1127 Pope Street, Suite 106 | St. Helena, CA 94574 | info@laildesign.com | 707.963.1565
OUR TEAM
Jon Lail
Founder
Jon's always loved to draw. Fascinated by the aesthetics of fitting working elements together, he studied architecture and interior design at the University of Colorado before revitalizing houses in San Francisco.
In the early 1970's, Jon moved to Napa Valley with his wife Robin to take up her family's fourth-generation wine business. A chance social connection led to helping the initial design team for Skywalker Ranch and delving into turn of the century style with George Lucas, whose inventive blend of past, present and future lent new focus to Jon's vision.
He brought that vision to St. Helena in 1975, opening a one-man studio called Wine Country Architechture to create exquisitely traditional homes and wineries. Jon's since gathered our varied skills to pursue every type of architectural journey. His appreciation of our individuality empowers us to follow our instincts and learn from each other, while his quiet coaching, nuanced winemaking savvy and fierce dedication to client satisfaction instruct even our most unconventional adventures in building technology and design.
Today, with nearly forty years in the field and a flourishing team ready for what's next, Jon's pleasure in shaping beautiful places remains his inspiration. And ours.
Distinctions
Member, American Institute of Architects
Bachelor's Degree in Architecture & Interior Design, University of Colorado
Post-Graduate study, Dartmouth Tuck, School of Business
David Hanawalt
Architecht
Licensed Architect in Michigan since 1995. Prior and concurrent architectural licenses in New York, Ohio and US Virgin Islands. Architecture degree from University of California, Berkeley, from the College of Environmental Design, 1981. Masters degree in Architecture from Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, 1989. Also, licensed General Contractor, State of California, 1984.
In my practice, I have created private custom homes, educational facilities, commercial and small scale medical facilities and worship facilities. As a junior architect, I designed courthouses in New York State and a Cancer Treatment hospital in Stamford, Connecticut as well as art galleries and Manhattan apartments.
Professional achievements: Designed a house for Abaco, Bahamas which withstood the eye of Hurricane Floyd with trailing winds following the passing of the eye of the storm over 185 mph. After the storm, the house served as sanctuary with fresh water, food, medical supplies, generators and blankets for islanders; the storm surge divided the island in two. In 1998, I designed Black Star Winery noted as one of the best wine tasting rooms in America by Wine Enthusiast magazine, 2008. A private home built in 2003 won architectural detail of the year award from Residential Architect magazine, 2008 for a unique configuration that allows a bed to roll outdoors into a screen porch. For another private home design in Northport, Michigan, I created to my knowledge, the only “House as Musical Instrument” in the world. The “Symphonic House” was the subject of articles in the Detroit Free Press, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, and a short film made by the Mercedes Benz Foundation (available on YouTube). Much of my work stems from an intense interest in the Environment of the Site and human interaction with it. For the shore facility of the Inland Seas Education Association, I included a constructed wetland to “scrub” water runoff; a public partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Currently, my deepest interest is in the emerging technology and development of NetZero energy homes which includes efficient building systems in coordination with solar electrical power generation. The prototype project in Michigan
is a community of (10) solar homes for Habitat for Humanity, Grand Traverse.
Chau Vu
Assoc. AIA
Chau was born and raised in Vietnam. At a young age he had a passion for drawing and dreamed he would become an architect. After graduating high school he was accepted to the University to study Architecture. Unfortunately, during that year the country was at war and South Vietnam had been invaded. With his young family, Chau left Vietnam for better opportunities and came to the United State in 1981. There he continued his studies in architecture and drafting technology at the Napa Valley College and graduated in 1985. After graduating, he worked in several regional architecture and design companies for fifteen years, then joined Lail Design Group in 2001. For thirty years Chau has worked on numerous projects alongside the best architects in the valley. Over this time, he has fine-tuned his creative designs and computer skills. Currently Chau is in the process of completing his architecture license examination. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and soccer.