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JWDA Architects is San Diego-based collaborative of architects, designers, and urban planners creating contemporary projects that enhance social value and contribute to a sustainable future. since 1977 Impactful design. Inspired solutions. Simone Little Italy | San Diego, CA JWDA Architects is a uniquely boutique studio for architecture and urban design. Established in San Diego, California in 1977, we are committed to delivering projects and services that promote well-being and enhance the human experience. JWDA has produced award-winning structures throughout Southern California and major cities in Asia with a reputation for sustainable and impactful architecture, design, and planning services, tailored coordination, and seamlessly delivered projects. North City Campus Continuing Education Building | San Diego, CA more news Project Spotlight Alexan Camellia LOCATION San Diego, CA YEAR COMPLETED 2026 MARKET Mixed-use multifamily development Located in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood of San Diego, California, and developed by Greystar, Alexan Camellia marks a historic milestone as the first residential housing development built directly on Convoy Street. Part of the Kearny Mesa Community Plan update, it adds living spaces to what has traditionally been San Diego’s premier Asian business, dining, and cultural hub. The 6-story urban village features 531 units (including studios, urban 1-bedrooms, and 2-bedrooms), alongside 22 affordable housing units and ground-floor live-work units. The development transforms a T-shaped commercial site into a pedestrian-friendly environment, placing residents immediately next to top restaurants, night spots, and retail, with access to dedicated bike lanes and local bus routes. Alexan Camellia has received several awards, including a Merit Award for Multifamily Community of the Year, Best Multi-Family Housing Community (100 DU/Acre or More), and a Grand Award for Best Interior Design of a Multi-Family Community from the PCBC Gold Nugget Awards. It was also named Best Luxury Rental by Modern Luxury Magazine: Best of the City 2026 . Visit the Alexan Camellia project page for more information and images. Visit the Alexan Camellia project page

Managing Principal Matthew Geaman, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP Managing Principal with JWDA since 2008 Matthew Geaman was born in Rochester, NY, and raised in the Chicago, IL, area where the region’s diverse cultural and educational influences laid a solid foundation for his future achievements and notable career. While attending the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, he spent a year of his undergraduate studies in Versailles, France; and was later inducted into the Gargoyle Architecture Honor Society. Matthew became a LEED Accredited Professional in 2005. After working in Chicago for four years, he moved to San Diego and joined JWDA in 2008. As Partner and Managing Principal, Matthew co-manages the firm with its founder Joseph Wong and is known for his commitment to the highest quality design, technical excellence, and transparent client relations. Matthew’s non-profit and industry-related volunteer leadership is emblematic of both his professional career and his personal ethos. In addition to overseeing a multitude of high profile JWDA projects, his list of current and previous community service includes President of AIA San Diego, Vice President of the San Diego Architectural Foundation, Board Member at La Jolla Music Society, seats on the AIACC Board of Directors and the AIACC Planning and Finance Committee. He is an active member of the Downtown San Diego Partnership. Matthew's honors include: Honoree, Leaders of Influence of Architecture and Design San Diego Business Journal (2024) San Diego County’s Men of Influence Award San Diego Metro Magazine (2021) Young Architect of the Year AIA San Diego (2016) Top 40 Under 40 San Diego Metro Magazine (2016) Top 40 Under 40 Business Professionals San Diego Daily Transcript (2016) Top 20 Under 40 ENR California Engineering News-Record California (2015) Education: - M. Arch., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - B. Arch. (with High Honors), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Registered Architect in: - State of California - State of Illinois BACK TO TEAM

Associate Per Erickson Associate with JWDA since 2019 Education: - M. Arch., cum laude, NewSchool of Architecture & Design (Presidential Merit Scholarship) - B. Arch., University of Minnesota BACK TO TEAM

A snapshot selection of portfolio projects by San Diego, CA-based JWDA Architects. The Lindley Simone Little Italy Harrington Heights Affordable Housing Alexan Camellia Park Summit Weingart Tower 525 Olive Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas Ancora Apartments North City Campus Continuing Education Building 800 Broadway The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Rue Ferrari Interim Housing Community Father Joe's Villages: 15th & Commercial Alexan ALX Columba Affordable Family Housing Andia Broadstone Makers Quarter Atmosphere Affordable Housing Belmont Village Senior Living Chengdu Luhu Headquarters Park Diega Framework Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel

Designer Zimo Ren Designer with JWDA since 2021 Education: - M. Arch., University of Virginia - B. Arch., Central Academy of Fine Arts BACK TO TEAM

Associate Principal David Priest, AIA Associate Principal with JWDA since 2015 David Priest was born and raised in Duluth, MN. An energetic doer, he’s enjoyed solving construction challenges since he was a seven-year-old building tree houses. While attaining two professional degrees at the University of Minnesota, he was awarded the school’s ‘Golden Ruler’ for the Student Steel Bridge Design Competition, all while also a PSIA certified ski instructor. After completing his studies, David migrated to San Diego in 1984 to work for the celebrated Hope Consulting Group. Now, with over forty years of residential, commercial, and hospitality design experience, David’s work at JWDA Architects has involved programming, construction documentation, construction administration and project management, and he has completed architectural design projects for residential and commercial developers as well as many Southern California clients. His residential and mixed-use project experience includes programming, feasibility studies, master planning, and full architectural services, focused on the preparation of construction documents and construction management for large scale projects. For David, the best part of his job is seeing how grateful residents are when they move into their building, especially the affordable housing projects. David has been married for 40 years and has three children and one grandchild. An avid volunteer, he has been recognized with the Servant Ministry Award by the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 2014 and 2021. Education: - B. Arch., University of Minnesota - B. Civil Engineering (w/Emphasis in Structural Design) University of Minnesota Registered Architect in: - State of California BACK TO TEAM

