Architects McDonald, Soutar & Paz, Inc., established in 1994, is a full service architectural firm specializing in the design of commercial and institutional facilities. With a current staff of 20, we have provided complete programming, design, documentation and construction administration for communications, technology, industrial, government and educational facilities ranging up to $140 million in construction cost.
The senior members of Architects McDonald, Soutar & Paz, Inc. have more than 70 years of combined experience in planning, design and construction administration of new and renovation projects. Recent projects include multipurpose buildings, classroom and administration buildings, aeronautic, science and technical labs, auditoriums, gymnasiums, libraries and child care facilities.
We believe the essential purpose of architecture is to make people more effective, to provide the spaces where they can function efficiently and provide the design quality that creates a positive motivation. This philosophy is given meaning by the interaction between the client group and the design team, led by the principal-in-charge. Architects McDonald, Soutar and Paz is committed to the success of each project through the designation of a principal-in-charge to follow the project from inception to completion.
Certification: Architect California License #C4404, 1964
Reed McDonald is an award winning designer with practical construction experience. He began his career in 1954 with Smith Powell & Morgridge while attending USC. After graduating in 1960 he worked for a year in Richard Neutra and Bob Alexander’s office before returning to Powell, Morgridge, Richards & Coghlan. In 1975 he moved to Bolling & Gill Architects, later to become Bolling Gill, Allen, McDonald/Architects.
Mr. McDonald passed away October 2002.
Certification: Architect, California License #C11386, 1981
Memberships: Rotary Club of Long Beach Long Beach Day Nursery Board of Directors Long Beach Commercial Real Estate Council Board of Directors American Institute of Architects
Michael Soutar has over 30 years of experience providing design, construction document and project management services to a variety of clients including the Navy Corps of Engineers, Postal Service, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, AT&T, SCE and Pacific Bell. From 1983 to 1990, he was the project manager on the North County Correctional Facility for the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, a 2,064 bed maximum security jail, located near Saugus. This facility includes 437,000 square feet of assignable space with dormitory style housing, vocational training, health and dental care, library and classrooms, visitor’s center, officer training rooms, offices and conference space.
Michael has provided services to a variety of clients including the City of Los Angeles, Cal State University Long Beach, Los Angeles Community College District, Long Beach Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Chaminade College Preparatory, AT&T and Pacific Bell. Experience with school facilities includes Gage Junior High School modernization and expansion for LAUSD, International Polytechnic High School at California State Univerisity, Pomona, for LACOE, a new classroom building and site improvements for Chaminade College Preparatory in West Hills, the Physical Education and Aerospace classroom buildings at West L.A. College.
Mr. Soutar completed the construction of an office building for The Termo Company and a new BMW Motorcycle Dealership in Long Beach; his technical expertise with Construction Documents is remarkable, and his knowledge and experience during construction assures the client of the required support for the successful completion of projects.
Certification: Architect, California License #C22657, 1991
Memberships: American Institute of Architects (Director 1995 to 2000, President ‘09) Advisory Committee Member - Cerritos College, California Tau Sigma Delta, Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts
Edgar Paz with nearly 30 years of experience, has performed design and construction services for numerous projects for Pacific Bell, AT&T, U.S. Navy and Air Force, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Los Angeles Community College District, Chaffey Community College District, Long Beach Unified School District, Whittier City School District, East Whittier City School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Nietos School District, Little Lake City School District, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
Projects include the Data Processing Center at MCAS El Toro, upgrade of fire protection system and rehabilitation of Titan Launch Facility Building 8310 at Vandenberg AFB, the Physical Education Building, Aerospace Complex and Plant Facilities buildings at West L.A. College, the Marine Animal Care Facility and Outdoor Educational Complex at Fort MacArthur, Field Operation Center for Pacific Bell in Palmdale, and Tri-Community Regional Education Center in Compton. Recent project experience includes building additions and modernization at Jonas Salk, the new Caroldale library for Los Angeles Unified School District, and an office expansion for the Rowland Water District.
Mr. Paz has been working with child care providers for the last fifteen years; his experience includes early and regular childhood development centers for infants, toddlers and preschool environments. He excels on K-12 school construction including new buildings and modernization of existing facilities and has provided continuous services for higher education campuses including community colleges and university settings.