The most important space in the world

Is the place where our clients aim to succeed. Chang Architecture designs for the unique dynamic of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, collaborating on workable plans for real-world solutions. Whether creating more office space for Synopsys, giving the next revolutionary start-up its first headquarters, or transforming Whiskey Gulch, Chang Architecture takes a vision and gets it built. On time. On budget. The only working definition of success.

We’re already up to speed

With years of experience in all facets of the construction trade, Chang Architecture doesn’t learn on the client’s dime. We come into a project fully understanding the commercial needs of owners and developers, the technical requirements of the job, and the industry relationships needed to make it happen. We prefer designs that stay ahead of the curve, too, recommending timeless over trendy every time. We don’t believe in a signature style, either, just the design that’s right for you.

Green comes naturally to us

Not only do our sustainable design strategies demonstrate social responsibility and commitment to the environment, they also reduce our client’s operating costs. Chang Architecture identifies green strategies early in the design process, and working in tandem with owners, cities and contractors helps deliver certified environmental success. The firm has produced over 500,000 sf of LEED-certified and LEED registered projects, including the 1st LEED Silver certified project in the City of Cupertino.

Clifford L. Chang  Principal

Since his boyhood in Cincinnati, architecture was the only profession Cliff considered, and he never wavered from that pursuit. Awards and recognition came early, but they came secondary to Cliff, who preferred the tangible success a finished product afforded his clients.

In practice since 1985, Clifford has designed over 5 million square feet of built projects in the Bay Area. Cliff designs to finish the job.  His primary focus has been commercial office development, building renovations/additions, corporate interiors, institutional, retail and multi-family housing.  He has designed over six million square feet of new corporate office designs in the Bay Area including:  Signature Developments, University Circle, Alza (now Google’s top tier executive offices), Koll Corporate Campus, Java Metro Center in Sunnyvale, University Palms in East Palo Alto, Synopsys in Mountain View, Cupertino Landing (occupied by Apple) and over one million square feet of building upgrades. He has provided Interior Design work for major corporations such as Pericom, ServiceNow!, Solta and Animatics including office, R+D medical and manufacturing uses.

Cliff received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1986 from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

As a comprehensive “hands-on” architect, he serves the majority of his clients as principal designer, project manager and technical expert and is personally involved from Concept Design through Construction Administration. Prior to establishing his own practice in 2003, he and two partners owned the firm Hoover Associates in Palo Alto, CA. where he designed and managed significant Bay Area office campus developments. Other firms he has worked with include Earl R. Flansburgh & Associates in Boston, ELS Architects in Berkeley, Skidmore Owings and Merrill in San Francisco, and Jordan Woodman Dobson in Oakland.

Awards

Cliff is honored to have won several prestigious awards during his career, but his focus remains on the commercial success of each client. An award is the result of a job well done, and it's the finished product Cliff finds most rewarding. The following provides some recognition for architectural design achievement:

• LEED AP registered.

• One of the top 40 young architects in the country by Progressive Architecture magazine (1993)

• AIA National Honor Award 1995

• Waterfront Center International Design Award, 1995.

Major Publications

• San Jose Mercury News 2017-03-22 Sunnyvale's Peery Park could see new office building with public outdoor-space

• Architecture Magazine, “Ship to Shore”, August 1994

• The Architectural Review, “Marine Gateway”, February 1995

• CMD/AEC Alza Plaza “Feature Project”, April 1999

• Architecture Magazine, “Annual Awards Issue”, May 1995

• The Oakland Tribune, “Birthing Beautiful Port Structures”, December 1994

• Japan Federation of Architects and Engineers, June 1996

• The New Waterfront, McGraw-Hill, 1996

• Progressive Architecture Magazine, “Young Architects”, July 1993

• Architecture Magazine,"Setting the Stage”, September, 1991

• Architecture Magazine, “Academy Above Well-Known Waters, August 1986

• The Cornell Journal of Architecture, Rizzoli, Fall 1987

BENJAMIN ROWE -  DESIGN ASSOCIATE

Benjamin Rowe -  Design Associate.  Ben designs, serves as job captain, manages 3D modeling and more.  Clients value Ben for his intuitive design intelligence and because he “gets” Silicon Valley’s demands as we all do.  Ben contributes a lot at Chang Architecture - notable in his mind for their forward thinking, intelligent design: 675 Almanor, a new concept for Hampton Inn, and tenant improvements such as Lifelock SF, and Valeo.  

Ben graduated from the Newschool of Architecture + Design in San Diego.  If he’s not “juggling flames” at your job site he’s doing that literally - at Burning Man.