Architects FORA

Architects FORA We are Architects FORA: just world, strong community, collaborative approach, restorative process, a

At FORA, architecture involves a delicate blend of art and science. Our design team strives to create spaces that are beautiful, technically excellent, and relate well to their surroundings. We create meaningful architecture that functions well and is a joy to experience.

If you've experienced FORA over the past five years, you've undoubtedly experienced Nicole's leadership (even if you did...
06/26/2026

If you've experienced FORA over the past five years, you've undoubtedly experienced Nicole's leadership (even if you didn't know it!). 💜

🎉 Recounting all that Nicole Little has accomplished, we are so proud to officially recognize her as a Senior Associate! 👏

Nicole joined FORA under somewhat mysterious circumstances during the wildest chapter in our history, before we could even tell people what we were building. Through every twist, challenge, and leap forward, she's been right there with us, helping shape the firm we've become.

Nicole has an incredible ability to bring people together. She helped define FORA's voice, led the creation of Engage FORA, and continues to push us toward more meaningful, community-centered design. 🌼

She's equal parts strategist, advocate, connector, and leader, and given everything she's accomplished already, we can't wait to see what the next five years+ bring. 🚀

To celebrate, we're sharing Nicole's Top 5 Favorite Moments at FORA! ⬇️

🏡 Bringing Mitchell Park Place from concept to grand opening
🐝 Launching Engage FORA and growing our community engagement practice
💬 Connecting directly with community members through engagement events
💜 Working alongside an inspiring, mission-driven team
🤓 Attending AIA25 and soaking up ideas that will shape better communities

Congratulations, Nicole!! 🎉

Thank you for believing in this crazy adventure from the very beginning. FORA wouldn't be FORA without you, and we're so excited for everything that's ahead. 💜

A humbling endorsement from Bryan Neider and the AbilityPath team. The I/DD community welcomed our design team with open...
05/15/2026

A humbling endorsement from Bryan Neider and the AbilityPath team. The I/DD community welcomed our design team with open arms and SO MANY GREAT INSIGHTS. Mitchell Park Place wouldn’t be was it is today without this incredible and generous group of people.

Happy FORA Day! 💜Five years ago, Sarah Vaccaro, Leah Bayer, and Kate Conley stepped into ownership of our then 40 year o...
02/04/2026

Happy FORA Day! 💜

Five years ago, Sarah Vaccaro, Leah Bayer, and Kate Conley stepped into ownership of our then 40 year old firm. What followed wasn’t just a leadership transition, but a collective reimagining — one that empowered our entire team to shape what the next 40 years could be. ✨️ FORA was born from a commitment to further our emphasis on resident-centered and community-driven design grounded in care.

This anniversary isn’t just a single day for us. Throughout the year, we’ll be reflecting on the values that shape our work and sharing what FORA means to us today.

We’re deeply proud of the legacy we carry forward and even more excited about what’s ahead - designing housing that centers dignity, belonging, and long-term impact. Here’s to five years as FORA and to the many more years of learning, listening, and building together still to come. 🎉

At FORA, we believe an equitable profession starts with active support. The FORAship was created to uplift underrepresen...
02/01/2026

At FORA, we believe an equitable profession starts with active support. The FORAship was created to uplift underrepresented architecture students through meaningful financial support, mentorship, and hands-on experience in a resident-centered, community-driven practice.

Each year, we award one FORA Fellow (year-long internship + scholarship) and multiple FORA Scholars (scholarships), expanding access, recognition, and opportunity for future architects shaping more just communities.

📅Applications due March 15
📍 Open to eligible architecture students across the U.S.
🔗Apply at architectsfora.com/foraship

Please share with students who should see this. Diversity makes design stronger, always.💜

Did you know FORA designs small-scale housing too?Most folks know us for our larger affordable communities, but we’re al...
12/16/2025

Did you know FORA designs small-scale housing too?

Most folks know us for our larger affordable communities, but we’re also helping homeowners, small developers, and mission-driven organizations add new homes right in their neighborhoods!

From ADUs to gentle densification to cooperative living, we love creating the kinds of “missing-middle” homes that make communities more walkable, welcoming, and attainable.

Check out our new job site sign at our +1 New Home under construction in Danville, CA! 🏡💜

If you’re thinking about adding a unit (or a few!) to your property, we’d love to help you explore what’s possible.

12/12/2025

Hearing Principal, Kate Conley, reflect on Roosevelt Park Apartments is a reminder of why this work matters so deeply. We have loved seeing this project evolve from a small site with big constraints into a community serving 80 families.

What started as a limited footprint has grown into a thoughtful, community-driven design that creates meaningful housing opportunities in the heart of San José. “What surprised me most,” she shared, “is just how many residents we’ll be able to house on such a tight site.”

This thoughtful, creative approach is at the heart of FORA’s mission: designing resident-centered housing that expands opportunity, even in the most space-limited urban settings. Roosevelt is proof that when teams dream boldly and collaborate deeply, we can make room for more people to thrive. 💛🏡

Working alongside First Community Housing () and Santa Clara County Housing Authority () on this project has been such a...
12/11/2025

Working alongside First Community Housing () and Santa Clara County Housing Authority () on this project has been such a gift. This team showed up with heart, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating welcoming, resident-centered homes for our community.

From day one, our extended design team — Vertech Engineering (structural), Carroll Engineering, Inc. (civil), Taniguchi Landscape Architecture, Litzenberger Engineering Inc. (mechanical), H.A. Bowen Electric, W.L. Hickey Sons (plumbing), and many others — brought deep care and expertise to every challenge.

And we’re especially grateful for our construction partners at JERO (James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corporation) and the thoughtful oversight from Marx|Okubo. Their leadership in the field has made this a truly seamless, collaborative process.

And shoutout to the friendliest little mascot, Kimo - we love our furry partners, too!

Projects like this remind us what’s possible when we work together toward a shared vision of equity, dignity, and housing for all. 💛🏡

12/10/2025

The before and after of Roosevelt Park Apartments reflects countless hours of collaboration, care, and problem-solving, all in service of building safe, dignified, resident-centered homes. Take a look at how far we’ve come

At Roosevelt Park Apartments, the story of the neighborhood lives on the walls. One of San José’s oldest neighborhoods, ...
12/09/2025

At Roosevelt Park Apartments, the story of the neighborhood lives on the walls. One of San José’s oldest neighborhoods, Roosevelt has long been defined by resilience, creativity and cultural pride. Our client, , wanted the building to honor that legacy.

The Roosevelt Mural, created by artist Shayne Martin Oseguera, rises from the heart of East Santa Clara Street as a celebration of the people who’ve shaped this community for generations. So the mural grounds itself in the landscapes, symbols and lived experiences that matter here: from the towering Elephant Cactus that speaks to endurance, to the lowrider that reflects the deep Chicano roots woven through the area.

Public art is an important part of the fabric of a home. By embracing the voices and cultural history of its residents, this mural stands as a reminder that community identity is powerful, beautiful and worth protecting. This was our goal from the start: a design process that listens deeply, celebrates belonging, and creates spaces where people feel seen. Thank you again to Shayne Martin for creating a piece that so vibrantly captures the essence of this neighborhood.

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