RATCLIFF possesses a vibrant vision, a zest for innovation and a commitment to sustainability. With a legacy in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1906, the firm is a living, adapting organization, dedicated to evoking a world in healthy balance with time, purpose and place.
RATCLIFF’s partners engage clients who share our values and serve as strategic partners in designing sustainable building solutions. Our primary practice areas of academic, healthcare and civic architecture present limitless opportunities for a sustainable architecture that is driven not only by formal questions of image, allusion and program but by deeper issues of global survival.
From this modest step and in keeping with its Core Purpose, Values and Mission, RATCLIFF remains committed to influencing change within the practice of architecture and in society so that people and nature thrive over the next hundred years and beyond.
RATCLIFF’s partners engage clients who share our values and serve as strategic partners in designing sustainable building solutions. Our primary practice areas of academic, healthcare and civic architecture present limitless opportunities for a sustainable architecture that is driven not only by formal questions of image, allusion and program but by deeper issues of global survival.
From this modest step and in keeping with its Core Purpose, Values and Mission, RATCLIFF remains committed to influencing change within the practice of architecture and in society so that people and nature thrive over the next hundred years and beyond.
Close
B. Architecture, cum laude, University of California, Berkeley, 1968
Licensed Architect, California #C-8321, 1975
Global Design Alliance, Member
Advanced Management Institute/The Discovery Group, Member
AIA California Council Capital Forum, Member
AIA California Council Firm of the Year, 2005
(510) 899-6400
kratcliff@ratcliffarch.com
Kit Ratcliff is the third generation head of the firm and has guided the century-old, award winning, collaborative regional enterprise to its present stature as leaders in health care, academic, and civic architecture. He has pledged the firm's resources toward sustainable practice in concert with AIA's 2030 Challenge and ensures that sustainable concepts and technologies are incorporated into the firm's work. Kit crusades for the environment by urging clients and colleagues to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions in their facility operations and strives to educate a global constituency through firm-sponsored efforts including two websites, GreenMatrix and GHG Calculator for Facility Operations.
Christopher (Kit) Ratcliff, FAIA, NCARB, LEED® AP
CEO, Principal
“Be known as explorers and discoverers of what is important and be valued for creating extraordinary outcomes.”
B. Architecture, cum laude, University of California, Berkeley, 1968
Licensed Architect, California #C-8321, 1975
Global Design Alliance, Member
Advanced Management Institute/The Discovery Group, Member
AIA California Council Capital Forum, Member
AIA California Council Firm of the Year, 2005
(510) 899-6400
kratcliff@ratcliffarch.com
Kit Ratcliff is the third generation head of the firm and has guided the century-old, award winning, collaborative regional enterprise to its present stature as leaders in health care, academic, and civic architecture. He has pledged the firm's resources toward sustainable practice in concert with AIA's 2030 Challenge and ensures that sustainable concepts and technologies are incorporated into the firm's work. Kit crusades for the environment by urging clients and colleagues to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions in their facility operations and strives to educate a global constituency through firm-sponsored efforts including two websites, GreenMatrix and GHG Calculator for Facility Operations.
Close
M. Architecture, University of Berkeley, 1984
B. Environmental Design, University of Berkeley, 1982
Licensed Architect, California #C-18257, 1987
(510) 899-6467
dwetherell@ratcliffarch.com
Dan Wetherell directs the firm's K-12 academic practice, leading clients from the master planning and programming phase through design, construction, and post-occupancy. A member of RATCLIFF since 1986, he has designed a wide variety of non-profit, academic, and community buildings. Education leaders rely on Dan to support their unique missions and teaching philosophies through the built environment. He is recognized for his ability to include historic references in new buildings, which facilitate the connection from the past to the present for a school's alumni. Dan's recent pro bono efforts include the master plan for a school for orphaned children who have lost their parents to AIDS in Uganda.
Dan Wetherell, AIA
COO - Principal, Director/Business Development - K-12 and Civic Practice Area
“Work with people through architecture to evoke the world to which together aspire.”
