Jennifer bonelli
As Director of Design for Axis, Jennifer Bonelli brings extensive experience in commercial and hospitality interior design to the company.
With a passion for creating engaging interiors, Jennifer attended the esteemed New York School of Interior Design’s CIDA-Accredited Master of Fine Arts Program, and also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University in Economics.
Her first career was on Wall Street where she worked in private wealth and the real estate investment management division of asset management at a prominent Investment Bank. This unique background and mindset allows her to consider each design decision in terms of return on her client’s investments.
Jennifer began her true design career at highly imaginative New World Design Builders. Memorable projects there include her design work for celebrity hot spot restaurant CATCH L.A. as well as the revamp of Gansevoort Hotel Group Properties in New York.
She then took the opportunity to join award winning Jeffrey Beers International in their New York City office. There she honed her skills working with the industry’s very best and became a lead designer on everything from large scale entertainment complexes, cruise ships, casinos, hotels, and signature restaurants, working for clients such as Disney, Marriott, Hard Rock and a number of celebrity chefs.
When Jennifer relocated to the Southeast, she joined the Charleston, South Carolina office of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. Notable projects there include her work on The Cooper, Charleston’s soon to be newest luxury waterfront hotel and Wild Dunes Resort. She then led the interior design for Kempton of Charleston, a new luxury retirement community and was tapped to design several lobbies for mixed-use developments. Jennifer also touched historic preservation projects along downtown Charleston’s most iconic streets during her time designing high-end residential and condominium projects.
During her first year with Axis Hospitality, Jennifer completed designs for Hotel Iris in Boston, a luxury four star boutique hotel, and The Garden Hotel & Resort in Ft Lauderdale. Recently, her team re-envisioned a South Beach Miami Hotel on Collins Avenue, completed the design of a luxury multi-family project in Phoenix, has joined forces with a major hotel brand in the midwest for renovations of their hotel portfolio, designed for Arkhaus - a luxury yacht club experience, was awarded a contract with Taylor Morrison’s Esplanade brand for their shops and clubhouses, began work on the renovation of a DoubleTree by Hilton in New Jersey and is moving towards the final design phases of a renovation of a Michigan Hotel that will become a part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Jennifer draws on her vast design experience as she works hand in hand with clients, architects, contractors, property managers, brand executives, owners and investors to deliver an exceptional experience and visionary design.
Andrew sigfrids, aia
Andrew Sigfrids, AIA, is a highly experienced Architectural Designer and LEED Associate with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota. He has held key roles at notable firms such as Adolfson & Peterson Construction, DBlant International, and HLW, and is the founder of ASIG BIM.
Andrew’s impressive portfolio includes major projects like the Pullman Hotel in Guangzhou, China, and the Sofitel Hotel in Shenyang, China.
He has also collaborated with top-tier clients such as Starbucks, ABInBev, Blu Dot, and Top Golf, leveraging his expertise in BIM tools like Revit, Inventor, and SolidWorks. Currently at Axis Design, Andrew is dedicated to ensuring the flawless execution of construction documentation, consistently delivering excellence throughout the design process.
jessica yu
Jessica Yu is a talented Interior Designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Parsons the New School for Design. She has built an impressive career at top firms, including HOK, DOMIO, rag & bone, Jeffrey Beers International, and O’Neil Langan Architects PC. Jessica has refined her expertise through high-profile projects such as the WestHouse Hotel, Park Central Hotel, and Atlantis Hotel in Sanya.
In her previous role as Senior Interior Designer at HOK, she spearheaded diverse design projects and is highly regarded for her commitment to design excellence and meticulous attention to detail. She further brings with her knowledge in best practices to enhance workflow procedures and excels at project management playing a vital role in successful delivery of on-time, on-budget project completion.
DER SEAN CHOU, NCIDQ
Der Sean Chou is an NCIDQ-certified Interior Designer who holds a Master of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute. With extensive experience in residential, multi-family, and high-end hospitality design, he has held senior design roles at esteemed firms such as Jeffrey Beers International and Stonehill Taylor. His expertise has contributed to exceptional projects, including the Omni PGA Resort in Frisco, Texas, Costa and Princess Cruiselines and exclusive multi-family developments like One 57, 108 Leonard and One West End in New York City.
Der Sean has collaborated with luxury brands, including One&Only, Waldorf Astoria, and Omni, skillfully navigating rigorous brand standards to ensure flawless project execution. His design philosophy focuses on elevating the guest experience through exquisite interiors that seamlessly blend style and functionality.
ALEXANDRA PANARETOS, NCIDQ
Alexandra Panaretos holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Art History from Furman University and Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She is an accomplished interior designer with nearly seven years of experience in hospitality and commercial design.
Throughout her career, Alexandra has successfully managed the design documentation process for branded hotel projects for clients such as IHG, Hilton, and Marriott, focusing on compliance with brand standards and enhancing guest experiences.
After relocating from Atlanta to Charleston, Alexandra joined Goff D’Antonio Architects, where she gained valuable experience on boutique hotels, multifamily developments, and retail projects, including the notable George and Society Street in downtown Charleston.
HANNAH SEARS
Hannah Sears graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Real Estate Finance and furthered her studies at the Charleston School of Design, and is currently pursuing her education at Parsons the New School for Design.
Her portfolio features the custom design of exclusive properties throughout the Southeast, including notable locations such as Boone, Winter Park, Palmetto Bluff, and Charleston. Each project reflects Hannah’s keen attention to detail and her commitment to creating personalized, luxury environments that embody the individuality of each space and client.
With Axis Hospitality, Hannah has contributed to projects such as Hotel Iris and The Garden Hotel & Resort and designed the luxury floating yacht club, Arkhaus. She is currently leading the designs for home-builder Taylor Morrison’s Esplanade resort style amenities.
Angelo Caccese
Angelo Caccese is an Architect and 3D visualization specialist. A graduate of the prestigious Politecnico di Torino in Italy, Angelo has honed his skills through diverse experiences in Argentina, Spain, and beyond, bringing a rich, international perspective to his work.
In 2020, he founded Zeen Visual, a cutting-edge agency that specializes in creating breathtaking 3D visualizations for architecture, interior design, and product design. With a meticulous eye for detail and a deep understanding of spatial aesthetics, Angelo transforms conceptual ideas into immersive visual experiences.
In addition to his work at Zeen Visual, Angelo collaborates closely with Axis, lending his expertise to produce high-quality, photorealistic 3D imagery that vividly brings the studio’s visionary designs to life.