KROEGER JANEV ARCHITECTS
Kroeger Janev Architects is a full-service architectural design firm, located in the heart of the Napa Valley, specializing in custom residences, wineries, and hospitality projects. Principals Loren Kroeger and Sasha Janev bring more than 50 years of combined experience to the firm. We believe that architecture is a transformative process as well as a partnership. We listen to our clients and fully engage them in the entire design process to realize their vision
Our mission is to create designs that are not only beautiful but also functional, inspired by their environment and appropriate for their location. We seek to design structures that are authentic, comfortable, sustainable, and balanced in scale, proportion, and detail.
We are passionate about design and enjoy being hands-on, with a focus on quality, not quantity. We are known for a design process that is creative, inspiring, and enjoyable. Through our team-based approach, we work hard to complement the best in design with comprehensive, efficient project management.
Together with the design and construction team, we strive for a true collaboration with a shared objective: to build high-quality, timeless designs that enhance our clients’ quality of life.
LOREN KROEGER
Principal
Loren Kroeger is a design principal with Kroeger Janev Architects. His lifelong interest in architecture and spatial aesthetics is reflected in his expansive portfolio. He has worked on a variety of project types, from master-planning and public works to multi-family housing and resorts, but he has spent most of his career developing his passion for custom residential design. Loren is a hands-on partner that brings a collaborative approach to the firm. His motivation is to understand clients’ goals, provide innovative solutions to design problems, and exceed expectations.
In 1997, he had the opportunity to begin working alongside Howard Backen at a newly-formed firm which would become Backen Gillam & Kroeger Architects. During his 20 years with that office, Loren was an integral part of the development of the practice, collaborating with Howard on the design of many of the firm’s award-winning projects. As a design principal, Loren played a key role in the design of several world-class resorts including Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Solage in Calistoga, California, and CordeValle in San Martin, California. He also designed dozens of noteworthy private homes throughout California and North America.
Loren’s work has been published in magazines and books including Architectural Digest, Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler, Robb Report, Western Interiors, C Magazine and more. His work is also featured in From the Land: The Architecture of Backen, Gillam & Kroeger. He is a licensed architect in California and Texas. Loren studied design at the University of Oregon. He resides in Napa, California.
SASHA JANEV
Principal
Originally from Zadar, Croatia, Sasha first came to the Napa Valley in 1993 as a high school foreign exchange student. Later, after receiving his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Belgrade’s School of Architectural Design and Urban Planning in 2000, he returned to the Napa Valley and embarked on his professional career.
Sasha is a licensed Architect in the State of California and has over 20 years of professional experience. His passion for design and commitment to excellence has resulted in his successful completion of a broad range of projects including private residences, wineries, and resorts, both in California and internationally.
Early in his career, Sasha worked closely with Howard Backen, his mentor and role model, on the design and construction of some of Napa’s most recognized structures. It was also during this time at Backen Gillam & Kroeger Architects that Sasha begun his collaboration with Loren Kroeger, while they worked together on several noteworthy private homes.
In 2015, Sasha decided to take his career in new direction and founded SMJ Architecture, where he was Principal-in-Charge. Following this successful start to his own architectural practice, Sasha partnered with Loren to create Kroeger Janev Architects in 2018. Here, he continues to strive for perfection in the creation of timeless, design-forward spaces.