M. Architecture, University of Berkeley, 1984
B. Environmental Design, University of Berkeley, 1982
Licensed Architect, California #C-18257, 1987
(510) 899-6467
dwetherell@ratcliffarch.com
Dan Wetherell directs the firm's K-12 academic practice, leading clients from the master planning and programming phase through design, construction, and post-occupancy. A member of RATCLIFF since 1986, he has designed a wide variety of non-profit, academic, and community buildings. Education leaders rely on Dan to support their unique missions and teaching philosophies through the built environment. He is recognized for his ability to include historic references in new buildings, which facilitate the connection from the past to the present for a school's alumni. Dan's recent pro bono efforts include the master plan for a school for orphaned children who have lost their parents to AIDS in Uganda.
Close
B.S., Business Administration, University of Wisconsin, 1971
B.S., Accounting & Business Administration, University of Wisconsin, 1971
Associate AIA, Member
(510) 899-6420
ddersch@ratcliffarch.com
David Dersch, with over three decades of financial expertise, supervises both the finance and administration departments for the firm. He provides a thorough knowledge of financials, cost controls, budgeting, forecasting, and profit accounting for projects, thereby carefully monitoring the economic success of each and every RATCLIFF project. Due to his 20 years of experience within the architectural industry, clients and owners can appreciate his specialized approach to budget and cost control throughout all phases of a project. David's career has included international work in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
David Dersch
Principal - Chief Financial Officer
“Insist on excellent performance that supports profitability.”
B.S., Business Administration, University of Wisconsin, 1971
B.S., Accounting & Business Administration, University of Wisconsin, 1971
Associate AIA, Member
(510) 899-6420
ddersch@ratcliffarch.com
David Dersch, with over three decades of financial expertise, supervises both the finance and administration departments for the firm. He provides a thorough knowledge of financials, cost controls, budgeting, forecasting, and profit accounting for projects, thereby carefully monitoring the economic success of each and every RATCLIFF project. Due to his 20 years of experience within the architectural industry, clients and owners can appreciate his specialized approach to budget and cost control throughout all phases of a project. David's career has included international work in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
Close
B. Architecture, Pratt Institute, 1974
B.A., History & Art History, Hofstra University, 1971
Licensed Architect, California, #C-9929, 1978
Licensed Architect, Arizona, #29652, 1995
Adams Design Award, Community Outpatient Center, New York, NY (one of three recipients at Pratt Institute)
NAIOP 2nd Place, Build to Suit, over 75,000 s.f.: SW Regional Council of Carpenters New Regional HQ, 2004
(510) 899-6422
ssteinberg@ratcliffarch.com
Steven Steinberg leads RATCLIFF's healthcare practice and sources new opportunities with major healthcare, corporate, mixed0use and biomedical research and laboratory systems. Having held key principal roles in national architectural and real estate industries, he is a seasoned leader whose strengths include guiding the architectural process; analyzing needs assessment and service line analysis to formulate preliminary programs; leading architectural teams in crafting site studies for new and existing hospital campuses and MOB/ambulatory care facilities; and incorporating "evidence-based design" and Planetree-criteria (plug `n play central spine concepts) facility plans for both early penetration models and major hospital campuses. With more than 25 year's experience, his significant projects include a site feasibility analysis for a new "Greenfield" 300-bed community hospital for Catholic Healthcare West in Arizona and programming and planning services for the University of Southern California's Norris Cancer Research Institute in Los Angeles.
Steven Steinberg, AIA
Principal - Healthcare Practice Area
“Solicit input; hear, value, understand and respond with respect.”
