Carlos Delgado, Principal Architect and Owner

Carlos has been the principal of Carlos Delgado Architect LLC in Southern Oregon since 2001. Licensed to practice architecture in Oregon and California with over 30 years of experience he has made himself known as a versatile, innovative, and collaborative member of the design and building community. Carlos has distinguished himself as a leader in residential and light commercial architecture integrating appropriate sustainable building strategies. He actively researches, teaches, and participates in the latest building science discussion groups and provides a wealth of knowledge from a multitude of built projects he has designed throughout his career.

Carlos has always implemented progressive, responsible, and sustainable design with healthy and non-toxic construction techniques as an imperative. Under his leadership, the firm brings personal and practical approaches to realistic sustainable solutions within client’s budgets by providing intelligent and cost-effective solutions without promoting the use of costly and trendy “green” products. He regularly attends conferences and classes including EEBA (the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance), IBE (International Institute of Building Baubiology & Ecology), Passivehaus seminars, Northwest Energy Star roundtables, West Coast Green, Solar and Net Zero Energy home tours.

Carlos received his Masters of Architecture degree in 1990 from the Graduate School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania after earning his Bachelor’s degree from U.C. Berkeley.

Architectural experience includes interior retail design and project management in San Francisco for 6 years with clients such as Gymboree, Macy’s, Cost Plus World Market, Boudin Bakery and Musician’s Friend. Carlos lived and worked in Costa Rica for 3 years launching his architecture practice and a design/build partnership to design and project manage the construction of small resort hotels and residences. Working in remote locations inspired him to embrace and utilize local craftsmanship, skill and appropriate use of local materials as an authentic sustainable approach to construction. He successfully advocated this resource within the complexity of construction and was recognized as adaptive and creative. He lead collaboration and teamwork with the challenging social blend of foreigners and effectively implemented his clients’ design and development goals.

In 1997 Carlos relocated his family from Costa Rica to the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon to be involved in a strong community where people protect and enjoy the natural environment and value education. Carlos has been active in coaching youth soccer, participating and leading in The Mankind Project and Boys-to-Men a teen mentoring program. He was the co-founder of The Rogue Valley Natural Step Focus Group, a member of Architects, Designers, and Planners for Social Responsibility, and Architecture for Humanity. He is involved in pro-bono work for several non-profits including Comunidad Connect (a humanitarian work collaborative in Nicaragua), The Siskiyou School, Rogue Valley Community Development Center, and Kagyu Sukha Choling Meditation Center.

Carlos continues to thrive in the Rogue Valley as a proud husband and father with his wife, Alexis, and his children, Lily and Laney. He enjoys cooking, gardening, photography, and geeking out with 3D design software. He is also an athlete and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys cycling, hiking, swimming, soccer, yoga, meditation, and surfing.

Tom Sager, Senior Designer & Project Captain

Tom has been a key component of Carlos Delgado Architect since 2003. With five years of construction experience and over 25 years of design experience in Residential Architecture, Tom blends design with structural aspects into each of our projects. Carlos and Tom practice a collaborative design process throughout each project to create integrated designs with and for each of their clients. Their team approach greatly enhances their effectiveness and ability to work with both homeowners and contractors.

Tom graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Latin American History and a minor in Geology, along with a myriad of Architectural classes during his time there. After college, Tom traveled extensively throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and parts of Central America and worked as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer for a year in Antigua.  Post travels, Tom worked for an Oregon contractor where he honed his framing and construction skills, but he always maintained his drive for design in residential Architecture.

When Tom moved to Santa Barbara, he taught himself AutoCAD and spent three inspiring years working with Anthony Spann Architect. Tom then moved back to his home town of Ashland and was introduced to Carlos. Tom became an immediate fit in the office and he and Carlos have been working together ever since.

Tom remains current on advanced building practices and maintains the belief that building ‘green’ is best accomplished by not simply using ‘green’ building methods but also by only building the size of home you really need.

In his free time, Tom has built a remote family cabin and has remodeled three houses since his return to Ashland. He enjoys being connected first hand to construction, only now as a hobby. Tom also enjoys Yoga, which he has practiced for over 12 years, along with numerous outdoor activities including rafting, mountain biking, skiing, ultimate frisbee, hiking, swimming, and camping.