San Francisco

George Tolosa is a licensed architect with 20+ years of experience, specializing in the design of commercial office and residential high-rise buildings within urban settings and of a highly technical nature. As Associate Principal at Handel Architects in San Francisco, he brings particular experience in the feasibility study, concept design and entitlement of high-density sites, and extensive experience in the design and detailing of complex, performance driven facade systems. Mr. Tolosa’s current work includes 950 Market Street, a new 12-story mixed-use hotel and residential building occupying the majority of a triangular block where San Francisco’s Union Square, Tenderloin and South of Market districts meet. Previous projects include serving as Senior Designer for the 340 Fremont Street Tower in San Francisco, as well as Design Director for the Austin Proper Hotel & Residences. Prior to joining Handel Architects, Mr. Tolosa worked in the San Francisco and London studios of Woods Bagot, where he designed various mixed-use buildings, including 100 Bishopsgate and the Ham Yard Hotel in London, and 405 Bourke Street in Melbourne. Additional past experience includes the design of projects internationally, with towers in China, UAE, UK, Russia and Australia. Mr. Tolosa earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo and his Master in Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

John Ishihara is a Principal in the San Francisco office and has 21 years’ experience in design, management and project delivery for some of Handel Architects’ most notable projects. Most recently, Mr. Ishihara served as Project Manager for 340 Fremont Street in San Francisco, acting as the primary client contact and managing the extensive design and consultant teams from concept through building completion. Mr. Ishihara is currently the Project Manager for Austin Proper Hotel and Residences in Austin, Texas and the 950 Market project in San Francisco.

Prior to joining Handel Architects, Mr. Ishihara worked in several high profile architecture firms in San Francisco. His previous experience in diverse project types such as broadcasting and conference facilities, laboratories, corporate and academic campuses and historic renovations, has helped to diversify the firm’s portfolio.

Mr. Ishihara’s projects have been published in Architecture, Architectural Record, Metal Architecture and San Francisco Chronicle. He has taught design at Laney College and is an active guest critic at City College of San Francisco, Diablo Valley Community College and University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Ishihara received his Bachelor or Architecture degree from Cornell University.