"Opticos is unlike any other consultant I have worked with: They have come up with creative ideas that provide the ‘game changers’ that Richmond needs!"

— Richard Mitchell, Planning Director, Richmond, California

Innovative. Passionate. Changemakers.

We believe in the transformative power of beautiful, sustainable, walkable communities for all.

Opticos is a team of urban designers, architects, and strategists who can help you find new solutions to the most challenging housing and community issues of our time. How do we build walkable communities that support social, mental and physical health while improving resiliency and promoting equity? How do we foster informed community conversation about local development and provide choice, attainability and affordability in the housing market? How do we help cities evolve, celebrating the existing community and avoiding unwanted gentrification?  How do we encourage walkable communities in a car-centered culture?

We are the architects of a movement.

Opticos was founded in 2000 on the belief that walkable places are critical for healthy, resilient and equitable communities. Through that expertise, we introduced the concept of Missing Middle Housing, a transformative idea that highlights the need for diverse, affordable housing options in walkable urban places. In addition, we are leaders in the development of  Form-Based Coding, zoning reform needed to make those walkable places a reality. Through our work, we are changing cities, communities and lives.

Mission-Driven Design

We are a founding B Corporation, which means we have pledged to run our firm with a focus on social, environmental and economic responsibility: a triple bottom line. This commitment informs everything we do, from the projects we work on to the pencils we use to do the work. And we work hard to practice what we preach – shopping locally, living small and biking, walking or taking transit to work.


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Leadership Team

Daniel Parolek, Founding Principal
Daniel Parolek, Founding Principal
 Karen Parolek, Founding Principal
Karen Parolek, Founding Principal
 Stefan Pellegrini, Principal
Stefan Pellegrini, Principal
 Tony Perez, Senior Associate
Tony Perez, Senior Associate
 John Miki, Studio Manager
John Miki, Studio Manager
 Alexandra Vondeling, Senior Associate
Alexandra Vondeling, Senior Associate
 Jennifer Settle, Senior Associate (Chicago)
Jennifer Settle, Senior Associate (Chicago)
 Megan Reineccius, Associate II (Chicago)
Megan Reineccius, Associate II (Chicago)
 Mitali Ganguly, Associate II
Mitali Ganguly, Associate II
 Drew Finke, Senior Associate
Drew Finke, Senior Associate
 Cecilia J. Kim, Associate II
Cecilia J. Kim, Associate II
 Caroline Cochran, Associate I
Caroline Cochran, Associate I
 Erick Bernabe, Associate I
Erick Bernabe, Associate I
 Niklas Thorsrud, Associate I
Niklas Thorsrud, Associate I
 Amanda Wiltz, Operations Manager
Amanda Wiltz, Operations Manager
 Megan Jennings, Finance & Risk Manager
Megan Jennings, Finance & Risk Manager
 Julie Ann Nepomuceno, Marketing Manager
Julie Ann Nepomuceno, Marketing Manager

Studio

Xenia Alygizou, Senior Designer
Xenia Alygizou, Senior Designer
Singeh Saliki, Senior Designer
Singeh Saliki, Senior Designer
Joseph Abbamonte, Senior Designer
Joseph Abbamonte, Senior Designer
Russell Toler, Senior Designer
Russell Toler, Senior Designer
Daniel Grinspan, Senior Designer
Daniel Grinspan, Senior Designer
Patrica Céspedes, Senior Designer
Patrica Céspedes, Senior Designer
Roger Foreman, Designer II
Roger Foreman, Designer II
Leigh Groninger, Designer II
Leigh Groninger, Designer II
Dylan Rumsey, Designer II
Dylan Rumsey, Designer II
Kiara Gutierrez Forbes, Designer I
Kiara Gutierrez Forbes, Designer I
Amy Bruhmuller, Finance & Operations Coordinator
Amy Bruhmuller, Finance & Operations Coordinator

“It was a pleasure working with the staff at Opticos, not only for their experience and knowledge, but also for their creativity, sense of humor when needed, and resilient commitment to ensuring that the best possible final product was achieved despite budgetary limitations. Thank you for a job well done!"

Roger Eastman
Former Zoning Code Administrator, City of Flagstaff, AZ

“Opticos played a key role in guiding the Avalon Walnut Creek design team to solutions that bridged the gap between the intent of the community planning charrette, the formal architectural standards and the realities of construction. The end result is a project that the community and project owners can be very proud.”

Jeff White
Sr Development Director, AvalonBay Communities

Awards Highlights

Press

The Top Urban Planning Books of 2020

Planetizen
Press

Opticos completes study for NAHB identifying zoning strategies to deliver housing choices

National Association of Home Builders
Press

Missing Middle Housing Named to REALTOR’s 2018 “What’s Hot” List

REALTOR Magazine
Press

Five Questions for Daniel Parolek about Missing Middle Housing

AARP Livable Communities
Press

What Makes a Community Walkable?

On Common Ground
Press

The Real Cause of Gentrification

Oakland Magazine

Speaking Engagements

Speaking Nationwide

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