B. Architecture, Pratt Institute, 1974
B.A., History & Art History, Hofstra University, 1971
Licensed Architect, California, #C-9929, 1978
Licensed Architect, Arizona, #29652, 1995
Adams Design Award, Community Outpatient Center, New York, NY (one of three recipients at Pratt Institute)
NAIOP 2nd Place, Build to Suit, over 75,000 s.f.: SW Regional Council of Carpenters New Regional HQ, 2004
(510) 899-6422
ssteinberg@ratcliffarch.com
Steven Steinberg leads RATCLIFF's healthcare practice and sources new opportunities with major healthcare, corporate, mixed0use and biomedical research and laboratory systems. Having held key principal roles in national architectural and real estate industries, he is a seasoned leader whose strengths include guiding the architectural process; analyzing needs assessment and service line analysis to formulate preliminary programs; leading architectural teams in crafting site studies for new and existing hospital campuses and MOB/ambulatory care facilities; and incorporating "evidence-based design" and Planetree-criteria (plug `n play central spine concepts) facility plans for both early penetration models and major hospital campuses. With more than 25 year's experience, his significant projects include a site feasibility analysis for a new "Greenfield" 300-bed community hospital for Catholic Healthcare West in Arizona and programming and planning services for the University of Southern California's Norris Cancer Research Institute in Los Angeles.
Close
B.S. Architecture, magna cum laude, Lawrence Institute of Technology, 1978
Registered Architect, California, #C-16988, 1986
(510) 899-6440
bblessing@ratcliffarch.com
Mr. Blessing, with RATCLIFF for nearly thirty years, has consistently demonstrated the ability to design buildings sensitive to their context and in alignment with the client goals and objectives. As project designer, Bill assumes the overall responsibility for the design approach, creativity, quality, contextual strategy, and the overall design conformance to the program. He is also adept in the requirements of historical renovations and additions and the mandates these put on building systems. In addition, Bill is a LEED® Accredited Professional and an active member of the firm’s Committee for Environmental Design Resources (CEDR) group. He keeps abreast of the latest advances in this field and consistently incorporates green building strategies into his projects.
Bill Blessing, LEED® AP
Principal – Design, Academic Practice Area
Graduate Studies in Architecture, University of California, Berkeley, 1983B.S. Architecture, magna cum laude, Lawrence Institute of Technology, 1978
Registered Architect, California, #C-16988, 1986
(510) 899-6440
bblessing@ratcliffarch.com
Mr. Blessing, with RATCLIFF for nearly thirty years, has consistently demonstrated the ability to design buildings sensitive to their context and in alignment with the client goals and objectives. As project designer, Bill assumes the overall responsibility for the design approach, creativity, quality, contextual strategy, and the overall design conformance to the program. He is also adept in the requirements of historical renovations and additions and the mandates these put on building systems. In addition, Bill is a LEED® Accredited Professional and an active member of the firm’s Committee for Environmental Design Resources (CEDR) group. He keeps abreast of the latest advances in this field and consistently incorporates green building strategies into his projects.
Close
Bachelor of Arts, History of Art, University of California, Berkeley, 1974
Licensed Architect, California, #C-19663, 1988
(510) 899-6458
tpatterson@ratcliffarch.com
Tom Patterson has twenty-five years of experience, specializing in technologically complex projects for healthcare clients. He is a skilled project manager who is particularly adept at navigating California’s healthcare regulatory system. Currently he is managing the 400,000 s.f. expansion for John Muir Medical Center. Among his strengths is his owner’s perspective, gained by nearly a decade of experience as a corporate architect where his responsibilities included management of a multidisciplinary design, engineering, and construction team. In addition, he is able to provide project management for clients undertaking multiple simultaneous projects.
Tom Patterson, AIA
Principal – Senior Project Manager, Healthcare Practice Area
Master of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley, 1978Bachelor of Arts, History of Art, University of California, Berkeley, 1974
Licensed Architect, California, #C-19663, 1988
(510) 899-6458
tpatterson@ratcliffarch.com
Tom Patterson has twenty-five years of experience, specializing in technologically complex projects for healthcare clients. He is a skilled project manager who is particularly adept at navigating California’s healthcare regulatory system. Currently he is managing the 400,000 s.f. expansion for John Muir Medical Center. Among his strengths is his owner’s perspective, gained by nearly a decade of experience as a corporate architect where his responsibilities included management of a multidisciplinary design, engineering, and construction team. In addition, he is able to provide project management for clients undertaking multiple simultaneous projects.
