Education
University of Kansas
Master of Architecture
Bachelor of Science-Architectural Engineering
Bachelor-Environmental Design

License
Missouri (First License)
Multiple States
NCARB Certificate

Certification
LEED™ AP

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS AND EXPERIENCE

Rafael Garcia’s architecture career encompasses more than 30 years. Recognized as a visionary talent, he is keenly focused on urban development and redevelopment and is frequently called upon to lend his expertise in addressing
projects that shape a community’s future.

As Principal of Design he brings hands-on involvement in every project undertaken by the firm. His designs have been honored with local, regional and national awards. Under his leadership, GA provides services to clients in the corporate, institutional, municipal, educational, social service, and public safety sectors.

Rafael has been a business owner for three decades and in that time has consistently positioned his firm to participate in some of the most significant civic and municipal projects in the Kansas City region. In addition, Rafe is an active member of the community donating his time and the resources of his firm to assist countless boards and agencies throughout the region.

PRINCIPAL INVOLVEMENT

Throughout his career, Rafael Garcia has been a hands-on principal, actively engaged in the design work undertaken in the firm that bears his name. It is evidenced in the title ‘Design Director’ that adorns his business cards. Without question, it is uncommon for the owner and person most responsible for the financial stability of the firm to devote so much of his time to seeking better design solutions for his clients. Most firm principals are limited by other firm responsibilities to only having a glancing oversight on daily project design and activities.

Rafael was drawn to the profession of architecture out of a love for shaping our built environment. That love has never wavered, and he is just as passionate about it today as he was at the beginning of his career. It is this passion for design that drives Rafael to actively engage in the design process of every project that passes through the office. Often this forces him to stay up into the wee hours of the morning working on administrative tasks and dealing with the more mundane business workflow that keeps a firm running.

What this means for our clients is this. Rafael Garcia will be engaged not as a figurehead of the firm, but as a design leader. Working with trace paper and pencil Rafael will continue to study and refine design options right alongside the designers and architects engaged in your process, right up to the point where design objectives align with the project budget to the mutual benefit of both.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Rafael Garcia’s affinity for community involvement started as a youth in the family restaurant business. The family would provide food from the restaurant to underprivileged families and Rafael and his siblings would provide entertainment in the form of music and dance. As a college student, Rafael began to pursue his own community service opportunities and in so doing, he also created volunteer activities for other students, and then display their learning to the University.

Throughout his professional career, Rafael has volunteered in the community – thousands of hours of volunteer
services. He has focused on children’s education causes, the disadvantaged youth (and adults), and those less fortunate (in all environmental living conditions).

Garcia Architecture, under the guidance of Principal and Owner Rafael Garcia, is firmly grounded in these same community service and outreach activities that have been a hallmark of the founder’s life. Rafael has consciously built GA and GCM with the intent of community engagement and sought to work with fellow professionals who share in the desire to better the environment in which we live, with a focus on our children and their future.

The project types that GA choses to pursue underscore the commitment to community advocacy on the part of the senior leadership of the firm. GA is purposely focused on promoting redevelopment of urban areas of our community where services vanished in recent decades, leaving residents dependent on trips to the suburbs to buy groceries or access needed health services, job training, or entertainment opportunities.

 

IN THE COMMUNITY

• American Royal – Board of Governors
• Community College Foundation – Board of Directors
• Business Alliance for a Sustainable Economy-KC – Founding Member
• The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation (GKCCF)
• Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), Building and Grounds Chair
• Starlight Theatre, Board of Directors, Theatre Plant Chair
• Heart of America United Way (HAUW)
• The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City, Founding Member
• Heart of American Council, Boy Scouts of America
• US Bank, Advisory Board of Directors
• The University of Kansas School of Architecture, Advisory Board
• Arts and Humanities Association of Johnson County
• Workforce Investment Board of the Full Employment Council City
• Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), Kansas City Advisors, Founding Member
• Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Kansas City, Missouri, Board Member
• Studio 150, The Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City, Chair
• Downtown Council (DTC), Member
• ICON Advertising Museum, Board Member
• KC150, A Celebration of the Heart, Steering Committee (Kansas City Sesquicentennial)
• Kansas City Missouri Housing Task Force
• Project H.O.P. E. (Hope, Opportunity, Performance, Education through Entrepreneurship)
• CUBE – AIA Committee on Understanding the Built Environment
• La Strada dell’ Arte Street Painting Festival, Founding Sponsor
• VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), Examination Author & Chair

HISPANIC ADVOCACY

• Named one of two US Ambassadors to Acapulco, Mexico (promoting US commerce)
• US Senate Republican Task Force on Hispanic Affairs (representing Missouri)
• The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City (HCC/KC), President and Board Member

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERISM

• North American International Trade Corridor Program (NAITCP) Committee, (NAFTA legislation)
• Sister Cities Committee and Delegation between Kansas City and Guadalajara, Mexico (Mayor appointed)
• The Greater Kansas City People to People International (GKCPTP), Member of Greater Kansas City (HCC/KC), President and Board Member

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

• University of Kansas, School of Architecture & Urban Design
• Instructor, Architectural Design
• El Centro College, School of Architecture, Dallas, Texas
• Director of Design and Architectural Advisory Chair

VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONAL PROJECTS

• Peer design review of Starlight Theatre’s new stage
• Designer, Kansas City Art Institute Masterplan
• Peer design review of KCAI projects: Jannes Library, Artspace Art Gallery, Student Housing, Commons Area
• Designer, Brush Creek Cultural Corridor Masterplan
• Designer, Rotary Camp Nature Trail for Disabled Children
• FOCUS/Odyssey 2000 Westside Facilitator
• Peer design review of Rotary Camp Masterplan Facilities
• Designer/Benefactor for KCAI Sculpture Project for “Hidden Valley Park”