Our Culture
The Knoxville architects and designers of R2R studio have worked hard to create an open environment that embraces each person’s ideas and contributions—and we extend that philosophy not only to our staff, but also to our clients.
The development of your design is realized through a customized process suited to meet the individual needs of our clients. No matter the scale of your project, our goal is to provide a streamlined process to achieve a successfully completed project unique to you.
It’s important to us that everyone has a voice at each stage of a project. We feel the design process works best as a conversation; therefore, we highly value that collaboration.
We also cultivate opportunities for teamwork and communication in our workplace, so that every idea is heard and each project gets the attention to detail that it deserves. Whether through our open office and learning-driven culture or our team-building “fun days” like laser tag and kickball, we go to great lengths to nurture our employees.
about scott
Scott Osborn
about daria
daria krol
Join Our team
Interested in being a part of our collaborative design studio? We are always looking for well-qualified, enthusiastic individuals to join the R2R studio team!
about mason
Mason Allison
about stefanie
Stefanie Genua
about meagan
meagan grohol
about elaine
elaine hunter
about chris
chris leibensperger
about maureen
maureen sotak
about kali
Kali Thompson
about carissa
Carissa Wagers
scott osborn
Why He Chose Architecture: “I love to interact with people and solve problems. Design and construction present a multitude of opportunities to interact and create solutions.”
As the founder and principal architect of R2R studio, Scott wears a lot of hats. Business development is his primary focus these days, but he still takes on architectural challenges to satisfy his creativity. He loves working on restaurant designs, and planning out a kitchen layout for a challenging space is his idea of a good time.
Scott received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Tennessee in 1994. Like many students, he had the opportunity to study abroad—but it turned out to be particularly lucky for Scott, because it was in the exchange program with the University of Technology in Krakow that he met his future wife and business partner, Daria.
During his career, Scott has been fortunate to work with great architects and mentors like Krzysztof Bojanowski and John Sicard, who provided him the foundation and inspiration he needed to succeed.
When he’s not at work, Scott loves to spend time with his family and friends. Hiking and going to a Major League Baseball game. One day, he hopes to kick back and sail the Caribbean.
Favorite Quote: “Figure out what you are good at, and do it.” —Daryl Johnson
daria krol
Favorite Building: “The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. Its classical proportions, beautiful Renaissance architecture, and stunning frescoes make it the most perfect, breathtaking building I’ve ever visited.”
R2R studio’s co-founder and lead designer Daria has known she wanted to be an architect since she was in seventh grade, when her parents sent her to an art camp that introduced her to drawing. Today, she uses that talent to sketch ideas for her designs.
Originally from Poland, Daria graduated from the School of Architecture at University of Technology in Krakow and came to Knoxville as an exchange student with the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design. Later, she married Scott, and together they started R2R studio.
For Daria, building a personal connection with clients is very gratifying, and getting to know people helps her create spaces that they’ll enjoy living in. She particularly enjoys working on different scale residential and renovation projects, frequently visiting job sites to brainstorm and learn.
In her down time, Daria enjoys spending time with Scott and their two sons, Ian and Adam. Gardening, reading books or magazines, and daydreaming about her next project are Daria’s idea of the perfect day. That said, if she ever gets the chance, she would love to go on a safari in Tanzania.
Favorite Quote: “Do more of what makes you happy.”
mason allison
Favorite Building: “I really admire Norman Foster’s high-tech style as seen in my favorite building, the Hearst Tower in New York City. This style is gaining popularity and pushing the limits of modern architecture. ”
From a young age, Mason has always had a talent for drawing and designing. The architecture profession is his indisputable choice to combine his creativity with design functionality. Inspired by big cities vacations, Mason is fascinated by the details and characteristics that form the iconic structures in the skylines of the world.
Mason is in the early stages of his career having recently graduated from Western Kentucky University. He is particularly eager to shape spaces that people will interact with every day. He is focusing on gaining experience while working within the variety of R2R studio’s specialty project types. This exposure will help him better prepare for taking his licensing exams.
