Isabel Verhille
Q: Where are you from?
I was born in San Francisco but spent most of my childhood and teen years living in Marin.
Q: Where did you go to school?
I went to Scripps College in Claremont, CA – which is on the eastern edge of LA County. Scripps is the all-women’s school in the Claremont Consortium and was such a lovely experience. I majored in Media Studies and minored in Spanish.
Q: Tell me about your family.
My parents are both former Midwesterners who have now lived in the Bay Area for 40+ years, and currently both live in San Francisco. My dad is a gastroenterologist, and my mom is a nurse (they met at what used to be Children’s Hospital on California Street), so I grew up very immersed in the medical world; my first job was scanning and filing medical charts in my dad’s office. My younger brother is very close to my age and currently lives in Memphis – he works as server at a delicious French restaurant and moonlights as a bartender.
Q: What is the most interesting aspect of architecture to you?
It’s really fascinating working in a design studio setting as a non-architect. I have learned so much about architecture since I started at FA and am enamored by the entire process. It’s magical to have a beautiful, distilled idea turn into something meaningful and tangible.
Q: What makes our office unique?
It’s a lovely combination of casual/collaborative and disciplined - all the people in the studio are so smart, artistic, talented, and kind. I love all my coworkers and have learned so much professionally and personally from them.
Q: What is the last show you binge watched?
I’m really really weirdly obsessed with Succession. I also recently finished The Dropout on Hulu and got really into the whole Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos scandal.
Q: Did you pick up any new hobbies during quarantine?
My friends and I started boogie boarding at Ocean Beach during quarantine multiple times a week – such an awesome excuse to be in the ocean without having to have the technical knowledge that surfing requires.
Q: Favorite SF hidden gem?
The Bitter End in the Inner Richmond.
Q: What are five features you would include in your dream home?
Free standing bathtub, cold plunge pool, fully functioning darkroom, vegetable garden, near the ocean.
Q: Where are you most excited to travel next?
My favorite place to visit is Mexico! I’d love to go back to Mexico City soon.
