Our People

Chris Brandon is a registered architect in California, Utah and Nevada, and a member of the AIA with a Bachelor’s Degree from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Since childhood, he’s been fascinated by the built environment and the creative possibilities that art and architecture have to offer. Spending his formative years in a small town in Northeast Oregon, Chris learned to value the beauty in nature at a young age. This continued to inspire him through his education and into his career. His talents have been most appreciated in the design of many beautiful custom homes and happy clients. His approach has always been to first better understand a client’s dreams and unique project constraintsin order to create more informed and inspired designs. Chris has used his exceptional design talents and years of experience in Southern California, around the country and abroad to create a truly unique and progressive architectural practice.

Ryan McDaniel is a licensed architect holding a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon. Driven by the belief that successful design must tell a meaningful story, Ryan views architecture as a responsibility to articulate the narratives of his clients—transforming their visions into realities that define a legacy for future generations.

Native to the rhythms of Southern California, Ryan’s design sensibility is deeply rooted in the region’s unique lifestyle and climate. He is committed to creating spaces that foster a seamless connection to the outdoors, ensuring responsive, comfortable living year-round.

Ryan creates environmentally responsive spaces that define modern luxury. Today, he is advancing this philosophy into new markets, applying his bespoke, narrative-driven design approach across diverse geographies, typologies, and project scales.

Justin Johnston, Principal Architect, joined Brandon Architects in 2012. Prior to working at the firm Mr. Johnston received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. He then received his Master of Architecture degree from the university’s Idaho Urban Research and Design Center in Boise. Since joining the firm, his responsibilities have included overseeing the design and administration of luxury residences located in Vail, Santa Barbara, Idaho, Newport Beach and around the country.

Brandon Linsday grew up in Southern California, having lived in the Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, and now Newport Beach areas. He is a registered architect in California and a member of the AIA and NCARB. He has a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, along with certificates in Real Estate, Business and Design Technologies, as well as a Master of Architecture degree from the NewSchool of Architecture in San Diego. He also enjoys traveling and has studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Kristen Wolff grew up in Orange County, raised in a family immersed in construction. After graduating from Westwood College with her Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Kristen spent 15 years designing luxurious homes across dynamic markets spanning from LA to NY. She excels at guiding clients through the complexities of creating a deeply personal, ultra-luxury home and is committed to ensuring the process is not just successful but truly effortless. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and her furbaby Bruce.

Before joining Brandon Architects, Brian Jowett graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture. Upon graduation, Brian spent 17 years working in luxury hospitality, designing five-star resorts and hotels around the world. This work instilled a passion for designing destinations that effectively connect people and place in each project. Brian has taken his knowledge of five-star environments and translated it into designing luxury custom homes at Brandon Architects.

​Steve Stoyanov was born, raised and educated in Bulgaria, EU, where he is a licensed architect. He joined Brandon Architects in 2022, following many years of working on single, multifamily residential, mixed-use and commercial projects in various parts of the world. Beyond his work, he has a deep passion for design, tennis, traveling and urban sketching.

Nicole grew up in Mammoth Lakes, California, but eventually swapped the snow-covered Eastern Sierras for the sun-soaked beaches of the Central Coast. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture, along with a minor in Sustainable Environments, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2015. Before joining the BA team, she spent several years in San Francisco gaining experience in commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family residential projects. In 2022, she proudly completed the requirements for her architectural licensure. Driven by a passion for thoughtful, one-of-a-kind design, she also devotes her free time to humanitarian work, creating custom solutions for non-profit organizations around the globe.

A Southern California native, Brittany Oakes braved the cold New Jersey winters and studied at Princeton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree in Civil Engineering and a Certificate in Architecture. She joined the Brandon Architects team in the spring of 2021, where she transitioned from retail architecture to custom residential. Before starting her professional career, Brittany played water polo in Sydney, Australia, but has since traded the pool for the office.

Elizabeth Hanna joined the Brandon Architects team in spring 2015 after receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. With an eagerness to learn, Elizabeth is working toward becoming a licensed architect. While not in the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors and soaking up the California sun.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Gavin Friehauf is a proud graduate of the University of Nebraska, where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Design before continuing on to Woodbury University in Los Angeles, to complete his Masters of Architecture in 2018. After joining the company in 2019, Gavin brings a passion for transdisciplinary thinking to the architectural practice. His approach is rooted in the belief that broad perspectives enrich both the design process and the overall client experience, elevating the craft and collaboration behind every project. Outside of the studio; Gavin enjoys chasing after his twin boys, playing golf, painting, and discovering great foodie spots—always seeking inspiration wherever he goes.

Born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, Gabby Uvidia moved to beautiful Orange County as a teenager and fell in love with American culture. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly Pomona. Her passion for a variety of architectural styles and her love of traveling led her to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a year. Upon graduation, she started working in the custom residential sector before joining Brandon Architects during the winter of 2018. She aspires to complete her licensing process in the near future. In her free time, she enjoys camping, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and volunteering to help build homes for families in need in Mexico with her church.

