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.

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

Happy FORA Day! đź’ś

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.

đź“…Applications due March 15
đź“Ť Open to eligible architecture students across the U.S.
đź”—Apply at architectsfora.com/foraship

Please share with students who should see this. Diversity makes design stronger, always.đź’ś

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.

✨️ Roosevelt Park Apartments ✨️This time last year, 80 families and transitional-age youth moved into Roosevelt Park Apa...
12/08/2025

✨️ Roosevelt Park Apartments ✨️
This time last year, 80 families and transitional-age youth moved into Roosevelt Park Apartments, a resident-centered, LEED Platinum community designed to support young adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness, larger families, and survivors of domestic abuse.

Shaped with on-site services, learning and gathering spaces, family-sized homes, and a vibrant outdoor courtyard, this project helps residents stay rooted in their neighborhood with stability and connection. Free Eco Passes and healthy materials further reflect our commitment to long-term wellbeing.

We’re grateful for every collaborator and resident who brought this vision to life. Here’s to a year of belonging and many more ahead.

Follow along as we celebrate Roosevelt Park Apartments over the next week

We love seeing our team show up for our partners and communities!Late September, Sarah Vaccaro spent the day volunteerin...
11/19/2025

We love seeing our team show up for our partners and communities!
Late September, Sarah Vaccaro spent the day volunteering at MidPen Housing’s 16th Annual Day of Service — a beautifully organized event that brought together over 500 participants from , partner organizations, and the broader affordable housing community.

Sarah joined a group at Foothill High School in East San Jose, helping assemble thoughtful gift bags for teachers alongside other volunteers lending their skills to mural painting, garden builds, and more.

The day ended back at Lake Cunningham Regional Park with food trucks, music, and a well-earned celebration! A joyful reminder of how much good happens when our industry comes together in service.

A huge thanks to and for creating such a meaningful day. We’re already looking forward to next year!

November is a month for giving and gratitude 🧡 but this year, many of our neighbors are facing hunger.Because of the fed...
11/03/2025

November is a month for giving and gratitude 🧡 but this year, many of our neighbors are facing hunger.

Because of the federal shutdown, CalFresh benefits are being disrupted, leaving 168,000 residents across Santa Clara + San Mateo counties without $31.5M in food support this month.

already serves 500,000 people every month — nearly 1 in 6 of our neighbors. As the need grows, we’re stepping in to help.

🧡 FORA is matching donations to Second Harvest Silicon Valley dollar-for-dollar (up to $10K) to keep every table full.

Let’s turn gratitude into action → https://www.shfb.org/

(Forward confirmations to [email protected] so we can track and match!)

10/31/2025

Sarah Vaccaro is thrilled to be presenting at the Disability-Forward Housing Futures Summit on November 3 in San Francisco. It is a first-of-its-kind gathering hosted by focused on advancing inclusive, affordable, and accessible housing solutions across the country.

During the Summit, she will be part of a session on designing inclusive environments and she look forward to sharing ideas and learning from others who are driving this important work forward.

The day will bring together advocates, housing professionals, designers, and thought leaders at San Francisco’s Disability Cultural Center. In addition to insightful discussions and powerful keynotes, the Summit will feature guided tours of The Kelsey Civic Center (a living example of disability-forward housing in action), and creative cultural experiences that celebrate inclusion.
This is a chance to connect, create, and spark lasting partnerships. We'd love to see you there!

Register here: https://bit.ly/DisabilityForwardHousingFutures

We’re thrilled to share that FORA is partnering with Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing and on the new Wol...
10/28/2025

We’re thrilled to share that FORA is partnering with Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing and on the new Wolfe Road Educator Workforce Housing in Cupertino — a project that will bring more than 250 new homes for educators, families, and community members in the heart of Silicon Valley.

This project will support the people who make our communities thrive but are often priced out. This development focuses on creating much-needed “missing middle" housing for West Valley teachers and school district staff, along with affordable housing for families.

From the start, the design has been shaped by our robust community engagement process, reflecting input from neighbors and local stakeholders on everything from the overall site design, to the look & feel of the exterior, to family-friendly outdoor amenities. These conversations are helping guide a vision that’s rooted in Cupertino’s character while opening new opportunities for belonging.

The project is currently in the entitlements phase, with design and engagement continuing hand-in-hand as we move toward approvals. We’re honored to help bring this collaborative vision to life alongside Eden Housing and our community partners.

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San Jose, CA
95112

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