OFFICE
Mobile Office Architects (MOA) is a cross-disciplinary design firm founded by partners Dustin Stephens and Alan Ho. MOA practices within a model that links many designers, architects, craftsman, artists, and strategic thinkers in a collaborative network. This model provides the ability to draw from a diverse set of skills, perspectives, and talents to suit each project. MOA works primarily within the areas of Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape, Product Design, Prefabrication, and Strategic Design.
Research and strategic thinking are central to each project's design process. MOA operates on the position that the most influential design decisions come early on through the process of defining the design problem. Each design problem is surrounded by a unique context and, therefore, is best served by an approach that begins with a rigorous understanding of the context and goals at hand. This process of carefully framing the problem often leads to innovative approaches that cut straight to the core issues and needs of the project. MOA works with each client to develop a sophisticated project approach.
PEOPLE
Dustin Stephens, founding principal
Dustin received his Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design where he received distinction for his work in both architectural design and structural design. His thesis work, “How to Make Something Out of Nothing: Innovative Approaches to Affordable Housing” focused on uncovering opportunities for the architect to innovate within the convoluted financing and bureaucracy networks that constrain affordable housing innovation in the United States. Dustin also holds a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Washington where he received the Faculty Design Award and Award for Highest Scholarship. While working at the Miller|Hull Partnership, Dustin was a core team member for the South Lake Union Discovery Center in Seattle, Washington—named one of the National Top Ten Green Projects by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment, the 2007 Lifecycle Building Challenge winner, and given the 2007 Boston Society of Architects Sustainable Design Award. Dustin also worked for Hutchison and Maul, a Seattle firm selected by the Architectural League of New York as a 2009 Emerging Voice in Architecture. Dustin has spent over five-years working in custom residential construction, building a knowledge base that has enabled MOA to build and fabricate some of its projects. He has also worked as a teaching assistant at Harvard Graduate School of Design in architectural structural design and building methods and materials courses. Dustin has been an invited critic for architectural design studios at University of Southern California, Woodbury University, University of Washington, and the UCLA Suprastudio.
Alan E. Ho, founding principal
Alan received his Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Washington (UW) and his Master of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), receiving several distinction and design awards from both institutions — including the Floyd Naramore Scholarship, RISD Graduate Design Award Scholar, and the RISD Graduate Travel Achievement Award. While at RISD, Alan took the opportunity to apprentice under a variety of world renowned artists to develop himself into a master artisan and craftsman in a variety of trades including: wood working, metal working, glass working, weaving and textiles, and photography. He uses these skills everyday in his practice of architecture and design. While at UW and RISD, Alan took the opportunity to study abroad in Rome, Paris, London, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, Saigon and Ha Noi; where he forged lasting connections and collaborators in architecture and art. Prior to founding MOA, Alan worked for world renowned and award winning architects Rafael Vinoly, Perkins + Will, and SPAN Architecture. His expertise and experience covers a variety of projects and scales, including: master planning for Bond Cay Islands, The Atlantic City Hilton Hotel, The Department of Education Facilities for Kuwait University, Yeshiva High School in Brooklyn, and the 121st Police Precinct on Staten Island. While at SPAN Architecture, Alan was the lead designer and project manager for numerous residential projects across the U.S. and a key member of several award winning and published projects, including: the Connecticut Pool House — cover of Architectural Digest Aug 2012 and the Calvin Klein Collection store in Shenyang — awarded AIANY Honors Award for Interior Architecture 2014. Alan has also been an invited critic for art, architecture, and design studios at Pratt Institute, Parsons the New School for Design, and RISD.