completed 2022La Jolla, CA BACK TO PROJECTS < PREVIOUS NEXT > HIGHLIGHTS 17 stories 53 independent living units | 105 assisted living units Owned by Belmont Village Senior Living Operated by the UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging in partnership with the Stein Institute for Research on aging COLLABORATORS Interiors: Belmont Village Senior Living Landscape Architect: Urban Arena Civil Engineer: Kettler Leweck Engineering Structural Engineer: Kor Structural M/E/P Engineer: Randall Lamb General Contractor: Suffolk Construction PRESS Next Level Senior Living - San Diego Union-Tribune Luxury Apartment Tower for Seniors Opens in UTC - San Diego Business Journal Recently opened 17-story, luxury Belmont Village La Jolla community touts next-level living - San Diego Union Tribune UC San Diego and Belmont Village Senior Living Partner on the First-of-Its-Kind Living Lab - UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging AWARDS Belmont Village La Jolla offers independent living, assisted living, memory care facilities, and high-end services to seniors such as Belmont’s award-winning Circle of Friends program. The 17-story, 180-key apartment tower is clad in varying shades of tan pre-cast concrete panel, giving a unique and structured appearance to the building form. The double-height residential lobby is finished with bronze metal storefront and porcelain tile, with the tile arranged in a stacked pattern to accentuate the geometric language between base and tower. Rounded balconies serving the upper-level amenities are placed central to the main façade to complement and soften the tower form and give prominence to public indoor/outdoor spaces. The 247,830 SF project is the first of its kind to include a research lab operated by the University of California San Diego Center for Healthy Aging in partnership with the Stein Institute for Research on aging. This unique partnership will serve to forward research on aging, in particular, wellness and longevity in older years. STATUS completed 2022 SIZE 247,830 SF CLIENT Greystar SERVICES | ROLE Design Architect | Architect of Record Belmont Village Senior Living La Jolla, CA

OUR WORK

completed 1995La Jolla, CA BACK TO PROJECTS < PREVIOUS NEXT > HIGHLIGHTS COLLABORATORS Design & Architect of Record: Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Landscape Architect: Burton Landscape Architecture NSI Lab Mechanical Engineering: TKG NSI Lab Electrical Engineering: Randall Lamb PRESS The Neurosciences Institute soothes, challenges the mind - San Diego Union Tribune AWARDS Energy Efficiency Integration Award - San Diego Gas & Electric National Honor Award - American Institute of Architects Best of Design 1996 - TIME Magazine Honor Award - AIA San Diego Grand Orchid - San Diego Architectural Foundation Engineering Excellence Platinum Award - NYACE Design Honor Award - ASLA Architectural Concrete Award - San Diego ACI 2024 Legacy Award - AIA San Diego The Neurosciences Institute (now home to the Scripps Research Institute) is a research and educational complex, its design inspired by the vision of NSI founder and Nobel Laureate Dr. Gerald Edelman for a “scientific monastery.” Comprised of three distinct, yet interconnected buildings linked by walkways and a central plaza, the facility includes laboratories, administrative offices, a research library, and a 352-seat performance space recognized as one of the most acoustically impressive small auditoriums in the United States. In 2014, the Institute moved to smaller quarters. The space is now used by Scripps for its molecular imaging department. STATUS completed 1995 SIZE 56,000 SF CLIENT The Neurosciences Institute / Dr. Gerald M. Edelman SERVICES | ROLE Associate Architect in association with Tod Williams and Billie Tsien The Neurosciences Institute La Jolla, CA

Founded in 1977, JWDA Architects is a full service, award-winning, uniquely boutique architecture and design firm based in San Diego, CA. jwda@jwdainc.com 619-233-6777 Our new site is coming soon. Be among the first to see it, and keep up with our latest! SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER FIRST NAME LAST NAME * EMAIL Submit UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Office Administrator Tamara Leeper Office Administrator with JWDA since 2003 BACK TO TEAM

Principal Bert Shear, RA Principal with JWDA since 1988 Bert Shear is a native San Diegan with decades of experience in architectural design, project management, and construction management. As Principal and Senior Project Architect, Bert oversees technical issues related to all phases of Architectural Design including planning and programming, schematic design, design development, design drawings, and construction documents. As a JWDA lead in specifications and construction administration, Bert also thrives on the job site and excels in his talents for coordination, creative solutions, and communications with and between consultants and contractors, ensuring the most seamless construction process as possible. Education: - B.S. Arch., California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo Registered Architect in: - State of California BACK TO TEAM

Architect João Costa, RA Architect with JWDA since 2020 Education: - B. Arch., NewSchool of Architecture & Design Registered Architect in: - State of California BACK TO TEAM

Connect with JWDA Architects. Use our online form to submit an inquiry, or sign up to receive updates on our projects and firm news. Get In Touch. CONTACT US Subscribe to the JWDA newsletter. First name Last name Email* Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Subscribe Say hello. First name* Last name* Email* Phone Company name Message* Submit JWDA Architects, Inc. 2359 Fourth Avenue, Suite 300 San Diego, CA 92101 U.S.A. Media Inquiries: press@jwdainc.com www.jwdainc.com jwda@jwdainc.com 619-233-6777

Senior CAD Manager Melchor Sampal Senior CAD Manager with JWDA since 1998 Education: - B. Arch., Far East University of the Philippines BACK TO TEAM