Architect

Maura Fernández Abernethy co-founded Studio VARA with Chris Roach. Studio VARA is an interdisciplinary design studio driven by a passion for excellence in design, service, and execution across a wide range of project sizes and typologies that align with our mission to build a better world for our clients, our community, and our planet. We are a minority woman-owned firm based in San Francisco’s Mission District with roots deep in the Bay Area design and construction industry, and a deep commitment to empowering designers as agents of positive change in our built environment and society.

Studio VARA is a design-driven practice and Maura leads the practice with a keen eye for detail at every scale. Her approach seamlessly blends a natural instinct for client needs with an elegant aesthetic sensibility, resulting in thoughtfully crafted spaces and experiences.

With over three decades dedicated to residential and interior architecture, Maura has honed her design expertise across a spectrum of project scales. From intimate residential interiors to expansive commercial spaces, she brings the same level of design rigor and attention to detail. The portfolio showcases complex high-end projects in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area, each reflecting her commitment to tailored, innovative design solutions.

Maura’s design philosophy is rooted in hands-on experience. She has designed and fabricated custom interiors and furniture for discerning residential and commercial clients, giving her a unique perspective on the interplay between concept and execution. This practical knowledge informs her ability to create cohesive designs that seamlessly integrate architecture, interiors, and custom elements.

Having practiced in Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Barcelona, and San Francisco, Maura has cultivated a versatile design approach. This diverse background enables her to tackle projects of varying scales and typologies, always with a fresh, design-forward perspective that responds to both client needs and contextual demands.

Maura received her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo.