Joel Villalon
Principal
BraytonHughes Design Studios
Balance, Wellness, and Delight: A Design Conversation
As a child, Joel discovered beauty during each of the many summer vacations he took with his parents and siblings. Whether he was hiking in the painted Grand Canyon or driving through the magnificent Centro Historico of Mexico City, his fascination with travel and the differences he noticed in space, light, and architecture in different parts of the world began to take form. He still retains this sense of wonder and observation and brings that focused eye and attention to detail in each of his projects. Joel worked with Larry Speck in Austin, Texas, Rafael Vinoly Architects in New York City, and Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill in San Francisco before he joined BraytonHughes in 1992. He was made a principal in 2007 and currently serves as Executive Advisor. Since joining the firm, Joel’s hand is evident in many of our hospitality, private clubs, and corporate projects. Joel has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas.
Sarah Wang
Senior Associate
Oculus Light Studio
Lighting the Built Environment at Night: Two Perspectives
As a lighting designer at Oculus, Sarah is responsible for planning, developing and coordinating integrated interior and exterior architectural lighting design solutions. Before Oculus she worked in various architecture and landscape design firms including Lawrence Group in St. Louis and Northwest Building Design Institute in Shanghai. She has a MLA in Landscape Architecture from Washington University and a B-Arch in Architecture from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT).
John Arthur Wilson
Director de Omnibus
Fernhill Shopworks
Simplifying Controls and the Evolution of Grid-connected Buildings
John Arthur is a lighting industry influencer with 15 years’ experience managing utility programs and enabling market transformation, John Arthur founded Fernhill Shopworks, a veteran owned consultancy firm, in 2021. Before Fernhill, he was Strategic Products Manager for Lighting Design Lab; Lighting Program Manager for Bonneville Power Administration; Conservation Program Manager for Peninsula Light Company; and an Avionics Technician in the U.S.M.C. He has a B.S. in Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Washington.
Jay Wratten
Senior Director
WSP
Beyond Occupancy - Risk Management and Revenue Streams
IEQ, Real Estate Asset Value, Health and Productivity
Jay leads WSP’s Property and Buildings Innovation Advisory Services team, which focuses on creating portfolio and enterprise-wide strategies for Owners, Operators, and Tenants of the built environment. Within this context, Jay leads a team that develops strategies which can be readily implemented by clients, with clear alignment to the people, business, and technology needs of the organization. Specific examples include digital transformation (smart/connected workplace), smart city and district technology masterplans, portfolio energy management, and, more recently, adaptation to COVID-19. He was named to Lighting Magazine's 40-Under-40 in 2018, and to Consulting-Specifying Engineer's 40-Under-40 in 2016.
Jenny Wu
Principal
Oyler Wu Collaborative
Design by Hand and Eye
Oyler Wu, recognized for innovative designs that span many scales and project types, is the winner of 2021 American Academy of Arts and Letters Award; 2018 ACADIA Digital Practice Award of Excellence; and 2013 Design Vanguard Award from Architectural Record. Jenny founded LACE by Jenny Wu, a line of 3D printed luxe jewelry, featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Los Angeles Times, and others. Jenny is a senior design faculty member at the Southern California Institute of Architecture and has taught at Harvard GSD, Pratt Institute, and Columbia GSAPP.
