Profile
DAVID JAEHNING ARCHITECT is an architecture practice based in San Francisco and San Jose, California. The practice's work is driven by a focus on the ways material, construction, and matters of perception contribute to the discipline of architecture. Our projects span a range of scales, from residential and retail to housing and complex developments, addressing both new construction and the demands of each site and program.
At the core of our work is a deep practice of design research. We approach each commission as an opportunity to precisely consider the client, the location, and the contemporary moment; ensuring that no two projects arrive at the same answer. A commitment to material honesty and construction logic underpins this approach, so that the ideas driving a project remain legible in how it is built.
David is actively engaged in teaching alongside practice, leading undergraduate/graduate design studios and construction courses in UC Berkeley's Department of Architecture since 2017. This exchange between practice and academia keeps the studio's work curious and critical, and it informs his writing and lectures on the disciplinary concerns of architecture.
David Jaehning, AIA NCARB
David Jaehning received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from UNC-Charlotte and Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley. Prior to founding DJA, led project teams at David Chipperfield Architects in Milan, Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and RMW in San Francisco, and Marlon Blackwell Architects in Arkansas. His experience in these offices informs his practice shaped by both European rigor and American pragmatism.
His experience in these offices sharpened his sensitivity to historic fabric and civic context and deepened his approach to material and craft at the scale of small to major cultural works. This range of experience across scales, geography, and typology, continues to inform the studio's approach to every commission.
Current staff
Gavin Aleshire, John Diven, David Jaehning, Henry Peters
Past collaborators
Giulia Accurso, Maria Diavolova, Marta Elliot, Ian Erickson, Tiger Fu, Aaron Goldstein, Colin Griffin, Douglas Lee, Kara O'Connor, Tara Shi, James Skarzenski, Santiago Vales, Tiffany Xu
Jobs
For employment inquiries, applicants shall possess:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in architecture.
- Documented authorization to work within the United States of America.
- Professional proficiency in English (Spanish a plus).
- Minimum of three years of experience in architectural documentation and design development.
- Demonstrated general knowledge of building materials, detailing, construction techniques, related engineering principles and building codes.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Adobe Creative Suite, various rendering software, and physical modeling.
- Strong organizational abilities.
- The ability to communicate ideas clearly with the project team in both written and oral form.
You will join a collaborative team working in a remote or hybrid environment. We take pride in the fact that we actively mentor our staff.
We look forward to receiving your application materials (cover letter, CV and portfolio) in digital format (PDF, max. 10 MB) at [email protected].
Please note that applications without a portfolio will not be considered and applications containing only QR codes/website links will not be reviewed. No telephone calls, please. We will reach out to potential candidates. Thank you in advance for your interest.
Disclaimer: DJA values diversity and offers equal opportunities for all applicants. We do not discriminate based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.
Writing and Press
- May 2018“Of Blends and Voids” was published in the Work issue of Room One Thousand.
- Jan–Feb 2026“Creativity Under Constraint,” Architect's Newspaper feature publication of the House in Sunshine Valley.
Awards
- June 2017Vermeer's Light series was a winner of the Top 40 exhibit at LACDA, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art.
- May 2026The House in Sunshine Valley was named a 2026 Design Award Honoree by the AIA San Francisco.
Contact
All Rights Reserved
All drawings, concepts, designs and ideas are the property of David Jaehning Architect, Inc. They may not be copied, reproduced, disclosed to others or used in connection with any work other than the specified project for which they were prepared, in whole or in part, without the prior written authorization of David Jaehning Architect, Inc. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all the contents in any form is prohibited without express written permission.