RBA Welcomes Francisco Toledo
RBA welcomes designer Francisco Toledo to the team! Fran’s connection to architecture began early in life. As a young child, Fran’s parents worked as itinerant berry pickers throughout California. When his family eventually settled in Oregon, he experienced firsthand the stability, opportunity, and sense of belonging that a place can provide. That experience continues to inform his work and fuels his belief in architecture’s power to create lasting, positive change in people’s lives.
Fran’s work experience includes community centers, K–12 schools, university laboratory remodels, fire stations, office renovations, bus operator relief buildings, and Bus Rapid Transit projects. He is a LEED Green Associate. Fran earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon, with a minor in Planning, Public Policy, and Management.
For the past four years as a volunteer STEM mentor with the Lane Arts Council, Fran has introduced students to design thinking through the creation of tiny-home projects.
To get to know Fran, we are highlighting a home project he recently designed with his wife and built for her. The reading nook integrated with bookshelves, dubbed Morning Brew and Books, is inspired by the rising sun and spaces they encountered while traveling abroad. Fran says of the project, “Having your wife as a client is a humbling experience, but incredibly rewarding. Using my expertise to help someone I love bring her vision to life reminded me of why I do this work.”
Design Inspiration
Haley’s morning routine begins with two simple pleasures, a good book and a cup of coffee. What started as a quiet moment of self-care has become a cherished daily ritual, a chance to slow down, settle in, and start the day with intention. As an avid reader, Haley goes through nearly 50 books a year between hardcover and e-books. While she loves collecting and revisiting her favorite series, most of her hardcover books eventually find new homes simply because there isn’t enough space to keep them all. This project reimagines that challenge by creating more “pew” space for her ever-growing library, while incorporating an integrated seating nook where she can comfortably enjoy her morning ritual.
At the heart of the design is the idea of “Book ’n’ Brew”, a dedicated little retreat where coffee, comfort, and a good story come together. The integrated sun motif adds another layer of meaning. Inspired by our time in Japan, it recalls those early mornings spent waking up to watch the sunrise—a quiet reminder that every day offers a fresh beginning. The rising sun becomes a symbol of a “new day, new you” mindset, tying the space to both the warmth of morning and the possibility that comes with starting anew. The colors and material are also connected to her favorite season, fall.