Close
Graduate Work in Architecture, University of Oregon, 1972
Licensed Architect, California, #C-13917, 1983
(510) 899-6410
bwong@ratcliffarch.com
Mr. Wong, serving as a healthcare senior project manager for the past thirty years, has extensive experience with large healthcare system clients. His most recent endeavor is a 400,000 s.f. expansion and remodel project at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. In addition, he successfully led the RATCLIFF portion of the collaboration for the addition of a Trauma and Critical Care Building for Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Largely through his efforts and familiarity with OSHPD procedures and personnel, this project was completed, reviewed and approved ahead of schedule. His knowledge of the complex technical requirements of healthcare architecture in California is of great value in consideration of approaches to expedite the review and approvals processes. Mr. Wong is also a Certified Construction Specifier for the Construction Specifications Institute.
Bill Wong, AIA, CSI, CCS, LEED® AP
Associate Principal – Technical, Healthcare Practice Area
B. Architecture, Case Western Reserve University, 1970Graduate Work in Architecture, University of Oregon, 1972
Licensed Architect, California, #C-13917, 1983
(510) 899-6410
bwong@ratcliffarch.com
Mr. Wong, serving as a healthcare senior project manager for the past thirty years, has extensive experience with large healthcare system clients. His most recent endeavor is a 400,000 s.f. expansion and remodel project at John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek Campus. In addition, he successfully led the RATCLIFF portion of the collaboration for the addition of a Trauma and Critical Care Building for Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Largely through his efforts and familiarity with OSHPD procedures and personnel, this project was completed, reviewed and approved ahead of schedule. His knowledge of the complex technical requirements of healthcare architecture in California is of great value in consideration of approaches to expedite the review and approvals processes. Mr. Wong is also a Certified Construction Specifier for the Construction Specifications Institute.
Close
B. Environmental Design, University of Minnesota, 1980
Licensed Architect, California, #C-21418, 1990
Licensed Architect, Massachusetts, #6288, 1984
(510) 899-6461
jnicola@ratcliffarch.com
Joseph Nicola, an award-winning and internationally recognized architect with over twenty-five years of experience, has overseen numerous large-scale university projects throughout his career. He joined RATCLIFF as Director of the firm’s Academic Practice Area and continues to raise the bar as an effective leader, continuing to oversee a number of high-profile projects with great ease. In addition to travels abroad and role as Director of Architecture and Design at PAE International in Tokyo and Vice President of The Architects Collaborative San Francisco office, Joseph’s career has encompassed all aspects of the field from design through project management, client relations, contracts and fee negotiation.
Joseph Nicola
Associate Principal, Director of Academic Practice Area
B. Architecture, University of Minnesota, 1980B. Environmental Design, University of Minnesota, 1980
Licensed Architect, California, #C-21418, 1990
Licensed Architect, Massachusetts, #6288, 1984
(510) 899-6461
jnicola@ratcliffarch.com
Joseph Nicola, an award-winning and internationally recognized architect with over twenty-five years of experience, has overseen numerous large-scale university projects throughout his career. He joined RATCLIFF as Director of the firm’s Academic Practice Area and continues to raise the bar as an effective leader, continuing to oversee a number of high-profile projects with great ease. In addition to travels abroad and role as Director of Architecture and Design at PAE International in Tokyo and Vice President of The Architects Collaborative San Francisco office, Joseph’s career has encompassed all aspects of the field from design through project management, client relations, contracts and fee negotiation.
Close
Licensed Architect, California #C25627, 1995
(510) 899-6431
mmatson@ratcliffarch.com
Mr. Matson brings over twenty years of experience to his technical role at RATCLIFF. His experience encompasses delivering complex projects for public and private entities, most recently for a number of academic clients. Mike is proficient in project and team management, and in communicating effectively with governing agencies, contractors and owners to deliver a successful project. He is thoroughly knowledgeable of code analysis and overseeing the production of thorough and concise construction documents. He is well-versed in specifications writing, adapting Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow processes, and the incorporation of lean design principles into his projects.
