About

Clare Walton

Originally from Upstate New York, Clare Walton decided to make Tahoe City, California her home in 1999 where she discovered she could pursue her passion for architecture in a mountain community inspired by nature. After working for various local design and architecture firms, she co-founded Walton Architecture in 2008 and has been deeply honored to grow the firm into the well-rounded and unified team that is today. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, celebrated with awards, and she has been highlighted as one of the top female architects in the mountain west. Her passion for architecture began in childhood building models and creating house sketches in her corner studio. It guided her to pursue a degree in architecture from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri combined with a year study abroad at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and Oxford University, Bath, England where she focused on architecture and fine art. In addition to her position as principal architect, she has been a member of the Tahoe City Design Review committee since 2008 and is a proud mother of two teenage daughters, a lively cat, and fun-loving golden retriever who typically joins her throughout the day. She fuels her passion for architecture through time exploring the outdoors and is an avid athlete focusing her attention on mountain biking, road cycling, and nordic skiing.

BA, Architectural Studies | Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Magna Cum Laude | 1997

3+2 Cooperative Program with Washington University | School of Architecture

Licensed Architect | CA + ID + UT | 2008 + 2019 + 2024

Residential Designer | NV | 2019

Walton Architecture | Founding Principal | 2008

Jennifer Loving

Jennifer Loving’s passion for design and architecture was first established during her childhood years growing up south of Chicago.  At a very young age, she expressed great affection for the built environment and was frequently found exploring her interests through countless sketches and floor plans.  It wasn’t until she attended Northern Illinois University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Art Degree in Interior Architecture, that she fully understood her innate dedication to the field.  Her early influences from the Chicagoland area, as well as her time spent abroad exploring classic European structures, continue to fuel her drive for architecture.  Jennifer moved to Tahoe City, California in 2002 and worked for various design firms focusing on custom residential structures before joining the Walton team in 2008.  She currently performs lead design and project architect roles, creating initial design concepts, managing team members and administering the construction administration process.  Jennifer is a licensed architect and has also attained her NCIDQ certification in Interior Design.  Jennifer’s work at Walton has been recognized for excellence in numerous publications and awards.  Jennifer is a classically trained dancer studying both Cecchetti and RAD methods.  Since moving to Tahoe, she loves to be outside enjoying the mountains hiking, backpacking, and Nordic skiing in her free time.  Her bernedoodle, Bensley, is typically right by her side, in the office and even out on the golf course.

BFA, Fine Art in Interior Architecture | Northern Illinois University | Magna Cum Laude |2002

NCIDQ Certification | 2015

Licensed Architect | CA | 2018

Walton Team | 2008

David Scott

David Scott grew up in Chicago which instilled an early interest in architecture and design.  This interest guided his academic pursuits and led to his early career opportunities working on mixed use projects in various cities.  Most notable of these locations are Chicago, New York, Dubai and Singapore before locating to Truckee in 2012.  David is a licensed architect in California as of 2015 and joined the Walton team in 2011.  Along with performing a Project Architect role, he is the team technical detailing expert, assisting all disciplines within the firm.  David lives in Truckee with his wife and two school-aged sons.  He enjoys gardening, cooking, backpacking and mountain biking with his family.

BA, Architecture | Cornell University | 2005

Licensed Architect | CA | 2015

Walton Team | 2011

Jessica Lisagor

Originally from Olympic Valley, CA, where Jessica spent her formative years, her passion for mountain living has brought her full circle.  Her family and education connected her with several regions across the US and abroad, before returning to Olympic Valley where she currently resides with her family of four and herding dog, Red.  After studying art as an undergrad, Jessica was drawn to the rigorous iterative process of architectural design.  She attended graduate school for architecture and began working as a design team member at various San Francisco design firms, before joining Walton in 2015.  In 2024, Jessica became a licensed architect in California.  Jessica’s artistic background and interest in finding a sense of home through space has transitioned well into her architectural design roles at Walton. Jessica embraces all aspects of mountain sports and feels most fulfilled amongst the trees on backcountry expeditions with her husband.  She is also an avid mountain biker and spends evenings in the summer sailing competitively on Lake Tahoe.  

MArch1 | Harvard University Graduate School of Design | 2009

BA, Studio Art | Stanford University | 2001

Adjunct Professor | California College of the Arts | 2014-2019

Lecturer | UC Berkeley | 2010-2013

Licensed Architect | CA | 2024

Walton Team | 2015

Heidi Barnes

Originally from the Sacramento area, Heidi Barnes has long had a passion for the outdoors and mountain architecture, nurtured by childhood visits to Tahoe. After earning her degree in Interior Architecture from California State University, Sacramento, she took the step to pursue her dream and moved to Tahoe in 2009. Joining the Walton team in 2011, Heidi has since played a pivotal role, guiding projects from preliminary architectural concepts to the final stages of interior furnishings. As a Senior Interior Designer, Heidi specializes in developing interior elevation drawings, assembling comprehensive interior specifications, and curating furnishing selections. Her expertise in 3D modeling enhances collaboration between the architectural and interior design teams, allowing her to effectively communicate design ideas to clients. Heidi values the close working relationship with the architecture team, which fosters a seamless workflow and results in well-rounded design solutions. Heidi’s work at Walton has been recognized through numerous awards and features in publications. Heidi resides on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe with her husband, two young children, and goldendoodle, Penny. When not in the studio, she can be found enjoying live music, skiing, or spending time on Lake Tahoe with her family aboard their vintage boat. 

