About Us

We turn our clients’ needs into spaces that are just as functional as they are beautiful.

Our Company

TM VAVRA Architects offers an outstanding level of service and creativity, always stretching the possibilities for each custom home design. We are based in Richmond, VA and have completed projects locally and nationally.  Our staff combines years of building experience with excellence in architectural design, drafting, and rendering. We work with our clients to develop beautiful, functional, and cost effective residential design solutions.  We are recipients of awards including Parade of Homes, Homearama, MAME, Builder of the Year, Best of Houzz, among many others.
 

 

Our Leadership

Principal architect, Tom Vavra, has nearly 40 years of experience in home design and construction. He began working as a carpenter at 17, while earning his degree in Architecture.  He went on to work as a Regional Architect for the Ryland Group, a top national home builder, for seven years.  Later, he started an award winning architectural firm, RDS Architecture, in Orlando, Florida, specializing in luxury custom homes.  He then started Rivers Edge Development Corp, a custom home design/build firm in Richmond, VA. Tom began TM VAVRA Architects in 2013, specializing in custom new homes for individual clients as well as some of the top custom home builders in the area.  

Testimonials

“What an amazing experience that all started with Tom’s design. Thank you so much!”

-Client

“We had lots of ideas in our head but Tom took the time to get to know our family and our needs and translate them into a beautiful and functional home for us. He was extremely responsive and understanding throughout the entire process. We were initially nervous about working with an architect and just thought it was going to be difficult. It was not at all! Tom and his team were patient and understanding and many times anticipated our needs before we realized them. I would recommend TM Vavra Associates to everyone!”

-Client

“Tom did an amazing job. We were able to describe what we were looking for, and he made it happen. Our end product was fantastic! I would highly recommend him to all of our friends and family!”

-Client

“We have been working with Tom on our plans for our new house that we are building with Perkinson Homes. Tom has been wonderful to work with! He listens and transfers all that he hears to paper, which is very impressive! He’s extremely responsive when it comes to questions via email (thank goodness, because I love email!) and he is great at what he does. We are so happy with the outcome of our plans and the elevation of our home, and cannot wait to get started!”

-Client

“I was hooked up to TM Vavra through another firm. We found a very nice plan for a 4 bedroom modern farmhouse style that he had designed and built in the Richmond area several times- or variations of it. Would loved to have raised my daughters in a house like this! This is a spec house project. My wife and I bought a tear-down in Raleigh, NC. I partnered with a home builder/client to build this 3700 foot house in one of the best housing markets in the country. The lot was narrow and the plan had a side entry garage. I reached out to Tom and for a reasonable fee (and I mean really reasonable!) he reconfigured the garage, laundry (expanded), bedroom and bath to my interior designer wife’s specs. The garage can now comfortably fit a Tahoe and Suburban! Tom is one of the most professional architects I have had the pleasure of working with. If you are looking for a high brow, condescending, “my way or the highway” kind of architect- look elsewhere! This house will be about $1MM, but Tom’s design will have it showing like a $2MM one! He is with you long after the check clears! Give him the opportunity to design your home!”

-Client

“Wonderful! Worked with TM Vavra on multiple projects and still do! Highly recommended! On time and on target! Extremely knowledgable about the industry along with a great attitude making projects super enjoyable!”

-Colleague

Our Team

Tom Vavra

Architect
tom@tmvavra.com

Tom spends his days in meetings, on the phone, working on new projects, reviewing work and answering whatever questions come his way.  After work, he likes to unwind and work on the garden, spend time with family, cook, make things from clay or wood, or hike and travel.  His favorite thing on his desk is an old photo of him and some friends dancing in their mid-20’s.

Angela Vavra

Business Manager
angie@tmvavra.com

Angie holds down the business and administrative side of things.  When she’s not at work, she and her husband, Tom, like to spend time with family and friends.  She also loves to hike and bike ride whenever she has a chance.  Her favorite thing on her desk is her coffee!

Natalia Avila Escobar

3D Modeling

Natalia is an Architect living in Lima, Peru and she works on 3D modeling for our renderings. When she’s not working she likes doing nail art and reading crime books, she loves Agatha Christie. She also enjoy watching soccer, basketball and tennis. Her favorite thing in her desk is a wooden tulip.

Jessi Bondurant

Graphic Artist/Rendering
jessi@tmvavra.com

Jessi is a scientist turned graphic artist. Although she studied Biology in college, today she is responsible for 3D renderings and marketing materials for the company. When she isn’t at work you can find her spending time with her husband and 2 year old son or volunteering at the local animal shelter. Her favorite thing on her desk is a photo of her son.

Our Clients

We have satisfied clients all over the country!  See where we’ve been.