Aaron Julian Torrence, AIA
Principal, Architect
Aaron started his eponymous architectural design firm in 2008 on the belief that great design comes from great relationships. He also operates Torrence Workshop, a furniture design studio and a general contracting company that builds custom residential, commercial, and hospitality projects throughout Southern California.
His prior experience as an Associate and Project Architect at Steven Ehrlich Architects in Culver City included the award winning Kendall Square Biotech Laboratory in Cambridge, MA; master plan and design for LAUSD New Middle School #4; and master plan and design of the Northeast Campus at the historic Van de Kamp Bakery for Los Angeles City College. From 2006-2008, he was a Partner and Lead Architect for d+Con, a design-build company, and brought his unique design ability coupled with proven management techniques to a number of high profile projects throughout Greater Los Angeles.
With over 19 years of architectural experience, Aaron is a California licensed architect and licensed General Contractor. He has led design efforts for master planning projects throughout California, China and Vietnam. He has designed numerous residential, commercial and retail projects, from small budget renovations to new high-rise mixed use developments. Aaron and his team have successfully negotiated contract documents through the Pasadena Hillside District, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Architectural Review Board (ARB) and the California Coastal Commission. Working throughout Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Beverly Hills he has successfully design and built hillside residences dealing with severe gradients and soil conditions.
Aaron is personally involved as the lead designer and architect for every project. He manages the staff and work load to provide personal attention to each client’s project needs and development so that the quality of work is to the highest standards of design and originality.
Educated at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design studying Masters of Architecture and Urban Design, He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Woodbury University where he was awarded the Grand Critique Award and participated in several international competitions including TKTS2000 with the Van Allen Institute and won an AIA/LA NEXT award for his ACSA/STI Hollow Structural Section competition. In addition, he has served on juries at Woodbury University and presented his design work at Latin American Students of Architecture (ELEA), Panama.
Since beginning his career as an architect he has participated in a number of professional organizations including AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE), AIA Design Committee, AIA Urban Design Committee, Westside Urban Form, Asian American Architects and Engineers (AAA/e) and is an active member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Marta Espinosa de los Monteros Fernández de Valderrama
Project Manager and Designer
Marta earned her Master of Architecture, Technical University of Madrid (ETSAM), Spain. Working directly with owners and consultants from concept design through construction, she focuses most of her work on the design and coordination of custom residential projects. She has worked with a wide variety of clients to design their homes in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Bel Aire. An avid equestrian, Marta has interests in nature, animals, and sustainability.
Cris Sanchez Marino
Project Manager and Designer
Cris earned her Master of Architect from the University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain. She is the lead coordinator for our commercial and institutional projects. While working for Arquitectura Azagra worked on housing projects, two wineries, hotels, and the rehabilitation and restoration of a 16th-century palace. She works directly with owners and consultants from concept design through construction. In addition to being a second degree Dan, black belt in Karate where she has won three competition gold medals, Cris is an avid traveler and can be found in places like Europe, Tunisia, Morocco, San Francisco, and Southern California.