The Studio

Mark de Reus is the founding partner of de Reus Architects, an award-winning architecture and planning firm specializing in up-scale resorts, residences, and hospitality projects. Mark opened de Reus Architects in 2005 on the Big Island of Hawai’i and now has additional studios in Sun Valley, and Maui.

Over the course of his 45-year career, he has received numerous design awards and his works have been featured in dozens of publications. In 2010 Mark was recognized in Architectural Digest’s celebrated AD100, their list of the world’s best architects and designers.

Mark’s contributions to the profession include serving on design juries and service on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Art & Architecture at the University of Idaho. His civic involvement includes a role as chair of The Hawai’i Meth Project, a drug prevention program.

He has authored two books featuring homes and resorts: his first, Tropical Experience was published in 2011, his latest, Sanctuary will be released mid-2023.

Since joining de Reus Architects in 2005, Dan’s expertise and experience in planning, design, and management has become a staple of the firm’s reputation.

From handling the design of custom residences throughout the world, to managing the design efforts of large complex projects like Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina, clients appreciate Dan’s collaborative nature and rely on his helpfulness and responsiveness.

As Partner and Studio Director, Dan focuses on business development and the imagining of new projects at all scales.

Licensed in the states of Hawaii and Nevada.

Mr. Rowland has over 18 years of experience managing residential and commercial projects including the schematic design phase of the Makena Hotel Conversion. John is a methodical team building leader who is particularly effective at keeping the larger design issues in focus while coordinating the internal and consultant teams. He is particularly adept at maintaining the balance of well-conceived architectural details, while working within approved budgets. 

John has been involved in many of the firm’s most notable projects including the Ka’upulehu Beach Club, the Kuki’o Golf Club and significant private residences. 

Prior to joining de Reus Architects in 2005, John Rowland worked for several firms in Boise, Idaho, both large and small and on his own prior to getting his Master’s Degree. 

With over 35 years of professional experience, Louis has led and designed a wide range of projects, from bespoke private residences and ranches to numerous cultural, large-scale commercial and institutional projects, including a boutique Norwegian resort hotel located above the Arctic Circle, as well as numerous interior environments within the United States and around the globe.

Born in Panama, Louis grew up in Southern California before moving to New England to attend Deerfield Academy and eventually graduate school at Harvard. His East Coast experience led to a deep interest in history and the possibilities of firmly relating design to its context. Eschewing a form-based approach to design, Louis sees architecture as an experience. “I try to marry the visible and invisible qualities of the land to carry the story of my clients and their site. It’s a romantic journey that results in a design capable of supporting the important memories of our lives.” His work is noted for the timeless character of its design, emphasizing clarity of purpose, meticulous craftsmanship, and quiet poetry.

A principal in the firm, Louis is engaged in all facets of the practice including design, management, and business development. Over the course of his career, Louis has worked for noted firms on award-winning work, including Hammel, Green and Abrahamson and Skidmore Owings and Merrill, and the Dutch firm Altoon + Porter, where he served as studio director. His expertise with large-scale projects has been focused on translating the experience of place through intimacy of scale and kinesthetic responses to space. Louis’ current work includes an expansive home on the south shore of Kauai, as well as other design assignments.

Louis holds a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA (1980) and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University (1984).

Licensed in the states of Idaho and California.

Returning to the firm after joining de Reus as an intern while completing his degree, Christopher has worked on a variety of project types including residential, commercial, government and master planning. 

He received his Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa where he studied tropical regionalism and environmental design. He was recognized as a sustainable adviser for fellow students while working as an assistant Professor at the School of Architecture. 

Prior to returning to his hometown of Waimea and joining de Reus Architects, he completed his doctorate practicum in New York City while working as a junior designer with Kohn Pedersen Fox and volunteering with New York Urban Green. He also spent time in Texas where he assisted in the new additions to the Dallas World Aquarium and was an Associate AIA Committee member. 

With her many years of administration and management experience Lisa is an integral part of our architectural team from the design development phase through construction. 

Lisa rejoined our firm as Office Manager after nine years as part of the management team in the construction industry. Her direct responsibilities included both construction and general contracting services. 

With 27 years of design and management experience over a range of projects, Mr. Thompson joined the firm as a key team member on the Makena Golf & Beach Club. 

His past experience includes high-end residential projects as well as corporate, civic, health facilities and hospitality, project management. 

Prior to moving to Idaho, he lived in Connecticut, New York and the US Virgin Islands working on projects in Colorado and Wyoming and large scale institutional projects throughout the Northeast.

Licensed in the US Virgin Islands. 

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Since joining the firm in 2013, Brandt has proven he is a passionate and effective team player with a strong work ethic. 

Following graduation, Brandt worked for Egg Ventures, LLC doing design and construction work on high-end remodels in Salt Lake City. He then transfered to Icon Home, LLC where he specialized in both spec home and custom home deisgn. 

Since moving home and joining de Reus Architects, Brandt has worked on a wide array of custom residences and luxury hospitality projects throughout the country. 

Growing up on the Big island of Hawaii, with a background in residential construction, Josh joined the firm in 2015 as an intern. Having moved to Idaho, now works in the Sun Valley studio.

Lesley Castle is a Maui based Architect with experience in high-end residential, boutique hotels, and mixed-use design.

Upon obtaining her Master’s degree in Architecture from SCI-Arc in 2013, Lesley built a strong foundation in design by working with leading architects and interior designers at Gensler, Soho House and other LA-based architecture firms.
Her experience in architecture and interior design runs the gamut from concept creation to construction documentation and project management.

Most recently, Lesley worked for international hospitality firm Soho House on the masterplan of a 30-acre waterfront hotel and private residences project in Baja, Mexico with over 600,000 sf. of building area.
Her design aesthetic focuses on minimal modernism, integrated technology, mixed-use spaces, urbanism, and experimental architecture. She draws inspiration from other fields, including (but not limited to) art, fashion, travel, and photography.
Lesley is a Licensed Architect in Hawaii State and an active member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Licensed in Hawaii.

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Working remotely from Utah, Spencer joined dReus Architects with approximately 20 years of drafting/design experience under his belt.

His work experience has included commercial, hospitality and custom residential project types for various multi-disciplinary firms, throughout all stages of the design/construction processes. Spencer built his design resume upon a foundation of construction knowledge inherited while growing up around his father’s residential construction company, which focused on custom homes in Park City, Utah. His current primary focus is the Makena Golf & Beach Club project, where he has been involved since 2014, including his time with another firm on the project.

Born on Oahu, Ray holds a B.Arch from USC. Prior to joining the de Reus’ Waimea studio in 2021, Ray worked for other firms in Asia.

April is the Executive Assistant for the de Reus team, running the daily operations for the Sun Valley Architecture Office. With over 17 years of administrative experience, a strong focus on professionalism, dedication, extensive service, and communication skills. April’s scope extends beyond assisting, coordinating, and planning, she also assists the team in marketing projects.

When you don’t find her in the office you can catch her snowboarding in the winter and on the trails hiking and learning to dirt bike in the summer.

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