Who We Are: Social at Every Scale
We believe in the power of public spaces - to foster sociability, draw people out, and inspire them to engage with the world and those around them.
From intimate courtyards and neighborhood restaurants to university campuses, grocery-anchored retail centers, and bustling urban districts, our work transforms everyday settings into vibrant, equitable, sustainable hubs where people share meaningful experiences
As a creative team of architects, designers, and planners, we shape places to spark connection, belonging, and joy, and are committed to mentoring the next generation of designers - empowering them to lead with empathy, curiosity, and social purpose.
Meet the Principals
Christen Soares
Christen is the wizard behind some of our most innovative retail and food projects—the mastermind who put a craft brewery in a grocery store and a mini-golf course inside a historic landmark building. As an architect with a passion for interiors, she loves the challenge of turning an existing framework into a destination you want to come back to again and again.
Whether she’s making it easier for people to move through space or bringing them moments of delight where they least expect it, Christen is driven by genuine curiosity and a love of problem solving. She’s a good listener and wears her heart on her sleeve—so she’s equally adept at extracting a hard-to-articulate client vision and mentoring our growing team.
An Oakland resident since 2004, Christen spends her time making art with her children, cooking, home brewing, and bringing her love for food full circle in her garden.
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Community Involvement
We are proud to be involved in the following organizations and initiatives:
San Francisco Certified Green Business
San Francisco Urban Land Institute
2030 Commitment
-Field Paoli is committed to progressing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our firm’s business practices and in the work we do.
-Field Paoli is a WBENC Certified Women's Business Enterprise.
-Field Paoli is certified by the City and County of San Francisco as a Woman-Owned San Francisco Local Business Enterprise, certification number SBA-LBE-CMD-41960.
-Field Paoli is certified by the California Department of General Services as a State of California Small Business, certification number 46915.
-Field Paoli is a Corporate Member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) to expand our reach to minority candidates and identify ways we can participate in promoting participation of minorities in the field of architecture.
Our History
1986
FOUNDED
1987
STONESTOWN GALLERIA
The remodeled mall, inspired by new urbanism and classical European design, debuts to critical acclaim.
1990
PASEO NUEVO IN SANTA BARBARA
1997
DRAEGER'S MARKETPLACE
1998
GORILLA RETAIL
1999
THRIVING IN OUR SANSOME STREET OFFICES
2002
SAN JOSE GREATER DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN
2003
NEVADA STATE COLLEGE
2004
MOVE TO CALIFORNIA STREET
2007
WHOLE FOODS MARKET
2008
YEMEGNUSHAL COMMUNITY CENTER
2009
TAP ROOM MEETS GROCERY
2011
WE'RE 25!
2014
REVITALIZING THE HEART OF UC RIVERSIDE
We transform the original bookstore into a dynamic new home for the Campus Store and Career Center.
2016
BROADWAY PLAZA EXPANSION
We revisit this Field Paoli project from the 80s and give this high-end retail destination in Walnut Creek, CA the look of incremental growth—like historic downtowns built over time by many hand.
2017
IN MEMORIAM
Honoring John and Carol Field, whose vision, partnership, and dedication helped shape Field Paoli into the firm it is today.
2017
ENHANCING CAMPUS LIFE AT UC DAVIS
We transform the Memorial Union into a vibrant, light-filled student hub.
2018
FIRST INTERNATIONAL PROJECT
Forum Cuernavaca, an open-air outlet center in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, receives the 2018 ICSC Latin American Award for Design and Development Excellence.
2019
NEW HEADQUARTERS ON MARKET STREET
Our new office is an open, light-filled space designed to support collaboration and a growing team.
2020
FIRST STREET NAPA REFRESH
We revitalize a previous project from the 1980s into an inviting destination where curated shops, distinctive dining, public art, and outdoor gathering spaces come together to celebrate the spirit of the region.
2020
CELEBRATING 10 FLOWER CHILD RESTAURANTS
Working with owner Fox Restaurant Concepts, we develop architectural design standards for the restaurants located across the country.
2022
20TH WHOLE FOODS MARKET OPENS
Our 20th Whole Foods Market project opens at Stonestown Galleria.
2022
FIELD PAOLI ARCHITECTS BECOMES A CERTIFIED WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS
The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) recognizes our firm as being at least 51 percent owned, operated, and controlled by women.
2024
SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MASTER PLAN APPROVED
Field Paoli is leading a team to reimagine the university to benefit students, faculty, staff and the greater community.
2026
WE TURN 40!
Celebrating four decades of designing public spaces that foster sociability, draw people out, and inspire them to engage with the world and those around them.
Clients
Opportunities
SOCIAL, RESPONSIBLE, CREATIVE!
We are looking for creative, open minded and collaborative individuals to help us design the next generation of social gathering spots; be it a cool coffee shop, a healthy restaurant, a hip grocery store with a brewery, a renovated retail mall, a mixed-use neighborhood growing out of a redeveloped mall, or a multi-block campus masterplan, we do social at every scale.
Qualifications and Experience:
· Bachelor's degree in Architecture; NAAB accredited degree preferred.
· 6-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in an architecture office.
· Solid production capabilities and leadership using Revit and AutoCAD.
· Technical expertise to include waterproofing detailing, construction administration and consultant coordination.
· High aptitude and a drive for learning and implementing new skills.
· Attentive to detail, organized, adaptable, team-oriented, and creative.
· Licensed or actively pursuing licensure.
· LEED and/or WELL Accreditation and related experience is a plus.
· Food and Beverage experience, including grocery store projects, is a plus.
We are currently working onsite in San Francisco on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; Tuesday and Friday are optional work from home days. We are also open to expanding our presence in St. Louis, with plans to mirror this hybrid schedule in a coworking space.
Salary range is dependent on relevant experience, licensure, and location. Our benefit package includes paid vacation and sick leave, 8 paid holidays, medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, 401(k) matching, flexible spending account, as well as social and educational opportunities.
For examples of our work please visit our website at www.fieldpaoli.com, or look for us in the AIA’s “small firms great projects” publication: https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/frame.php?i=759631&p=&pn=&ver=html5
How to Apply
If you are interested in joining our team, please submit a cover letter, a digital copy of your resume along with 8 to10 images illustrating your strongest work and breadth of experience to resumes@fieldpaoli.com.
Regular and continuous employment at Field Paoli is contingent upon being able to legally work in the US without employer sponsorship and, for working onsite, being fully vaccinated against Covid-19.