FIRM PROFILE
Jagar was established by Jose Antonio Gonzalez in 2009 in Los Angeles. We are a full service architectural firm and guide clients from first site visit or pre-leasing consultation to the interior design, art placement and brand identity of a finished project. Jagar has a strong commitment towards bringing value to each project by exploring innovative and leading edge directions in architecture and design.
We partner with our clients in each phase of the design process to identify vision and requirements, to address contingencies, to find inventive and creative ways not only to meet needs, but to expand the use and interpretations of the space. Jagar has assembled an interdisciplinary team of professionals who each support the clients vision and collectively we work towards creating inspiring and invigorating spaces.
Our portfolio includes residential, hospitality, wellness and retail.
team
Jose Antonio Gonzalez, AIA, Founder and Design Principal
Jose Antonio Gonzalez, AIA, brings two decades of experience in architecture, design, construction, project development and management to the practice. He has worked on multi-million dollar projects, such as Gehry Partner’s "Puente de Vida" museum in Panama City and the Brooklyn Atlantic Yards Arena and Towers in New York City.
After graduating with honors from the University of Texas at Austin he worked nationally and internationally for Team Haas Architects, Austin; Sauerbruch, Hutton Architects, Berlin and RGA Architects and Planners, New York City. Before launching Jagar, Jose collaborated directly with Frank Gehry as design associate for 9 years.
Jose grew up in Puebla, Mexico and has lived, worked and travelled extensively worldwide. These vast visual memories are a rich source of inspiration for him when re-envisioning a space. His main architectural goal is to find an innovative and unique approach in design that always incorporates art. Although his overall architectural expression is predominantly contemporary, it includes texture rich details that give a warm and inviting feel.
Jose Antonio González holds a Bachelor of Architecture with honors from the University of Texas at Austin, is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is a licensed architect in the state of California.
Paloma Ortiz Fight, Interior Designer
Paloma grew up and studied in Merida, Mexico, which is part of the Yucatán Peninsula. She comes from a family of architects and graduated number one in her class from Marista University. Paloma studied under renowned architects Javier Munoz and Oscar Hagerman.
The Yucatán’s rich Mayan cultural and Spanish/French colonial architecture have had a huge influence on her designs. The fusion of these two styles in new construction and restoration were Paloma’s focus while working in Mexico at the well-known Taller Estilo Arquitectura.
Paloma moved to LA to start working at JAGAR in 2017. She develops and manages our residential and commercial projects. She oversees the production of Architectural and Interior Design construction drawings, interfaces and coordinates with the engineering team and handles the permitting process. She is also the main point of contact between JAGAR and key vendors, clients and contractors.
Woodrow Bergstrom, Architectural Designer
Woodrow received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California in 2016. He has been recognized as a design competition finalist and has worked on educational, residential and commercial projects before joining Jagar in 2018.
Woodrow has a strong interest in 3D visualizations. With real-time rendering technologies like Enscape, clients are able to fully immerse themselves in a unique VR experience that helps refine and advance the design process.
Woodrow grew up in Missouri and California. From an early age he has loved the iterative process of design and the broader aspects of visual communication. Woodrow focuses on creating designs that are holistic and multi-layered in their approach - moving between graphics, materials, experimentation, and built form.
Cándida Peña, Art Director
Cándida Peña is a renowned artist and architect from Puebla, Mexico, whose career spans over four decades.
While teaching architecture in Puebla, Mexico, Cándida also worked on her own building and restoration projects with her architecture and design firm Gonpe S.A.
When Cándida decided to move to Rome, Italy she started her career in art. She trained with several accomplished mural artists before moving back to Mexico to study fine arts.
Cándida has subsequently lived and worked in New York and Berlin, Germany and has been appointed ambassador to several Mexican cultural organizations. Notably, she worked for Frank Gehry on the museology for the “Puente de Vida: Museo de Biodiversidad” project exhibition in Panama City.
Cándida founded the art and design gallery “Cándida Peña Gallery” in Los Angeles in 2004. She has worked as key artist on many of Jagar’s large scale restaurant projects such as Frida Restaurant Glendale in Americana and Casa Azul in Westwood.
Cándida holds an architecture degree from the BUAP Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla and a fine arts degree from UDLAP Uiversidad de las Americas Puebla. Further information on Cándida’s work is available at her website www.candidapena.com
SERVICES
ARCHITECTURE
Full Architectural Services: Pre-design, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation and Construction Phase Services (PD, SD, DD, CD and CPS).
Architecture consultancy and coordination .
INTERIOR DESIGN
Development and exploration of all finishes, materials and furnishings for interior projects, as well as full production of design documentation for construction and assembly purposes.
PERMITTING
Production and coordination of all agency and government required documents to fulfil development and construction purposes.
Process and issuing of all building permits.
ENGINEERING COORDINATION
Full design and technical coordination of required engineering's such as Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, as well as full design integration of Structural Engineering documents.
SURVEYING
Architectural surveying and documentation for existing structures. Coordination with civil, geological and other required surveyors.
BUSINESS IMAGE AND BRANDING
Development of business image design in coordination with business plan and architectural intention for commercial projects.
Development of graphic identity in coordination with overall architectural intention.
Web and virtual media art direction and coordination.
ART PLACEMENT AND PROMOTION
Promotion of Contemporary Artists and integration with architectural intent.
For more info visit our partner company CANDIDA PENA ARTS at www.candidapena.com