From the 1996 PUC class, Jarrod Denton is an architect, partner, and founder at Signum Architecture, LLP. When he and his business partner founded their firm, they chose “Signum” as it is a Latin term for design and reflects the center point of the firm. They opened their architecture firm originally in St. Helena in May of 2011 and relocated to Napa on November 20, 2023. 

“For us, the name also represents our unique studio environment in which a diverse group of talented and empowered people work together to contribute ideas to every design solution,” said Jarrod. “Critiques, pin-ups, and internal presentations enable us to receive and incorporate alternate viewpoints, elevating the design. We look at architecture from a holistic point of view and are able to reach beyond traditional architecture, collaborating with artists, developing a depth of knowledge in low carbon construction, and most recently becoming a dealer for a Brazilian furniture company.”

What inspired you to start your own business? 

I was inspired by the desire to elevate my design practice beyond the amazing opportunities that I had already been fortunate to have participated in at that point in my career.

What do you specialize in? 

On the residential side of our practice, I tend to gravitate toward projects that require an especially creative solution, whether it is finding a solution for a challenging lot and a residence that wants to be off the grid.  On the commercial side, I lean toward boutique hospitality, restaurants, wineries, caves, and adaptive reuse projects that give new life into older – often historically significant – buildings.

Walk us through a typical workday.  

Working with a host of people and agencies from our internal staff, regulatory agencies, consultants, ownership groups, vendors, manufacturers, contractors, and others. 

A typical day usually involves oscillating between being creative and coming up with the macro overall design concepts and the micro working out all the details and logistics to ensure the overall project vision is on track and maintained. The initial concept may take a decade to fully see to fruition. 

Can you share some of the projects you are most proud of?

Staying in the Napa Valley, what is currently called Brasswoods, was a rewarding project to see new life instilled into the old outlets. Sourcing an existing timber truss from an Idaho sawmill and repurposing the product in an existing building was a unique project component. I know that many people from Angwin head down the hill to grab a bite at the café or restaurant, which seems more convenient than St. Helena. 

In 2010, I was able to get a Sonoma house renovation certified as the first Passive House Renovation in North America through PHIUS. There is a great deal of diversity in both the types of projects and locations that I can work on. Caves, modular construction for a Franz Valley residence, penalization for a Napa hotel that is being constructed, and HALL Winery. Projects vary from the Mojave Desert, San Luis Obispo, Carmel Valley, Auburn, Oahu, and Walla Walla.

Did you always know you wanted to be an architect? 

Yes, I actually did know what I wanted to do, probably from third grade onward. I was inspired by walking through homes that my uncles were working on and seeing how each home was constructed.  

What do you enjoy the most about being an architect? 

The ability to elevate everyday life with the transformative power of architecture and instill a reaction in people is powerful and rewarding. I enjoy meeting various people, and building relationships. I love the process – coming up with a design concept, not falling in love with the first solution, nurturing the design along and distilling the solution down to the essence, and ultimately walking through a built space.  Architecture takes time, and that too is rewarding, knowing that our efforts will  have a long lasting impact on both the user and the environment. Being an architect is like a conductor in a symphony: as architects, we are in a unique position of floating between macro and micro worlds, knowing what the finished composition should sound like, and bringing together various musicians to play harmoniously together.  

How did PUC help prepare you for your career? 

While the core classes absolutely contributed, the diverse general education classes – such as world religions, public speaking, sociology, music appreciation, biology, and great books – greatly contributed to my early career. Architecture remains similar to the days of Leonardo da Vinci, when it was the purview of the Renaissance man. Being knowledgeable in many different fields of study is vital to success in this profession, and PUC instilled for me a general sense of curiosity and a holistic education that are a benefit to this day.

What made you decide to attend PUC? 

At the last moment in high school I was gently nudged to consider PUC from my uncle James Kempster, who at the time was the chair of the music department. Initially I planned on a couple of years and transferring to architectural school but ended up staying all four years and completing my education at PUC.

What work did you do after graduating from PUC? 

I started working for an architectural firm in Yountville, California, one week after graduation and marrying Heather Denton, another PUC Alum who teaches at PUC Prep.

Is there something you learned at PUC that you still carry today? 

A continued seeker of knowledge, creative problem solving, a scientific approach to analyzing a problem, and a connectedness to PUC Church and the Angwin community.