Mike Matson, LEED® AP
Associate Principal – Technical, Academic Practice Area
B. Architecture, University of California, Berkeley, 1989Licensed Architect, California #C25627, 1995
(510) 899-6431
mmatson@ratcliffarch.com
Mr. Matson brings over twenty years of experience to his technical role at RATCLIFF. His experience encompasses delivering complex projects for public and private entities, most recently for a number of academic clients. Mike is proficient in project and team management, and in communicating effectively with governing agencies, contractors and owners to deliver a successful project. He is thoroughly knowledgeable of code analysis and overseeing the production of thorough and concise construction documents. He is well-versed in specifications writing, adapting Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow processes, and the incorporation of lean design principles into his projects.
Close
Licensed Architect, California, #C-20953, 1989
(510) 899-6439
ptsugawa@ratcliffarch.com
With twenty-five years of experience, Mr. Tsugawa provides leadership on a variety of institutional projects with a focus on technically challenging projects for healthcare and academic environments. He is currently principal-in-charge and project manager for multiple renovation projects totaling $100 million at the three-campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, a Sutter Health affiliate. He has demonstrated skills in project leadership and process management utilizing aspects of Lean Delivery principles and technical knowledge geared toward OSHPD. His ability to collaborate with client, designers, planners, engineering consultants, review agencies, and project staff has proven invaluable to the success of his projects. He is hands-on with the work and intimately in tune with design content, use of digital tools and regulatory requirements. His collaborative working style assures smooth relationships with all parties and his personal commitment to excellence in design and technical solutions is an asset to any project he undertakes.
Peter Tsugawa, AIA
Associate Principal – Technical, Healthcare Practice Area
B.A. Architecture, University of California, Berkeley, 1983Licensed Architect, California, #C-20953, 1989
(510) 899-6439
ptsugawa@ratcliffarch.com
With twenty-five years of experience, Mr. Tsugawa provides leadership on a variety of institutional projects with a focus on technically challenging projects for healthcare and academic environments. He is currently principal-in-charge and project manager for multiple renovation projects totaling $100 million at the three-campus Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, a Sutter Health affiliate. He has demonstrated skills in project leadership and process management utilizing aspects of Lean Delivery principles and technical knowledge geared toward OSHPD. His ability to collaborate with client, designers, planners, engineering consultants, review agencies, and project staff has proven invaluable to the success of his projects. He is hands-on with the work and intimately in tune with design content, use of digital tools and regulatory requirements. His collaborative working style assures smooth relationships with all parties and his personal commitment to excellence in design and technical solutions is an asset to any project he undertakes.
Close
1916 - 1925
In 1923 the Berkeley Firestorm consumes 600 Arts & Crafts structures clustered along the Berkeley Hills. Walter Ratcliff is Berkeley City Architect and engaged in a thriving practice, designing civic, commercial, academic and retail establishments as well as continuing his prolific residential work. He founds Fidelity Guarantee Savings & Loan with long-time business associate Charles McFarland. He is Oakland, the site of several of his finest buildings including the Music and Arts Buildings.
1926-1935
Charles Lindberg presides over the dedication of the new Oakland Airport in 1927. The Crash of 1929 and ensuing Great Depression impose extraordinary discipline on the population with adaptability as a key survival skill. Walter\'s architectural practice scales back due to the times but the Fidelity banking business sustains the firm and helps homeowner retain their property. Walter\'s dedicated associate, Scott Haymond, keeps the firm in continuous operation. The 1927 Chamber of Commerce building is Berkeley\'s first high-rise and stands today as Wells Fargo Bank.
1936-1945
Thousands of young veterans return to the Bay Area following WWII seeking an education under the GI Bill. The Atomic Age is born at UC Berkeley under the aegis "The Manhattan Project." Walter's son Robert W. Ratcliff, having graduated in architecture from UC Berkeley and settling in Berkeley in a home of his design, serves in the Navy as a SeaBee and at the War's completion, returns to join the firm (Ratcliff, Haymond & Ratcliff) in providing urgently needed dormitories for the University.
