The Architecture of Oakland, a Monthly Program 

Register Now!

Register by February 1 for complimentary tickets for AIA Members and $10 tickets for Non-members! ($10/$15 after 2/1)

Oakland is a true tapestry of architecture--picture its jade green art deco beauties, gleaming high rises and modern cathedrals. AIA East Bay brings together three of Oakland’s “image makers” in a discussion about the current state of Oakland’s architecture, where it’s going and how it got there.

Oakland's flatiron building. Image © Douglas Wittnebel, AIA

Rachel Flynn, AIA, Director of Planning and Building, City of Oakland
Flynn’s role is charged with managing 125 employees, improving the city’s planning and permitting functions and facilitating sustainable development. She has worked for a variety of public and private entities including two cities in Virginia, Cannon Design, and Otak International in Abu Dhabi. She earned a masters in public administration from Harvard University and a masters in engineering and construction management and a bachelor’s in architecture from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Peter Waller, AIA, Principal, Pyatok
For more than 20 years, Peter has been leading the design of large-scale multi-family housing developments for Pyatok, an Oakland-based architecture firm. Drawn to urbanism and high-density, he offers expertise in mixed-use, adaptive re-use in both affordable and market rate housing with a focus on creating transit-oriented developments that result in more livable and sustainable communities. Peter's first priority on any project is to uncover solutions that relate to the larger community and create strong connections to the public realm. Peter is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley College of Environmental Design.

Doug Wittnebel, AIA,  Principal & Design Director at Gensler
As Design Director of Gensler’s Oakland office, Doug directs the vision of project teams as they collaborate with technology, energy and financial firm clients. He has more than 30 years of experience working in multiple countries across a number of practice areas. Doug's award-winning projects have been published in the San Francisco Business Times and Forbes, among other media. His commitment to the East Bay community extends from a drawing tour of the wonderful classical historical buildings of Oakland to supporting a number of local art groups that include MOCHA, the Museum of Children's Art. Doug holds an M.Arch. from Tulane University.