- Our Team
Design Director Spotlight: Jenny Myers
Design Director Jenny Myers leads RIOS with a focus on guiding our firm’s processes and nurturing meaningful dialogues. Based in Minneapolis, Jenny has more than 15 years of experience in architecture, graphic design, and product design, driving the creativity of our practice. Additionally, she is the founder of Myers Collective, specializing in personal accessories, furniture, and houseware products — all thoughtfully crafted through an architectural lens.
Jenny’s success is rooted in her creative thinking across various scales and disciplines, evident in our projects spanning from single-family residences to high-rise eco towers. We caught up with Jenny to learn more about her perspective on design and how she stays curious as a lifelong student and teacher.
Tell us about your background and what led you to join RIOS.
I joined RIOS because of my passion for working across disciplines. I had experience with various scales and forms, from multiple architectural typologies to furniture, product design, and graphics, and I was eager to continue exploring this breadth of work. When I visited RIOS’ headquarters in Los Angeles and spoke with the Creative Directors, I felt that I had found the perfect match for my aspirations.
What sparked your interest in design, and how has your career path evolved?
I’ve always been drawn to creative pursuits. I found design to channel art into what my parents would say is a more applicable (and perhaps more employable) skill. Architecture is my second career — I initially pursued graphic design and later attended Harvard University to study architecture. Throughout my journey, I’ve continued to integrate representation, storytelling, and product design into my practice.
I find that being able to look at all scales of projects through the lens of a multidisciplinary design offers a unique point of view. Nurturing composition at both macro and micro scales, exploring materials, tactility, and spatial narratives and experiences that are attuned to their context and the people that will live and breathe in them – these are central to everything I do. I can’t help but see the interconnectedness of things and look for opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, as my mind naturally crosses disciplinary boundaries.
Describe what a day in the life looks like for a Design Director at RIOS.
A typical day is remarkably diverse! It ranges from design reviews and brainstorming sessions to providing project-specific mentorship, leading international competitions, and spearheading initiatives that promote design excellence across the firm. Every day is unique and exciting but grounded with a throughline of strategic thinking and thought leadership. As a Design Director, I’m privileged to work on projects spanning a wide array of typologies and scales — from handheld objects to cultural districts and cities. We need to be nimble, often shifting gears between these scales, which keeps our mental agility sharp and exhilarating!
What excites you about the world of architecture and design at this moment? What challenges do you see for the profession?
Greater awareness and attunement on a global level. This challenges our discipline to not only be responsive but proactive – to lead with innovation, creativity, and effective problem-solving.
I am inspired to bring true innovation to our commitment to new and sustainable ways of living and working in the world today. As interdisciplinary designers shaping our physical environment, we have a unique opportunity to truly advance and evolve for future generations.
Where are you finding inspiration, and how do you measure success?
My inspiration comes from my enduring curiosity as a learner and educator. I love to spark an idea, to light a fire of agency, not force my own singular solution. I am particularly inspired when I see creatives bring their best selves to their work every day.
Success, for me, revolves around authenticity. It’s about finding innovative solutions that authentically respond to challenges and opportunities, pushing us to view our world in new ways.
What's the best advice you've received? What advice do you have for someone starting their career?
Be yourself. Trust and share your instincts and others will do the same… it’s contagious.
What projects are you working on that you're excited to talk about?
There are so many! On the project front, I’m working with our teams on a performing arts center in Chicago, a tech headquarters in Bucharest, a new mixed-use district in Austin, and a single-family home in the Santa Monica hills. On the product side, I’m working on a collection of fire tables for a global outdoor furniture manufacturer, and a coffee brewer for our sister product company notNeutral!
Who are some artists or artisans currently catching your eye, and what about their work draws you in?
Painter Brice Marden’s mastery of drawing with paint and his stunning color palettes are particularly compelling. Weaver Mimi Jung intrigues me with her approach to breaking traditional frames and exploring transparency in unique ways. Additionally, the CDMX Art & Architecture studio Tezontle catches my eye with their bold material juxtapositions and the totemic forms that blend elements of Brancusi, postmodernism, and ancient mythology. Their work, described as “part ruin, part monument,” resonates deeply with its evocative and layered narratives.
The interior design of this home, set atop the Trousdale Estates in Beverly Hills, introduces contrast through a moody palette and rich textures that feel sophisticated and welcoming against sweeping city views.
Photography by @michaelraywells
#modernliving #homeinspo #homedesign #homedesigner #interiorinspo #lahomes
Lakeside Retreat’s guest house is a cozy, sun-filled getaway, blending rich textures and warm, inviting details.
#RIOS #RIOShome #modernliving #interiordesign #homedesign #residentialinteriors #residentialdesign
Featured in @WSJRealEstate, the Olive Grove residence in Beverly Hills, with landscape architecture by RIOS, sold for $51.75 million—the city’s most expensive deal since 2020.
We created a peaceful, minimalist garden that flows seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces. The curated resort-like landscape offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation or entertaining, with living and dining areas framed by a courtyard allée accentuated with six mature olive trees.
Architect @backenandbacken
Interior Design @clementsdesign
Photographer Nils Timm @nilstimmvisuals
#RIOS #RIOSHome #modernhome #landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign #LAhome #LArealestate
Set in the Los Angeles hills, Lantern House transforms everyday living into an art form. The dark, weathered exterior draws inspiration from a classic wooden barn, creating a bold contrast against its natural surroundings.
Inside, spaces flow between grand and intimate, framing views of vistas, the Getty Museum, and secluded garden moments. A material symphony of Shou Sugi Ban, limestone, cedar, and oak creates a tranquil woodland sanctuary that honors Japanese wabi-sabi principles where scale, light, and nature perform in perfect harmony.
#RIOS #RIOSHome #architecture #modernliving #interiordesign #modernhome #residentialinteriors
Calico Wallpaper founders Nick and Rachel Cope have redefined interior design by elevating wallpaper into immersive art. Since launching their Brooklyn studio in 2013, they`ve combined artisanal techniques with digital innovation to create bespoke, non-repeating murals that turn ordinary spaces into captivating spatial experiences.
From NASA-inspired cosmic designs to subtle natural textures, their work is featured in global exhibitions and is part of the permanent collection at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Get an inside look at their philosophy and creative process in our exclusive Q&A on the RIOS Home Journal. Link in bio.
@calicowallpaper #RIOSHome #CalicoWallpaper #interiordesign #homedesign #walldecor #interiors #wallpaperdesign
Mountain Estate captures the first light of dawn. The natural landscape flows seamlessly into panoramic lake views, creating an intimate setting ready to capture the spirit of adventure in every guest.
@dwisemanstudio`s petaled branch emerges from the ceiling, bringing a piece of the outdoors inside the home.
#RIOS #RIOSHome #DavidWiseman #chandelier #light #furniture #home #interior #design
The sculptural staircase at the center of the Woolf Residence elegantly transforms a functional component into a breathtaking focal point.
Its dynamic curves and materiality create a striking connection with the lush views of the courtyard that filter through the surrounding glass walls.
#RIOS #RIOSHome #interiordesign #modernhome #architecture #LandscapeArchitecture #designinspiration #luxuryliving #architecturelovers #stairdesign #ResidentialDesign
Envision yourself here: a hilltop terrace with sleek @tribu_official_page lighting that enlivens this modern space, inviting intimate gatherings as day transitions to evening.