BFA, Fine Arts in Interior Architecture | California State University, Sacramento | Magna Cum Laude | 2009

Walton Team | 2011

Lauren Christophel

Lauren Christophel grew up on California’s Central Coast and pursued her passion for architecture and design at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  Initially drawn to architecture, she graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly in 2006.  Her love of the mountains brought her to Truckee in 2008 where she decided to focus her career on high end residential interior design.  In 2014, she joined the Walton team as an interior designer and strengthened her role to Senior Interior Designer, overseeing multiple projects from the beginning stages of interior development to final furnishing selections.  Commensurate with this responsibility, she earned her NCIDQ certification in 2016.  Lauren loves being part of the creative and collaborative environment with the Walton team that brings visions to life.  She is grateful to live in the mountains and loves spending time outdoors whether that is skiing, snowmobiling or hiking.

BA, Architecture | Cal Poly | 2006

NCIDQ Certification | 2016

Walton Team | 2014

Mara Petty

Mara Petty is from Reno, Nevada and her interest in structural design led her to pursue a degree in engineering from the University of Nevada at Reno.  Following graduation, she worked for several firms in the Reno area varying from commercial to residential disciplines.  After joining the Walton team in 2009, she progressed from Associate Engineer to Senior Engineer overseeing multiple projects.  Mara finds inspiration in developing structural solutions in collaboration with the architectural design and the artistic approach taken to each Walton project.  In Mara’s free time she likes to explore the local wilderness areas and is always searching for new places to adventure with her family and dogs.  Mara lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband, two daughters and dogs.  She enjoys sailing, hiking, camping and fishing with her family.

BS, Civil Engineering | UNR | 2005

Licensed Professional Engineer, PE | CA + NV | 2008

Walton Team | 2009

Derek Barney

Originally from Sparks, Nevada, Derek Barney’s interest in structural design led him to pursue engineering at the University of Nevada at Reno.  He began working as an architectural and structural drafter before beginning this pursuit in 2002.  Derek has extensive knowledge in both commercial and residential construction.  He welcomes complex and innovative designs, striving to develop efficient and economical engineering solutions to all levels of challenges.  Derek lives in Reno, Nevada with his wife and two school aged children along with their dog.  He loves spending time with his family skiing, hiking, camping and traveling for outdoor adventures.

BS, Civil Engineering with emphasis in Structural Engineering | UNR | 2010

Licensed Professional Engineer, PE | CA + NV | 2014 + 2016

Walton Team | 2013

Jason Steves

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jason Steves’ interest in structural design led him to pursue a degree from Purdue University in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  Upon completing this degree, he worked in the oil and gas industry for Subsea and Arctic pipelines before his love of the mountains brought him to Tahoe City, California where he worked for various design and engineering firms.  In 2003 he started his own engineering firm focusing on structures until he joined the Walton team in 2013.  Jason lives in Tahoma, California with his wife and two children.  He enjoys snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and traveling.  With his Ohio roots running deep, he remains a Reds and Bengals fan.  

BS, Civil + Environmental Engineering | Purdue University | 1995

Licensed Professional Engineering, PE | CA | 2004

Walton Team | 2013

John Ederer

John Ederer grew up in Washington D.C. and pursued his interest in architectural design at the University of the District of Columbia where he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Architecture.  He moved to San Francisco in 1989 and worked in several different firms specializing in HVAC, Acoustics, Low Voltage/Audio and Architectural Design.  In 2000 he followed his dream to combine his professional life with that of the mountains and moved to Tahoe City.  He began working for Walton Engineering at that time and then transitioned with the firm to what it is today.  In addition to providing technical and drawing support, John plays a lead role in the firm’s architectural detailing division and is Walton’s TRPA expert, performing scenic analyses for all our lake front projects.  When not at Walton, you can find John pursuing his passion for skiing, sailing or riding bikes.

AA, Architecture | University of the District of Columbia | 1989

Walton Team | 2008

Lisa Fritsch

Originally from Sacramento, Lisa Fritsch has more than 20 years of experience in business administration and has been a dedicated professional at Walton Architecture since 2011.  Her numerous years as an elementary school teacher have crossed over well into her managerial role at Walton.  In addition to all her administrative and accounting tasks, Lisa is responsible for keeping our firm’s daily operations running smoothly.  When she’s not at work, you’ll see her hiking or skiing on the trails or commuting on her bike with her dog in the basket.  She has a passion for traveling abroad and exploring new places.  Lisa resides with her husband and son in Tahoe City.

BA, English | Honors | Portland State University | 1995

Certificate in Teaching | Post-Baccalaureate | Sierra Nevada College | 1997

Walton Team | 2011