Matthew Baran

Matthew Baran is an Adjunct Professor (Part-Time) at the University of San Francisco. He is a licensed architect, developer, and builder with 25 years of cross-disciplinary experience spanning residential, commercial, and theoretical projects. He teaches studios at UC Berkeley, USC, and The Academy of Art University in Architecture and Real Estate programs. His expertise includes construction technology, adaptive reuse, sustainability, and GIS mapping. He has received awards from AIA, PCBC, and Architizer, and lectures at industry events like AIA, ULI, and SPUR.

Education: M.Arch from UC Berkeley (2008), B.Arch from University of Southern California (1996). His development experience encompasses property evaluation, financing, construction management, and modular projects. He founded Baran Studio Architecture, specializing in adaptive reuse, multifamily housing, and commercial design, with clients including Hackman Capital, ShopCore Properties, and Wang Brothers. The studio emphasizes creativity, innovation, and collaboration with core values of grit, bravery, respect, and flexibility.

• Research Focus: Sustainable construction methods, modular architecture, urban subdivision strategies, and tech-driven design solutions.
• Key Projects: Armory Lofts (AIA Finalist), West10 (AIA Finalist), WestOak6 (PCBC Gold Nugget), MacArthur Annex (AIA Merit).
• Publications: Featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and journals like ORO and Braun Publishing.

Baran’s work bridges architecture with real estate development, advocating for design as a driver of economic and environmental success.