CUH2A Expands Expertise and Leadership in San Francisco Office through Three Key Hires.

SAN FRANCISCO -- CUH2A has strengthened its position and commitment to science and technology organizations on the West Coast with the recent addition of three key people to the firm's San Francisco office. Their combined expertise in architecture, engineering and sustainable design enhances CUH2A's ability to provide architecture, engineering and planning services for highly-complex research facilities.

Victor R. DeSantis, AIA, joins CUH2A as a project director. He is greatly esteemed within the science and technology community for his 20-year commitment to the design and management of science facilities for pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical, and university research. DeSantis is currently overseeing the design of containment labs for UC Berkeley, animal facilities for UC Davis, and renovations for the Steven Spielberg Research Facility at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. A recognized leader in his field, he has been featured on CNN Headline News and San Francisco-based media as an expert on the topic of advancements in next-generation facilities. He is a frequent guest lecturer and has also been widely published. In addition to being a member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects), Victor belongs to AAPS (American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists), AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science), ISPE (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering), SCBS (Southern California Biomedical Council), IFMA (International Facility Management Association), and SCUP (Society for College and University Planning).

Jose Gonzalez, PE, LEED AP, joins CUH2A as a senior project engineer in the mechanical engineering department. He brings more than 16 years of experience in developing complex mixed-use facilities for the high-technology industry, focusing primarily on critical environments for cleanrooms and R&D labs for nanobiotechnology and nanophotonics. Gonzalez is LEED certified and has been recognized as a leader in developing sustainable mechanical systems; he will focus on opportunities to create world-class facilities that are energy efficient and sustainable. An effective communicator, Jose is an active member of the ISPE (International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering) and ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers).

Stevens Williams, AIA, LEED AP, joins CUH2A as design director. He is well known in the industry for his ability to create significant architecture on projects of complex scope. Notable designs for corporate clients include the Applied Biosystems Pleasanton Campus oC among the first LEED-certified science projects oC and Gilead Sciences' NRB1 Building. Williams has contributed to many college and university campuses, most recently the Mayer Hall Physics building at UCSD. His long-standing commitment to sustainability has made him a sought-after guest speaker in a variety of venues. His leadership is also demonstrated in his work at the Ohlone College Newark Center for Technology and Health Sciences, where he achieved a high level of environmental performance through the integration of architecture and engineering systems. Williams' work has received many commendations, including national design citations from GSA and the NEA, and the Best of California Education Award.

CUH2A architects, engineers and planners design the most advanced science and technology facilities in the world. Since its founding in 1962, CUH2A has designed over 60 million square feet of research and development space. The firm serves academic, corporate and government clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dubai, London, New York, Princeton, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.