Pfeffer Torode Architecture is a studio grounded in thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and a commitment to creating places that endure. From homes to gathering places, our work is shaped by a reverence for history and modernity, and a belief that architecture should belong—to its landscape, to its time, and to the lives that unfold within it. Each project is an exploration, guided by curiosity and discipline, and shaped through collaboration, careful study, and a deep understanding of place. We seek a balance of refinement and warmth, of beauty and utility, in spaces that feel both grounded and alive.
Our team works across home, public, and interior studios—three lenses through which we explore the way architecture shapes daily life. Whether designing a house, a gathering space, or the moments in between, we approach each project with curiosity, creativity, and a belief that beauty and purpose should always coexist.
Architecture, at its best, gives shape to memory. It allows a place to hold life, to invite presence, and to endure across generations. Based in Nashville with offices in Birmingham and Montgomery, our work extends throughout the South and beyond, drawn always to places with soul and story. Through every project, we pursue thoughtful design that invites people to live—and gather—well.
Our People
Jamie is a founding principal and architect at Pfeffer Torode. Leading an interdisciplinary team of architects, visual artists, and interior designers, Pfeffer Torode sits at the integration of art and architecture that’s rooted in a contextual response to the natural conditions of each site. Jamie believes in creating spaces that are meant to enrich and strengthen communities and often seeks out projects that have the capacity to make a difference.
Trained at Auburn’s School of Architecture, Jamie graduated and began charting his own course. He continued his studies with a Master in Building Construction to gain a deeper understanding for the spaces he was designing, while also interning for respected Montgomery firm, McAlpine. He went on to work in Boston and New York before moving abroad to Uruguay. After two years working on every aspect of the project, from construction, to design, to interiors, Jamie’s traveling retrospective eventually brought him back home to Nashville to open the firm that he had been laying the foundation for since university studies. Working across a broad range of projects, Jamie uses design as a true platform for discovery and greater understanding of how the built environment can promote well-being and an overall heightened quality of life. Jamie designs in a way that connects to a site’s history, immediate context, while also thinking ahead to its future.
Seeking to use design to create transformative change in the built environment, Jamie began engaging on select development projects, focusing on forming neighborhood minded residential, office, retail, and food and beverage spaces. Actively seeking the dialogue between architecture and the community at large, he creates spaces that provoke new perspectives, or inspire communities to engage with the world around them.
Born into a heritage family of architects, Jonathan’s earliest design memories involve coloring on his father’s large sheets of drafting paper that he brought home from the office. Discovering his love for sketching at a young age, his formative years in rural Alabama became the inspiration for a lifetime career and passion for architecture. Jonathan knew even as a young child that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father. His fascination with the craft led him to Auburn’s school of Architecture where he fatefully crossed paths with Jamie in their early days of tutelage. The two quickly realized the power in their collaborative efforts and discovered their complimentary strengths were built on a mutual respect for one another’s work.
After graduation, Jonathan began his career at McAlpine alongside his brother Scott, where he worked to cultivate his design sensibility until the time came to join Jamie to start the firm they had dreamed up in their university days. They soon after brought on Scott to round out Pfeffer Torode’s leadership trio. As a firm that was built with a family business mentality at its core, those same sentiments of trust and partnership still exist at Pfeffer Torode today.
For Jonathan, the world of design has always felt intuitive and innate; he works with a quiet, unassuming confidence that’s approachable but highly refined. Assisting clients in telling their stories through the format of architecture and bringing those narratives to life throughout their own homes is where Jonathan’s greatest source of inspiration comes from. Throughout the design process, he often asks himself: “How do people’s homes reflect their identity? How do spaces give people a place to be comfortable, at peace, or cultivate serenity?” Jonathan finds purpose in allowing client’s stories to unfold within the intricate spaces he designs for them.
Jonathan’s philosophy is function-driven and his spaces often stand out in understated, but definitive ways. With an elemental approach to architecture, he works to transform and elevate spaces where his clients spend their everyday. These are the very rooms that become the backdrops of their lives, the spaces where their experiences unfold.
