An Overview of the Firm's History and Work

STUDIO WORKS is a partnership firm based in the state of California. Founded in 1969, STUDIO WORKS has gained 34 years of experience in the fields of architecture, planning, and design. Robert Mangurian, Architect continues as a founding principal, and has been joined by principal, Mary-Ann Ray in 1987. STUDIO WORKS has been recognized for the high quality and inventiveness of its design work in numerous publications and competitions- both locally and internationally, and has received numerous national design awards for many of these ground breaking projects.

Over the course of the 34 years, the firm has gained experience through work on a wide range of projects - from building design and construction - both public and private. These projects include most recently two large schools for the Los Angeles Unified School District - a primary school and a large high school (completed CD's, ready for bid). Civic building include complexes for Venice InterArts Center in Venice, California, the South Side Settlement in Columbus, Ohio, the Perris Civic Center and Public Safety Facility, Perris, California, the Master Plan for the Grand Center district of St. Louis, and a plan for the City of West Hollywood, California.

STUDIO WORKS has been recognized for excellence and inventiveness. Studio Works projects have been awarded honors by the Federal Government, the New York City Bard Award, and the Progressive Architecture's Design Award Program. In addition, these projects have been widely published in journals who cite the merits of the work. These publications include LOTUS International, Domus, Progressive Architecture, Architecture Magazine, Day Care and Early Education, American School and University Facilities, Purchasing, and Business Administration, Family Circle, Retail Sales and Visual Promotions, Look Magazine, Life Magazine, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times Calender Section Front page.

Studio Works recently completed project is the award winning Milwaukee Montessori School and Pre-School, a 60,000 sf renovation of a 3 story brick office structure to a Montessori School (preschool through 8th grade). This project was completed within a budget and real final costs of $27/sf! The firm was involved extensively in Programming and Fund Raising. This project was completed in a 18 month time span (design through construction). Many facets of the projects were fast-tracked.

Most recently Studio Works designed an extensive addition to the Pilibos Armenian School here in Los Angeles. The project has met a very modest budget and a tight time frame and is just finishing construction. The desires of the school community were to have a building which would resonate with the students in their pursuit of a developing identities as Armenians and as 21st Century participants in the global scene.

At STUDIO WORKS, we have dedicated extensive energy to education at all levels. Both of the principals are devoted teachers in the Graduate Program at the Southern California Institute of Architecture, a progressive, and world renowned school for the advanced study of architecture. The involvement of both principals in teaching makes them and the firm uniquely qualified and sensitive to the issues of educational environments. Although we realize these projects are not museums or memorials, we feel that there is a strong correlation between schools and educational environments and institutions such as a museum that aims to house culture, to educate, and to portray experience. The firm's experience with design of schools, learning spaces and buildings is both extensive and broad, and the work produced has been extremely well received. The quality of the design work has been recognized by educational and architectural organizations, but more importantly, it has been successful in the eyes of the teachers, children, and administrators who occupy and use the buildings day in and day out.

STUDIO WORKS is a small to medium sized firm whose approach involves the direct participation of the Principals in all phases of work, as well as direct and continuing involvement with the client and future occupants of the building. In addition to the Principals, our staff consists of skilled designers and architects, and our office is well equipped in the areas of CAD construction document preparation, and other technical tasks such as programming, scheduling, construction management, and cost estimating. We have worked successfully with a wide range of consultants- from engineers to landscape architects to artists, and are known for assembling relevant, appropriate, and effective teams as individual projects require. Our client references will confirm our statement that STUDIO WORKS prides itself in designing to the budget and to the schedule, while achieving the highest standards in function and design.

Mr. Mangurian and Ms. Ray, principals, received the prestigious Chrysler Design Award in 2001 - one of only 10 awarded in architecture since the program's inception. They are joined in the design and production work by a talented staff with extensive knowledge, broad experience, and specific experience with government agencies.

Please note that Studio Works maintains only the highest quality of work (recognized through numerous publications and awards). The Office accepts a select amount of work, in order for the principals to participate directly and intimately in the work.

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