about tanaka + riley architects

For more than 25 years the friendship and professional collaboration between architects Rick Tanaka and Mike Riley has developed as they honed their professional skills in project types as diverse as restaurants, health clubs, hotels, custom residential, as well as commercial and industrial developments. For more than ten years, they served as principals and vice-presidents of Scheer Tanaka Dennehy Riley (STDR) Architects, an architecture and interior design firm recognized as a leader in the field of restaurant design. Beyond company management, their responsibilities included managing design and production services for the majority of the firm’s largest restaurant and health club clients.

Tanaka + Riley Architects is the latest evolution of this quarter century partnership. The firm’s design approach is based upon a team system in which all members of the firm work together to achieve the project goals and ensure each project’s success. The organization of the firm allows the principals to pursue projects of all sizes and scopes while still providing participation of the team on all projects.

Richard W. Tanaka, AIA, ASID, NCARB: Richard W. Tanaka, AIA, ASID, NCARB
Principal - Director of Design

Rick Tanaka has over thirty-five years of experience in the architectural profession including education, training and professional practice. For the past twenty-five years, he has specialized in Interior Design and Architecture and participated in the design of hotels, offices, retail, health club and restaurant projects from initial concept through design development and the completion of the interior design package.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA.
Licensed Architect - California, Ohio, Nevada, Washington and Hawaii.
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards - NCARB Certificate Holder.
Member American Society of Interior Designers, Orange County Chapter.
National Council Interior Design Qualification Certificate Holder.
Program Advisory Board – Westwood College.
Michael N. Riley, AIA, CCS, NCARB, LEED AP: Michael N. Riley, AIA, CCS, NCARB, LEED AP
Principal - Director of Architecture

Mike Riley has over thirty years of experience in the architectural profession including education, training and professional practice.

Mike's responsibilities include project development and management from programming through design development and construction documents. He is also responsible for integration of all specifications, bid documents, and systems protocol relating to AutoCAD.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA.
Bachelor of Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA.
Master of Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA.
Licensed Architect, - California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Tennessee.
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards - NCARB Certificate Holder.
Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) - Construction Specifications Institute.
Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) - Construction Specifications Institute.
Lloyd Warren Traveling Fellowship / Seventieth Annual Paris Prize in Architecture.
President, Board of Directors, California Inland Empire Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Delbert L. Shotwell - Architect: Delbert L. Shotwell
Architect

Del Shotwell has nearly forty years of combined architectural, education, training, and professional experience. Throughout his career, he has played significant roles in the project management of fitness clubs, retail developments, housing projects and restaurants from design development through construction administration. His responsibilities include code and agency research, project development, construction documents, and construction administration.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA.
Licensed Architect, California.
Melissa D. Lapchuk - Interior Designer: Melissa D. Lapchuk
Interior Designer

Melissa Lapchuk is an interior designer whose talents also overlap into architectural design and production. She has been involved in numerous projects throughout the hospitality industry including restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, health clubs, college dining facilities and food courts as well as hospice care. Her work has been featured in several trade publications and one of her projects was profiled on a network news broadcast.

Bachelor of Science, Interior Design, The Art Institute of California, Orange County.
Dean’s List and Student Design Competition Winner.
Curriculum Advisory Board - The Art Institute of California.

Richard W. Tanaka, AIA, ASID, NCARB

Michael N. Riley, AIA, CCS, NCARB, LEED AP

Delbert L. Shotwell

Melissa D. Lapchuk