Business Details
31 Years
experience
Award-Winning Sustainable Architecture & Urban Design
Mogavero Architects has been dedicated to building livable communities through award-winning architecture, planning, and urban design for nearly three decades. Our Sacramento-based team brings a multidisciplinary approach to projects across California, specializing in residential, commercial, and institutional developments. With a focus on sustainability and community engagement, we integrate ecological principles into every project, from concept to completion. Our team of passionate professionals prioritizes client satisfaction through collaborative design processes and innovative solutions tailored to unique geographic and social contexts. Backed by decades of experience, we emphasize smart growth, sustainable neighborhoods, and consensus-building with stakeholders to create spaces that reflect community values.Our expertise spans market-rate and affordable housing, mixed-use developments, LEED certification, and urban master plans. We maintain rigorous in-house systems to ensure project efficiency, minimize costs, and deliver high-quality results aligned with client goals. As advocates for diversity and inclusion, our team represents 12 countries and includes leaders in sustainable design, urban infill, and community advocacy. Our commitment to professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration ensures we remain at the forefront of architectural innovation while fostering a culture of mentorship and continuous learning.
Services
Residential Architecture
Commercial Design
Urban Planning
LEED Certification
Mixed-Use Development
Community Advocacy
BIM Coordination
Sustainable Design
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We have 30 years of experience in sustainable architecture and urban design.
- Our team includes LEED-certified professionals and urban planning experts.
- We prioritize community engagement through collaborative design processes.
- We maintain in-house systems to minimize construction costs and delays.
- Our multidisciplinary approach covers all project phases from concept to completion.
Services
Residential Architecture
We design market-rate and affordable housing solutions that prioritize livability, sustainability, and community integration. Our expertise spans multi-family complexes, student housing, and mixed-income developments. By balancing functional needs with environmental considerations, we create spaces that enhance residents' quality of life while meeting economic and regulatory requirements.
Urban Planning
Our urban planning services include general plan revisions, neighborhood studies, and form-based code development. We specialize in creating walkable, mixed-use communities through collaborative processes involving public agencies and local stakeholders. Our approach ensures projects align with regional growth strategies while addressing specific community needs.
Sustainable Design
We integrate ecological principles into every project phase, from passive solar design to on-site energy generation. Our team has pioneered sustainable building systems for over three decades, including daylighting strategies, water recycling systems, and materials selection that minimizes environmental impact while maintaining economic viability.
LEED Certification
We guide projects through LEED certification processes while implementing sustainable practices that exceed standard requirements. Our experience includes energy modeling, material sourcing, and construction waste management to achieve high-performance buildings that reduce long-term operational costs and environmental footprint.
Community Advocacy
We facilitate consensus-building between developers, government agencies, and neighborhood groups through structured public involvement processes. Our approach includes charrettes, stakeholder meetings, and educational workshops that ensure diverse perspectives shape final designs while maintaining project feasibility.
People
Renner Johnston
President
With 28 years at Mogavero, Renner leads sustainable design initiatives and manages complex housing and urban design projects. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon and specializes in master planning for educational and workforce housing developments.
David Mogavero
Senior Principal
Founder with 30+ years in ecological architecture, David pioneered sustainable building systems and community-focused design. He serves on multiple environmental boards and has shaped California's smart growth policies through both practice and advocacy.
Craig Stradley
Principal
With over 30 years in urban infill projects, Craig specializes in balancing functional design with environmental responsibility. He leads teams in creating mixed-use developments that address social and ecological needs while maintaining economic viability.
Cecilia Chouhy
Principal
Affordable housing expert with 15+ years experience, Cecilia focuses on design excellence within budget constraints. She leads BIM implementation and mentors staff while advocating for equitable environments in architecture and urban planning.
Cesar Medina
Principal
Design Director with 25+ years in residential architecture, Cesar specializes in student and affordable housing. He ensures design quality across projects and advocates for accessible housing solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing communities.
Questions
What architectural services does Mogavero Architects offer?
We provide residential, commercial, and institutional architecture, including mixed-use developments, LEED certification, and urban master plans.
Do you specialize in sustainable design?
Yes, sustainability has been central to our practice for 30 years, with expertise in passive solar design, water recycling, and renewable energy systems.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily work throughout California, with a focus on Sacramento and Northern California regions.
How do you involve communities in design projects?
We facilitate public participation through charrettes, neighborhood meetings, and collaborative decision-making processes to ensure community input.
What makes your firm unique?
Our multidisciplinary approach combines architecture, planning, and development expertise with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Reviews (1)
Gerard F.
Feb 03, 2012
Report
MNA is one of Sacramento's leading sustainable architecture firms - they designed the house I live in: contemporary eco-chic design, small footprint, super energy efficient, beautiful... love it!
Eco-urban architecture rocks!
Eco-urban architecture rocks!
