Mctigue Architecture

03/20/2025

Because we design for the needs of People, Place, and Planet, we anticipate industry evolution, and observe patterns of wind, water, land and light — the influence of colors, materiality, acoustics and more — to determine spatial balances, plan for sustainability, and distill all possible cost options.

Everything we build is designed with simplicity and sophistication from the inside out. Capturing your design goals first on paper using the art of the “sketch"" is an essential part of the Conscious Architecture process. Using this tactile method, we can more personally define design direction and visual intent, and then move our work into our technology tools — keeping the whole process and everyone involved grounded in purpose.

03/19/2025

We've been having a lot of conversations lately about the "How" of Conscious Architecture, especially as we connect with many new clients looking to rebuild, so we want to resurface this conversation between our Founder & Principal Andrew Pedrick and Ian Sollenberger of Sustainable Homes of the Future.

This interview covers some of MCTIGUE's history but more of our process, while answering questions like:

- How can we design buildings with a higher purpose in mind?
- What does building “flow” really mean?
- How do we work together with city officials and legislators to push for cleaner energy, materials, and better-performing buildings?
- What tools and technologies are available today for creating a positive user experience?

And, perhaps the MOST curious question:
- How can we use silkworms to organically grow buildings?

If you're interested in Conscious Architecture, we encourage you to give this in-depth exploration a listen!

https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/blog/article/building-the-future

03/13/2025

Affordable doesn't have to be ugly. Good design does not have to be expensive. Designing for People doesn't have to exclude the Planet.

At MCTIGUE, we prioritize regenerating both Community and Place in Nature. Conscious Architecture plans, designs and communicates with awareness, connection, and community benefit. It puts people and planet first, to create beauty, renew place, and share integrity in the creative process.

Conscious affordable housing can be a gateway to a greater sense of community as residents connect over place, amenities and shared interests. Developers, builders, and landlords also benefit with projects that build well and efficiently, promote resident values and create lasting value.

If you're rebuilding — or beginning — an affordable housing project, we want to hear from you!

03/11/2025

The essential nature of the work we do as architects is what we call grounding. Grounding is our way of connecting the work to planet, to purpose, to people. Architecture is created in materiality, but it's about the spirit, the heart, and the connection to life. Each day, in everything we do, it is important to remind ourselves of this and stay true to the goal. The path may sometimes be windy, but staying grounded is what it is all about.

For our founder and principal Drew Pedrick, that grounding begins at the start of the day with a check in on the world, meditation and exercise, and a delicious cup of coffee. What are you doing to stay grounded in your own goals?

03/04/2025

Thousands have stood in ash blanketed-remnants of familiar Place in the last many weeks, thinking "This was my front door," searching in confusion to find that symbol of welcome and connection.

Our Founder and Principal Andrew Pedrick has experienced the same disorientation of searching so many entrances, so many homes for his own — and shares here a message of compassion and understanding.

02/27/2025

As an architecture firm founded in social and environmental approaches to creating significant, lasting and valued place, rebuilding and re-imagining is part of everything we do. We also have direct experience in helping others in the position of recovering from wildfire devastation.

After the Woolsley fires in 2018, MCTIGUE had the honor of rebuilding and rejuvenating two family homes we want to share as indicators of hope and the promise of what’s possible. Read more and reach out to us about how Place can be re-imagined for People and Planet.

https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/blog/article/out-of-ashes-possibility-and-hope

02/21/2025

Modular tiny homes are an excellent way to construct affordable, resilient housing at scale — that is also good for the Planet! At MCTIGUE, we design these homes using MSIPs — Magnesium Cement Board Structural Insulated Panels, which are composed of a mixture of magnesium and cement: a new tech version of what was used in ancient Roman structures. This allows these homes to be not only resilient and fire resistant, but built quickly and last in ways that are good for People, Place, and Planet.

https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/projects/modular-tiny-homes

02/18/2025

Five weeks ago, our Founder & Principal Drew Pedrick lost his home in the Pacific Palisades fire, and MCTIGUE lost office headquarters. We know with great intimacy how starting from a blank canvas can be both dismal and devastating. As architects and artists, however, the blank canvas is not only the right place to start but one of potential and hope.

If you too have been impacted by these fires, while there may be information specific to what you want to rebuild, there is also a clean slate for what can be. MCTIGUE is here to help. Visit our Fire Resources Page for steps toward various rebuilding options as well as resources to assist wherever you are in the process.

Conscious Architecture considers this blank canvas opportunity as one to work with People and Planet to build great Place, and we are here to do that with you.

https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/fire-support-and-resources

02/13/2025

One of our goals for 2025 is to more consciously create through our newsletter. This monthly missive is designed to share important news and updates regarding rebuilding from the Los Angeles County fires, as well as highlighting what gets us up in the morning, what we are deeply moved by, and how this all brings value, passion and inspiration to our clients and their projects.

If you'd like to be a part of this communication, please subscribe here (https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/newsletter-sign-up), and we encourage you to forward it to a friend!

https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/newsletter-sign-up

02/11/2025

Fire is still much on our minds at MCTIGUE. And perhaps understandably, the element of water also is top of mind. But we are not alone in this thinking. Over the last several months we have had more and more invigorating conversations and projects that connect to the field we call "Blue Architecture."

There has been much spoken about — and a fair amount done — in terms of Green Architecture, but because the edge of land and sea has become even more noticeably unfixed (and changes faster each season), Blue Architecture has moved to the forefront of conversation.

The problems we face at the water's edge are urgent ones and, whether or not we’ve reached a tipping point, the impacts are felt the most by those with the least ability to affect their conditions.

The time is now to normalize Conscious Architecture for People, Place, and Planet at this edge of land and water, where dry ground is more and more often wet, where streets can flood, where water even becomes the main transportation route. Blue Architecture accounts for rising waters, more frequent flooding, and larger storm surges. It recognizes what exists today may need to be moved away tomorrow, and what exists tomorrow must be resilient and adaptable. It also shapes how we can be water-smart, dealing with more water in some places, but also dealing with less in other places.

Blue Architecture is a topic you'll be seeing much more about from MCTIGUE. For an early introduction, read more from Founder and Principal Drew Pedrick.

https://www.mctiguearchitects.com/blog/article/can-green-be-blue

02/06/2025

Thank you to Stephanie Gutierrez for hosting MCTIGUE's Founder & Principal Drew Pedrick in the discussion, "Rebuilding L.A. with ADUs."

This was an all-too-timely conversation about how to Consciously design, construct — and now rebuild — Accessory Dwelling Units that keep the resilient needs of People, Place, and Planet in mind.

During this conversation you'll hear:
- Drew and MCTIGUE's experience during the January 2025 Pacific Palisades fires
- What resilient, global work styles mean and can provide in times of disaster
- How MCTIGUE consciously approaches ADU and development & conversion
- Why and how this mode of building can be the best way to make housing both affordable and resilient for the future
- Resources and advice for finding help and staying in community during the rebuilding process

Listen to the entire conversation here, and let us know what other topics you want to hear most about in the coming weeks.

What happens when design meets purpose, sustainability, and social impact? Join us in this episode as we dive into the visionary mind of Drew Pedrick, Founde...