About
CAC Architects

When Albert Chiang founded CAC Architects in 2007, it was his mission to design buildings and interior spaces that were not just programmatically suitable, but that would contribute to fulfilling each client’s business and humanitarian goals.

History of Purpose-Driven Architecture

Albert began his career in the 1980s, specializing in campus construction. In the late 1990s, he transitioned towards life science projects, marking a natural evolution in his career. Albert’s former co-worker, Ted Mahl, who had worked alongside him at two of California’s largest architecture firms, joined him at CAC in 2013. Building on their extensive individual work histories, Albert and Ted brought together their wealth of experience and expertise, which only grew until Ted’s retirement in 2022. Together, they amassed a substantial portfolio of multi-building campus construction and master planning projects.

Our Team

Albert ChIang

Managing Principal

Albert Chiang is Managing Principal and founder of CAC Architects, with over 28 years of experience in the profession. His background includes management of multi-disciplined teams for a variety of project types and sizes, focusing on building shell, complex laboratories, corporate offices, and mission critical facilities. Albert also has significant experience with spaces for highly technical R+D labs and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. As Managing Principal, Albert is focused on all aspects of a project, from design through construction completion. He maintains a hands-on approach to ensure quality and client satisfaction. Albert has also worked on a variety of public and private laboratories, and stays at the forefront of lab design, lab equipment, as well as associated building codes and construction.

Jenny ChIang

Jenny Chiang is the firm’s Controller. She oversees CAC’s daily accounting operations, including payroll and accounts payable and receivable. Jenny is integral to the financial health of the firm, as she helps guide CAC’s strategic financial decisions.

Dennis Khambai

Associate Principal

Since joining CAC Architects, Dennis Khambai has significantly contributed to expanding digital tools, including BIM and virtual reality, that help both clients and construction teams better understand projects. His strong communication skills help clients synthesize their projects, which results in delivering dynamic work environments. Dennis is involved in all phases of projects, with an emphasis on schematic design, design development, and construction documentation, across a diverse range of project types.

Taylor Oliver

From schematic design to project close out, construction administration to virtual reality, the depth and breadth of Taylor’s expertise continues to foster lasting relationships with clients and peers alike. As a Project Manager, Taylor prides himself on maintaining clear, open, and effective communication through every stage of the design and construction process. Clients, engineers, city officials, and fellow team members all count on Taylor for his thoughtful response time, collaborative design approach, and uncompromising drive to exceed expectations. Whether providing comprehensive building code analysis or producing immersive, photo-realistic design renderings, his attention to detail is unmatched.

RAY CHEN 

Job Captain and BIM Manager

Ray Chen is an architectural designer with over six years of experience in the design of a variety of project types. The skills he has garnered encompass a comprehensive design methodology from concepts to visualization to building development, with a sophisticated skill set in BIM modeling, collaboration, and management. He supports the team with his diverse specialties in the design field, and his innate ability to think through both design and construction challenges. Ray also works with clients to engage them in the design and delivery processes, resulting in smooth project coordination and design collaboration. Ray earned his Master of Architecture degree in Architectural and Building Sciences and Technology and Bachelor of Architecture. He is also recognized as a LEED AP BD+C by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Xiang Yu

Xiang Yu is an architectural designer with a knack for translating design into drawings and 3D renderings. His education in construction management has significantly influenced how Xiang views design, as has his extensive international travel experiences.

Alexandra Croney

Alex Croney is an experienced communicator and leader who has produced award-winning designs. Driven by a passion for creating engaging spaces, she takes pride in designing projects that are tailor-made to each client’s needs. As a Job Captain, Alex’s role includes producing and coordinating construction documents using AutoCAD and Revit.

STACEY WILLIAMS

Marketing Manager 

Stacey manages and coordinates the firm’s marketing efforts. She develops, implements, and effectively maintains the RFP response process to maximize creation of new business within the firm’s established goals and objectives. Stacey prepares proposals and qualification packages, as well as supports external communications, including website updates, award programs, LinkedIn, and PR opportunities. 

San Francisco Bay Area Architects with High-Tech Portfolio

CAC Architects works with all of the large biotech laboratory developers in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has projects from Southern California to Seattle, and as far as India, as a result of following their clients abroad. Other areas of focus for CAC include healthcare laboratories, pharmaceutical cGMP plants, vivariums, commercialization scaled-up lab facilities, and data centers. By 2017, CAC had achieved an annual aggregate construction project valuation of over $100 million, a number that continues to increase.

Virtual Reality and BIM Experts

CAC Architects is one of the first design firms in California to use virtual reality as part of its standard tools of services to help its clients better understand the design process. After programming and interviews, CAC will develop white massing models in virtual reality to help the stakeholders better understand spatial relationships and volumes. As the program develops during Design Development and finish selection, CAC will create virtual reality presentations with colors and finishes.

CAC also utilizes BIM software to improve the quality of projects and construction, leading to more accurate and thorough drawing packages, better cost overrun control, and clash detection before construction commences.

Staff Recruitment
and Retention

CAC Architects has roots in traditional architecture, but is practicing architecture of the future. Think innovation, collaboration, and advanced technology. Our sights are set on finding new ways to solve both old and new issues. We build upon lessons learned, but are not interested in getting stuck in a “this is how we’ve always done it” mentality. We are known for striking a balance between support and independence, and are always looking for talent who share our approach.