- 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.
Coastal living with ocean views, soothing sounds, and warm interiors that seamlessly connect with the landscape.
Contractor: @hillconstructioncompany
#oceanside #homedesign #waterfronthomes #architecture #landscapearchitecture
Sunset House - from model to reality.
#homedesign #architecturemodel
Ocean views are the star of this home in an exclusive coastal neighborhood, framed from every room. The landscape extends toward the cliffside, bringing you closer to the water.
Contractor: @hillconstructioncompany
#oceanviews #homedesign #residentialarchitect
Two RIOS residences are featured by @archinect, exploring different expressions of indoor-outdoor living.
Slot Canyon, set at the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, is organized as a series of pavilions connected by bridges and arroyos that draw the desert landscape through the home. A floating roof unifies the architecture, framing mountain views and shifting light throughout the day.
Santa Monica House takes a more intimate approach, creating a private retreat centered on family, nature, and wellness. Lush courtyards and mature pines define spaces for gathering, with architecture shaped to keep the landscape continuously in view.
It`s kinda chic to design a home around the things you love.
#kindachic #homedesign
How do you create an indoor-outdoor home in a climate that’s too hot to be outside most of the year?
RIOS Partner Sebastian Salvadó shares the design insights behind Sunset House in Northwest Mexico, where the home’s orientation, shaded microclimates, and captured landscapes keep nature present in every space.
#homedesign #designprocess #hometour #architecture
Loma Vista Residence reimagines the character of an English manor garden that captures the luxury of outdoor living in Los Angeles.
Organized as a series of interconnected garden rooms, the one-acre landscape creates a variety of settings for gathering, retreat, and exploration, united by a rich tapestry of regionally appropriate and native planting. The design transforms the estate into an immersive natural experience that evolves with the seasons.
#estate #landscapearchitecture
An estate is more than a home. It`s a living reflection of the land, the seasons, and the story of the families within it.
#estatedesign #residentialestate
AD PRO`s 2026 Outdoor Design Forecast explores why outdoor space are shifting beyond prescribed amenities towards landscapes that reconnect us to nature.
In "The 8 Outdoor Amenities Designers Will Talk You Out Of", written by Jennifer Li, RIOS Associate Principal Nate Cormier joins design experts in rethinking outdoor spaces for daily wellness, from morning meditation and work to entertaining. Mariposa Gardens is featured in both the story and the Forecast landing page, where native oaks, light, and the site`s natural character create a restorative environment rooted in place.
Landscape design engages the senses through the rustle of a tree canopy, fresh morning air, and birdsong- experiences that extend beyond what built amenities can offer.
#adpro #landscapearchitecture #outdoordesign
