who we are
love the space you live in.
blueply design is a Charlottesville-based architecture firm specializing in residential projects that balance clean modern elements with warmth and functionality. Our designs are open, light-filled spaces that are beautiful, sustainable, and deeply rooted in their surroundings. We believe good design should enhance daily life, celebrate individuality, and foster a strong relationship with the natural world.
Our name reflects our philosophy:
blue – optimism, open skies, and a connection to nature.
ply – layers of material, strength in structure, and the collaborative, flexible spirit of design.
From new homes and thoughtful additions to creative renovations and backyard studios, we partner with clients, builders, and local craftspeople to create spaces that feel simple, joyful, and enduring.
our team
Kendra Guiffré - Lead Architect + Owner
Kendra earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia and her Master of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin. Her love of design began early—her father, also an architect, designed their family home.
Before returning to Charlottesville to start a family and local practice, Kendra worked with CORE and Envision Design, award-winning architecture and interiors firms in Washington, D.C. There, she led projects that emphasized both sustainability and design excellence, deepening her interest in interior architecture and shaping her path toward residential and small commercial design. Kendra has practiced in the Charlottesville area for 21 years, dedicated to creating spaces of sanctuary that support gathering, reflection, and a connection to nature.
Angela Logan - Architectural Designer + Drafter
Angela brings years of diverse professional and personal experience to the firm with her lifelong passion for design and architectural drawing. She has spent over five years honing her skills in CAD drawing, both at blueply design and in her freelance work. Angela specializes in detailed building layouts and drawings with skilled selections of finishes and color schemes that bring our designs to life.
Lisa Bentley Tobias - Interiors
Lisa’s background in painting, printmaking, and apparel design strengthen and inform her aesthetic, versatility, and understanding of composition, materials and textures. From early concepts that include the logistics of functionality and moving through a space, to sourcing the finishing touches, Lisa contributes to a process that is grounded in open communication, technical insight, and a shared commitment to beauty, comfort, and function.
articles
good design is site specific, c-ville abode
“Simple good design. Anything from a coffee mug to a chair, to a room or a building. I’m inspired by the thoughtful use of materials, color, light, and space.”
something new (with a little old), c-ville abode
“Guiffre says she worked to reflect both the existing palette and the connection with nature in the original design, while noting that the kitchen redesign has improved the flow throughout the rest of the house as well.”
wood works: timberwood tap house elevates elements, c-ville abode
“The wood in Timberwood’s new tap house echoes brew hues—light blonde to deep brown. “It’s sort of a celebration of the beer.”