Joseph Martinez

Joseph Martinez was born in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, raised in San Diego, California, and attended public schools in Southeast San Diego. He graduated from Lincoln High School and received a full scholarship to the University of California San Diego. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree, Joseph attended Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, where he received his Master of Architecture degree in 1975. While at GSD he was awarded an American Institute of Architects Fellowship. In 1984, Mr. Martinez was named UCSD’s Alumni of the Year and, in 1985, its Centennial Alumni.

Joseph is a founding partner of Martinez + Cutri in San Diego; since its inception in 1980, he has directed the firm’s educational and resort divisions. Some of his award-winning projects include Cesar Chavez Elementary, Rancho del Rey Middle School, and the Logan Heights Community Branch Library. Also, Martinez planned and designed the New Lincoln High School, San Ysidro High, Olympian High and Otay Ranch High in Chula Vista. Moreover, his award-winning, 32-story, Hyatt Regency Hotel expansion along the San Diego Embarcadero has  become an icon along the downtown skyline; similarly, he designed the recently completed New Marriott Hall. In addition, he has master-planned several large projects, including Navy Broadway Complex, San Diego, Deseos Mexico in Mexico City, and Chhatrala City Centre, Surat, India. Joseph is a registered architect in California and holds certification with the National Council of Architectural Registration Board.

In addition to his private practice, Joseph taught architecture and urbanism from 1978 to 1993 at the University of California at Berkeley, San Diego State University, University of California at San Diego, and the founding Dean at The New School of Architecture. He has participated in various forums, symposia and lectures, including programs by the AIA and CEFPI. He was a member of the jury for American Schools & Universities. In 2001, Joseph was the National Program Chair for the AIA/Committee on Architectural Education and National School Board Association Conference on “Sustainable Schools: Sustainable Communities.” Similarly, he has served on numerous boards and commissions, including a gubernatorial appointee to the San Diego Regional Government Efficiency Commission, Qualcomm Stadium Advisory Board, NTC Arts & Culture Foundation, CONVIS and the San Diego Dialogue. In addition, he is a founding board member of several organizations, including the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation, Bahia del Sur, ONE VOTE! and La Raza de Ivy. In 2005, Joseph received the California Rural Legal Assistance Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the Latino community; and in 2016 he was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Barrio Station.