Eugene Kinn Choy was the second Chinese American to join the American Institute of Architects (1912-1991) of Los Angeles after I.M. Pei. Like Pei, he was born in Guangzhou, China. Eugene and his family immigrated to the United States in 1898 and settled in Bakersfield. Eugene received his Bachelor's of Architecture from the University of Southern California in 1939 but put his ambitions on hold due to World War II. He went to work for Hughes Aircraft until the war was over. Resuming his architectural career he joined the AIA and became licensed in California, Nevada, and Ohio, though most of his work was in California. In addition to numerous public, commercial, and residential buildings, Eugene Choy designed his own home for a narrow hillside lot in the Silverlake area of Los Angeles and his creativity in meeting the challenges of a fifty foot wide lot that sloped in two directions were noted in Art and Architecture and Architectural Record. The importance of light and the use of open space highlighted the interior of the home. Wood was a feature of the interior and exterior. He also answered the needs of the growing Chinese American community and designed Chinese-inspired commercial buildings for Los Angeles' Chinatown. The LA Times recently wrote an article about Eugene Kinn Choy here.

Barton Choy joined his father in 1972.

Barton Choy is also a graduate of the University of Southern California. He received a Bachelors of Architecture with Honors in 1966. He has won awards and recognition for his own projects. His work has been featured in many publications including "Best Green Building, So. CA 2007", California Construction Magazine; "House Architects Live in", Barbara Plumb; "Wide eyed Design for A Hillside", Dan McMasters, LA Times; "Covering the Waterfront", Sam Hall Kaplan, LA Times; "Stepping a House Up a 30 Degree Slope", Building House and Garden.

In addition to architectural practice, Barton is also active in the City of Los Angeles public arts community and the academic community. He was on the City of Los Angeles Advisory Committee for Public Arts for many years. He has also served both as Member and Chair of the Design Arts Panel, Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Arts Endowment Program. Mr. Choy is a design studio instructor in the Environmental Design Department, Art Center College of Design, where he has been a member of the faculty for more than twenty years. He has also lectured and served as visiting critic for many other design schools, including USC, CSULB, and CSUN.

E.J. Parrish joined the firm in 1993.

Ernest Jackson Parrishgraduated from Cal Poly San Louis Obispbo in 1956. His exerptise in schools and public work expanded the firms architecural palette. "Jack" became a partner is 1997 and during a professional career of 50 years, Mr. Parrish managed projects, large and small, involving all of the conventional disciplines - civil, landscape/irrigation, architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical. In addition, his projects addressed other disciplines as diverse as site selection, food facilities, high rise life/fire safety, materials handling, environmental assessments, special computer facilities, and the overall coordination of land planning projects. Project types include site infrastructure, educational including child care, manufacturing, warehousing, institutional, utilities, commercial, transportation, and laboratories.

While a partner at the firm, Jack passed away in October of 2011.

Pedro Cordova joined the firm in 1994.

Pedro Cordovareceived his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Masters of Architecture from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). He joined the ChoyAssociates team in 1994 and has been a part of the award winning projects. He has extensive experience in project management on large scale and smaller projects. This experience included successful projects in both the public and private sector from predesign through post construction services. Pedro became a partner in 2011 and manages a variety of projects both large and small. Pedro has been involved in the firms' award winning projects as both a Project Architect and Principal.

Sheila Goergen-Cordova joined the firm in 1997.

Sheila Cordovareceived her Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University. She joined the firm in 1997 and continues the firm's tradition of excellence in design. Sheila became a partner in 2011 and works on both large and small projects. She is involved in all projects from inception to completion. Her experience ranges from small banking tenant improvements to large government projects and this range helps her design and administer the variety of projects Cordova Architects work on.

In addition to architectural practice, Sheila is also active in the City Public Arts community and the academic community. She was on the Beautification Committee for Public Arts for many years. She has taught at Santa Monica College since 2000 and enjoys the challenges and inspiration teaching brings to the architecture process.

ChoyAssociates becomes Cordova Architectsin 2013

Choy Associates decided to include the name Cordova Architects to reflect a change in ownership of the company. The change to Cordova Architects does not mean a change in the design or projects being produced - the same project management, direction and designers are working on the firms projects - the same people that have been producing award winning projects for the last 15 years or more. We look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in design.