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Technical Rigor.
Material Grounding.
A research-driven design practice in Sacramento focused on high-performance buildings and building science.
Riley Carter and Manfred Bauer Architecture is a research-driven design practice based in Sacramento, California, focused on high-performance residential and small-scale commercial buildings.
Operating in California’s demanding climate and regulatory environment, we develop projects that respond directly to heat, energy use, and housing constraints—integrating airtight construction and thermal-bridge mitigation from the earliest stages of design.
- Systems-First Design We view form not just as shape, but as a technical assembly determining long-term performance.
- Climate Response Specific detailing for California’s heat and energy demands using Passive House principles.
- Regulatory Expertise Deep integration of IRC/IBC standards to ensure buildability and compliance.
Providing integrated services across all phases of a project, from initial concept to construction sequencing.
Residential and mixed-use design developed with climate, constructability, and long-term performance in mind.
Passive House principles, enclosure detailing, moisture control, and energy-conscious assemblies.
IRC/IBC interpretation, detailing for compliance, and coordination with permitting authorities.
Translating design intent into buildable systems, with attention to sequencing and durability.
Close collaboration with engineers to ensure alignment between design, systems, and execution.
Every decision must support performance, clarity, and buildability.
Founded as a partnership between Dr. Riley Carter and Manfred Bauer, the practice reflects a shared commitment: architecture must be understood not only as form, but as a system of assemblies, codes, and environmental forces that determine how a building performs over time.
Together, their work spans projects ranging from certified Passive Houses and deep-energy retrofits to detailed studies of building assemblies and construction methodologies. They bring coherence to the often fragmented relationship between design ambition, regulatory frameworks, and built reality.
Riley Carter
Co-Founder — Architecture & Building Science
Dr. Carter is an architect, researcher, and educator specializing in high-performance residential design. Formally trained in architectural engineering and holding a doctorate in sustainable building systems, she is widely recognized for her leadership in Passive House standards and deep expertise in the International Residential Code (IRC).
With over two decades of experience, her work focuses on policy, energy systems, and the advancement of sustainable, attainable residential design. Her approach emphasizes clear detailing, airtightness, and long-term durability as fundamental components of design.
Manfred Bauer
Co-Founder — Design & Material Systems
Manfred Bauer’s work operates at the intersection of materials, construction systems, and architectural thinking. His approach is grounded in the physical logic of building—how assemblies come together, how materials behave over time, and how technical decisions shape both performance and meaning.
Drawing from professional practice and ongoing research, he focuses on translating complex construction knowledge into clear, applicable frameworks. Working between Europe and North America, he contributes an international perspective on sustainability, detailing, and evolving building standards.
Adrian M. Caldwell
Lead Consultant | CFD & Thermal Dynamics
Adrian brings a high-precision aerospace perspective to our firm’s building science, applying advanced thermodynamics and aeronautical simulation standards to the built environment.
With nearly two decades of experience in the design and certification of the world’s most advanced jet engines, he oversees the computational validation of our most complex enclosures, ensuring that airflow and thermal performance meet the rigorous demands of next-generation architecture.
- Advanced CFD Simulation
- Thermal-Stress Modeling
- High-Velocity Airflow Dynamics
- Complex System Validation
Daniel H. Krohn
Fire Protection & Life Safety
Daniel Krohn provides a critical field-oriented perspective on fire protection and life safety compliance, bringing rigorous analysis to both new constructions and complex existing buildings.
His deep understanding of the regulatory landscape ensures that designs not only meet stringent code requirements but align with local enforcement expectations seamlessly.
- Fire sprinkler & standpipe systems
- Advanced alarm & detection
- Egress & opening protection
- Strict ITM compliance
Julian R. Vance
Senior Mechanical Engineer
With more than 25 years of specialized experience, Julian leads our mechanical system design and strategy. He approaches building systems as complex operational networks.
His engineering philosophy centers on the belief that long-term building performance depends entirely on correct direction, balance, and meticulous control of the indoor environment.
- Ventilation & IAQ optimization
- Airflow & pressure control
- Stack effect mitigation
- Commissioning verification
Ethan R. Sterling
Engineering Performance Strategy
Ethan contributes vital expertise in mechanical systems, engineering decision-making, and performance-based design support, translating theoretical analysis into actionable execution.
His extensive background in field engineering reinforces a central tenet of our firm: technical clarity and interdisciplinary coordination must lead to decisive, buildable outcomes.
- Analysis-to-design translation
- System coordination
- Performance optimization
- Field execution strategies
The firm operates as an integrated practice where architecture, engineering, and compliance are developed together—not sequentially.
"Good buildings are not accidental—they are the result of informed, deliberate decisions carried through to completion."
We treat every technical requirement as a pathway to constructive clarity. By navigating the intricacies of the ICC family—IPC, IFGC, and IRC—we ensure resilience is built into the fabric of the project.
Clients engage us for a level of technical depth essential for housing that is smarter, safer, and built to endure.