PRINCIPAL

John Holmes is a Pacific Northwest native whose work is shaped by the region’s landscapes and a deep appreciation for Minimalist art. Influenced by artists such as Donald Judd, Richard Serra, and Piet Mondrian, John approaches architecture with a focus on light, line, and materiality. After earning his degree from the University of Oregon, he worked with several design studios, later co-founding Holst Architecture in 1992, where he served as design director until 2017. In 2023, he established Guna Collaborative in Portland. The studio creates thoughtful, context-driven architecture rooted in the unique qualities of each project.

PROJECT MANAGER AND ARCHITECT

Gail has a career of housing focused design including multi-family, student apartments and the full spectrum of senior living options. Her goal is to create spaces that fulfill functionality while providing delight and comfort for the users. Project locations include Arizona, California, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

She is a native Oregonian with a love of the outdoors and all things adventurous. And she just might pull you onto the dance floor when a good swing song fires up.

ARCHITECT

Drew is an architect passionate about design, craft, and collaboration. After earning his degree from the University of Oregon in 2010, he began his career at WRNS Studio in San Francisco, focusing on education and workplace projects. In 2013, Drew returned to Portland to join Holst Architecture, where he specialized in multifamily housing design alongside John Holmes.

A deep curiosity for materiality led Drew to win a design competition that funded a fellowship across Europe, inspiring a shift toward design/build. He has since taken on roles from designer to project manager, even designing and building his own home in 2017.

In 2023, Drew launched his own practice and now leads the masterplan and phased design of the French International School of Oregon’s new campus with Guna Collaborative. Drew thrives on collaboration, blending client relationships with detailed construction work, all driven by curiosity, precision, and thoughtful design.

ARCHITECT

Peter is a 5th generation Oregonian, with more than 30 years of architectural office experience, mostly in the Portland area. He's worked on a variety of project types including multi-family, civic, and educational projects.

Away from the office, he enjoys neighborhood or urban walks, and the occasional gorge hike.

ARCHITECT

Casey brings 15+ years of architecture experience rooted in the Pacific Northwest following an international exposure to building culture in Japan and Scandinavia. His design journey began in Seattle with work on civic, educational, and healthcare projects. For the past decade his work has focused on market-rate and affordable multifamily housing. As an educator and LEED AP BD+C credentialed professional, Casey views design as a collaborative process towards a sustainable, accessible, and resilient future.

Away from the office he can be found hiking, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending time with his family

PROJECT DESIGNER

Caleb Couch is an architectural designer with a passion for parametric design, architectural rendering, and virtual reality. His work spans a range of project types including higher education, K–12 schools, and affordable housing—where his interest in equitable design solutions continues to grow. Caleb brings a forward-thinking approach to architecture, combining digital tools with a commitment to socially impactful design.

PROJECT DESIGNER

AJ is a Project Designer who has played a significant role on many projects since joining Guna in 2023. His experience encompasses a wide range of project types, including single-family homes, Office T.I.s, multifamily housing, performing arts spaces, and community centers. He is dedicated to delivering high-quality designs that effectively balance materiality and functionality while meeting the needs of both users and clients.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Rob is an accomplished construction industry leader with Architecture degree and 25+ years of demonstrated expertise leading the timely completion of large-scale residential, retail, and mixed-use construction projects.

PROJECT ASSOCIATE

Dmitriy is a Project Associate who initially joined Guna as a Designer at the start of 2024. His role is to help keep the construction process running smoothly and on schedule. From managing RFIs to conducting daily site visits, he ensures that design expectations are met and the project vision is fully realized.

Architect

Phil Roberson is a registered architect from Springfield, Oregon, dedicated to bringing thoughtful design to underserved communities and unexpected places. With over a decade of experience in mixed-use, single-family homes, higher education, and hospitality projects, he has contributed to some of the Northwest’s leading firms. Phil holds a Master of Architecture and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania, where he now chairs the Association of Native Alumni board. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture (cum laude) from Portland State University.

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