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 christine
Christine Baxter
about stefanie
Stefanie Genua
about tanner
Tanner Gibson
about meagan
Meagan Grohol
about chris
Chris Leibensperger
about elaine
Elaine Presley
about nikki
Nikki Shubert
about maureen
Maureen Sotak
about kati
Kati Wolsey
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! ”
tanner gibson
Favorite Architect: “I’ve always admired Samuel R. Mockbee and his approach to designing with and for the community. His work with Rural Studio has taught me that thoughtful architecture is for everyone, and that beauty and meaning can be crafted with care anywhere.”
Tanner has called East Tennessee home his entire life, growing up in Cleveland before moving to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture in 2021.
With a natural inclination toward creativity and problem-solving, Tanner was drawn to architecture for its ability to create meaningful, lasting impact. He values the process of shaping spaces that people experience every day and enjoys the challenge of balancing thoughtful design with practical function.
After graduating, Tanner began his professional career in Knoxville and became a licensed architect in Tennessee in 2025. His experience so far has strengthened his interest in continuing to grow as a designer while contributing to projects that positively impact the community.
Outside the office, Tanner enjoys spending time with his wife, Rose, and their son, Norrin. He tends to rotate through hobbies, always finding something new to dive into. Lately that includes reading comics, and watching movies and football, and getting outdoors whenever he can.
Favorite Restaurant: “Right now, it’s Kaizen. I love it’s vibe and location in Knoxville’s Old City. The pork belly friend rice is hard to beat.”
meagan grohol
Favorite Building: “I couldn’t pick one, but there are many amazing buildings and interior spaces in Chicago. It was the first major city I visited as an architecture student where I got to see and experience the buildings I’d been studying.”
Starting with us as an intern, 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. She began an internship with R2R studio shortly after and joined us full-time that September. She received her architectural license in 2018.
Meagan works mainly with commercial projects and has enjoyed being a part of various restaurants and renovations. She enjoys the collaborative process of developing ideas and seeing what a team can create together as projects come to life.
Outside of work, Meagan spends her time with her husband, daughter and their two dogs.
Travel Bucket List: “I’d love to go to Italy next.”
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.”
elaine presley
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.”
nikki shubert
Favorite Building: “I love the feeling when walking into Denver Union Station, you are surrounded by the history and the energy of people buzzing by in the gorgeous structure. I have always had a deep love for old buildings designed with both beauty and function, and this is one of my favorite examples.”
Nikki grew up in rural East Tennessee and studied architecture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Since graduating in 2017, she has worked on a diverse range of project types from medical buildings to housing developments.
Though she has experience with new construction, her favorite work involves breathing new life into older buildings. She loves digging into original plans and finding creative ways to reuse and adapt a space so it has new life for the new owners.
Nikki brings a thoughtful, client-focused approach to every project, with a deep appreciation for the balance of beauty and function in design on R2R studio’s commercial team. Working mostly in restaurant design here, she is enjoying the ability to bring her design creativity into a space with functionality, aesthetics, and branding.
Her passion for traveling was sparked by participating in the UT Knoxville - Krakow study abroad program. When Nikki has the time, she explores new communities both in the U.S. and abroad, and locally with solo hikes in the area. At home, she’ll escape with a good book and warm tea or by painting her world on canvas.
Travel Bucket List: “I would love to see the Scottish Highlands in the next few years. My longer term goal is to see all of the National Parks. So far, I have checked off about a third of them.”
maureen sotak
Why She Chose Architecture? “My passion for architecture began in sixth grade when I was assigned a project to design a family home's floor plan and build a small-scale model. That project started a passion for creating spaces that provide comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging - spaces where families can build memories that last a lifetime. From that moment on, I knew I wanted a career that combined creativity and problem-solving, and made an impact in people’s lives.”
Originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, Maureen developed an early interest in problem-solving through her upbringing and education. She carried that mindset to the University of Tennessee, where she earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree.
Throughout her studies, Maureen became fascinated by the relationship between the technical aspects of construction and the aesthetic qualities that shape how people experience a space. She believes successful design comes from thoughtfully integrating both, creating environments that are as practical as they are beautiful.
Maureen’s moved to Knoxville to attend UT did not end there. She quickly found a community she wanted to be part of long-term. Maureen was drawn to the city's blend of urban amenities and small-town character, as well as its vibrant food scene and strong sense of community. As a proud Tennessee alumna, she enjoys cheering on the Volunteers and taking part in the traditions that continue to make East Tennessee a special place to live and work.
Favorite Restaurant? “My favorite restaurant is Luminosa in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s located in a boutique hotel downtown, but feels like a quaint NYC restaurant. The environment was special and every bite of food felt like a warm hug.”
kati wolsey
Favorite Building: “My favorite building is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by I.M. Pei. Music has always been a central part of my life, and I love how Pei translated musical energy into architectural form.”
Kati joined the team as Office Manager in early 2025, bringing organization, warmth and a steady hand to the studio’s daily operations. From managing schedules to making sure everything behind the scenes stays on track, she helps create a smooth, welcoming experience for both the team and clients.
Though new to the role, Kati has quickly become an essential part of the firm’s rhythm—balancing logistics with a positive energy that reflects the creative spirit of the office. She grew up with a dad who worked in construction and even got to explore the sites with him. This led her down the path of pursuing an architecture program in high school and went on to get her associate’s degree in interior design. As office manager, Kati is thriving being surrounded by all the creativity and in the collaborative environment at R2R studio.
When she is not at work, she is happiest spending time with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs. Whether they’re at the ballpark cheering on their daughter’s team, watching MLB games together (their goal is to visit all the MLB stadiums), or at home building Legos together family time is her favorite time. She’s also an avid reader and loves hands-on creative projects.
Travel Bucket List: “I would love to visit Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and Japan!”
