Robert Y. Sauvageau, AIA, the founding principal of RYS, has over 40 years of experience. He has directed the design of over 100 hotels, as well as mixed use, restaurant, multi-family, retail and master planning projects. Inherent in Bob’s approach is a high level of service to each client which accounts for repeat business comprising the vast majority of active projects. He is a LEED AP (Accredited Professional) and is licensed as an architect in seven western states.  

Bob earned a design award for adaptive re-use and expansion of a circa 1910 two-story mixed-use building in Burlingame, CA. Other award-winning projects include the Hampton Inn & Suites in Truckee, CA and recognition for the adaptive re-use of Marina Community Center in San Leandro, CA.  

Bob graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, CA. Born in Montreal, Canada, and raised in southern California, Bob resides in San Francisco with his wife Christina. They enjoy traveling, visiting wine country, and exploring San Francisco neighborhoods on foot.

Bhavini Hardev, AIA, principal at RYS, has over 18 years of experience with hotel, restaurant, commercial, and retail projects. Having worked for both small and large firms, both on the architecture side and interior design side, she has a unique approach to projects. Bhavini has the ability to design inside out, focusing on designing detailed experiences while guiding the big picture. She enjoys bringing people together to collaborate the best design solution for each project and the spaces within them.

Bhavini is a licensed architect with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley and a Masters of Architecture in Architectural Design from The Bartlett at University College London in London, England. Bhavini was born in Georgia, raised in the Bay Area, has lived in Mumbai and London and has traveled extensively throughout the world. When Bhavini is not designing buildings, she is designing and baking cakes for underprivileged children in the community.

Jim Rato, Architect, has over 35 years of experience in hospitality, commercial, retail and residential projects. His versatility in the fields of architecture and information technology is borne out of involvement in major architectural projects with several major SF Bay Area firms. Jim attended California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, CA, earning a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Jim complemented his studies with a year-long immersion in Scandinavian Design through the DIS-University of Copenhagen Architecture Program.

As one of the RYS studio leaders, Jim is responsible for leading his design teams from the entitlement stage through design, documentation, and the final steps of construction. He implements the firm’s commitment to quality and client service by maintaining a focused involvement with all his projects.

Jim resides in San Francisco and enjoys exploring the national parks and birdwatching with his wife Kathryn.