We pride ourselves on design. Each member of our 14 person team has a unique skill-set and personality that, when combined, creates an unbeatable design force.
We are LEED accredited and incorporate green design thinking into every project, saving energy, time and the environment whenever possible. We approach every site from its own unique perspective and strive to incorporate our client's vision, resulting in elegant design solutions that exceed expectations.
Joseph Spierer Architects believes that every person has a unique sense of design which can be accessed and brought to life in a personal way. JSA discovers and draws out that hidden sense from every client, creating not only a unique and beautiful design, but also one which is both practical and personal.
Joseph Spierer, AIA
Principal Architect
Joseph Spierer is a Southern California native and licensed architect with over 20 years of experience. He earned a degree in architecture from the University of Arizona and is licensed in California, with qualifications to practice in more than 40 states.
His practice is centered on luxury residential architecture, with a focus on bespoke custom homes that reflect the individuality of each client. At the core of his work is the belief that every person has an innate sense of design. Through a careful and collaborative process, he draws out that sensibility and translates it into architecture that feels both personal and refined.
His portfolio spans ground-up custom residences, adaptive reuse, and select multi-family and commercial projects, with work completed across both Northern and Southern California. He provides the full scope of architectural services from schematic design through construction documents and construction administration, ensuring continuity and clarity from concept to completion.
His approach integrates contemporary environmental strategies with practical and economic considerations, supporting both design integrity and lasting performance.
Beyond practice, Joseph is actively involved in real estate investment and development. He serves as a managing member of several holding companies and is a partner in JAM Properties, focusing on identifying and assembling opportunities throughout Southern California
Joseph is married, with three children, and resides in Palos Verdes Estates, California.
Eileen Gueringer, AIA, LEED AP
Partner
Eileen graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Architecture, and soon after, became licensed to practice architecture in the State of California. Over the years, she has gained expertise in the intricacies of specific zoning and HOA considerations from Palos Verdes to Manhattan Beach and throughout Southern California.
Along with her 20+ years of experience in high-end residential, multi-family and commercial architecture, she brings strong innovation to each project. Blending this technical knowledge and design expertise, she works to maximize every project site and help our clients realize their architectural goals.
Raymond Vuong
Design Development Lead
Raymond graduated from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design with a Bachelor of Architecture. His education began in the urban environment of Downtown San Diego which further inspired him to continue the pursuit of architecture. He applies everything he has learned to his work, and he strives to create a better built environment by considering the finer details of each structure.
Raymond is currently pursuing his California architectural license.
Shilpa Mehta, LEED Green Associate
Project Lead
Shilpa earned her first Masters of Architecture degree from Bowling Green State University. Soon after, she received a second Masters of Science in Architecture Technology with specialization in Building Information Systems from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout the course of her studies, she became an advocate for sustainable design strategies.
Shilpa has worked in hospitality, education, community, and nonprofit projects in India, Canada and both coasts of the United States. Her devotion to architecture through years of study and application is invaluable to the team.
Shilpa is currently pursuing her California architectural license.
Maricarmen Martinez
Project Lead
Native to Mexico, Maricarmen earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. As a foreign exchange student in Australia, she developed a deep-rooted passion and enthusiasm for architecture. Her world travels enhance her appreciation on how science and art blend together in architecture across the globe.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated on numerous residential projects in the South Bay beach cities, making her well-versed in coastal architectural design and processes. Maricarmen brings her acquired technical expertise in digital design and 3D modeling to all aspects of her work.
Maricarmen is currently pursuing her California architectural license.
Parinaz Karimi
Designer
As a graduate of the University of Texas, Arlington with a Masters of Architecture, Parinaz began her career in Texas before moving to California. She developed most of her proficiency in high-end residential design, making her especially knowledgeable in our most complex architectural projects.
She enjoys working on schematic, imaginative and creative aspects of design and has experience with all aspects of a project. With her keen attention to detail, Parinaz consistently exceeds expectations and elevates our architectural projects to new heights.
Parinaz is currently pursuing her California architectural license.
Simon Prithiv Arokianathan
Designer
Relocating from New York City, Simon joins the JSA team with 5 years of experience, sharing his design, drafting and fabrication knowledge. Along with his undergraduate education in India, Simon holds a Master of Science in Architecture from Pratt Institute.
A creative at heart, Simon seeks to infuse artistry and finesse into his profession wherever possible. He thoroughly enjoys schematic phases of projects, where he is able to have in-depth creative and constructive discussions.
Simon is currently pursuing his California architectural license.
MJ Mejia
Designer
A Los Angeles native, MJ holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). With extensive design, drafting and management experience across high-end residential and multifamily projects, she shares her insights with the team.
After discovering her passion for architecture during a drafting class in high school, MJ knew that architecture was her calling. MJ’s thirst for knowledge led her to study abroad in Japan, where she immersed herself in a culture that deepened her appreciation for the artistry of architecture.
MJ is pursuing her California architectural license.
Sam Sanders
Designer
A native of New Jersey, Sam holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California. His professional experience is diverse, encompassing projects from large estates to small family home renovations, with work spanning from New York to California and even internationally in Italy and Antigua.
Inspired by his childhood love of Legos, Sam’s early fascination with creativity led him to a career in architecture. Since then, he has grown to appreciate the collaboration and creativity of the architectural profession.
Sam is pursuing his architectural license in California.
Daniel Shweiri
Designer
A South Bay native, brings a strong residential design background and an appreciation for the architectural character of the community he calls home. Inspired from an early age by the built environment around him, Daniel pursued his studies at El Camino College before continuing his education at the Southern California Institute of Architecture.
Today, he contributes that same passion and local perspective to projects that shape and enrich the neighborhoods that first sparked his interest in architecture.
Outside the studio, Daniel finds inspiration in nature and enjoys spending time outdoors. His keen eye for thoughtful design and willingness to think beyond the conventional brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to the team.
Sijie Ji
Designer
Sijie earned a Master of Architecture from UCLA and brings a background in interior design to the team. She began her career on interior projects, guiding them from schematic design to construction documentation. During this time, she also contributed to the brand development and interior design of her projects.
Sijie applies a thoughtful and intentional approach that complements the firm’s design philosophy, balancing creative vision with careful attention to detail.
Sijie is currently pursuing her California architectural license.
Ahtian Connor
Marketing Manager
Ahtian has 10 years of experience in marketing and project management across real estate, agency, and public sector work. She has a passion for storytelling and brings a fresh, invigorating perspective to how the studio communicates intentional design.
Outside the studio, Ahtian dedicates time to community work and connecting with nature, which keeps her inspired and enriches her approach to narrative crafting.
Caitlyn McArthur
Administrator
South Bay native, Caitlyn, joins the JSA team with a wealth of diverse interests, abilities and enthusiasm to learn about the inner workings of business in the architectural industry. She is integral to maintaining all the operations of the office, from coordinating complex tasks to setting up systems of organization.
