Raenear Yap, Associate

Raenear Yap is a Bay Area native and began his architectural education attending the City College of San Francisco in 2010. He then transferred to the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 2014. Having grown up with the urge to create with his hands, and through the influence of his academic mentors, Raenear has been inspired by the work of architects that promote hands-on exploration and a design/build mindset. Raenear enjoys the outdoors, working on and riding his bicycle, and finding a good book to read, whether it is building his architectural repertoire with works such as Vishaan Chakrabarti's A Country of Cities, Koolhaas' Delirious New York or feeding his imagination with the fictional works of Haruki Murakami.

Amelia Acton, Studio Manager

Originally from Indianapolis, Amelia Acton graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Ball State University in 2015. Soon after graduating she made the move to California and was quickly influenced by the unique variety of architectural styles. With past experience in residential interior design Amelia is passionate about the various phases of the design process and the personality of each individual project. She also draws inspiration from her time spent studying in Japan and South America. Aside from traveling abroad, Amelia also enjoys exploring the Bay Area, especially local plant nurseries in search of another cactus or succulent to add to her collection. When she’s not in the office you might find her at home baking sweets and watching the Golden State Warriors.

Nancy Mei, Project Architect

A San Francisco native, Nancy received her Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley and Bachelor of Arts in Design from University of California, Davis. Prior to joining AMA, Nancy worked in residential architecture at a San Francisco firm. During her graduate studies, she was awarded the John K. Branner traveling fellowship where, inspired by Allan Jacob’s Great Streets, she explored the definition of the street’s edge and expanded its meaning to include spaces behind the facades. She studied how these spaces layer and integrate, creating our perception of the street environment as a whole. Nancy credits her artistic interests to growing up in the historic and vibrant neighborhoods of Chinatown and North Beach and her early exposure to Chinese calligraphy and painting as well as her love of the cello and music. Composing and layering rhythm, flow, energy, spaces, stories and history have all inspired and informed her work. Nancy is a licensed architect in California.

Daniel Owens, Senior Project Manager

Daniel began his path towards architecture in the field of construction where his father, a general contractor, introduced him to construction and general contracting at an early age. Daniel went on to get his own general contractor license and after a few years working in construction he decided to return to school to study Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. Daniel’s previous experience included running his own design/build firm working both in residential and commercial projects.    

Daniel’s interest in sustainable design led him to become a green point rater and a member of Passive House California.

Daniel knowledge and experience bridges the gap between architecture and construction and is able to provide sensible and effective design solutions.

Outside of work you will find Daniel following his passion for anything on two wheels, on road or off-road.

Will Dalton, Junior Designer

Originally from the East Bay, Will Dalton is a graduate of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Cal Poly, where he minored in Sustainable Environments and French, the latter bringing him abroad for a year of immersive studies at ENSA Paris Val-de-Seine. Drawing on a background in graphic design and fine carpentry he is inspired to seek harmonies between composition and material and how they relate to the architectural detail. In his free time you may find him paddling out at any number of San Francisco’s surf breaks, trying his hand at playing music, or taking on projects in the visual arts.