As founding principal, Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA, has been the leader of both the design and business direction of Rios Clementi Hale Studios since establishing the firm in 1985. Under his design leadership, the firm has developed an international reputation for its collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, establishing an award-winning tradition across an unprecedented range of design disciplines.
Though formally trained in both architecture and landscape architecture, Mark's eclectic interests and innate curiosity have propelled his creative explorations beyond traditional professional borders. His work is both playful and elegant in spirit, reflecting the personalities of each client as well as his own wide range of creative interests and artistic passions. The firm has received more than 30 significant design awards, including national, state, and local design awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
Since 2001, Mark has served as the Chairman of the Landscape Architecture Program at the USC School of Architecture. He has also been on the faculty at the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture. Currently, Mark is a member of the LAUSD Design Advisory Council, and has previously served on the AIA Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors. He has been a member of the Architectural Foundation of Los Angeles since 1994, serving as president for 1996/1997. He was granted Fellowship of the AIA in 1999, and Fellowship of the ASLA in 2006. Mark received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from USC in 1978. He earned both Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture degrees from Harvard University in 1982.