1946-1955
California embarks on a massive freeway program in 1947, and the Caldecott Tunnel bores through the Berkeley Hills, opening Contra Costa County to development. America's first listener-sponsored radio station, KPFA, begins broadcasting from Berkeley. Bob Ratcliff's design influences shift modernism. Streamlined houses in the East Bay hills showcase Bob's new design direction. A juxtaposition of historic and modern in seen in works such as the addition to his father's design of St. Margaret's House.
1956-1965
Inspired by peaceful protest tactics of the Civil Rights Movement, the Free Speech Movement is born at UC Berkeley and 1,000 demonstrators mobilize for the right to speak about politics and war without fear of reprisal. Students clash with establishment officials at the famous fracas, People's Park. New partners join and incorporate as Ratcliff, Slama & Cadwalader (RSC). Growing environmentalism inspires design of the round Firehouse #4, protecting the park-like neighborhood setting. RSC with Rex Allen designs Highland Hospital, the firm's debut in health care architecture.
1966-1975
The Vietnam War is fought at home with riots at the University's doorstep, while the revolutionary activist group Symbionese Liberation Army makes world headlines by kidnapping heiress Patty Hearst from her Haste Avenue student apartment. The original Peet's Coffee Shop opens its doors in North Berkeley in 1966, while Alice Waters opens Chez Panisse. RSC designs Rochdale Village for U.C. on a nearby site at Haste and Telegraph with unprecedented student input in the design process. Kit Ratcliff joins the practice in 1974.
1976-1985
Writer Alice Kahn coins the term "yuppie" in an article in the East Bay Express. George Lucas debuts the first of the Star Wars trilogy; and Steve Jobs launches Apple's Macintosh in 1984. RSC becomes The Ratcliff Architects in 1978, and Peter Scott, Don Kasamoto and Sy Husain become principals. A pivotal project of the era is Terminal 2 at Oakland International Airport, attracting new commissions and seeing TRA's staff swell to 100 at the height of the 1980s.
1986-1995
Earthquakes including the Loma Prieta temblor of 1989 lead to stricter code rulings and require seismic upgrades to hospitals and institutions. The tiny industrial enclave of Emeryville becomes a microcosm of the Bay Area economy. TRA movies to Emeryville and matures as a leader in healthcare architecture, conducting major seismic work facilities including VA Palo Alto (with SMP). Academic work including the Valley Life Sciences renovation at U.C. Berkeley and the University of Oregon Science Center (with MRY & Brockmeyer Assoc.) garners awards.
1996-2005
9/11 ushers in a sober new world while breakthroughs in science and technology evoke the Web and medical discoveries in the fights against AIDS and cancer. TRA merges with Crosby Helmich in 1996 and simplifies the firm's name to RATCLIFF. Health care, civic and academic commissions including Blue Oak School (complete with geothermal energy system) get underway. RATCLIFF develops the Green Matrix, an Internet tool for sustainable design that garners 1 million hits soon after launch.
2006
Happy Birthday! Centenarians include the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire and the Bancroft Library and Cal Performances at UC Berkeley. The city of Emeryville turns 110 and the American Institute of Architects is 150. RATCLIFF celebrates its Centennial with a series of events, including the opening of Berkeley City College and the release of the book, The Architecture of Ratcliff, by Woodruff Minor published by Heyday Books.
2007-Onward
Windrush school earns LEED Platinum while College Prep and Marin Academy seek green action plans. UC Berkeley completes complex renovations of Doe Annex/Bancroft Library and Berkeley School of Law. John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek, completes extensive expansion. Healthcare clients include Sutter Health, Kaiser, ValleyCare and Alameda Hospital, while a design/build partnership for Alameda County’s Highland Hospital gets underway.
© 2010 RATCLIFF | Site Credits