Mogavero Notestine Associates

What Mogavero Notestine Associates does

Mogavero Notestine Associates, operating as Mogavero Architects, is a Sacramento, California-based architecture firm founded in 1984 by David Mogavero and operating for 40+ years. The firm provides professional architecture, urban design and planning, and principal development services across multi-family residential, mixed-use, university, public and institutional, commercial and retail, and community project types. Its primary customer base is California affordable and workforce housing developers (Mercy Housing California, Self-Help Enterprises, Jamboree Housing, Related California, Community HousingWorks, CHIP, Meta Housing, CFY Development), housing authorities (Yolo County, Fresno, Consolidated Area Housing Authority of Sutter County), universities (UC Davis, University of the Pacific), and government/utility clients (SMUD). The firm is particularly differentiated in sustainable affordable housing, with a documented track record of LEED Platinum, Net Zero Energy, Green Point Rated, and 26-30% above California Title 24 energy performance on projects such as Maple Park, Sierra Village, Helios, and the SMUD Customer Service Center.

The firm's core technology stack centers on ARCHICAD BIM software, which the firm has used for over a decade to support sustainable design workflows and to take the lead on large-scale urban infill and affordable housing projects. Differentiated technical capabilities include integrated design of building, energy, and water systems; passive strategies such as night ventilation and EPIC greywater; and navigation of California-specific affordable housing funding mechanisms (Cap & Trade, AHSC, low-income housing tax credits). The firm also acts as developer on certain "Principal Projects," extending its role beyond pure architecture into development.

Mogavero generates revenue through project-based professional services billed as architect of record to developers, housing authorities, universities, and government agencies. GTM is sales-led, built on long-standing direct relationships and RFQ/RFP-based competitive bids; projects are acquired through repeat developer engagements (Mercy Housing, Self-Help Enterprises, Related California) and design-build partnerships (notably Brown Construction, 25+ years). The firm is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no PE/VC backing. In July 2023, Cesar Medina and Cecilia Chouhy were promoted to Owner/Principal, and in July 2024, Renner Johnston was appointed President, formalizing a leadership transition while David Mogavero continues in an active design role.

Name

Mogavero Notestine Associates

Legal name

Mogavero Architects

Website

https://mogaveroarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mogavero Architects is a Sacramento-based architecture firm designing sustainable affordable housing, mixed-use, multi-family, and institutional projects for California developers, housing authorities, universities, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH), Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO), Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)

Keywords

• Affordable housing architecture
• Sustainable building design
• Urban infill development
• Multi-family residential design
• Architectural planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Professional architecture services billed on a project basis, serving as architect of record for developers, housing authorities, and public institutions on residential, commercial, and institutional projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mogavero Architects provides comprehensive architectural design, urban planning, and development services for affordable housing, multi-family residential, mixed-use, university, public/institutional, commercial/retail, and community projects throughout California. The firm serves as architect of record on project-based engagements with developers, housing authorities, universities, and government agencies, with deep expertise in sustainable design including LEED certification, Net Zero Energy, and California Title 24 compliance.

Product overview

Mogavero Notestine Associates (operating as Mogavero Architects) is a Sacramento-based architecture firm offering comprehensive architectural services including design, planning, and development for residential and institutional projects. The firm's core offerings encompass architecture services (mixed-use, multi-family, university, public/institutional, commercial/retail, communities), urban design and planning services, and development services. Their project portfolio includes award-winning affordable housing developments such as West Gateway Place, The Lohse Apartments, and UC Davis Tercero Student Housing; institutional projects like Brookfield School and SMUD Customer Service Center; and transit-oriented developments. Recent notable projects include Salvator Apartments, Lowden Lane Apartments, The Lofts at Fort Visalia, and the Los Angeles Affordable Housing Challenge competition entry. The firm is known for sustainable design practices including LEED certification, Net Zero Energy buildings, and Cal Green compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Comprehensive architectural design services spanning multiple building types including mixed-use, multi-family residential, university/institutional, public/institutional, commercial/retail, and community developments for developers, housing authorities, universities, and government agencies in California.
• Urban Design and Planning Services Urban design and master planning services focused on sustainable, walkable communities and transit-oriented development for public and private sector clients in California.
• Development Services Principal development services for affordable and workforce housing projects, often in partnership with housing authorities and nonprofit developers across California.

