Team
Design. Develop. Document.
Eric Miller Architects consists of a team of experienced professionals dedicated to delivering the highest quality of work with the highest standard of care. From management, to design, to production, our team works together in a studio environment to develop concepts all the way through to construction.
Executive Management
Principal
ERIC MILLER, AIA
Eric, born and raised in Pacific Grove, has been running his award-wining architecture firm since 1987. His work is guided by a balance of timeless aesthetics and quality craftsmanship, creating elegant homes that are highly personal. With a collaborative approach and close attention to detail, Eric oversees each project from concept through completion, ensuring exceptional quality at every scale. ​
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Specialties: Crafting unmistakable designs recognized throughout the community and developing strong and personal client relationships.
Vice President, Director of Operations
Luyen Vu
With over 40 years of experience, Luyen has been an integral part of the firm since its early days — joining during the original wave of employees in 2000 and becoming its first Associate in 2006. He oversees the daily operations of the office and provides his expertise in creating the office’s original AutoCAD standards and its IT structure. His portfolio includes a range of large-scale commercial mixed-use and custom residential projects throughout the Peninsula and several resort developments overseas.
Specialties: Managing design teams, agencies permit approvals, and client contract negotiations.
Architect, Associate
Carla Hashimoto, AIA
With over three decades of experience, Carla has valued more than 21 years working alongside Eric Miller in design development as a Project Architect and Manager. She specializes in high-end single-family residential design and is deeply invested in the client experience, finding the greatest reward in helping clients see their dreams take shape through thoughtful design development and detailing, from concept through construction.
Specialties: Managing project teams, navigating the challenges of permit approvals, and construction administration.
Architectural design team
Architect, Associate
Hannah miller, aia
Hannah has been designing buildings for a decade. After starting her career in Los Angeles focusing on development projects and art installations, she found her passion in high-end residential design. Working closely with clients, Hannah develops initial concepts and guides each project through refinement and execution, overseeing every phase through construction to ensure a fully realized architectural vision.
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Specialties: Custom residential design, 3D animation, and problem solving during construction.
Senior Designer
Cristo Staedler
Cristo creates site-integrated designs that aim to evolve the urban environment. He blends contemporary design strategies with vernacular materials to craft timeless spaces. Since 2016, he has tested the boundaries of design, on a quest for unique expressions in his art form.
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Specialties: Design, visualization and development of large-scale hospitality, mixed-use, commercial, and multi-family projects, and Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Designer, Job Captain
Oscar Astorga
Oscar has over 12 years of architectural experience, including high-end residential projects in Mexico and Los Angeles. He is a Licensed Architect in Mexico, NCARB verified, and is currently pursuing licensure in California. At EMA, he shapes projects from schematic design through construction documentation, combining creativity with technical expertise at every stage.
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Specialties: High-end residential design and development, technical coordination, and cross-border project experience.
production team
Assistant Operations Manager
diosdado marquez
Dado has been with EMA for over 25 years, bringing nearly four decades of architectural experience to the firm. He began his career in the Philippines and Brunei before moving to the United States in 1997. For Dado, architecture is a uniquely rewarding profession — one that blends artistic creativity with technical expertise. The greatest satisfaction of his career comes from collaborating with the Team to turn clients’ dreams into reality. His passion for architecture is evident in every set of plans he helps produce at EMA.
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Specialties: Construction documents, detailing, and design.
Job Captain
Susan Hall
Susan is a Job Captain and Architectural Drafter with experience supporting projects from schematic design through construction documentation. With a strong attention to detail and a clear understanding of building systems, she plays a key role in translating design intent into accurate, well-coordinated drawings. Susan collaborates closely with Project Managers and Consultants to help ensure projects are delivered efficiently and to a high standard of quality.
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​Specialties: AutoCAD drafting and creating hand-crafted works through knitting, woodworking, and painting.
Senior Drafter
John Keiser
With more than 40 years of experience in construction documentation and design, John brings deep technical knowledge and practical insight to every project. Since joining EMA in 2018, he has been actively involved in planning and permitting documentation for residential and commercial clients, as well as coordinating submissions to local agencies throughout the Monterey area.
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Specialties: Construction detailing, and building code and product research. He is also a devoted caregiver to two senior ginger tabby cats.
Finance and Administration
Office Manager
Anita Hitchcock
As EMA’s Office Manager for over six years, Anita keeps the office running smoothly by supporting our Team and overseeing the company’s billing operations. She takes pride in maintaining an organized, efficient, and welcoming workplace. Born and raised on the Peninsula, Anita is deeply familiar with the area and the community we serve and has a passion for architecture and design.
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Outside of work, she is passionate about exercise and dance and enjoys spending time with her family, her Shih Tzu pup and her cats.
Finance and Human Resource Manager
Cathy Jean Cole
Cathy joined EMA late in 2023. She is a seasoned financial and HR professional and holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business. She worked for Rockefeller & Co., the investment arm of the Rockefeller Family office in New York City, for 11 years. For the past 25 years Cathy has had a thriving bookkeeping business. Cathy is an animal lover, and it was due to her love of Sea Otters that she moved from NYC to Pacific Grove in 1997.
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Outside of work, her favorite thing to do is play with her kitten, Lola.​
team k-9
Office Mascot
Eevee
Eevee, the official mascot of EMA, is the smallest team member with the biggest personality. She patrols the studio for pets and treats, supervises design reviews, and reminds her mom, Hannah, to take breaks for fresh air during long work days. ​​Her cheerful and calming presence brings warmth and joy to every project and throughout the studio.
​Specialties: Being a good girl at construction site walk-throughs, napping on Hannah's lap during important meetings, and making everying say "aww" when entering a room.
Director of Sniffing
Remi
Remi the poodle brings energy to the studio with his fun personality. Endlessly curious, our Director of Sniffing makes it his mission to investigate every visitor, conversation, and corner of the office. After a few laps of zoomies down the office corridor, he'll retreat for an afternoon nap in his mom Carla's office. Remi adds warmth, laughter, and a playful spark to the rhythm of the studio.
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Specialties: High-speed zoomies, patiently waiting for Carla's return, and politely (and persistently) requesting pets.