Alonso is a methodical, conceptual designer with deep experience creating engaging, memorable moments. Whether he’s designing high-end residences or conceiving of exciting, functional retail spaces, he takes a human-centered design approach that caters to the nuanced and complex needs of the people who inhabit them.
Early on in his career, he worked with Apple, first as an in-house designer, and then as part of the retail project team. He developed concept-level designs and schematics for stores across the EU and Asia Pacific. He parlayed his retail experience into luxury home design, working on projects ranging from new contemporary construction to renovations of historic Bay Area homes. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to Starbucks, where he implemented new company initiatives, across brands, including a new interiors standards program for the company’s North American stores, as well as a modular kiosk program that was rolled out across the U.S.
He joined WRNS Studio in mid-2018, bringing a breadth of knowledge to large-scale projects, spanning multiple sectors. He’s able to juggle the rigors of fast-paced projects with ease, while churning out attractive, practical designs.
Alonso earned his Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he did a study aboard at the Technical University Munich in Germany. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Architectural Studies from the University of Washington. When not in the office, Alonso enjoys rowing in the morning with his crew team, whom he competes with during the summer, and participating in his neighborhood’s community design review process.