Marvin Armstrong, Principal
Marvin Armstrong, Architect

Education:  I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1981 with the 5-year professional degree of Bachelor of architecture.
Age:  54.6 years
Family:  I have a very small family: My partner Lacy, me and our cat Minky.

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Tell us a little about your practice, Marvin.

I founded the business in 1987 as a sole practitioner. The services I offer have been the same since the beginning, which is to provide architectural design services for a variety of building types. I’ve designed everything from homes to industrial buildings, I’ve partnered with landscape architects for city parks. I’ve designed an art center, community center and various school projects.  
I describe myself as a general practitioner of architecture. My specialty is providing personalized client service and creative solutions to whatever type of building they need. This has led to me to designing just about every type of building project there is in the San Joaquin Valley.
For most of my career I’ve been located in downtown Hanford and served the Kings County area with some projects in Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties. A few projects have been in Southern California. We’ll go wherever we’re called for a good project. Much of the workload is still coming from the Kings County area. Since relocating to Fresno, we are getting more and more work here including downtown loft housing projects.

How long have you lived in Hanford and how did you get involved with architecture, Marvin?

I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley, from North Fork, Fresno to Pixley. After college, I worked for architects in Visalia and San Diego before landing in Hanford and starting my own practice. I lived in Hanford for 20 years, and then relocated the office to Fresno in 2006.  
My interest in architecture started when my College of Sequoias counselor suggested I try architecture, seeing that I excelled at math and drafting in high school. I jumped into the program and I knew it was a match for me. I feel very fortunate to have found a career that fits with my creative and practical sensibilities. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of my business.

What is your key business strategy, Marvin?

Having good people to help me, listening to my client’s needs and doing to best job I can for them. I have had wonderfully talented people in the firm who make me and the firm look good and function well. The key to providing excellent service in this business is finding out what the client wants by listening carefully and drawing out their dreams that can be translated into reality.  

What was the best advice you received, Marvin?

My late great, mentor and architect, Jay Moring, said always be honest and responsible for yourself. Along with perseverance, I think this has helped me build and maintain relationships that keep the business going year after year.  

What was your first job, Marvin?

My first job was a “cotton tromper” for my friend’s dad who had a cotton farm in the South Valley. It was our responsibility to tromp around in the trailer after the cotton pickers emptied their baskets to make room for more cotton. It was a dream job — I probably would have done it for free. My first job working in the profession was for Walter “Buzz” Vogel, an architect in Visalia. I was still in junior college and happy to be there for $3 per hour.  

What do you like to do in your spare time, Marvin?

Since the mid 80’s I started taking sculpture more seriously. In the last two years, my sculpture “hobby” has taken a more profession turn. I am a member of the Fig Tree Gallery and have had three exhibits in downtown Fresno and a sculpture at the Fresno Art Museum. I’m currently working on a commission for the Fresno Housing Authority for a bronze work at the new Renaissance at Alta Monte homeless housing complex. This fall, I helped found a new co-op of ceramic artists, “Clay Hand Studios” in downtown, where I do all my sculptural projects now.
For pure entertainment, nothing beats a good sci-fi movie.

How do you give back to the community you serve, Marvin?

For an ArcHop event during architecture week, I partnered with Kiel Schmidt to curate a multi-media exhibit for homeless awareness, and creative ideas for homeless shelters. I have helped with the “Empty Bowls” event by making ceramic bowls for the Food Bank fundraiser. I have provided pro bono or reduced fees for worthy causes such as the Kings Art Center and a rehab center in Hanford. In keeping with having good people around me, I brought Kiel into the firm this year. Kiel is a community organizer and homeless advocate and we continue to look for opportunities to help the community.