After hours, Mason enjoys the outdoors, particularly if it involves playing golf or spending time on the water with family and friends. His favorite combination of these is a vacation at the beach.
Travel Bucket List: “I’d like to travel through Europe, bouncing from country to country.”
stefanie geuna
Why She Chose Architecture: “I have always had a passion for design! When I was young, I would beg my parents to buy residential floor plan magazines for me, and I would draw floor plans for me and my make-believe families.”
A lifelong Knoxvillian, Stefanie graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and joined R2R studio in 2007. In her time with us as a designer and project manager, she has worked on a wide range of projects, though her favorites have always been in the restaurant sector. Her experience with franchise design also led her to expand the brand development side of R2R studio.
What Stefanie enjoys most about each project is establishing a relationship with the client and working together as a team to accomplish their goals in a creative way. The best compliment to her is when a client is so happy with the flow and feel of a space that they come back for their next project.
When she’s not at work, Stefanie loves to spend time with her husband and two boys. She’s coming up on the five-year mark with her own home remodel, and although her husband isn’t as enthusiastic about it as she is, Stefanie keeps coming up with new design ideas to put her spin on the modern-day family home.
Favorite Vacation Spot: ”Anywhere with sand, water, and sun…I LOVE the beach! I just checked Hawaii off the top of my travel bucket list! ”
meagan grohol
Favorite Building: “I love many buildings in Chicago! It was the first major city I visited as an architecture student where I got to see and experience the architecture I’d been studying firsthand.”
Starting with us as an intern architect, Meagan has always loved to draw and was encouraged by her high school teachers to study architecture. At this point, she says, she can’t picture herself doing anything else.
Meagan relocated from the Tri-Cities area to Knoxville to study architecture at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 2010 and beginning an internship with R2R studio shortly after. She joined us full time that September and hasn’t looked back. She received her architectural license in early 2018.
Meagan works mainly with commercial projects, and has enjoyed being a part of various downtown Knoxville renovations. She loves a good makeover, and watching buildings transform through the design and construction process is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.
Outside of work, Meagan spends her time playing with her unruly Doberman mix at the dog park and traveling with her husband Aaron, who’s also an architect.
Travel Bucket List: “I try to visit different cities every chance I get—one day, I’d love to go to Italy and Ireland. I just crossed New Zealand off my list!”
elaine hunter
Favorite Architect: “My favorite architect is Santiago Calatrava! I love the stark white structures and the way they offset from the surrounding landscapes—especially the Oculus Center in New York City.”
Elaine joined the Interior Architecture studio at R2R studio after she graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Interior Design in 2022. New to East Tennessee, she is looking forward to settling into a new community and seeing the impact she can have on the environment around her.
Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Elaine grew up watching her parents renovate homes. Her designer spirit was sparked by helping them with small projects and floor plans, so she decided to dive into the design profession.
However, it was her visit to the Art Institute of Chicago that drove her interest in Interior Architecture. Elaine was intrigued how the building transitioned from traditional to modern design, and she spent more of her time focused on the building than the art inside.
In her free time, Elaine likes to explore the outdoors and plans to take full advantage of her easy access to the Appalachian Mountains no matter the season.
Favorite Vacation Spot: “The Frio River in Texas. I’ve been going to the Frio every summer for at least the last 10 years, and it has always been a super relaxing trip.”
chris leibensperger
Favorite Building: “Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is my favorite building. The exposed structural bracing and the integration of the chapel into the landscape are stunning features that make it the most interesting building to me.”
A transplant from Rochester, New York, Chris joined the architects at R2R studio in 2021. Chris received his Bachelor of Architecture from Alfred State College in 2009. As he works towards his architectural license, Chris brings his experience to our commercial studio as a project manager.
Growing up, Chris was fascinated by construction and the way buildings came together. This and the inspiration of Daniel Libeskind’s work drove him to become an architect. Chris strives to design each project with a strong connection to its site and that evokes an emotional response.
Outside the office, Chris is looking forward to exploring East Tennessee with his young children or playing a round (or two) of golf.