As the son of an architect, design was always an overarching theme in Scott’s life. Early on he became fascinated by the way we exist within our surrounding environment through landscape design. After pursuing his first love, Landscape Architecture for a time, Scott decided to complete his studies in Architecture along side his brother Jonathan, at Auburn University’s College of Architecture Design and Construction. After working with the well-respected firm McAlpine for fifteen years, Scott then joined his brother Jonathan and Jamie to round out their collaborative firm.
Still rooted in his admiration for landscape design, Scott finds inspiration in working with natural settings and materials, embracing both within the language of architecture. The integration of nature within the built environment is a recurring theme within Scott’s body of work. Blurring the boundaries that exist between exterior and interior, he designs for his clients an authentic sense of engagement with their natural surroundings while maintaining balance with that sense of shelter we all seek. This pursuit of balance between opposites, compels Scott to deliver simple design concepts with timeless aesthetics. His interest in unconventional approaches to design has led him to pursue, as an architect, designs that are both functional and personalized to his clients.
Born in England and shaped by years of travel, Ginny has always been interested in the way place influences how we live. Time spent living in Australia and France deepened her appreciation for craft, and the character that comes from things made and gathered over time. The daughter of a classical composer, she grew up around artists, poets, musicians, and architects, in a home where creativity and curiosity were part of everyday life. While studying theatre at the University of Georgia, she developed an interest in storytelling and composition that would later shape the way she approaches design.
Ginny joined Pfeffer Torode in 2021 after first working with the firm as a freelancer beginning in 2019. She is drawn to vernacular architecture, lived-in interiors, simple structures, and work that reveals something of how it was made. Her approach favors hardworking beauty and values materials, process, and the evidence of the human hand. Before joining Pfeffer Torode, she collaborated with Khoury Vogt Architects and Kaiya Beach Resort, lectured on interior and lifestyle styling, and was widely published for her work in creative direction and styling.
As Principal and Creative Director, Ginny works across architecture, interiors, and the way the firm communicates its work. She collaborates closely with architects and designers to draw out the ideas at the center of a project, clarify what matters most, and help carry those ideas through the way the work is presented, photographed, written about, and understood. Her role is less about imposing a singular point of view than protecting the strength of the work itself and helping each project feel unmistakably connected to the values and craft of Pfeffer Torode.
Dave’s path to architecture began with a fascination for material and craft. After initially studying ceramics at the University of Mississippi, he transferred to Mississippi State University to pursue architecture—a field that married his appreciation for art and process with his curiosity for structure, history, and human experience. Traveling through Europe, Dave was struck by the harmony between old and new—the way architecture evolves yet remains connected to its roots. That dialogue between tradition and progress continues to shape his perspective today.
He began his career in Washington, D.C., where he absorbed the fundamentals of classical proportion and disciplined design. Over time, his focus expanded beyond individual projects to the larger orchestration of people and process. As Managing Principal, Dave helps direct the management and vision of the firm while guiding work within the Public Studio.
Thoughtful and even-keeled, Dave leads with a balance of creativity and clarity. His approach reflects the firm’s core belief that enduring design emerges through collaboration, restraint, and respect for place.
Rachel Martin brings a rare combination of creative insight, technical rigor, and empathetic leadership to Pfeffer Torode Architecture, where she leads the Home Studio with a focus on crafting thoughtful, enduring residences that balance beauty, function, and restraint. Raised in a creative family, she developed an early appreciation for design as both art and craft—an outlook that continues to shape her work today.
Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Master of Architecture from the University of Tennessee, where her studies explored the intersection of architecture and interiors. Her master’s thesis examined the fragmentation among these creative disciplines and proposed a more integrated approach to design—a philosophy that remains central to her practice today.
