Studio

Verner Architects

About Us

“Form, material, and light are the foundations of a meaningful space.”

Verner Architects is a boutique architecture firm specializing in custom residential and small-scale commercial projects. Based in Oakland, California and working across the country, we offer a complete range of services for both new construction and renovation projects, from basic conceptual ideas to detailed design. We create beautiful, livable spaces that enhance our clients’ lives and the surrounding environment.

Our creative vision is balanced with a sustainable mindset. Our designs combine functionality with artistic flair, giving life to imaginative and meaningful spaces that are light-filled and utilize a rich material palette.

Our Team

Stephen Verner

PRINCIPAL

Monica Ream

PRINCIPAL

Abigail Campion

DESIGNER

David Chudzinksi

DESIGNER

Siqi Guo

DESIGNER

Ann Mashraki

DESIGNER

Bethy Ronces

ACCOUNTANT

David Swaim

PROJECT MANAGER

Kimberly Van Houten

DESIGNER

Tom Vogel

PROJECT MANAGER

Join Our Team

We appreciate your interest in a career with us

Although we currently don’t have any open positions, we’re always on the lookout for talented and passionate individuals. If you believe you’d be a great fit for our team, please send your resume and portfolio to Careers@vernerarch.com.

Stephen grew up with an affinity for art and architecture. After a brief detour earning an engineering undergraduate degree on the East Coast and driving a nuclear submarine, he found his way to an architecture boot camp at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. He earned a Masters of Architecture with a minor in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania then worked on a variety of projects in Philadelphia and New York. He established his own design firm in 2006 and relocated to the Bay Area in 2011.

Amidst these various stints in academia, Stephen spent a few years working as a carpenter and architectural metal worker in addition to renovating a few houses, an activity which continues today.

Stephen lives in Oakland with his supportive wife and their two children. When Stephen can break away from work, he enjoys spending time with his family, the occasional swim, motorcycling and sailing.

Monica grew up in the Bay Area and received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Master of Architecture from UCLA. She has a passion for indoor-outdoor living and sustainable design. Monica ran her own successful architecture firm for six years prior to joining Verner Architects as a principal.

Kimberly grew up in West Michigan and received her Bachelors of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan. During her time in school, she gained experience from two internships. At her first internship she focused on residential and education projects and at the second, she worked on healthcare and industrial projects. Outside of work, Kimberly enjoys hiking, classic black and white movies and is currently learning to play the piano.

“The great thing about architecture is how we get to design at many different scales – from the page to the city. There is always something new to learn and that is exciting.”

David S. grew up in rural San Diego county amid horses and dirt-bikes. He attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he received a Bachelors of Architecture degree. After graduating, David moved to San Francisco where he worked at an architectural model shop before joining an art/landscape studio. David is inspired by the advances in digital modelling and fabrication along with theory and craft. Much of his work focuses on the technical aspects of design including: 3d modelling and printing, renders, CNC and VR. He enjoys music (he had a radio show in college), and making furniture by hand. When he has time off, he can be found exploring China Beach with his young son.

“I like the craft of design and figuring out how materials are shaped and come together. That is fun and powerful stuff.”

Bethy has had an affinity for numbers since childhood. While pursuing a degree in Economics at UC Berkeley, she also took extracurricular classes in accounting, which eventually became her passion and livelihood. She enjoys trail and road running and loves sharing her Lafayette home with two beautiful rescued German Shepherd dogs and a cute Chihuahua mix. She loves Classical music, with J. S. Bach as her favorite composer.

“Nature, music, babies and doggies make this world beautiful!”

Siqi grew up in China and later resided in Japan. She studied architecture at UC Berkeley. After graduating, she worked in four architectural firms, where she participated in various projects including residential, commercial, factory, and office designs. Apart from architecture, Siqi has a passion for biology, astronomy, and prose poetry.

Though Siqi ventures to live in the US alone, she firmly believes that before becoming an outstanding architect, she must learn to take care of herself, enjoy life, and possess inner strength with a gentle character

“Architecture is shelter. Great architecture is about the design of space; it encompasses, embraces, elevates, or inspires the person within that space.”

David C. grew up in Metro Detroit and attended the University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning graduating with a Masters degree in Architecture. Before joining Verner Arch, David interned at the Elliott Workgroup in Park City, Utah, working primarily on designing multi-family housing developments. He also worked as an architect for a developer/builder in Southeast Michigan, updating and modernizing plan options for tract housing developments. In his free time, David can be found grabbing his sketchbook, disappearing into the city, and finding a nice spot in the sun.

“My love of architecture is just innate… I’ve always been fascinated by and exploring how things get put together.”

Abigail grew up in the Bay Area and received her Bachelors of Architecture at Syracuse University. After completing her degree she moved back to Oakland and gained experience working on single-family homes and commercial projects. Her previous experience also includes working for a color consultant and at a tile showroom. On the weekends she enjoys time with family, reading and exploring new areas.

” I love the details in architecture, some no one will ever see and others that can tie a project together.”

Ann grew up in Egypt, and later moved to the Bay Area. She received her Bachelors of Architecture from UC Berkeley. During her time in school Ann initiated a Local Internship Network in collaboration with the Bay Area AIA chapters to make internships more accessible. Ann joined the team as an intern her Senior year, and stayed on full time after. Her previous internships focused on Single Family Homes. She enjoys crafting spaces that evoke feeling and elevate day to day life. In her free time, you can find her with her family or out volunteering, hoping that either activity is out in the sun.

“I believe in the transformative power of design to shape environments that resonate with us.”

Tom was born and raised just outside Minneapolis, Minnesota where he grew up visiting art museums, drawing, and running wild. His love of art and design developed into undergraduate studies in drawing, painting, and graphic design. After a number of years practicing design in two-dimensions, three-dimensional interests became too exciting to restrain and he enrolled in the Master of Architecture program at the University of Minnesota.

The allure of California and its rich design history beckoned and soon after graduation he and his partner packed a few essentials, grabbed the cat, and headed west. Since 2019 he’s been working in single-family residential architecture in the Bay Area. When not at work he spends his time reading, cooking, and exploring the region’s parks, bookstores, and restaurants with his partner.