Joey N. Shimoda FAIA, FIIDA – Chief Creative Officer, Shimoda Design Group

Joey Shimoda is curious about anything beautifully designed. A lifetime of searching has created an exceptional architect, planner, and interior designer. Born in Alabama and educated in California, wanderlust has led him to live and work in Los Angeles, Florence and London. Joey’s Japanese design DNA is infused with his love of European design. His perspective on engineering, form, function, history and beauty creates an edgy yet refined design cocktail. He has helped companies that are more than 100 years old to find new energy without losing their identity just as he has helped small start-ups grow with smart and inspirational spaces. With curiosity and talent, he creates a mystic alchemy of unexpected solutions that are functional, brilliant and beautiful.

Mr. Shimoda earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. In the early years of his career, Joey worked with Morphosis Architects, Peter Wilson of Buros von Bolles + Wilson in London, and Frank Gehry and Associates, Marmol Radziner and DMJM Rottet.

He is Contract Magazine’s 34th Designer of the Year and a distinguished Fellow in both the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association. Fewer than 30 designers in the United States hold the rare honor of being recognized as a Fellow in both architecture and interior design—a distinction that sets him apart in the industry.

Sam Lubell – Editor at Large at Metropolis

Sam Lubell is Editor at Large at Metropolis. He has written more than ten books about architecture for Phaidon, Rizzoli, The Monacelli Press, and Metropolis Books. He writes for The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Fast Company, Architectural Digest, Wallpaper, Dwell, Architect Magazine, and other publications. He has co-curated four major architecture exhibitions and taught at Syracuse University School of Architecture, Columbia University GSAPP, and Arizona State University The Design School.

Elissa Scrafano, AIA – Principal, Scrafano Architects

Elissa Scrafano, AIA, is principal and founder of Scrafano Architects. She has been practicing Architecture and Interiors for more than 35 years, and is a registered architect in Illinois, Michigan, and California and a member of the AIA. She knew at 16 that she wanted to be an architect and has never wavered from this decision.

Elissa received a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a concentration in Art History, and a master’s in architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Los Angeles in 1990. She also studied in Florence, Rome, London and Frankfurt. Before establishing her own firm, Elissa worked at the offices of Frank O. Gehry and Associates, Eric Owen Moss Architects, Narduli Grinstein Architects, and Landworth Debolske Architects.

Scrafano Architects was established thirty years ago designing corporate offices, commercial retail boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and custom residential projects of all sizes and scales including new construction, renovation and restoration –– more than 400 projects to date. Their work appears throughout the globe commissioned by clients from all over the world. The firm has received several AIA Design Awards and has been featured in Dwell, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Sunset Magazine, Chicago Social, Interiors Magazine, LUXE, Western Interiors, Chicago Tribune, Midwest Home, and other publications.

Scrafano Architects is one office with two locations – Los Angeles and Chicago – and is mostly comprised of women and working mothers adjusting to the modern family paradigm, and many are also graduates of SCI-Arc. Both offices work together as one team sharing efforts, knowledge, and ideas in a collaborative studio environment that encourages open exchange. The designers and architects have specialized talents that range from architecture, interior design, space planning, color theory, furniture and landscape design, woodworking, jewelry making, painting, graphics, music, and writing. They draw from broad and diverse experiences during the entire design process, and are practicing architects, educators, and active in community outreach. They create better spaces to live work and play.

Elissa has taught model making and architectural drawing at SCI-Arc, Woodbury University and University of California at Irvine, and currently mentors several students. She has lectured at the Dwell conference, Powerful 8: Women’s Work On Our Own Terms in Architecture, an AIA sponsor event, and has given many home tours of her projects through the AIA.

Elissa is on the SCI-Arc Alumni Council; previously served on the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission; and was honored to be appointed to the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission by Mayor Eric Garcetti where she was a member as well as the chairperson for many years. Elissa was recently appointed to the Hancock Park HPOZ board.

Dave Intner, AIA, CEM, LEED AP – Senior Advisor, Building Decarbonization and Energy Codes, and Standards, Southern California Edison

Dave Intner, with Southern California Edison’s Building Electrification and Codes & Standards team, is a Licensed Architect, LEED AP and Certified Energy Manager. A graduate of Cal Poly SLO, Dave provides education and outreach supporting Building Decarbonization and Energy Code Compliance Improvement. Dave has 28 years of professional experience split between architectural practice and utility program delivery. Dave serves on the statewide AIA Committee on the Environment, the Central Coast Green Building Council board, and was a voting member on the LEED Energy and Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group (EA-TAG). He is a Past President of the AIA Ventura County, and recently termed off the board of directors of USGBC Los Angeles.