Stephen Varenhorst founded the firm in 1987 and has since realized numerous noteworthy, award-winning commissions. Single and multi-family residential, non-profit, education, and mixed-use retail projects comprise his extensive portfolio. An exceptional ability to detail as well as intensive client interaction and involvement have encouraged repeat clients. Architecture for Stephen is a creative process to continually seek new and better approaches to design.

Stephen is a graduate of North Dakota State University where he received a B.A. in Architectural Studies and a Bachelor of Architecture; and North Carolina State University School of Design, where he received a Master of Architecture and the Dietrich Fellowship. Stephen is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Pennsylvania Society of Architects, and National Association of Architectural Registration Boards, and is an adjunct faculty member at Drexel University . He also sits on the boards of a number of non profit institutions.

Phone: 215 940 1128
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Neil Garrioch became Studio Director in 2008. He is responsible for design and for coordination of staff, project management, and office oversight. Neil works closely with Stephen Varenhorst to execute designs with the same careful attention to detail for which the firm is known. His strong design and analytically skills will continue to foster quality and innovation as the firm grows.  He has more than 20 years of experience and has designed projects in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Mexico, Russia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia. Neil’s work has been recognized with several international awards.

Neil holds a Master of Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor’s degree in Geology with Chemistry from Exeter University in the UK. Neil’s interdisciplinary background helps him enrich design relationships between architecture, the environment, materials, and emergent technologies (in which he holds two patents).  He is also a practicing artist.

Phone: 215 940 1111
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Thomas Bisignaro has more than 17 years of architectural experience, including a considerable amount of pharmaceutical and laboratory design work.  Tom earned his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Spring Garden College in 1991. He earned a second Bachelor of Architecture degree from Drexel University in 1999.

Phone: 215 940 1151
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Hsing-Yuan Chen earned his Master of Architecture and Urban Design at Columbia University, and his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan.  Hsing-Yuan more than nine years of design experience in Taiwan and the US, and is a specialist in project coordination and architectural detailing.

Phone: 215 940 1020
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Cathie Dopkin has been with the firm since 1996. She has more than two decades of diverse project experience including large-scale buildings, community planning, and interior design.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Pennsylvania State University in 1983, and a Bachelor of Architecture and Henry Adams Certificate of Merit from Temple University in 1990. In addition, she studied sculpture at the Bottega Palmatten Studio in Florence, Italy. Cathie is a member of the Horticultural Society of Philadelphia and obtained the Series One Certificate in Ornamental Plants from Longwood Gardens.  She also studies and teaches glass blowing at East Falls Glassworks, and is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional.

Phone: 215 940 1130
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John Edwards joined the firm in 2006. He is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.  He spent a semester in Shanghai at Tongji University focusing on urban planning of high density housing.  John brings computer proficiency and efficient project coordination to every project he works on.

Phone: 215 940 1066
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Carla Hopkins joined the firm in 2002. She is responsible for accounts payable and receivable, payroll, invoicing, and general accounting. She handles project administration and serves as the Varenhorst vendor and supplier point-of-contact.

Carla earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Widener University in 1994.

Phone: 215 940 1110
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Drew Kmetz joined SVA in Summer 2004 as an intern architect as part of the cooperative work education experience at Drexel University. In May of 2008 he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the program. While at Drexel, Drew participated in a six-month , urban design study abroad program in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Drew’s exceptional ability to create 3D computer models and animations has made him an asset to multiple projects. He is presently involved with design of several single-family residences.

Phone: 215 940 1139
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Eli holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he earned the Will M. Melhorn Scholarship for history and theory. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History degree from Colgate University.

Eli is involved in the community in a number of non profit organizations and served as Coach of the Men’s Rugby Team for the University of Pennsylvania. Eli also is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional.

Phone: 215 940 1022
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Rachel Schiller is currently working with Varenhorst as an intern as she concurrently completes her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture with a minor in construction management at Drexel University, and will graduate in 2013.  She is a student member of the AIAS.

Phone: 215 940 1067
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Lynn Tarbox is currently working with Varenhorst as an intern as she concurrently completes her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture at Drexel University with a focus on mixed use and adaptive reuse design, and will graduate in 2012.  She is a student member of the AIAS.

Phone: 215 940 1023
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Kevin Towey is a project architect and project manager with the firm.  He brings more than eighteen years of diverse experience, and Kevin’s flair for project coordination is an asset to any project.  Kevin earned his Bachelor’s of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute in New York.

Phone: 215 940 1143
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