ABOUT / OUR STORY
OUR STORY
Over the course of more than four decades, FCA has evolved from a two person practice into a close-knit architecture and design studio with a diverse portfolio of projects across the Bay Area and beyond. Founded by David G. Fong and Chiu Lin Tse-Chan in 1982, the firm was built on a commitment to design excellence, client service, and giving back to the community.
1982
ORIGINS AND FOUNDATION

David Fong and Chiu Lin Tse-Chan establish Fong & Chan Architects and begin work on their first project, Master Planning and Design of South Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport.

1985
FCA'S DOORS OPEN

Following the completion of the SFIA project, FCA opens its first office in Burlingame, California and begins a longstanding relationship with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), marking the start of decades of work supporting healthcare, research, and academic facilities.

1987
THE PRACTICE EXPANDS

As the firm grows, Fong & Chan Architects becomes well known for their commitment to excellence, producing the most accurate and well-coordinated construction documents in the profession. FCA completes numerous laboratory projects and establishes a staff enrichment program at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

1991
A NEW HOME FOR FCA

After months of planning and design, FCA moves to its current location at 1361 Bush Street. David and Chiu Lin completely reimagined the former medical office as a purpose-built design studio.

1996
COLLABORATION WITH ROBERT STERN

FCA works with Robert Stern to design the Gates Computer Science Building at Stanford University.

1999
DE YOUNG MUSEUM

Fong and Chan Architects serves as prime architect in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron and Landscape Architect Walter Hood on the new de Young Museum.

2001
AIA RECOGNIZES CHIU LIN

Chiu Lin Tse-Chan is named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), one of the highest honors awarded by the AIA.

2002
RECOGNITION

FCA is awarded Firm of the Year by SARA California.

BUILDING OUR EXPERTISE

FCA completes work on the Center for Joint Replacement at Washington Hospital in Fremont.

2006
SARA RECOGNIZES DAVID

David Fong is honored as a Fellow of the Society of American Registered Architects (FARA).

2007
A SAN FRANCISCO LANDMARK

FCA is selected to design the new San Francisco General Hospital.

2016
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND

San Francisco General Hospital is Awarded LEED Gold Certification, making it the first LEED Gold Trauma Center in California.

2018
ADVANCING HEALTHCARE

The firm is selected to design a new medical teaching hospital in the Sacramento Valley.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

FCA begins work to design a cancer hospital in Ramgopalpur, Nepal

2020
EXPANDING OUR PORTFOLIO

FCA begins working on the design of four office buildings totaling 350,000 SF for Santa Clara County.

FCA selected as Master Architect for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University.

2023
HONORING OUR FOUNDERS

David and Chiu Lin are recognized by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum for their career achievements as Asian American Architects.

Fong and Chan Architects is named the top Healthcare Architect in San Francisco by Architecture MasterPrize.

2024
CONTINUING THE PRACTICE

FCA enters its next chapter under the leadership of Principals Sharlene Chan, Kris Tie, Paolo Diaz, and Jason Wu.

NEWS AND EVENTS
Get the latest on project milestones, awards, and other firm updates.
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