Studio William Hefner

William Hefner is the founder of the Los Angeles-based architectural firm Studio William Hefner. His practice encompasses built and restoration architecture, interior and furniture design, and landscape architecture and design, with a focus on the serene integration of building, interiors, and natural environment. Known for his versatility in both traditional and modernist architecture, Hefner has created landmark estates over the years in a variety of styles. His treatise is to design homes that inspire, nurture, and transform the lives of the families who inhabit them. William brings the same refined properties of custom residential design to his work in various multi-family, hospitality, and mixed use commercial projects. His interest in environmental building, both antique and modern, has led to the application of sustainable architectural practices through his portfolio. Across all disciplines, he is driven by a longtime interest in cultural histories, with a devotion to crafted and authentic detail that can be beautifully translated for modern living. William Hefner is the author of the books California Homes and Chateau des Fleurs. His work is widely published in anthologies and magazines in the United States, as well as internationally.

Carla Vaga joined Studio William Hefner in 1998 after earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. Her training in classical architecture included a year of study abroad in Florence, Italy and Athens, Greece. Carla received AIA certification in 2009. Her dedication, vision, and ever-expanding knowledge over the years earned her the position of firs Principal at Studio William Hefner. As a Principal, Carla has extensive experience running multiple residential and commercial projects, as well as multi-family and mixed use projects in a wide variety of styles. She has served as Project Architect on buildings ranging in scope from a boutique shopping center to a 60,000 square-foot single family residence. She has special proficiency in the design execution of all interior architecture typologies. Carla is LEED accredited and guides the firm’s handling of LEED certified commissions and sustainable design. She incorporates green building design practices into all projects. In pro-bono work, she helped the firm win awards for the design of affordable housing prototypes to appear in the Design Pattern Book for Habitat for Humanity of Greater L.A.

Nathalie joined Studio William Hefner in 2000 and was named Associate in 2005. She advanced to Principal in the firm in 2013. A native of France, Nathalie earned her master’s degree in Architecture in 1992 from the prestigious French School of Architecture, Paris-la-Seine. Her previous work experience includes the Paris office of internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, where she collaborated on the design development of “The City of Science and Arts, Valencia, Spain”. For the New York office of BNK Architects Nathalie managed a number of commercial projects, including designing offices in historical buildings such as Rockefeller Center and the GE Building. She was the project manager for the Buckley Residence in Long Island, which received an AIA Design award. Nathalie has developed an uncompromising sense of design and effective management skills to successfully lead a variety of projects from inception through construction administration. She is a strong communicator who facilitates successful collaboration with clients, consultants, contractors, and government agencies. Her social vision has helped the firm win awards for pro-bono projects, most notably single and multi-family housing competitions in 2009 and 2010 for the Design Pattern Book for Habitat for Humanity of Greater L.A.

Michael Aquino joined Studio William Hefner in 2004 after graduating from Otis College of Art & Design with a BFA in Architecture, Landscape, and Interiors. While at school, he won several awards and distinctions in prominent competitions, notably including the 2003 AIA|LA 1:2 Student Charette Competition. Michael was also the recipient of a prestigious travel scholarship from Sally Sirkin Lewis to study the arts and architecture in Europe. Michael currently holds the title of Associate at Studio William Hefner. In this role, he and his team work in close collaboration with William in developing and designing single family residences. In addition to working with other departments in the studio, Michael successfully coordinates with outside consultants, contractors, and government agencies. In 2009, he led the team that won the Craftsman Home category in the first-ever Affordable Housing Design competition for Habitat for Humanity of Greater L.A. The following year, he again helped lead the team to win the Honorable Mention for the Southern California Pattern Book competition in the Multi-Family Home category.

Mark Imagawa is a project manager at Studio William Hefner. Trained in structural engineering at the University of California Irvine, he received advanced certification in project management from UCLA in 2005, and joined the firm that same year. Mark works primarily alongside William Hefner in the residential field, designing and coordinating premium single family and multi-family homes for clients in Los Angeles and elsewhere. He is skilled in the varied requirements of both new construction and renovation. Mark is also a LEED-certified professional with a credential in Building Design & Construction, demonstrating the ability to implement green technology in all phases of a project.

Bob Irvine directs the Montecito office of Studio William Hefner. He has collaborated with William Hefner since 2009. Bob and William formally joined forces to establish the Montecito office in 2015, with the intention to serve the firm’s growing number of clients in the Santa Barbara area, as well as to focus on prospective property development and construction of new custom luxury homes. Bob is skilled in landscape architecture and planning, and he co-leads the landscape studio at the firm. He has over 30 years of multidisciplinary experience in all phases of development and planning for significant residential estates, including securing public entitlements, construction management, and owner’s representation. He received his education at the University of Oregon and began his professional training at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Portland in 1976. Bob served as a landscape architect at HOK in San Francisco from 1980-1984. Additionally, Bob is a successful entrepreneur. As a managing partner, he has overseen multiple real estate ventures from Marin County and Lake Tahoe to Santa Barbara. In Los Angeles, Bob established the first satellite office of San Francisco-based Whisler-Patri Architects in 1987, where he served as the Director of Marketing until 1990. Merging business development, client relations, and design, he brings to Studio William Hefner comprehensive expertise in the planning and practice management of projects of all sizes.