On a great day, I spend most of my time drawing, losing myself in the lines on the page. Every now and then I try to think through how I ended up where I am. I didn't really know what an architect was until high school and even now I blur the lines between architect and artist.

When you have the chance to start over how do you start? It's a daunting question, for which there isn't an absolute answer. I believe you have to ask questions and keep asking them. Slowly patterns begin to emerge and clarity is brought to the challenge. It's also important to build a team that is willing to fully participate in the process. I moved to the west coast in 2005, and became a bi-coastal architect for the last six years. Last summer it was time to further explore opportunities in product design and sculpture by opening Calico Studio. I have always been a strong leader, and I wear a lot of hats. I take these experiences and use them to help decipher questions and find answers. I meet with my clients and listen and look for the patterns, taking in their body language, what they say, and what they show me. I am also looking for the unexplored creative vein. What tools can I use to push the envelope?

When I reflect back, I am looking for not only the "big puzzle" but also how it connects, how the individual pieces have notches defined by their components and rules. These connections could be the understanding of subtle differences of a new culture. It could be the reasoning behind a sculpture or painting, the relationship between two people, or simply how to make an aspect better. I am searching for the exhilaration of the "ah ha" moment. The one you get right after finding a solution, and what's better than that is when someone is along with you for that discovery. It's lasting, and it's what I love about architecture and art.

I am addicted to discovery channel or any new discovery with nature. I love to find the tiny unusual connections that exist between two entities. To take and highlight those connections so they really shine and spark more threads of thought.

As a designer I come from a varied background of educational experiences. My mom, an art teacher, and dad, a dentist, helped me to explore. We would go on "adventures" getting lost looking at antiques, climbing waterfalls, visiting museums, artists, and designers. They taught me the value of lending a hand and finding strength in family and friends.

It is important to me to keep learning and exploring. I help others make connections and continue to explore through colors, patterns and textures. I listen, sketch and play with words and images that come to mind, looking for pathways that give my clients an innovative solution to whatever design puzzle they present.

A career in design pursued Raphael because he believes that design can make a difference in our world where creative solutions can be achieved for some of the world’s largest modern issues. Raphael’s curiosity for how the Architectural design process works combined with a understanding that buildings should not only contribute and respond to their context, but have enduring style, and provide healthy inspiring spaces for their occupants enables him to create innovative and quality designs. With his vast interests in design and craft, joining the Calico team seemed like the perfect fit. This devoted team respects and values each individual member, but also pushes Raphael’s abilities for greater success and overall growth.

When not putting in hours at the Design studio, you can find Raphael on the sideline at a game shooting pictures, on YouTube in a podcast or just spending time with family and friends.

Raphael received his Masters in Architecture from North Carolina State University and his Bachelors in Graphic Design from North Carolina A&T State University.

Passionate and detail-oriented, a career in design pursued Sharece because of the unparalleled thoughtfulness to craft and quality that is required to excel in the profession. Sharece’s insatiable curiosity for how things are built combined with a natural eye for design enables her to straddle the fence between interior design and architecture. With her abundance of design interests and eagerness to discover, the multiple design facets and their proactive approach to learning is what interested her in joining the Calico team. This dedicated team that sincerely respects the individual as an asset to the overall group holds ample responsibility to Sharece’s continued success and overall growth.

When not putting in hours at the Design studio, you can find Sharece indulging in all sorts of delectable sweets and spending time with family and friends.

Sharece received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.