Inspired by nature.Enriched by culture.Backed by science.
Established in 2010, Vera Iconica Architecture is a global firm based in Jackson, Wyoming, that specializes in the art and science of wellness architecture. Our approach seeks balance. Of physical and emotional health. Of humanity and the environment. Of beauty and ritual. Creating a shared landscape that goes beyond aesthetics to deliver meaningful, holistic experiences that enrich the wellbeing of our clients.
Vera Iconica means ‘true likeness.’
This philosophy guides our Intuitive Design Process, through which we harmonize the places we design with the people that occupy them.
People who spend more time in nature tend to live longer, happier lives. Source
Our Experts
Veronica Schreibeis Smith
Recognized for pushing the envelope on design and design theory, Veronica is a world-renowned expert on Wellness Architecture. Her international work experience in Peru, South Korea, and Germany solidified the importance of cultural influence in her architectural practice. Veronica creates powerful, poignant design solutions by truly listening to clients (both what is said and unsaid) as well as to her own intuition.
Christopher Hancock
Christopher has a passion for systems and sustainability, valuing the creation of clean, powerful spaces that support vitality and connections to nature. To achieve this, he makes it his mission to care for each client and their unique project goals. With a 20-year background as a designer and builder, Christopher applies this vital insight and experience to every project.
Shane Salisbury
Shane built his design expertise working with several award-winning firms specializing in high-end residential, commercial, and mixed-use architecture based in Denver and Boulder, Colorado. His professional experience includes several years as a Project Architect for multi-family communities ranging from urban infill to remote master planned developments. Shane has leveraged his expertise to further the profession, teaching architecture and digital fabrication at several universities in the United States and abroad, including several years at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.
Amy Tribo
Spanning 18 years, Amy's background includes construction management, estimating, project development, and client service, with project experience in hospitality, commercial, and interiors. She has a passion for crunching numbers, solving problems, and building strong relationships and loves seeing the outcomes shine in breakthrough projects. As Director of Operations, she is your point-of-contact for new projects, contract & billing questions, and overall team performance. She ensures your project tracks on time and on budget.
Blair Costello
An intuitive problem solver, Blair listens to and dissects underlying currents of information to achieve thoughtful solutions alongside an innate sensitivity to the fluid energy of spaces and experiences. Blair uses her skills to compose interior architecture that responds to the rhythms and rituals of each client, and helped develop the Vera Iconica Wellness Kitchen. She believes in healing through nature, behavior, and lifestyle, which has led to her specialization in indoor environments and materials that enhance wellbeing.
Olivia Theriot
A registered Architect, Olivia's professional experience includes luxury residential, multi-family, and mixed-use projects with a focus on contextual sensitivity. Her thesis on how the built environment affects human health and wellbeing shaped her professional and personal life. Raised in Massachusetts, Olivia attended university in Louisiana and currently resides in Denver as an active member of the community and Downtown Denver Partnership.
Emily Chastain
Emily's 13+ years of experience in the field of architecture span residential, hospitality, retail, and university project types. She is LEED BD+C accredited and a licensed architect in the state of Colorado. She lives in Durango, Colorado where she is helping shape the built environment by serving on the Durango Design Review Board. Emily holds a BA in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Architecture from University of Denver, Colorado.
Chelsea Thompson
Chelsea is a licensed architect and designer with 10+ years of industry experience spanning residential, multi-family, healthcare, interiors, and master planning. She has provided BIM management on complex projects, supported technical coordination and program planning, as well as thorough documentation production and design. Chelsea is deliverable-focused and uses her knowledge to bring clients the best product, in the most efficient way, within a cohesive team.
Steve Seely
Steve is a registered architect and project manager with 13+ years of experience in healthcare design, space planning, and design. He has the unique perspective of working on both the design and client side of the table. Design-process driven and client focused, Steve’s strong technical background is balanced by his design and presentation abilities, making sure that every detail of your project turns out just how you dream it.
