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ANGEL T FRANCO, AIA
Principal
A native of Puerto Rico, Angel T. “Kiko” Franco, has a career that spans 34 years in the fields of architecture,planning, interior design and construction management and administration. He holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico.
Growing up in the tropics he was intrigued by how structures were affected by, and responded to, their natural environment and says this marked how he has approached every project as an architect.
One of his career’s most memorable experiences was on his first trip to Africa where after traveling more than 27 hours by plane, he hiked to the top of a mountain to study the natural surroundings of the site and evaluate how the elements would play into the future design. Perched atop the hill for an entire day and night, he observed where the sun and moon rose and set in relation to the selected site; the different views from various angles and the natural rock formations that would later be incorporated into the design. This contemplative time defined how the project had to be approached, where the design components would be located, how they should respond to nature, and ultimately helped him implement a solution which resulted in a very successful project.
Kiko founded AT Franco & Associates in 1988 with the intention of providing a full-service architecture firm to clients looking for everything from design to construction administration and all aspects in between.
He has managed a large variety of architectural projects including safari lodges, golf clubhouses, luxury residences, hotels and schools in the United States and in various international locations including Africa, Australia, Bonaire (Netherland Antilles), Costa Rica, Venezuela and others. He has also participated in largescale planning and urban development projects in many of these locations.
As a member of the American Institute of Architects, he keeps up to date with the highest standards of the practice and maintains an updated NCARB certification. In 2007, the Governor of the State of Florida appointed him to the Florida Building Commission, where he still occupies the Architects’ chair in the preparation of the Florida Building Code.
Kiko and his wife Mary Helen reside in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they enjoy spending time with their four sons and two beautiful grandchildren.
Favorite building: Gugghenheim Museum – New York, New York – by Frank Lloyd Wright
kiko@atfranco.com
Our Team
ANGEL FRANCO
Graduate Architect, Associate
Born to an architect, Angel spent much of his childhood touring jobsites and learning about architecture with his father, but it was not until he went to college that he decided to enroll in architecture courses and follow in his father’s footsteps.
At Florida Atlantic University, Angel found himself most intrigued by architecture history and theory classes, and says it is from this that he draws his design inspiration. Early in his career, he spent much of his time building models, which he still enjoys.
His favorite part of any project is incorporating components that merge the boundaries between interior and exterior environments and making these transitions seamless.
He has spent a significant amount of time managing projects in Central America, and has enjoyed discovering that there are very specific ways through which cultures incorporate their own traditions in what is the visual, physical, and audible language of design.
Angel holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Florida Atlantic University. He is a native Floridian and resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He enjoys cycling and participates in charity races to raise funds for organizations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Kids in Distress.
Favorite building: Jubilee Church – Rome, Italy – by Richard Meier
angel@atfranco.com