She began her career in Portland, Oregon, where exposure to a culture of experimentation and craftsmanship broadened her architectural perspective. After several years in the Pacific Northwest, she ultimately returned home to Tennessee, bringing with her a sharpened sense of regional identity and purpose.
Over the course of her tenure at Pfeffer Torode, Rachel has served in many capacities, contributing to both the firm’s creative work and its operational strength. Known for her ability to synthesize design vision with process-driven clarity, she leads with quiet confidence and deep curiosity. She navigates the intersection of art and structure with discipline and grace, guiding teams and clients alike toward designs that are as enduring as they are expressive.
Following his undergraduate studies in Construction Management at Brigham Young University, Race pursued advanced degrees in Classical Architecture at Georgia Tech and the University of Miami. His career includes crafting bespoke residences for Ferguson & Shamamian and McAlpine. Inspired by prewar European and American architecture and modern classicists, Race believes beauty uplifts the human spirit. At Pfeffer Torode, he meticulously analyzes historic details to create designs that blend timeless principles with contemporary elegance.
Julia joined the firm in 2026 after earning her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. Raised in a small coastal town in Southwest Michigan, she developed an early appreciation for thoughtful design and the sense of connection found within close-knit communities. A formative period living in Rome deepened her passion for traditional architecture, urban design, and the tactile beauty of making by hand. Drawn to design that responds thoughtfully to its context, Julia approaches each project with curiosity and careful listening, seeking to understand the people and places that shape it and translate each client’s vision into something meaningful and enduring.
As Managing Director, Jeff guides the structure and strategy of Pfeffer Torode with a focus on clarity, collaboration, and long-term sustainability. Drawing from his background in architecture and design, he brings a creative lens to the structure of practice: approaching systems, workflow, and culture as design opportunities in themselves.
Jeff joined Pfeffer Torode in early 2021 after relocating from New York City where he spent the first seven years of his career specializing in high-end hospitality and creative workplace interiors. While studying at Auburn University, he also contributed to the 20K House ongoing research project while completing his thesis at the prestigious Rural Studio. Jeff is a registered architect in New York and Tennessee and a member of the AIA.
Jeff’s work centers on building a strong, connected studio environment where process and design excellence reinforce one another. His thoughtful approach ensures that the firm’s daily operations are both disciplined and deeply collaborative.
Christopher earned his Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture from the University of Tennessee in May 2020. After traveling post-graduation, he began his professional journey in early 2021. Specializing in residential design, Christopher excels at connecting with clients to create spaces that reflect their personalities and lifestyles. His dedication to personalized design ensures each project is a unique reflection of the individuals it serves. At Pfeffer Torode, Christopher’s approach fosters intimate, meaningful design experiences.
Garth Brown has always been passionate about designing and creating, from the fine arts and furniture to timeless dwellings and sustainable communities, driven by a desire to improve the way we live and use his hands while doing so. He earned a BA in English Literature with a concentration in studio art from Washington and Lee University, a Design/Build Certificate Degree at Auburn’s Rural Studio and a Master of Architecture from Clemson University, with studies in Europe and Charleston. For the past 10 years, he has benefited from Pfeffer Torode’s platform of continued learning, collaborative design, and focused craftsmanship, bringing to life the meaningful works he once dreamed of as a child. His travels and work as a designer/builder across the U.S. and abroad have deepened his knowledge and appreciation for how the built environment shapes communities and the importance of good craftsmanship, while allowing him to forge meaningful connections and continuously refine his own craft.
In 2023, David joined Pfeffer Torode as the Director of Workplace Culture, driven by his passion for people, building meaningful connections, and developing thriving cultures. Influenced by his upbringing in a family of artists and architects, he successfully designed his homes in Leipers Fork and East Nashville. David and his wife Liz enjoy live music, spending time with family and friends, and are avid fans of the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. His role focuses on enhancing the firm’s culture and ensuring a supportive, collaborative environment.
