About Us

TECTONICS is a design oriented firm of Architects, Planners, and Engineers.


Established in 1984, TECTONICS has offices in Emeryville, San Francisco, San Diego and Honolulu where we provide a full range of architectural/engineering services

Core Values

Committed to design excellence, we believe that a well-designed environment enhances the performance of the users. Our team consistently strives to produce buildings and environments that meet user requirements while integrating aesthetics, economy, and function. Project designs and planning studies are regularly reviewed for thoroughness, design quality, construction cost, and schedule compliance. We are dedicated to professional excellence and value-loaded service.

Meet Our Team

Andrew Chen, RA, LEED AP, CASP

Principal Architect

Andy Chen, with nearly five decades of architectural expertise, is the founder and principal of the firm. He provides clients with exceptional service and extensive knowledge of all facets of the project. Andy is especially skilled at providing innovative, problem-solving solutions where special approaches are needed. He has been involved in a wide range of public, private, and institutional projects, and has extensive experience with all building types, from auditoriums to child care centers to training facilities.

Laura J. Shen, RA, LEED AP

Associate Principal

Laura is a LEED-accredited, licensed Architect with over 30 years of architectural experience in multiple project types. She is one of the founding members of TECTONICS and has specialized experience in interior design and tenant improvements.

She is focused on building and maintaining relationships with clients by understanding their specific needs and providing clear communication and attention to detail. The majority of Ms. Shen’s experience has been for public agencies such as the General Services Administration (GSA) as well as other Federal, state, and local municipalities. Most recently, she has been responsible for numerous projects to enhance Federal building lobbies and plazas as part of their First Impressions Program. Additionally, she has experience in retail developments, residential, and commercial projects.

Ayme Durbin, RA, CASP

Senior Project Manager

Ayme is a licensed Architect with over 35 years of architectural experience in multiple project types; more 25 of those years have been with TECTONICS. She is also a Certified Access Specialist (CASp), with extensive experience is Accessibility Plan Reviews, Surveys and Upgrade projects and has provided accessibility training in the past for several public agencies.

She has established enduring relationships with clients by providing an attention to detail and the capacity to coordinate and guide project development, regardless of the scale and breadth of a project to ensure client goals and needs are met. The majority of Ms. Durbin’s experience has been for public agencies such as branches of the Military, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Division of the State Architect (DSA) as well as other Federal, state, and local municipalities. Most recently, she has managed the design and construction administration for Design Build projects for a new Flight Line Fire Station at Edwards Air Force Base, CA and a Combat Training Tank and Classroom Building at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA.

Michael A. Gorishek, RA

Senior Managing Associate

Michael is a licensed Architect with over 40 years of experience in architectural design for a wide variety of building types; he has worked for TECTONICS as an architectural project manager since 1985.

Mr. Gorishek’s experience has primarily involved work on projects for public agencies such as, the US Navy, the General Services Administration (GSA), the Veterans Administration, and the United States Postal Service, as well as projects for various Water Districts, the State of California, the County of San Diego and local municipalities.

Projects have included the design of new buildings as well as the design of renovations and additions to existing facilities, including numerous projects for Hospital clients. Mr. Gorishek has been involved in many Design-Build Projects and has successfully completed a number of feasibility studies and other investigative reports.

Michael J. Ross, PE, SE

Structural Engineer

Mr. Ross has over 20 years of experience in structural engineering projects. He has diverse and extensive background working with a multitude of clients, a broad array of construction and building types as well as project scope and size. His design experience includes commercial buildings, medical facilities and equipment anchorage, seismic strengthening of structures, site structures, and building renovations. He has designed projects in many markets including residential, retail, restaurant, commercial, municipal, federal, and medical. These projects have ranged from $0.5M to $400M in size.

Member – SEANOC / AISC