Yann Taylor
Title: President
Organization: Field Paoli Architects
Location: San Francisco, CA
An expert in retail and mixed-use developments from concept design to drawings and construction, Yann’s focus is on is how the public realm is experienced: how can the buildings we design create lively and energetic environments that allow for positive social interactions between friends as well as strangers?
Born and raised in England to a culturally French family helped him learn to step outside of the status quo, and throughout his career he has explored alternatives to the traditional enclosed mall prototype. His current interests include exploring how food can transform our urban environments and public spaces, and how the insights of neuroscience and behavioral economics are leading to a deeper awareness of user experience, one which will change the way we design the public realm.
Some of the many groundbreaking projects he is proud to have designed include the masterplan for Victoria Gardens in Southern California; the redevelopment of Broadway Plaza here in the Bay Area; the first Whole Foods store to include a full brewery; and the conversion of an old garment factory into the open-air Forum Cuernavaca, located just south of Mexico City.
Beyond the office, you’ll find Yann enjoying his daily bicycle commute to and from work; doing research on the great public markets and food halls of London, Paris and Barcelona; and reflecting on the subtleties of experiential urban design. Yann is a frequent speaker and panelist; most recently he moderated a panel for the Urban Land Institute’s Fall meeting on the challenges faced by restaurants and retailers in San Francisco and shared his thoughts on the joys of an urban walk with James Cook on his “Where We Buy” podcast.
Finally, Yann enjoys collaborating and ideating with creative people from all walks of life and is an active participant in the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Plan program, working with High School seniors to address the challenges of urban redevelopment.