Serving Our Clients We never lose sight of the fact that architectural projects are not ours-they belong to our clients and the individuals who will use and shape them over time. With that in mind, Noll & Tam Architects deftly balances the needs of a variety of constituents, developing multiple design alternatives that reflect the desires of the stakeholders. To create spaces in which the community can flourish, we balance technical requirements, aesthetics, setting and social context, always seeking solutions that touch the environment gently while bringing life to the community. Founding Partners Christopher Noll and Janet Tam developed a friendship in graduate school that grew over the years as they practiced in different offices, and ultimately led to the formation of Noll & Tam Architects in 1991. They share the same goals and vision for their practice: creative design that responds to people and place-making, ideas that grow out of a particular context and community character, and the highest professional standards in all aspects of the practice. Their previous training in offices known for design excellence gave them a solid foundation in the craft of constructing buildings with a strong design sensibility. Both partners feel that their practice is an extension of themselves, so every project receives their attention and care. They carefully cultivate an office culture that is highly professional and values each individual's contribution. Whether speaking of clients, consultants, or co-workers, Chris and Janet feel strongly that people and relationships come first. Their collaboration stems from complementary talents and interests. Chris has years of experience in historical buildings and sustainable design, and leads most of the library projects in the office. Janet's long-standing passion for painting and the arts has influenced her design approach, and she leads most of the community/recreational center projects. Both partners enjoy working in the academic environment-they have a relationship with UC Berkeley dating back to the start of their firm, as well as relationships with numerous other academic institutions. While practical and grounded in what makes sense, they are also innovative and always optimistic, ready to stretch themselves and break new ground in their work. They hope to be challenged by each new project, and to approach each one with a fresh point of view and a lot of enthusiasm. Chris and Janet's collective experience and interests have led to more than a decade's worth of creating meaningful, functional, and beautiful architecture. Each project reflects the integration of aesthetic, environmental, practical, and spiritual influences and is a manifestation of their design philosophy and commitment to collaboration. They bring their familiarity with a wide variety of project types and their empathy for the building's users to every design they undertake, building upon their close working relationships with one another, their staff, their consultants, and their clients. < Previous PageNext Page >