Mary Margaret is an architectural designer with a diverse background in high-end residential and commercial design. She holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Tennessee. Her passion for design was first sparked at her mother’s law firm in Memphis, where she would spread out her art supplies, captivated by the magic of the built environment around her. Mary Margaret is drawn to the people behind the projects, believing that design is not just about the spaces we create, but the stories they tell.
Madison joined Pfeffer Torode in 2025 after earning her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. Rooted in painting and sculpture, her artistry shapes the way she chooses to see architecture, bringing a practiced eye and a steady hand to her work. Driven by a desire to learn and evolve, Madison moves forward on a path of continual discovery, committed to crafting spaces that honor the people who will call them their own.
Rachel, a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, specializing in Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as well as a Master of Science in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education. She is driven by a deep passion for building a community of support and shared growth, embracing each day as a chance to learn, inspire, and connect. Fluent in American Sign Language, Rachel finds joy in exploring new cuisines, spending time in nature, and being surrounded by good company.
Lilli’s journey, fueled by her love for creativity and design, led her to a Nashville-based landscape architecture firm, where she explored the artistry of landscaping and its ability to enrich spaces. Now, as the Creative Studio Lead in our Birmingham studio, she delves into architecture and interiors, marveling at the intricate dance between structure and landscape. Inspired daily by our team’s visionary designs, Lilli crafts narratives that celebrate the profound stories told through our projects.
Trevor earned his degree from Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design and has since amassed nearly a decade of experience across diverse project typologies. His expertise spans from initial concept development to final drawings, showcasing a refined sensibility and meticulous attention to detail. Driven by an innate curiosity and a commitment to delivering well-crafted designs, Trevor consistently brings a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to each project.
A storyteller and creator at heart, Dawson was drawn to design as a natural intersection of the two. He studied Industrial Design at Auburn University, developing an appreciation for the ways thoughtful design can shape not only how something looks, but how it is experienced and understood. His approach is grounded in simplicity and a careful attention to detail, with a belief that the smallest gestures can invite a closer look and give an object or space greater meaning. Drawn to designs that are restrained yet considered, he finds beauty in the details that ask us to pause, look again, and discover something more.
Jon Hunt became captivated by architecture during an Intro to Art class while pursuing his Materials Engineering degree. Inspired by how design can enrich everyday moments, he switched to the architecture program and graduated in 2024. His perspective on design continued to evolve at Rural Studio, where he became fascinated by how all facets of architecture can work together to bring beauty to life’s small moments. He is excited to further develop his craft and create spaces that serve as backdrops for meaningful interactions.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, a city shaped by steel and monumental architecture, Howard developed an early fascination with the built environment. From childhood sketches to the lasting impression of Fallingwater, his curiosity evolved into an appreciation for how architecture can shape perception and experience. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and a Master of Architecture from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where his time in the Tennessee landscape further informed his sensitivity to context, light, and material. Viewing architecture and interiors as interconnected disciplines, Howard is particularly interested in the sequence of arrival and the subtle ways a space reveals itself over time. His approach considers every scale, from the broader organization of a building to the smallest material detail, seeking a balance between what is built and what is felt.
A graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Public Relations, Robbi brings a people-centered perspective to client development at Pfeffer Torode. Her role centers on building relationships, cultivating new business opportunities, and ensuring that the client experience feels thoughtful and intentional from the very beginning. She is drawn to the intersection of people, place, and the stories that shape how we live, and enjoys being part of the early conversations that bring clients and the firm together. Outside the studio, Robbi is a wife, and mom to Stella and Sophia. She treasures time with her family and enjoys tennis as a small ritual of her own.
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Lilly developed an early appreciation for uniqueness and authenticity. She earned a degree in Environmental Design with a minor in Architectural Heritage Conservation from Texas A&M University before completing her Master of Architecture at the University of Virginia, where she also received a certificate in Historic Preservation. During graduate school, Lilly explored woodworking and furniture making by hand, deepening her appreciation for craftsmanship and the everyday objects and spaces that shape how we live. Drawn to the storytelling inherent in architecture, she is particularly interested in the ways materials can carry history and meaning, from thoughtful details to the deconstruction and reuse of salvaged materials.