Favorite Restaurant: “Good Luck in Rochester is designed to be family style with extra large portions to share. The 1lb hamburger with bourbon ketchup is amazing, and they have great craft cocktails too.”
maureen sotak
Why She Chose Architecture? “When I was in sixth grade, I was assigned to draw a floor plan for a family home and build a small-scale model. I fell in love with the idea of creating spaces to feel safety and love in and to create lifetime memories in.”
Maureen originally hails from Terre Haute, Indiana, but after moving to attend the University of Tennessee, she fell in love with all that East Tennessee has to offer. From watching the Volunteers race for the checkerboards to the unique culture of Knoxville, she is excited to make Knoxville her home.
Growing up with parents who teach math and work as an electrical technician, Maureen had an innate interest in problem-solving, but it was a class project that ignited her pursuit into her career in architecture. What started as an assignment to design a family home, launched Maureen’s enthusiasm for creating spaces.
After she earned her Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Tennessee, Maureen graduated with new insight into all the facets of architecture. She is fascinated by the melding of the technical aspects of construction and forming the perfect aesthetic for a space. Neither is more important than the other, and the balance of the two is the basis of holistic design.
When not appreciating the challenge of design or studying for her architecture license, Maureen spends time cheering on the Vols, playing recreational sports, and traveling. Her favorite vacation spot is any new place with good food and fun activities–and she’s working on visiting all 50 states.
Favorite Restaurant? My local favorite is SoKno Taco Cantina! They have the absolute best nachos.
kali thompson
Favorite Building: “Palacio de Cristal (Glass Palace) in Madrid, Spain is my favorite building by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. It is insanely beautiful and when you step inside, you see greenery all around you.”
Born and raised in a small town near Lansing, Michigan, Kali started out with a Bachelor of Spanish Degree. While studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, she quickly grew interested in the beautiful architecture surrounding her and the way design affected her experiences. This is where she also discovered her love of Antonio Gaudí’s architectural work and his attention to detail–something she aims to embody in each of her projects.
After returning to the States, she decided to pursue her passion for design in a second degree. In 2023, Kali joined R2R Studio after graduating with a Bachelor of Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Kali enjoys working on a mix of residential and commercial projects but is especially excited to be a patron in the places she designs. She loves the effect that materials and lighting have on the mood of a space and the joy of seeing people revel in them.
In her free time, Kali likes to go for walks with her dog, Millie, and she is excited to travel the south and explore more of Knoxville.
Favorite Vacation Spot: “I love to visit the Leelanau Peninsula in northern Michigan, and spend my time exploring the wineries and relaxing on the beach of Lake Michigan. It’s like a whole other world there!”
carissa wagers
Favorite Building: “My favorite building is Tangga House by Guz Architects in Singapore. I love the reinterpretation of the traditional courtyard house. It also loosely incorporates elements from Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Prairie House’ design style with its seamless blend of indoor and outdoor spaces and the use of natural materials.”
Carissa joined the R2R studio team after studying architecture at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville by way of Broward College in Fort Lauderdale. After moving from Florida to Knoxville, Carissa quickly became immersed in the local design community.
Carissa is particularly interested in creating functional spaces that enhance well-being through natural light, air quality, and thoughtful ergonomics. Inspired by Zaha Hadid’s experimental and encompassing work in all fields of design, Carissa is passionate about design that improves quality of life. When designing a coherent and functional space, it can enhance productivity and create a healthier work or living environment.
Carissa loves the process of transforming spaces and is excited about the opportunity to contribute to both residential and commercial projects at R2R studio. She is currently taking the Architectural Registration Exams to become a licensed architect.
Outside of work, Carissa enjoys outdoor adventures, spending time with family and friends, and many creative pursuits. She loves testing new recipes and playing the piano, a quiet night in reading with a glass of wine, or planning her tour of Europe.
Favorite Restaurant: “Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar. Their menu is customized to its region, and the atmosphere is very nice. The location is convenient and part of my staple visit to Market Square, whether it’s for brunch with friends or a nice dinner with family.”