Colby Gallager grew up living around the world, graduating high school in England, and she eventually came back stateside for college at the University of Miami. She first became interested in residential architecture when living abroad and being immersed in different cultures. Graduating in 2018 with a degree in architecture and a minor in entrepreneurship, Colby is now happy to be back home, living in sunny California. When she is not in the office, you can find her paddleboarding or listening to live music.

Cesar Martinez was born and raised in Guatemala and came here as a teenager. He loves traveling, and his most unique trips have been to India and Iceland; the most dreamy place he has visited is the Maldives. He received his Bachelor’s in Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona and his Master’s of Architecture from the Architectural Association in London with an emphasis on Biomimetics and Algorithms. Architecture and single-family homes have always been his passions, and he has always aimed to express form, beauty and function.

With more than 20 years of experience in the architecture industry, Wimberley brings deep expertise and a refined design sensibility to every project. Her career includes extensive work in hospitality, with a focus on four- and five-star hotel design. This experience informs her approach to residential architecture, where comfort, functionality, and emotional connection are equally essential.

Wimberley earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Southern California, where she developed a strong foundation in design and disciplined execution. She is known for thoughtful problem-solving and collaborative leadership. Throughout her career, she has guided projects from concept through completion, working closely with clients, consultants, and construction teams.

Her hospitality background translates seamlessly to residential work. Both disciplines require careful attention to scale, materiality, spatial flow, and the lived experience of the user. She designs homes with the same level of detail, durability, and sense of place found in luxury hotels.

A proud USC Trojan, Wimberley remains committed to creating architecture that is both enduring and experiential, balancing craftsmanship with timeless design principles. Fight On!

Born and raised in Ukraine, Yaryna Aleksiichuk discovered her passion for design at the age of 14 and never looked back. She earned her Bachelor’s of Design from Vasyl Stefanyk CNU, Institute of Art, and has since spent over a decade mastering every facet of interior design—deeply influenced by the elegance and precision of European culture. In 2023, she brought her experience and creative vision across the Atlantic, joining Brandon Architects in sunny California. When she’s not designing, Yaryna can be found painting, exploring California’s stunning landscapes, or spending time with her family, always seeking beauty wherever it hides.

Growing up in Orange County, Jennifer Lally decided to venture out of state to attend college at Texas State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. With more than 10 years of experience in the design industry, she is an advocate for holistic design and creating spaces with a keen eye toward design, function and the user experience. When she’s not working, she loves happy hours with friends, taking walks on the beach, and searching for the best latte in town.

Andrew Souvannarath is a 3D visualizer specializing in architectural rendering for retail, hospitality, and residential properties. After graduating from The Art Institute, California - San Diego, he pursued his dreams by getting his foot stuck in an elevator of a well-known visual effects company and from then on he only leveled up. He is strong-minded, dedicated to his work, responsive, and adaptive when it comes to learning new tools, pipeline or techniques. He sees new challenges as an opportunity to search for answers so he can then master and apply it to his work. In his free time he likes to spend way too much time at the gym, but who could blame him when he has an extra 15 hours left to spare!

Masahiro Mizutani joined Brandon Architects in September of 2020. He was born in Japan and moved to Southern California as a teenager. Before joining Brandon Architects he worked as a 3D artist for the entertainment, medical and advertising industries. Using the knowledge he gained in his previouspositions, he has transitioned to residential architectural visualization. After work, Masahiro and his wife are busy raising their son and daughter.

Matthias Eck joined Brandon Architects in 2025. Originally from Germany, he earned his Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Interior Architecture and a Master of Architecture from PBSA in Düsseldorf. After preparing his thesis at Woodbury University in Burbank, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for visualization. Drawn to Brandon Architects for its distinctive designs and European influences, Matthias values the studio’s collaborative process, with rendering playing an integral role in shaping their designs. In his free time, he enjoys exploring national parks and road cycling in the California mountains.

As the Controller for Brandon Architects, Mary utilizes her 25+ years of experience in tax and accounting to ensure the firm maintains a strong financial footing. She is deeply passionate about helping small businesses streamline their internal processes and achieve ambitious, long-term growth. Outside of work, Mary is a proud mom and enjoys spending time outdoors with her daughter and their new family member, Banks, a rescued Golden Retriever. Mary and Banks cherish their morning walks; it is the perfect start to a busy day.

Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, Mariah attended the University of Oregon, majoring in Journalism. Since joining Brandon Architects in 2016, she has successfully grown the firm’s social media presence, helping establish Brandon Architects as a recognized name across Southern California and beyond. Mariah enjoys curating the firm's brand presence and impact across all scales and platforms, handling everything from managing marketing initiatives to photoshoot direction and everything in between.

Jennifer joined Brandon Architects in the summer of 2021 as our Office Administrator. She is dedicated to creating a positive and memorable experience for clients, partners, and employees, ensuring everyone is guided in the right direction based on their needs. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Jennifer was drawn to Southern California for its warm weather and vibrant energy, an atmosphere that perfectly reflects her own spirit. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, listening to music, traveling, spending days at the beach, and being with her family and friends.