Chase’s path to architecture began in childhood, sketching imagined homes and cities with quiet focus and early fascination. He studied at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, where instinct gave way to craft.
His career has taken him from New York to Nashville, with work spanning large civic and commercial projects to more intimate residential spaces. Chase brings a steady curiosity to his work, guided by a learner’s eye and a deep respect for detail. He believes great architecture is shaped not only by vision, but by the quiet discipline of observation—and that each project offers a new way of thinking, seeing, and building.
Raised in Franklin, Tennessee, Emma developed an early connection to the landscapes and communities of the Southeast. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Wheaton College, where her faith became an integral part of her personal and professional perspective. She went on to pursue a Master of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, immersing herself in classical architecture and traditional methods of design and drafting. Through her travels, Emma has cultivated an appreciation for the architectural traditions that lend each place its distinct character, from the shaded vernacular homes of coastal Florida to the Baroque palazzos of Rome. Inspired by the relationship between architecture, climate, and culture, she continues to explore the building traditions of the Southeast, finding beauty in the ways architecture reflects the history and identity of a place.
Christian, a Cal Poly (SLO) graduate and former member of the Pantheon Institute of Architecture, is captivated by craftsmanship’s influence on our environment and history. With extensive hospitality and residential design experience, he sees each project phase as an opportunity to reveal its potential. Christian believes architecture enhances the past and offers a platform for future prospects.
Born and raised in the heart of Alabama’s Black Belt, Malin has been deeply influenced by the rural landscape of her youth. Her early experiences have been enriched by a journey of work and travel across Southeast Asia, China, Africa, and the English countryside. From her time as a student at Auburn University’s Rural Studio, to her days on the construction crew of The Plastiki, she cultivated a passion for prioritizing human connection, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Her love for people has inspired her toward an embodied architecture – one that anchors us to the world and each other, fostering a holistic sense of well-being, connection, and belonging. Malin holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University, with post-graduate studies at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco.
A love of art and geometry led Wilbur to architecture where he developed a fascination with space, form, and connections both in the construction of physical buildings and in the communities they support. Two trips to Auburn University for a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Real Estate Development have reinforced for him the importance of our environment to quality of life. An architect with over 25 years of experience, he has worked on a wide variety of project types and scales developing a love for contextual, meaningful, and sustainable design.
For Tatum, architecture is both a profession and a family legacy. Inspired by his grandfather and great-great-grandfather, architects in Little Rock whose practice dates back to 1919, he developed an early appreciation for the ways ideas, buildings, and bodies of work evolve over time. Tatum studied architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, where that curiosity continued to take shape. He is particularly interested in how experience, precedent, and each successive project inform an architect’s perspective, allowing the work to mature into something greater than the sum of its parts. This ongoing process of learning shapes Tatum’s own approach, drawing inspiration not only from the architecture itself, but from the thinking and decision-making behind it.
Sarah’s love for art began in childhood, shaped by a natural imagination and an instinct to create. When her family relocated to Germany, travel opened her eyes to architecture and the richness of the built environment, sparking a curiosity for the ways culture, place, and design intertwine. That curiosity led her to Samford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design with a minor in Studio Art. Today, Sarah approaches design with the same sense of wonder that first drew her to architecture, seeking to create intentional spaces that honor their surroundings, enrich the lives within them, and ultimately reflect the creativity of the greatest Creator.
Originally from Kentucky, JP received his Master of Architecture from Rice University in Houston and his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati, where he doubled as a student-athlete playing baseball. JP joined Pfeffer Torode after collecting work experience at STUDIOS Architecture, Marmol-Radziner, WDG Architecture, and most recently SHoP Architects in New York City. As a licensed professional and proud generalist, his work reimagines the contemporary application of classic materials, always ensuring a built work of both human scale and rigorous detail.
