James Fischer

I was born in Buffalo, New York, moved to Ft Lauderdale in the 6th grade and finally to Los Angeles in 1997. I enjoy L.A. so I think my clockwise tour of the United States is complete. I’ve been with DFH since 2011 and enjoy the environment and culture that we have built and continue to evolve. I enjoy spending my time away from the office with my two young daughters and wife.

BA—Architecture
Woodbury University, Burbank, California

MA—Architecture
University of California, Los Angeles

Hobbies: Home improvement, fitness, guitar

Kara Block

Growing up in a small Midwest town, I would have never guessed I would some day end up an architect in Southern California. I have been employed at a few small firms in the Los Angeles area working on a variety of project types and scales including entitlements, luxury single-family residential, multi-family, and commercial projects. DFH Architects is fortunate to have a diverse group of clients, projects and colleagues. I strive to contribute to and strengthen the office’s projects and culture using my design sense and skills as an architect, as well as my Midwestern grit and tenacity.

BA—Architecture
University of Nebraska, Lincoln

MA—Architecture
Southern California Institute of Architecture

Hobbies: Running, cooking, urban gardening

David Forbes Hibbert

Partner Emeritus

I am an architect that has been strongly influenced by the experience of growing up in three different countries, including graduating from high school in London. I have also been strongly influenced in terms of my professional direction by my educational experience, particularly attending business school at the same time as architecture school. I have been very fortunate to have had some excellent teachers and associates along the way that have contributed towards my constant education as an architect. I was also fortunate to end up in the wonderful state of California with its amazing coastal areas and Los Angeles with its second to none car culture.

BA—Business Administration & Architecture
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

MA—Architecture
University of California, Los Angeles

Hobbies: Classic cars, hiking, skiing

Kate Joyce

I grew up in New Orleans where I attended Tulane University School of Architecture. Though I loved New Orleans, I moved after graduation to San Francisco for broadened opportunities. After some fine years exploring the city, in an effort to hone some other architectural skills, I went back to graduate school at Yale. Now in L.A. with DFH Architects, I enjoy the full range of involvement strongly encouraged here. I am a LEED AP BD+C. I also enjoy other activities, including exploring neighborhoods, walking with my dog, to see how people occupy their environments and express their own place in this city.

BA—Architecture
Tulane University of Architecture, New Orleans

MA—Architecture
Yale University

Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, small furniture projects

Jack Feichtner

Since 2005, Jack has worked in a variety of design roles in housing, urban planning and construction projects in the greater Los Angeles market and the Southern California region.  He brings experience in a variety of markets, including multi-family residential, mixed-use, hospitality, entertainment, and urban planning projects. A native of the Midwest, his practice brings with it a tradition of creative problem-solving, an innovative spirit, and a strong belief in the potential for design to improve communities at every scale. 

BA - Architecture + minor in Urban Design Miami University

Hobbies: Outdoor activities, great food, travel, water sports including deep-water diving, spending time with family

Martin Preuss

As an L.A. native, I have been surrounded by diversity and a variety of artistic influences ranging from architecture to film. These influences have guided my journey through my education and my career. My experience covers a wide range – from commercial and corporate to mixed-use buildings. Through these experiences, I have used my interest in storytelling to not only engage the client, but also engage the surrounding neighborhoods. My philosophy is that architectural design is like writing a story in that we, as designers, are trying to create an experience. As I continue my career, I look forward to carrying that philosophy forward through my work at DFH Architects.

BA—Environmental Design
University of Colorado Boulder

MA—Architecture
University of Minnesota

Hobbies: Film, fitness, food, spending time with family

Vener Bernardo

I was born and raised in the Philippines, but began my architectural career in Singapore. Eventually, my family and I made our way to Southern California where my work experience has covered a variety of urban developments such as multi-family residential, mixed-use, senior living, hospitality, and commercial projects. I value being involved in making communities that create and establish a level of comfort and safety that positively influences the quality of life for all. As I continue my journey, I am looking forward to continuing improving the built urban fabric.

BS—Architecture
Technological Institute of the Philippines

Hobbies: Time with family, travel, good food, fitness

Bill McCormick

I grew up in a small town in southern New York just outside of NYC before attending my undergrad studies in the brisk weather of Vermont. Once I had completed my undergraduate studies I thought it was time to try some place a bit warmer which landed me in San Diego studying at the New School of Architecture and Design for my graduate studies. Since earning my Master’s Degree in 2016, I’ve worked on a variety of project types ranging from high end custom residential, biotech workplaces, commercial office spaces, multi-family residential and theater projects. In my free time I try to get out and enjoy what LA has to offer but also don’t mind spending time staying in for game night with friends. 

BS—Architectural Studies
Norwich University, Vermont

MA—Master of Architecture
New School of Architecture and Design, San Diego

Hobbies: Painting, traveling, exercising, hot yoga, surfing and gaming

John Whitcomb

Before beginning my architectural journey, I had been on a couple of archaeological excavations. At the age of 5, I went on my first dig with my Indiana Jones-esque parents in Jordan. I joined another excavation in Palestine after finishing college. Although I had some wonderful times and found a lot of hidden treasure, I decided to go back to school to get my Master’s in Architecture at UCLA. Since then, I have worked on many different project types, ranging from educational and commercial to adaptive reuse. My passion for architecture stems from a desire for air, light, sustainability and public space to be accessible to any community.

BA—East Asian Languages & Cultures
Beloit College, Wisconsin

MA—Architecture & Urban Planning
University of California, Los Angeles

Hobbies: Crossfit, camping, enjoying a good sci-fi story

Sahar Garmroudi

I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. I grew up playing with Legos and drawing all the time. I would go around my neighborhood and look at the houses being built. I think that peaked my interest in architecture. I moved to Southern California after receiving my high school diploma in Architecture. While attending college, I interned at Wolcott Architecture, as well as Architecture West. I gained experience working with numerous architects on several commercial, corporate, entertainment, retail and residential projects.

BA—Architecture
Woodbury University, Burbank, California

Hobbies: Horse riding, watching soccer

Hiroshi Holloway

I was born and raised in a small town in southern Idaho. I moved to Colorado after high school to attend the University of Colorado. After graduating from CU, I worked briefly in the Denver area, then moved to Seoul, South Korea to work for a small architecture firm. I made my way to Los Angeles to attend graduate school. From growing up in rural America to experiencing life in a megacity, I have found that human activity is comprehensively influenced by the culture of the collective. All my experiences culminate in a desire to explore the interrelationship between design, urban studies and humanities in order to be a conscious designer.

BA - Environmental Design University of Colorado, Boulder

MA - Architecture University of California, Los Angeles

Gustavo Ortiz

Growing up in Chula Vista and Los Angeles, I was able to experience two completely opposite ways of life – one laid back and slow paced, the other fast and lively. Living in both cities has allowed me to adapt and really integrate both lifestyles into my design choices. Professionally, I have had the opportunity to work on several types of projects including single family homes, commercial, retail and, most recently, multi-family residential. Since I am of Mexican descent, it is my dream to design a building in Mexico, as well as a beach house where I can vacation with my family. Architecture and design allows me to impact a person’s lifestyle in a potentially positive way whether it’s a home for myself or someone else, a courtyard or even a piece of furniture.

BA - Architecture New School of Architecture and Design, San Diego

Hobbies: Woodworking, jiu jitsu, minor landscaping

Elodie

I have been working at DFH Architects for nine years.

Star Pupil
Julie Sterling Dog Training, LLC

Hobbies: Running on the beach, treats, hugs