Mark Bartos

Mark Bartos, AIA, M Arch, BSCE, NCARB, LEED AP, EIT

Mark has led Bartos Architecture, Inc since 2008. Prior to that he rose to the level of Vice President in another firm where he focused on educational facilities for 12 years. Mark has mentored many professionals on their way to a career in Architecture. He has a passion for education and what education can do to improve people's lives. Our clients come to Mark for his leadership in navigating the more delicate and complicated projects that don't get the attention of large firm leaders.  He takes great pride in solving problems that others run away from.

Of his achievements, Mark is most proud of the high school and college intern program he has developed through Bartos Architecture.  He is committed to improving the lives of others through the world of Architecture. His recent support of the Puente organization in Pescadero brings great joy. Supporting schools and individuals in Latin America is his way to show gratitude and to leave a real legacy and examples to others. Mark tells people that it is easy to do these things because they are simply fun, and require nothing but the individuals desire to help.

Lately Mark was a volunteer student review panelist for Architecture Design studio classes at Chabot Community College, and the Boston Architectural College.

On those rare occasions outside of the office, Mark enjoys world travel, and more recently travels in "Brocinante". "Bro" is a Land Rover with a camper top. Lots of solo adventures discovering California with more travels ahead in the lower 48. And of course there is his constant companion, his English Cream Retriever -- "The Dude"...


More about Mark...

Mark received a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering (BSCE) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After his engineering education, he continued on to earn his Master of Architecture  (M Arch) also from UIUC. Mark's emphasis in Architecture graduate school was in the History of Architecture where he was awarded the William White Award for an outstanding student in the Architectural History Program. While in graduate school, Mark was a teaching assistant for Structural Engineering classes in the Architecture program for a year, and later he was a teaching assistant for History of Architecture Classes for another year. His years from 1981 - 1991 at UIUC represent the foundation for Mark's passion for Architecture and Engineering.

While pursing his education, Mark also worked for a County Highway Department as an Engineer's Assistant and Survey Crew "instrument man;" for Alfred Benesch and Company as a draftsman on the O'hare Expansion Project in the late 1980s; and for Sargent Lundy Engineers as a Structural Designer (analysis) on nuclear power plants. In the "field," Mark worked for Descoto Engineers in Chicago as an Engineer, inspecting road infrastructure projects on the South Side of Chicago. A highlight of his Graduate school years was his tenure with Skidmore Owings and Merrill where he performed structural engineering tasks (as a Structural Designer) on projects at Bishopsgate, London and the NBC Tower in Chicago.

In late 1988, Mark took a sabbatical to do a grand tour of Europe. During his travels he used boats, trains, busses, his thumb (hitch-hiking) and feet. He traveled to all the expected spots all the way to Cappadocia in central Turkey. But most importantly during this trip he met his future wife and life partner in Florence, Italy.
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After the economic crash of 1987 things were tough for new graduates. Following a job offer in California, Mark and his fiancé' packed up, rented a U-Haul and drove across country from Champaign to San Francisco to start a new life.

Mark thought that the Bay Area would be temporary, assuming that he would return to Chicago (the capital of modern architecture in America) but he eventually made the Bay Area his lifetime home. As an architect he believes in the importance of understanding and being a "part" of the place where one practices his craft. His career in California started with International Parking Design in Oakland. After having experience in the largest Architecture firm in the US (at the time), SOM to mid size firms, he decided that smaller firms that focus on good works projects that provide significant value is where he wanted to focus his career. He had great small firm mentors at Baucentrum Architecture, Winges Architecture and DTBA Architecture.

Along this career route Mark considered his interests and how he could best have a positive impact on society. Either Affordable Housing, Health Care, or Education seemed the most interesting. He happened in to public educational facilities along with civic facilities in the mid 1990s and there is where his passion has been for the past quarter of a century.

He founded Bartos Architecture in 2008 with the intent of Caring, Advocating, Researching, and Education/Educating. He is proud to have lead the design and construction of over 300 Million dollars of Educational facilities. His expertise ranges from programming and design, program management, construction management, funding applications --- essentially everything from conception through completion.

A few interesting things about Mark: His family is everything to him. His "office" regardless of advice he has received over the years is an extension of his family. Mark and his wife have traveled widely in the U.S, Europe, Asia and Central America.
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