About
Rizzo Associates is a design and project management firm serving the residential and commercial industries. Our firm offers design and owner’s representation services for all facets of the real estate development process. We specialize in single family residential, multi-family residential, retail, restaurant and mixed-use project spaces.
Rizzo Associates was founded on the premise of a collaborative design process, embracing the philosophy of partnering with our clients to build a team of real estate, design and construction industry professionals tailored to specific project and program requirements.
Our mission is to apply creative problem solving to balance our clients’ investment and create sustainable designs that are complimentary to a project’s site, context, environment and community. We believe in utilizing environmentally sensitive principles to create pathways to resilient designs and construction efficiencies.
JAMES RIZZO
Founder and Principal
In 1999 James established Rizzo Associates in San Francisco. He is a multi-disciplined design and construction professional with extensive experience in the commercial, restaurant, retail and residential industries.
James takes special interest in community outreach and the planning entitlement process. He is proficient at turning complicated programming issues into creative design opportunities and is accomplished at directing internal and external design and construction teams to successfully execute a client’s vision. James is passionate about building sustainable structures that communicate to the users and integrate with cultures, communities and environments.
James holds a Bachelor of Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. Before embarking on studies and a career in Architecture, James studied business at Arizona State University. He was a founding member of NewSchool’s AIAS chapter and served as the first President representing his college on the national stage. James continues his commitment to serve his community as a member of the Corte Madera Planning Commission, Marin Objective Design and Development Advisory Group and Resilience Advisory Committee.
Joyce McCarron
Project Architect
Joyce is a licensed architect who has worked in the architectural industry for 35 years. She joined Rizzo Associates in 2007 as a consulting Project Architect and is the company’s technical and CAD production work specialist.
Joyce’s career began in New York City as a Project Designer focused on the retail and health care industries. She moved to the Bay Area in 1988 and started managing all phases of national retail store projects. Over the last 20 years, Joyce’s experience has expanded to include residential and larger commercial projects.
Joyce holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University in CT and a Masters of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute in NY. Before embarking on her architectural career, Joyce’s creative energy was spent in Fine Arts and Theater Design. In 1990, she was appointed to the Novato Design Review Committee and was part of the City’s team to improve the project review and approval process. She received a Green Building Professional Certificate from Sonoma State University and attended the Novato Planning Academy. Her community involvement continued as she was a founding board member for School Fuel, the local education foundation for Novato public schools and remains active as a member of the Advisory Board.
SHERMAN ADAMS
Creative Lead
Sherman is a multi-disciplinary design professional with over 15 years experience in architecture, interiors and brand experience design.
Trained as an architect in New York, Sherman began his career working on high-end residential design projects striving to create compelling public spaces, facade designs, and interior furnishings for new mixed-use construction projects. Years later, he focused on the global store design direction for brands such as GUCCI, Levi’s and Tiffany & Co. Sherman continues to strive for brilliant designs with brands, environments and residences.
Sherman specializes in 3D visualization as both a design tool and presentation necessity. He appreciates and exercises many aesthetic genres through spatial, graphic and digital strategies. With a passion for great design and emerging technologies, Sherman’s explorations are always discovering new methodologies.
Sherman holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in NY. While in college, he was an integral member of a student culture organization that served as the bridge between faculty and student body. Sherman also served as Treasurer and ultimately Vice-President of AIAS at Pratt while running the structural mathematics tutoring program for students in need. Sherman's affinity for culture and community continues in his approach to design solutions and team dynamics.