Partners John Taft, Tony Selko, and Tom Spoja and their firm celebrated this month at Louis M. Martini Winery, reflecting on three decades of design in the pursuit of wellbeing
October 28, 2026 (Sausalito, CA) — Backen & Backen, the renowned architecture and design firm synonymous with California living, regenerative design, and a deep connection to land and place, this month celebrates 30 years since its founding in 1996.
A recent celebration at Louis M. Martini Winery on October 14 brought together the firm’s employees, clients, and collaborators to mark the occasion. The redesign and restoration of Louis M. Martini is one of the many winery and hospitality projects the firm has contributed to in Napa Valley over the past three decades, joining other notable projects like Promontory Winery, Knights Bridge Winery, Ram’s Gate Winery, Dana Estates, The Miller House at Frank Family Vineyards, Brave & Maiden Estate, Continuum Estate, ONEHOPE Winery, The Hilt Winery, and many others.
Founded by Howard Backen, Jim Gillam, and Ann Backen, the firm continues to influence the architectural language of Northern California’s wine country — creating buildings expressive of place and grounded in sustainability, human wellbeing, and ecological responsibility. While the firm first got its start in Northern California, Backen & Backen now has offices in Los Angeles, Sausalito, and Salt Lake City, and oversees high-profile residential, winery, hospitality, and commercial projects across the US and abroad.
In addition to celebrating this milestone in 2026, firm partners John Taft, Tony Selko, and Tom Spoja took ownership of Backen & Backen in May, signifying their commitment to the team as they look forward to the next 30 years and beyond of high quality design, leadership, and relationship building. With over 70 years of time at the firm between them, the partners will continue to uphold the generative system of mentorship founded by Howard and Jim.
As the firm reflects on the past three decades, notable achievements include placement on Forbes’ America’s Top Hospitality and Residential Architects and Designers and Mountain Living’s Top Architects lists, and honors from Architecture MasterPrize, Architectural Digest’s AD100, Hospitality Design’s Best “Green” Design, and First Honor Awards from AIA/Housing Magazine. Founder Howard Backen was inducted into the AD100 Hall of Fame in 2023, received the Presidential Award for Design Excellence, and was recognized as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
About Backen & Backen
Backen & Backen is a multifaceted design firm offering holistic design services, master planning, full architectural services, programming, farm design, and land planning through a regenerative lens. Led by partners John Taft, Tom Spoja, and Tony Selko, the firm continues a global legacy of architecture deeply connected to land, lifestyle, and environmental stewardship. Over the past 30 years, the firm has been recognized by industry peers from Architectural Digest, Forbes, and the AIA. For more information, please visit www.backenarch.com.
