Principal J.C. Schmeil spent his itinerant youth in Geneva, Stockholm, Abidjan and Tokyo. Upon graduating from the American School in Japan, he enrolled at Stanford University, where he played rugby and graduated with a B.A. in International Relations in 1990. J.C. worked in New York City as a copper and precious metals trader until he took his boss literally at the statement "Ishi no ue ni mo san nen," and left to pursue a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Texas. Subsequent work experience includes stints with Pritzker Prize laureate Christian de Porzamparc in Paris, Arai/Jackson Architects in Seattle, Black + Vernooy Architects, and KRDB in Austin, on projects ranging from large-scale institutional to residential design build.

J.C. is a registered architect in the state of Texas, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Texas Society of Architects. He is a LEED accredited professional, emphasizing green building techniques in projects that are modern in spirit. J.C. lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Ashley, sons Corbin and Beckett, and dog Toba.