Chris is a Nashville native with over 30 years of experience in strategic finance, known for bringing clarity, structure, and thoughtful support to creative teams. With a Master’s in Accounting and a bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University, she began her career in public accounting—an experience that shaped her perspective on accuracy, internal controls, and the long-term health of financial systems. Throughout her career, Chris has focused on strengthening processes, improving workflows, and helping teams make confident, data-informed decisions. Outside of work, she draws inspiration from design and architecture, whether traveling across the U.S. or exploring cities abroad. She also enjoys time outdoors, especially hiking with her dog, Chance. That same curiosity and energy inform the approach she brings to her work each day.
Raised in East Tennessee, Emily was shaped by the majesty of the Smoky Mountains and the engineering marvels of the Tennessee River dams. These landscapes sparked her fascination with designs that are deeply rooted in their surroundings and pay homage to the natural ecology of a place. She earned her undergraduate business degree at Miami University, then pursued both a Master’s in Architecture and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. Her journey took her through various cities and countries, working in landscape, interior, and architecture firms. Now back in Tennessee, Emily is delighted to be designing within the landscape that first ignited her passion.
In 2021, Ranjit joined Pfeffer Torode to help establish the Birmingham studio. He is passionate about integrating traditional beauty into contemporary architecture and he brings great experience to the firm, having previously led a residential design-build team in Los Angeles and having taught at Auburn’s Urban Studio. Ranjit holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Harvard and a Bachelor’s from Carnegie Mellon.
After a successful tenure at McAlpine, where he cultivated a deep talent and love for residential interior spaces, Eli joined our Nashville studio. His expertise extends to codesigning several commercially available furniture lines as well as bespoke designs for discerning clients. He prioritizes meticulous attention to detail, viewing no design element as insignificant. Inspired by the human dimension of his craft, Eli is driven by the profound impact that exceptional design can have on individuals.
Lauren studied Interior Design at Auburn University and started her career in Nashville with the largest architecture firm in Tennessee. With a diverse portfolio encompassing a myriad of commercial projects, she transitioned to Pfeffer Torode, drawn to the distinct challenges and creative freedom inherent in boutique hospitality endeavors. Beyond her professional pursuits, Lauren loves a “Tudor in distress” and spends her free time restoring windows, learning how to plaster, and perusing flea markets.
A Deep South native, Trent draws inspiration from his Mississippi roots and the region’s rich cultural heritage. After earning his Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University, he joined Pfeffer Torode as a residential architecture designer. Trent is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of his clients, exploring innovative solutions, and ensuring each home reflects its inhabitants’ individuality.
Born and raised in Kosovo, Edona grew up in a landscape defined by contrast, where Brutalist concrete structures stand against vast, unspoiled mountains and layers of history remain present in the built environment. This early relationship with place shaped her fascination with the ways architecture can hold memory, evoke emotion, and imagine new possibilities. Edona earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Prishtina before pursuing a post-professional degree at the Yale School of Architecture. Her experience spans practice in Kosovo, Albania, and New York, as well as teaching and research. Drawn to both the theoretical and tangible sides of architecture, Edona approaches design as a balance of artistic expression and pragmatism, with an enduring interest in the aesthetic, cultural, and civic responsibility of the spaces we create.
Molly joined our Nashville studio upon graduating with a master’s degree from Clemson University’s School of Architecture with a focus in financial management in 2022. With a longstanding passion for residential architecture, Molly approaches her work with a profound commitment to crafting not just houses, but homes. Her meticulous attention to detail and strong communication skills enables her to cultivate harmonious partnerships with clients, facilitating designs imbued with purpose and care.
BethAnne joined our Nashville studio in 2021 and is currently working on the amenity buildings and first home concept home at Wyelea. She previously worked for Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates in London designing campus projects and cultural spaces and on the Operations team at the Menil Collection, conducting further development studies and coordinating construction administration at the recently opened Drawing Institute. BethAnne acquired her Bachelor of Architecture from Rice School of Architecture with a minor in Museum Studies, also completing the Rice Architecture Paris program.
