asia’s airline companies.

As the Controller at TCA, Andy prepares various financial reports to help in the management’s decision making and payroll processing. He also assists the Studio Directors and Project Managers in their accounting needs.

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.

PAUL ANDERSON, AIA

TCA Staff - Nov 15, 2016

Paul joined TCA Architects as a Senior Designer and Associate Principal in 2012. He now operates as a Studio Director managing a wide range of projects. His more than 27 years of experience encompasses projects from lower density residential townhomes and apartments, to higher density mixed-use design with residential, retail and office uses. Paul also has extensive experience with large residential land planning projects and master plans. Prior to TCA he held titles of Senior Designer at Bassenian Lagoni Architects and Associate Partner at McLarand Vasquez & Emsiek Partners (MVE).

As a Studio Director, Paul provides solutions for complex design problems, including code related issues and diplomatic interaction and negotiation with public agencies. He is responsible for the management of simultaneous projects while collaborating with clients, consultants and the architectural team. He establishes productive working relationships and deals effectively and cooperatively with team members while making independent judgments and decisions. Paul supervises and leads team members, setting goals and prioritizing activities for self-management and efficient use of time. He clearly and effectively communicates with clients, city and governmental agencies, through written project narratives and verbal presentations. He is ultimately responsible for the financial health and stability of the project within TCA. Because of that, Mr. Anderson remains consistently on the project throughout its life, beginning with concept design and ending at project occupancy.

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.