Quantifiable outcome

• Staff absenteeism reduced by 33% at SMUD Customer Service Center through sustainable workplace design
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mercy Housing CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership on multiple affordable housing projects including The Lohse Apartments (58 units), 7th & H (150 units), Mather Veterans Village, and West Beamer Place. Mercy Housing is one of the largest affordable housing developers in California, and Mogavero has served as architect on numerous Mercy projects.
• Brown ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing design-build partnership spanning 25+ years. Collaborated on UC Davis Tercero Student Housing Phase 4 (506 beds) and numerous other projects. Long relationship described as crucial to completing projects within tight budgets and schedules.
• Self-Help EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on multiple affordable housing projects for farmworkers and low-income families including Sierra Village in Dinuba (Net Zero Energy), Stonegate Village in Patterson, The Lofts at Fort Visalia, and Palm Terrace in Lindsay. Self-Help Enterprises is a major San Joaquin Valley affordable housing developer.
• Jamboree HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for West Gateway Place, a 77-unit affordable mixed-use community in West Sacramento that won the 2017 NAHB Platinum award. Jamboree Housing is a major California affordable housing developer.
• Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Maple Park in Live Oak (56 units), providing affordable family housing in rural Sutter County. Partnership with Consolidated Area Housing Authority of Sutter County.
• CFY Development, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Bartlett Commons, a 62-unit affordable housing project within The Cannery, Davis' first farm-to-table community. Project won Sacramento Business Journal Best Real Estate Project Award.
• Cort CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on adaptive reuse project for Old Stockton City Hall. Cort Companies is dedicated to preservation and revitalization of historic buildings and downtowns. Mogavero engaged for design and planning of mixed-use live/work environment.
• Meta Housing CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Main Street Plaza in Roseville, a 65-unit mixed-use multifamily project aimed at revitalizing downtown and old town areas.
• SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership including LEED Platinum Customer Service Center project and SMUD Zero Energy Consulting Contract. SMUD selected Mogavero and HMG as consulting architect for residential and light commercial projects under Zero Net Energy program.
• Veterans Resource Centers of America (VRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Mather Veterans Village Phase Two, providing transitional housing for 46 homeless veterans through renovation of historic Bachelor Officers Quarters at former Mather Air Force Base.
• Related CaliforniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for affordable senior housing projects including Broadway 39 and The Arbors in Oak Park, Sacramento. Related California is a major affordable housing developer.
• John Stewart CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty management company for Related California projects including Broadway 39 and The Arbors. Firm provides ongoing property management for multiple Mogavero-designed affordable housing communities.
• Neighborhood Partners, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Meadow View Place at Schaffer's Mill near Truckee, a 56-unit workforce housing project funded through California's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program.
• HMG Energy Efficiency ConsultantscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership on SMUD Zero Energy Consulting Contract. Mogavero and HMG were selected together as consulting architect for SMUD's Zero Net Energy residential and light commercial projects.
• Yolo County Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on West Beamer Place in Woodland, an 80-unit affordable permanent supportive housing project developed with Mercy Housing California.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brooks + Scarpa: Los Angeles-based architecture firm specializing in sustainable affordable housing, multifamily, and community-focused design. Highly comparable to Mogavero in client base (nonprofit and public developers), emphasis on net-zero energy, and design that doubles as social mission.
• Torti Gallas + Partners: Architecture and urban planning firm with deep affordable housing, mixed-use, and community planning practice. Comparable to Mogavero for the integrated architecture-plus-urban-planning service and primary work with public and nonprofit affordable housing developers.
• Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects: San Francisco architecture firm recognized for sustainable design, affordable housing, and institutional work. Directly comparable to Mogavero in California-based practice with sustainability and social-mission emphasis across residential and civic projects.
• KTGY Architecture + Planning: California-based architecture and planning firm with strong residential, multifamily, and community planning practice. Comparable for California geographic focus and multifamily/mixed-use housing project mix, though broader in market-rate work.
• Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP: San Francisco architecture and planning firm specializing in affordable housing, mixed-use, and community development. Closely comparable practice profile to Mogavero with overlapping nonprofit/housing authority clientele and California operating geography.
• Mithun: Sustainable design-focused architecture firm with affordable housing, mixed-use, and institutional practice. Comparable in design philosophy centered on sustainability and community impact, though geographically rooted in the Pacific Northwest.
• Bassenian Lagoni Architects: California-based architecture firm focused on multifamily housing production. Comparable for California residential/multifamily focus, though less concentrated on affordable housing than Mogavero.
• KMD Architects: Architecture firm of comparable size offering architecture and planning across commercial, institutional, and multifamily. Comparable mid-sized professional services structure and project mix, though broader across sectors.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins&Will: Large global architecture firm with established practice in affordable housing, healthcare, higher education, and sustainability. Comparable in sustainability leadership and institutional client work, though much larger and broader than Mogavero.
• SmithGroup: Large multi-sector architecture and engineering firm with California presence across higher education, civic, and healthcare. Comparable in university and institutional client work (e.g., UC Davis Tercero), though dramatically broader in scale and discipline mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mogavero-architects
• Instagraminstagram.com/mogaveroarchitects

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mogavero Notestine Associates