Earning his Bachelor of Architecture with honors and a minor in Sustainability from Clemson University and his Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, Clayton is a thoughtful designer passionate about place, landscape, and vernacular. His work exhibits an appreciation for regional identity as it relates to the synthesis of architecture and its environmental context. He pursues this synthesis through a rigorous study of light, materiality, and the climate to create a place that becomes part of its environment. Clayton’s acute curiosity drives him to solve problems and find novel responses to site-specific challenges on every project.
Growing up in South Africa, Adrienne was fascinated by the unique vernacular of her surroundings and the way building typology and location were often inextricable. She had a natural affinity for both science and art and earned degrees in Natural Science and Mathematics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a professional degree in Architecture from Auburn University. Her architectural experience is far reaching and her approach to design seamlessly blends creativity and technical expertise. Adrienne’s passion lies in residential design, where she excels in capturing the essence of space and scale. Adrienne is also an avid watercolorist with a love of travel sketching, believing it is a powerful tool for exploring architecture in context.
Payton studied architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he pursued the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL), earning his Master of Architecture degree and architectural license. His early career has taken him across a diverse range of projects, both domestically and abroad, cultivating an understanding of how architecture is informed by the cultural and regional identities of its setting. These experiences have shaped a design philosophy that looks beyond the conventional role of architecture as a service, embracing its potential to offer something more meaningful. For Payton, the greatest beauty of a place lies in the people who inhabit it, and architecture becomes an opportunity to frame, honor, and elevate the lives unfolding within.
Hollie brings a lifelong affinity for the arts and storytelling to her practice as a designer. She studied architecture at the University of Tennessee, where she nurtured her creative practice while developing a language for spatial and structural thinking. Drawn to honest materiality and the quiet details of how a building comes together, she is equally curious about the stories we tell through architecture and the ways architecture, in turn, shapes our own. She is in love with process, finding as much meaning in the making as in the finished work, and is happiest when creating something with her hands.
Drew Haley earned dual degrees in Architecture and Interior Architecture from Auburn University, becoming a licensed architect less than a year after graduation and, at the time, the youngest female architect in the United States. After managing a diverse portfolio of commercial and military projects, she followed her passion for the more intimate scale of residential architecture. For Drew Haley, designing a home is an exercise in storytelling, where architecture becomes a reflection of the lives unfolding within. She finds fulfillment in personal connection and the intentional details that make a home distinctly its own. Beyond architecture, her creative spirit extends to crafting, painting, and playing classical and bluegrass instruments, with time spent alongside family remaining among her greatest joys.
Ingrid, who studied architecture and interior architecture at Auburn University, finds her passion for design rooted in creating spaces that deeply resonate with people, particularly through intentional craftsmanship. Her affinity for detailing and woodworking seamlessly informs her approach to interiors. Witnessing the transformative impact of bringing clients’ dreams to fruition in their daily lives is particularly rewarding for her. At Pfeffer Torode, she channels her inspiration into crafting homes that seamlessly blend timeless style with practical functionality.
Joining our Chattanooga studio in 2021, Linden brought with her a rich background in architecture and interior design from the University of Tennessee. Her early experiences renovating a 1920’s Spanish colonial home with her parents sparked a lifelong passion for design. Linden’s proficiency in various software platforms enhances all project phases. At Pfeffer Torode, she combines her multifaceted skills with dedication, crafting meticulous designs that exceed expectations.
Following his graduation with a major in accounting from Tennessee Tech University, Mike accrued 14 years of experience in public accounting, adeptly managing tax, audit, and financial statements. Influenced by his father, a civil engineer for a renowned construction firm, Mike developed a profound appreciation for the tangible impact of one’s profession. Witnessing his father’s pride in contributing to notable buildings ignited Mike’s own professional pride. While his position at Pfeffer Torode doesn’t entail direct project management, Mike approaches his work with unwavering dedication and enthusiasm.
Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in Media Communication from Asbury University. After gaining experience in the music and media industries, she transitioned into marketing roles within an automotive manufacturing company. Since joining Pfeffer Torode in 2018, Rachel has focused on facilitating invoicing and reporting for clients, designers, and executives—helping ensure efficient and seamless operations across the firm.
Matt studied Architecture at the University of Tennessee, continually exploring spaces through both built and natural environments. Inspired by diverse experiences and a childhood passion for exploration, he crafts spaces that encourage gathering and blur the lines between architecture and nature. Growing up in Chattanooga, he shadowed an architect who was revitalizing an old building, sparking his passion for the flow of ideas and the potential to create remarkable spaces. Currently, he is immersed in timber framing methods and exploring how an axe can be used to hew a log into a crafted structure.
With an undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of the South (Sewanee) and a Master of Architecture from the University of Tennessee, Robert has a deep love and appreciation for the natural world and for the Middle Tennessee landscape where he grew up. As a senior associate at Pfeffer Torode, his aim is to enhance homeowners’ connection to their surroundings through thoughtful architectural design, prioritizing the experience of the site.
Molly was drawn to design long before she knew it could become a career. As a child, she clipped furniture and spaces from her parents’ home magazines, arranging them into rooms of her own alongside hand-drawn floor plans, early ideas still tucked away in a box her parents keep today. Travel further shaped that curiosity, exposing her to different cultures, places, and ways of living while deepening an appreciation for the stories and details that give a space its sense of place. She studied Interior Architecture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is especially drawn to the earliest stages of the design process, when listening, gathering inspiration, and asking the right questions begin to reveal the story of a space. For her, thoughtful design extends beyond how a place looks to how it makes people feel, creating environments that reflect those who inhabit them and experiences that remain long after they leave.
Don earned a bachelor’s degree in art from Huntingdon College in 1969. He commenced his career teaching and conducting night classes at Huntingdon, concurrently working part-time at an architecture firm, specializing in presentations and drafting. Immersed in drafting tasks, Don’s interest shifted towards architecture. Subsequently, he pursued an apprenticeship and obtained a license in the State of Alabama. Throughout his career, Don has contributed to a diverse array of projects, predominantly focusing on medical and residential designs. Presently, he finds fulfillment at Pfeffer Torode, relishing the opportunity to collaborate with his sons and talented team.
Hank graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Architecture and a minor in Architectural History and Theory. Growing up as an architect’s son, he had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how the design-build world can positively impact the lives of families and communities. As he embarks on his career, Hank is dedicated to integrating timeless hand-drawn aesthetics into the dialogue of architectural graphic standards. He is also actively pursuing licensure, committed to advancing his expertise and contributing meaningfully to the field of architecture.
Carly, holding a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Florida, finds her passion in the narrative aspect of architecture. She advocates for bridging abstract experiences with tangible realities, aiming to enrich daily life through architecture that resonates with people. Carly’s exploration of colors, materials, light, and texture underscores her commitment to composing spaces that evoke emotion. She believes in the transformative power of architecture to connect individuals with something beyond themselves.
A Nashville native and Boston University graduate, Emily brings broad operational experience spanning the music, production, and non-profit sectors. Her years in Boston deepened her appreciation for visual art and design, nurtured by time spent in the region’s museums and creative spaces. Returning home to Nashville, she became an active participant in the city’s evolving art and design community, using her operational acumen to bring structure and strategy to creative work. Guided by a people-first mindset, she ensures the details are handled with care, allowing teams to focus on what they do best.
Joe is an experienced architect, graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Architecture and accumulating 22 years of post-graduate experience. He’s deeply passionate about understanding how things come together, constantly seeking original solutions in his designs. With wealth of practical knowledge and attention to detail, Joe continues to leave his mark on the built environment, crafting spaces that captivate and endure.