Virginia Flanagan
Virginia manages day-to-day operations to keep the firm and your project running smoothly. If it's broken, she can fix it, and if it's jumbled, she can sort it out. Virginia supports everything from invoicing, IT, HR, and many things in between. Burned out by big city life, she moved west eight years ago where she keeps busy solving problems and racing dirt bikes.
Andrew Mackie
Andrew is a Certified Building Biologist who studied architecture at Yale University’s School of Architecture and art at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, all of which furthered his passion for old stuff, old places, and classic details. Prior to starting his architecture career, Andrew co-owned and ran a 'Healthy Home and Lifestyle' store for a dozen years, helping people protect their kids, and make their homes beautiful and safe. Andrew is currently traveling around the country in an RV with his family looking for cool ducks.
Irina Tabarana
Born and raised in Romania, Irina began her architectural studies in Romania and continued after moving to the U.S. Having lived in multiple countries, she is very interested in how culture has informed architecture and how architecture plays an important role in preserving cultures globally. Irina is a detail-oriented technical designer and software guru. When not working, Irina is cave-diving and exploring the underworld.
Heather Cusic
Often found looking at life through a lens, Heather is an avid photographer and designer. She believes you can learn a lot about architecture and design by exploring the world, photographing and sketching it. Heather’s travels and experiences have led her to a human-centered design approach which involves healthy spaces and beauty. She is interested in starting with the details to construct the bigger picture. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Architecture from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Willie Leidolf
Originally from Washington D.C, Willie made his way out west to pursue his love for fly fishing and architecture at Montana State University. During his undergraduate and graduate studies in Bozeman, he quickly grew an interest towards sustainable building strategies, as well as the role of rural vernacular typologies in influencing them. Following the completion of Master's degree in 2021, he decided to head south to Denver, Colorado to experience the benefits city life has to offer while still maintaining his love for the outdoors.
Monique Morgen
Monique is an experienced accountant, bookkeeper, and statistician. Driven by integrity, she takes pride in providing the most accurate financial picture. As an accountant, her goals include accurate and concise picture information to provide insight for decision making. In addition to her incredible commitment to thoroughness, she enjoys understanding how to clarify why accountability and working together is vital.
Luis Longhi
As both an artist-sculptor and an architect, Luis has a vision to ensure architecture is created in a responsible way, in harmony with the environment and the cultural space it resides in. His philosophy of “architecture with soul,” with its unique aesthetic and methodology, results in spaces that can move the emotions of a building’s inhabitants and visitors.
Interested in Joining the VIA Team?
Architect/Architectural Designer (3-5 Years Exp) – Jackson, Wyoming
Qualifications: Architect: 3+ years experience required as an architectural draftsperson/production designer; proficiency in BIM software required (ArchiCAD pref); expert in visualization & rendering; strong organizational, creative and presentation skills.
Senior Interior Designer (6-8 Years Exp) – Jackson, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado; or National
Qualifications: Experienced interior designer skilled in architectural interiors as well as FF&E design and procurement to help lead Architectural Interiors & Interior Design for the firm; proficiency in BIM software required (ArchiCAD pref); expert in visualization & rendering; strong organizational, creative, and presentation skills.
Send resume, cover letter, and portfolio to info@veraiconica.com.
We are connected with thought leaders and researchers worldwide who aim to understand the effects of the built environment on human health and wellbeing. Our connections include: the Global Wellness Institute, the Institute for Wellness Architecture + Design, the Institute for Building Biology and Ecology, the Design Futures Council, the Lake Nona Institute and more.
We have established collaborations with global experts to expand our unique offerings, from natural and age-old building techniques to sacred geometry and biophilic design. By integrating the most advanced technology with architecture, we deliver environments for our clients that that promote wellbeing and quality of life.
Alongside our esteemed partners, we bring balance to your environment through experiences centered in beauty, ritual, culture and landscape.