Sacramento, CA—Please meet Ian Bjorgum, Project Designer in our Sacramento Studio. Ian has been with the firm for two and a half years and is exceptionally talented in creating BIM/CAD models and producing high quality documents for educational, commercial and retail projects. He has been involved in the development of the Cañada College Building 13 Multiple Program Instructional Center Modernization, the Westmore Oaks School Homecoming Project for Washington Unified School District, Stadium Concessions and Ticketing Facilities at multiple high schools for San Juan Unified School District, as well as several projects for Paradise Unified School District’s rebuilding program. Learn more about Ian …
What is your hometown, or where do you live currently and what do you like about it?
Hometown: Carmichael, CA
Current Town: Somewhere in the heart of Solano County. The early morning commutes are a breeze.
What is your favorite restaurant or food?
Homemade chicken salads.
What is your favorite song, movie or book?
Song: “Bad To The Bone,” George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Movie: Le Mans (1971)
Book: Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky & Boris Strugatsky
Who is your hero or a person that inspires you?
Nicholas Cage, what a guy!
What is a typical weekend for you (i.e. what are your hobbies, interests, etc.)?
If I’m not at work, then I’m usually in my garage working on my project cars and learning new technical skills. The goal is to be able to competently do just about anything myself … restoration, fabrication and all kinds of repair.
How did you find architecture as a career?
My father is an architect and my mother is an artist, so it’s in my blood.
Westmore Oaks School Homecoming Project | Washington Unified School District
What is a building and/or destination that inspires you and why?
I’ve always found ancient megalithic structures interesting. For example, I’m intrigued by the unfinished obelisk in Aswan, Egypt.
What is your most memorable project and why?
Probably a restaurant in Folsom, CA called Back Bistro. In cooperation with the owner, I was able to come up with a set of construction documents and food service drawings with an optimal kitchen layout for their needs which was something I had never done before. Seeing the restaurant employees in action on opening night was pretty rewarding.
What is your favorite aspect of working at Studio W Architects?
I appreciate that we have a wealth of knowledge and experience between each of our employees, finding solutions to complex situations is usually just a conversation away. Also, Brian’s cars.
What project have you worked on at Studio W Architects that made you grow the most professionally? Why?
The remodel of Cañada College Building 13 has been a great learning experience for me, as it has a complicated concrete structure from the 1960’s and I’ve been able to navigate it with co-workers, consultants and the school district from early in the schematic phase onto the current phase of construction.
Cañada College Building 13 Multiple Program Instructional Center Modernization | San Mateo County Community College District
