We’re thrilled to announce Mona Lovgreen and Dong Kim, of Byrens Kim Design Works, will join the DIALOG partnership. This announcement reflects our commitment to bolstering our presence in the Bay Area and beyond. Mona and Dong will be powerful additions our growing US design practice, which has been led by Principal and California native, Robert Claiborne.

Mona joined DIALOG in Vancouver in 2015. Since then, she has taken an active role as the lead architect on a variety of complex mixed-use and urban planning developments in both Canada and the US. With an incredible passion for people and understanding local context, Mona has taken San Francisco by storm since her arrival in 2018. She builds trust with her team members, clients and partners. Mona’s boundless energy make her a perfect fit for the Bay Area and surrounding community.

“I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve in a short amount of time,” say Mona. “I’ve collaborated with DIALOGers from each and every studio to help make DIALOG known in the Bay area community. Over the last few years, I’ve been developing strong relationships and know we’re now at a threshold of breaking through.”

Never one to stand still, Mona is actively engaged as co-chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) 2020 National Fall Conference-Tours Committee, the co-chair of ULI’s San Francisco Programs Committee, AIA International Practice Committee. member, as well as an active member of the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) where she sits on the Urban Infrastructure Committee.

Byrens Kim Design Works is an Oakland-based architecture practice with eight team members who share our values and vision to improve the wellbeing of our communities. The practice was founded in 1979 by David Byrens. Dong joined David in 1998 and has continued the sensible legacy to deliver solutions that exceed their client’s expectations. With humble beginnings, the firm has grown over the years and has focused on a wide portfolio of projects across higher education, K-12 school districts, civic and recreation centers to mixed-use development projects and beyond.

Dong and his team will be joining the partnership, bringing a strong, local presence in Oakland and the Bay Area combined with adding incredible new depth to the practice of existing US-based DIALOG team.

“I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with the DIALOG team on a few projects, most recently winning the Citation Award for the “Architecture at Zero 2020” competition, says BKDW principal, Dong Kim. “I knew early on that the DIALOG process was aligned to our values. It’s a great practice. This partnership will enable us to flourish and reach even more clients than each of our practices would be able to do on our own.”

“We’re thrilled to evolve our presence in the Bay Area.” Jim Anderson, DIALOG Chair. “The US presents DIALOG with an abundance of amazing opportunities. The combination of Robert Claiborne’s studio leadership and Mona’s recent appointment, along with adding Dong and the Byrens Kim Design Works merger will mean we can have a greater impact than ever before.”

Welcome Mona, Dong and the Bryens Kim Design Works team!