Ruard A. Veltman
Owner & Principal Architect
ruard@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
In 2005, Ruard founded Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based firm specializing in residential architecture, interior design, and custom furniture. Ruard expanded to an LA office in 2023 and, as the lead principal architect, remains responsible for each design from the initial concept. He draws by hand to develop the preliminary design stages, before assigning a project architect to help develop the construction documents stage for the project. He is passionate about designing homes that incorporate traditional and timeless design with organic and modernistic elements.
Ruard received his Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University where he was mentored by McArthur Genius Samuel Mockbee in the School of Architecture’s Rural Studio. After graduating, Ruard was trained by and worked for Bobby McAlpine in Montgomery, Alabama, before starting his own firm in 2005 based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with two remote coastal studios; one on the East Coast in Bald Head Island, North Carolina, and the second on the West Coast in Los Angeles, California. He is also an active member of the Design Leadership Network, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, and American Institute of Architects.
The firm’s projects can be found all over the country, including North Carolina, California, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Colorado, Utah, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Indiana. For information on our published projects, please view our Press page.
Julia Palen Wood
Senior Interior Designer
julia@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Julia joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2005, at the firm’s conception. In 2010, Julia became Senior Interior Designer as the firm began offering interior design and furnishing services and works in both the architecture and interiors departments. Julia is part of the architecture design process starting with initial concepts and is involved in the program meeting, schematic design phase, and design development phases. As part of interior architecture services, she assists clients with appliance, plumbing and tile, door/ cabinet hardware, paint/stain, and countertop/slab selections. Julia also works on custom furniture, lighting designs, and furnishing selections for interior design projects.
Prior to joining the team, Julia studied Interior Design at Virginia Commonwealth University and worked as an interior designer for Celeste Hart in Washington, DC, and Circa Interiors in Charlotte.
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When asked what tradesperson she would choose to be on one of our construction projects, she said: “I’d work in plaster. I bet it is a ton harder than it looks but it would be rewarding to work by hand and sculpt the shapes.”
Mary Lindsey Severs
Director of Operations
marylindsey@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Mary Lindsey joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2005, at the firm’s conception. Responsible for all business management and development, she facilitates architecture agreements, billing, and an overall production schedule for the firm.
A native Charlottean, she attended the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. After studying the rich history of architecture and art in London, she pursued the business side of the arts. Mary Lindsey gained design experience at Perkins+Will in Atlanta before joining the team.
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When asked what tradesperson she would choose to be on one of our construction projects, she said: “While I don’t ‘create’ like the rest of my firm, I have a passion for the interior architecture portion of the process and appreciate all the craftsmen that bring Ruard Veltman Architecture’s vision to life and provide unique, final touches.”
ARCHITECTURE
Phil Yagla
Architect
phil@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Phil joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2011 and has served as project architect on more than two dozen projects from Beverly Hills, California to Bronxville, New York. Raised in a Virginia Historic Landmark plantation home, Yagla spent his childhood learning “hands-on” traditional building and restoration techniques from his father. Phil works closely with the client and the contractor during construction documents, pricing, and construction administration, attending site visits, shop drawing review, and attending review board meetings.
Phil received his degree from the UNC at Charlotte’s College of Architecture, studied abroad in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Craftsmanship, history, and travel are important influences in his design process. Phil trained at Bonstra | Haresign Architects in Washington, DC, and Cluck Design Collaborative in Charlotte, prior to joining the team.
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When asked what tradesperson he would choose to be on one of our construction projects, he said: “I would most definitely choose framing — it is fast with just the right amount of imperfection and it is immensely gratifying to see spaces come to life.”
Julius Richardson
Architect
julius@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Julius joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2022 and has served as project architect on numerous projects from the Low Country of South Carolina to Chautauqua, New York. He grew up on a small farm outside of Orangeburg, SC, and spent his summers working with and learning from his father, who was a residential contractor. As project architect, Julius is assigned to a project at the start and works closely with the client and contractor during construction documents, pricing, and construction administration, attending site visits as well as review board meetings, and reviewing shop drawings.
Julius received his bachelor’s degree in art history from Wofford College, a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from a joint program of Clemson University and the College of Charleston, and a Master of Architecture from the UNC at Charlotte’s College of Architecture. While in school he traveled abroad to Barcelona, Southern France, and Rome to study art and architecture. Julius has trained at Kevin Harris Architect in Baton Rouge, LA, and Meyer|Greeson|Paullin|Benson in Charlotte before joining the team.
