People

Valery Augustin

Valéry Augustin is the founding principal of DNA Architecture + Design, a Los Angeles-based practice working across architecture, interiors, housing, exhibition, and public-interest design. He holds a Master of Architecture from UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami.

Before founding DNA, Valéry worked with Frederick Fisher and Partners in Los Angeles, Swanke Hayden Connell Architects in London, and Oppenheim Architecture + Design in Miami. His experience spans a broad range of scales and project types, from museums, airports, galleries, and restaurants to multifamily housing and private residences.

Alongside practice, Valéry is deeply engaged in architectural education as a Professor of Practice at the USC School of Architecture. His work has been exhibited widely, including the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., the Chicago Architecture Center, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, and other institutions in the US and Europe. He is a frequent lecturer, panelist, and design juror, and has been featured by CNN, Dwell, Architectural Digest, and other national media.

Valéry is a licensed architect in California, Florida, and Texas.

Christina Charalampaki

Captivated by art and science at an early age, Christina Charalampaki found architecture to be the perfect combination of both disciplines. She’s inspired by the play of natural light on materials and brings abundant curiosity to every project. Christina graduated with a Master of Architecture from UCLA’s Department of Architecture and Urban Design. A native of Greece, Christina completed her undergraduate studies at the National Technical University of Athens, where she majored in Architectural Engineering. When she’s not busy using design to find creative solutions to problems, you’ll find Christina surfing, traveling or cheering for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Caroline Fletcher

Caroline Fletcher is a native of Virginia and completed her B.Arch studies at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she minored in Art History and Italian Studies. Passionate about using design to make a positive impact on people’s lives, she credits her obsession with The Sims for setting her on the path towards architecture. Time spent living abroad in London, England, and Florence, Italy fueled her appreciation for learning about the world through travel. She loves how design can tackle problems both big and small and is a fixture on Southern California beaches riding the waves or her trusty beach cruiser.

Past Team Members + Contributors

Jeffrey Ahn

Edward Anastas

Lauren Capuano

Bryan Chen

Nicholas S. Coleman

Brynn Garrett

Meredith Jensen

Susie Loewenstein

Alisa May

Lauren Matchison

Loren Perry

Thomas Pfister