DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Baucentrum (which means building center) is the realization in San Diego, California of a concept which was developed in the Netherlands at the outset of World War II. To aid reconstruction of the region after the war, a bureau (one stop shop) was created to provide to the public - information, consultancy, research and education in the area of building design, technology and construction economics. Similarly, we have set out to offer these types of services to the people of San Diego on a regular basis and especially after the crisis such as the economic recession and the recurring fire storms.

In the spirit of this philosophy and embracing the 21th century, our proffessional goal is to promote good sustainable arcitecture, increased public awareness of the built environment, and a more efficient, cost effective design and building process. Baucentrum endeavors to creat architecture in the context of its surrounding built environment which is sensitive to the client's budget, the user's needs, society's demands, the local environment, and the styles and materials of the day. We provide competent, competitively priced architectural services and we strive to be an independent institute active in research, consultancy, information and education in the realm of building, housing and the environment. We are committed to seeking out and utilizing state of the art technologies which offer better communications and more creative, efficient methods of providing high quality design, documentation and cunsulting services.

COMPANY HISTORY

Baucentrum was initially founded in the San Francisco Bay Area where local crisis including the 1989 earthquake, the 1991 fire storm and the 1994 earthquake prompted the Baucentrum Philosophy. In Chicago in June 1993, Philip Bona proudly signed, on behalf of Baucentrum, and committed to the Declaration of Interdependence for a Sustainable Future as part of the UIA/AIA World Congress of Architects.

COMPANY PROFILE

Baucentrum  Architecture  was  founded  by Philip J. Bona, AIA / NCARB in 1989 after 15 years of successful architectural practice.   The firm was located  in  San  Mateo and then San Carlos California, which  is  central to the San Francisco Peninsula and the Bay Area and focused on residential, commercial, health care and public projects.  In 1997, the firm was taken over by DES Architects +Engineers in Redwood City California and focused on Corporate (Dot Com) and education projects.  In 2002, Mr. Bona transitioned the firm's interests to WLC Architects where he focused on masterplanning and construction management of K-12 and community college projects.  In 2007, Mr. Bona relocated to San Diego, California taking the position of Assistant Vice President for Architecture and Planning with CCDC (Centre City Development Corporation) with the San Diego Redevelopment Agency. In March of 2009, Mr. Bona reorganized his firm again as a Sole Proprietor as Baucentrum Urban Studio in San Diego. 

The firm offers a  variety  of  professional  architectural  and consulting   services.   We  have  proven expertise  in urban planning and architectural  design,  project  management   and   the preparation  of  3-D Virtual Building Models that result in intelligent architectural  documents  based on state of the art computer  technologies.    This progressive approach to the process  of  programming, planning, design, modeling, documentation, construction, and communication allows us to offer a more  unique approach to professional services and clarity of documents while still maintaining competitive fees.

Our  professional  goal is to promote good sustainable planning and architecture, increased public awareness of the  built  environment, and  a  more cost effective design and building process.  To this end, Baucentrum  Urban Studio offers  a  full range  of  services  including planning studies, masterplanning, architectural  design and modeling, historic restoration,  space  planning,  interior design, agency expediting, expert witness and systems research.  Our graphic programming, design and production systems primarily utilize an integrated approach using  Revit Architectural 2010 and AutoCAD 2010 in conjunction with AIA/ConDoc formatting  and automated specifications.   We have  developed  a  strong working relationship  with  a  variety  of  experienced and responsive  consultants in San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine and San Francisco.   They represent all the supportive disciplines including structural engineering, mechanical / plumbing engineering, electrical  and low voltage engineering, energy compliance, LEED Commissioning, civil engineering, landscape architecture, and Energy Grant Writing.  All have 3D compatible computer capabilities.

Baucentrum  (which  means  building  center)  is  the  realization of  a  concept  which  was developed in the Netherlands at the outset of the Second World War.  To aid reconstruction of the region after the war,  a bureau was created to provide to the public information, consultancy, research  and  education  in the areas of building design, technology and construction economics.  Similarly, we have offered these types of services to the people of the Bay Area after the 1989 earthquake and 1991 fire storm.

Our  services  focus on a multi-disciplinary integrated project delivery approach and are  generally divided into 7 basic phases of architectural  services  including  predesign,  site analysis, schematic  design,  design development,  construction  documents, bidding/ IPD/Design-Build administration, and construction administration, as well as many other supplemental services.

Principal  of  the  firm, Philip J. Bona AIA, has personally provided professional  architectural  services  to  the private  and public  sector  since  1975.   He is a licensed architect  in  California  and  has  attained  National Certification by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.  In 1996 Philip received an AIA Award of Merit for his Historic Restoration of St. Michael Hall in Belmont, CA.

The  firm  offers  project experience in single and multi-family residential housing, hospital  and  medical  arts, mixed-use developments  incorporating  retail  with  office  and  residential,  civic  and  community   facilities, restaurant,  retail,  office, tenant improvements, light industrial, municipal,  recreational,  theater,  educational and warehouse  facilities.   We have also provided property reports, feasibility  studies,  hazardous  materials environmental management plans, and design guidelines.

Baucentrum  endeavors  to create architecture in the context of its built environment which is sensitive  to  the client's  budget, the  user's needs, society's demands, and the styles and materials of the  day.   We  provide competent architectural services, while striving to be an independent institute active in research, consultancy, information  and  education  in  the  realm of building, housing and the  environment.    We  are  committed  to seeking  out  and utilizing state of the art technologies which offer better communications and  more  creative, efficient methods of providing high quality design, documentation and consulting services.