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When asked what tradesperson he would choose to be on one of our construction projects, he said: “Trim carpenter, without a doubt. The rest of a project can be flawless, but poorly coordinated and executed trim and details will be the fly in the ointment.”
Annemaria Groenhout
Architectural Designer
annemaria@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Annemaria joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in January of 2024 as an Architectural Designer assisting with all aspects of the design process, with a primary focus on the initial stages of design.
Annemaria received her bachelor’s degree in art and architecture from Calvin College, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan’s Taubman College. She practiced as an Architectural Designer at Cox Architecture prior to joining the team.
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When asked what tradesperson she would choose to be on one of our construction projects, she said: “I would probably be a cabinet maker. I love a custom cabinet and have already made my own specialized cabinets for plants and sewing. Being able to customize a drawer for maximum function and design is extremely satisfying; thinking through the specific design features that will make using a piece enjoyable while also increasing its beauty is a part of the design process I adore.”
Los Angeles Studio
Ehran Holm
Project Manager & Designer
ehran@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Ehran joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2022 as a Project Manager and Designer. Our local presence in the Los Angeles area, Ehran manages both the design and production of large scale residential estates in Southern California, while maintaining important client relationships throughout the design, documentation, and construction process.
The son of a multifaceted craftsman — a carpenter, boat builder, and glass artist — Ehran spent years on construction sites, learning various trades, and resisting his future, before finally pursuing Architecture as a profession. Ehran gained his Bachelors from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and a Masters from the University of Toronto. After relocating to Los Angeles, he began to specialize in premier residential estates, hospitality, and speculative research.
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When asked what tradesperson he would choose to be on one of our construction projects, he said: “It’s hard to chose, can I just be the ‘master builder’ obsessing over everything? It’s hard to focus on just one aspect when everything is important to the success of great design. I have always liked being a generalist.”
INTERIORS
Maggie Mardre
Interior Designer
maggie@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Maggie joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2021, and works as a Designer with Ruard, Julia, and Katie on all aspects of Interior Design projects from initial programming, space planning, design presentations, and product procurement to project management and installation. With Julia and Ruard, the team works together to develop schemes, source furnishings, and create custom furniture and lighting designs tailored to each client.
Originally from Alabama, Maggie graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She began her career in New York gaining experience with designers Victoria Hagan and Katie Ridder prior to joining the team.
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When asked what tradesperson she would choose to be on one of our construction projects, she said: “I would choose to be a landscaper. It would be refreshing to work outside with unique plants and flowers, and watch how they transform the exterior.”
Relly King
Junior Interior Designer
relly@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Relly joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2023. She works closely with Maggie, Katie, and Julia, throughout all phases of the Interior Design projects. Relly supports the interior design team by building and updating schedules, product procurement, design meeting preparation, correspondence with vendors/work rooms, and assisting with installations.
Relly graduated from Sewanee with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and received a Master’s Certificate in Interior Design from Heritage School of Interior Design. Prior to starting with RVAI, Relly was a design assistant for Alexandra Loew and then a junior interior designer for Chalet, an architecture and design firm in Denver, CO.
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When asked what tradesperson she would choose to be on one of our construction projects, she said “I’d love to be a tile installer. Although it seems tedious and probably strenuous at times, I think it would be extremely satisfying to step back and appreciate your work and how the tile has transformed the room or space.”
Katie Baldwin
Interiors Manager / Office Manager
katie@ruardveltmanarchitecture.com
Katie joined Ruard Veltman Architecture + Interiors in 2018. She assists with the business side of the interior’s department working closely with Julia and Maggie to manage all phases of the interior design projects and ensures the budgets and timelines are met. Katie also manages the efficiencies of the studio and is mother to Remy, the office pup.
A native Charlottean, Katie received her degree from Furman University. Katie was a math teacher before entering into the business side of the design industry and gained experience at Barrie Benson Interiors in Charlotte prior to joining the team.
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When asked what tradesperson she would choose to be on one of our construction projects, she said: “I would like to be the general contractor and utilize my coordination, communication, and problem-solving skills. Candidly, I mainly want to be the general contractor so I don’t have to get my hands dirty.”