How we became Architects FORA
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While our firm name and leadership has changed over the past 40 years, our commitment to serving our communities with vibrant, resilient, and equitable housing has not.
Foresight
/ 1981
You may have known us back when we were OJK Architecture + Planning, founded in 1981 by Jerry King. Jerry’s foresight saw the rising housing prices of his day, realized the proliferating impacts it would have on lives in the Bay Area, and dedicated his practice to affordable housing. Over the next 4 decades, Jerry and his team took on the challenge with agility and grace - demonstrating a new standard of design for beauty, quality, and sustainability in affordable housing.
Through their work, the OJK team built lasting relationships with the valued clients we have today. Together, they created designs that celebrate neighborhoods, enhance health and security, and prioritize sustainable and enduring buildings.
New (all-woman) Leadership
/ 2021
Forty years after its founding, OJK Architecture and Planning became an entirely woman-owned and led firm. Sarah Vaccaro, a principal of OJK, was joined by Leah Alissa Bayer, founder of EVIA Studio, and Kate Conley as they took helm as new owners. The trio proudly share Jerry’s alma mater, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, are licensed in California, and hold additional licenses in Washington, Colorado, and Hawaii. Taking a step towards retirement, Jerry now serves as the firm’s advising consultant.
“I am profoundly proud that three such gifted architects will be continuing OJK as FORA and continuing to improve our communities… Our clients and stakeholders are in terrific hands as a new generation of leaders continue our legacy.”
- Jerry King, Founder of OJK Architecture + Planning
Same Mission, Different Look
/ 2022
After purchasing the company, Sarah, Leah, and Kate rebranded the company as Architects FORA, merging with Leah’s all-virtual firm, EVIA. (FORA: Collaborative Approach, Restorative Process, Strong Community, Resilient Future, Just World, For ALL) Under their leadership, the firm’s team has expanded, expertise diversified, and markets now reach across the Pacific Coast. Along with the new value-reflective name came a new visual identity and a refreshed digital presence to align with our now fully-virtual practice.
“My partners and I have tremendous respect for what Jerry has built. We value his ongoing collaboration as we continue his legacy.”
- Sarah Vaccaro, Principal
Evolving Practice
/ on-going
We carry Jerry’s passions and esteemed legacy forward with a tenacity equivalent to today’s ever-evolving housing crises.
As a society, our understanding of housing inequity has become increasingly multi-faceted, acknowledging the systematic failures that have led to the commodification of home and community. We realize that, integral to the pursuit of equitable housing futures, is justice, diversity and inclusion. We’ve seen that housing is more than human right, but a means to climate resiliency and a sustainable future for all.
A Look towards the Future
Our promise to our clients, communities, and planet is to work with the urgency necessary to tackle the housing challenges of our time. We promise to be nimble, ever-evolving and challenge conventions. And we promise to create beautiful places for people to call home through holistic, restorative, evidence-based designs.
“We are committed to a restorative practice whose mission aligns with our clients’ to increase quality housing and strengthen our communities.”
- Leah Bayer, President