Kept intentionally small, our firm is a place where architects take root.
Our design teams act in all roles throughout design and construction, fully immersed in each project from inception to post-occupancy evaluations. Every individual cross-trains over different market sectors—an essential philosophy defined at our founding.
Joy Meek, AIA LEED AP
Principal
Dan Wheeler, FAIA
Founding Principal
Fabiola Yep, AIA
Project Architect
Chris-Annmarie Spencer, AIA NOMA LFA
Principal
Emmanuel Garcia, AIA
Project Architect
Larry Kearns, FAIA LEED AP
Founding Principal
Michael Kendall, AIA
Project Architect
Calli Verkamp, AIA LEED AP
Principal
Amantur Temirbekov
Designer
Chelsia Sooksengdao
Designer
Mark Weber, AIA
Principal
Kerry Frank, AIA
Project Architect
Laura Cochran
Designer
Jon Heinert, AIA
Principal
Deborah Lee
Designer
Thomas Boyster, AIA LFA
Project Architect
Daniel Langford
Designer
Beth Garneata
Studio Coordinator
We believe in the power of collective thinking, which surpasses the limitations of individual perspectives.
Working in teams of at least three, we conduct weekly office-wide studio pin-ups so that every staff member has the opportunity to contribute their insights and expertise. This inclusive approach broadens the spectrum of possibilities and ensures that the best ideas are fully explored for each project.
History + Founding
After winning the 360-acre Camp Madron competition in 1987, Daniel Wheeler left Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (SOM) to form a new practice.
Six months later, a former colleague, Larry Kearns, joined him and they began laying the philosophical groundwork for what was to become Wheeler Kearns Architects.
Their philosophy addressed both the architectural process and its outcomes: the process needed to be empathetic, inclusive, stable, and flexible, while the work itself had to be passionate, focused, and committed.
The process was defined as much by what to avoid as by what to embrace. No private offices or private ideas. No division of “us and them.” A studio environment instead of an organizational chart. At the center of the philosophy was the creation of a “collective practice” where all architects equally share the roles of designer, technician, and manager, following each project from inception through post-occupancy evaluations.
This collaborative philosophy extending into weekly studio critiques, where everyone has a voice in sharing ideas, as well as into all meetings with owners, engineers, consultants, and contractors. Everything is team-oriented, given architecture is the greatest team sport of all.
Ever-evolving, learning, growing—we remain rooted in the values that defined our founding.
“WKA remained remarkably accessible and always made us feel like our project was a priority. While it defies any reasonable client expectation, WKA has a unique and sincere ability to make everyone they are working with feel like they are their most important client.”
Sharon Graboys, Two Gables client