including names as high profile as Bosa Properties, Cactus Club, and Shaw + Freedom Mobile. Their projects range from highend single-family homes, to multi-family developments, retail stores, distilleries, office renovations, and even bridges – for example, they are currently designing the SEAandSKY Pedestrian Bridge in Downtown Squamish. When evaluating potential projects, Rafael and his team don’t look at the sector, size or scope. Instead, they look for opportunities where “design can be pushed.” “That’s when we’ll always throw our hat in the ring and say, ‘We want to take a crack at that,’” Rafael explains. “The typology doesn’t really matter to us. We believe anything can be properly designed, and any project is worth our time if there’s room to be creative.” On the other side of the coin, Rafael believes the clients who have those more creative jobs are drawn to RSAAW by the firm’s drive and ambition. Rafael and Antonio are personally very experienced, which gives the young progressive workshop an appealing balance to clients. “I think some developers are gradually, and finally, catching up to the fact that people that are properly trained but new in the game are the people that are going to work a little harder,” he says. “They are the people that are going to think outside the box and go outside their comfort zones in order to make a project happen.” Also, because the workshop is of a modest size, their overheads are low – so RSAAW can also be attractive from a price perspective. “I think that’s why our clients come to us,” Rafael says. “That, and becausewe do a really good job – the buildings we design are beautiful, and they meet all of our clients’ objectives.” Landscape Design by Heather Davidson Design RAFAEL SANTA ANA ARCHITECTURE WORKSHOP
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