RENOWNED AMERICAN ARCHITECT, HOWARD BACKEN, HAS PASSED AS LEGACY FIRM ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNER LEADERSHIP
The Future of Backen & Backen Will Be Led By Creative Director and CEO Ann Backen and Partners John Taft, Tony Selko, and Tom Spoja
NAPA, CA (July 25, 2024)—Today, Backen & Backen announces the passing of renowned, award-winning architect, principal, and founder of its firm, Howard Backen. Howard’s iconic designs have been at the center of popular design: synonymous with California living and lifestyle, elegant simplicity, and indoor-outdoor masterpieces that are expressive of the land and place. The buildings that honor the land, human health, and wellness—including houses, wineries, hotels and restaurants, shops, and galleries—that Howard Backen and his firm have designed have made him one of the most admired and influential leaders in architecture and design.
Creative Director and CEO of Backen & Backen, Ann Backen, will continue to lead the firm and uphold the firm’s design legacy alongside long standing principals, now partners: John Taft, Tony Selko, and Tom Spoja. The newly appointed partners were personally mentored by Howard Backen for decades, working closely alongside him to build and extend the firm’s influence. The team will work closely with the firm’s principals Dusan Motolik, Stephanie Gerwin, Kevin Casey, Michael Boes, and Los Angeles-based director, Patti Baker, to execute Howard’s vision and the next generation of Backen & Backen.
John Taft: John has worked in collaboration with Howard Backen for more than 26 years, contributing to the design of many of the firm’s high-profile winery projects, including Dana Estates, Davis Estates, Larkmead Estates, Lokoya, Marciano, Charles Krug, Continuum, Knights Bridge Winery, and many more.
Tony Selko: Tony joined Backen & Backen in 2011 and has played a pivotal role in the firm’s architectural operations. He has worked in collaboration with Howard Backen on the design and management of luxury resorts and several residential projects across the country, most notably the Holmby Hills Residence.
Tom Spoja: Throughout his 25-year tenure at the firm, Tom has worked in nearly every design role at Backen & Backen from intern to partner, and managed the development of the firm's largest residential projects for private clients nationwide.
“We will always be pushing forward, and not rest on our past accomplishments,” says Ann Backen. “I was personally and equally Howard’s biggest supporter and reliable critic. I had a deep love for him; we worked side by side to ensure that he had a thriving practice. When I saw what needed attention, I jumped on it, allowing Howard to focus, with legendary stamina on his beloved craft. We lived a beautiful life immersed in the principles of design, nature, and well-being, I was humbled at his openness to learn from both me and others at our firm in the arena of wellness and its direct application to design, choice of materials, as well as new systems that respect the land and human health. Fiercely competitive with me, from ping pong to work, Howard and I were able to transform our competitiveness into oneness. We invested in our togetherness, when one went up or down, the other did too, co-captains of the same team with a common vision and deep love for each other. I believe passionately that we—the new Backen & Backen partners—will carry forward the legacy of his work as the firm’s next generation, so that one day it becomes an easily recognized brand throughout the world. I know without a doubt this would make him proud.”
About Backen & Backen:
Formed by Howard & Ann Backen, Backen & Backen is a multifaceted design firm that offers holistic design services, master planning, full architectural services, programming, farm design, and land planning all through a regenerative lens. Known for its holistic and regenerative design approach, Backen & Backen is committed to designing legacy buildings and in 2015 expanded services to honor the land, human health, and wellness. The firm has been recognized for numerous awards including Architectural Digest’s Top 100, Hospitality Design Magazine’s Best “Green” Design, First Honor Awards from AIA/Housing Magazine, and the Presidential Award for Design Excellence. In addition, Howard Backen was honored with the 2006 Ellis F. Lawrence Medal, the highest alumni award from the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts, the Presidential Award from Ronald Reagan, and recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). The firm’s impressive portfolio, includes high-profile residential projects, commercial spaces, wineries, and resorts such as the Sundance Mountain Resort, Esperanza Resort, Promontory Winery, several Restoration Hardware Gallery stores, and celebrity residences. Backen & Backen’s philosophy integrates architecture, lifestyle, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing sustainable and community-minded design practices—with a signature design style expressive of the land and place. As part of Backen & Backen’s longstanding commitment to salutogenic design and regenerative principles, the firm has pledged to reach carbon-neutral buildings by 2030. For more information on Backen & Backen, please visit www.backenarch.com.