October 30, 2024
Montalba Architects included in Forbes' Top 200 Residential Architects in America

Honored to be 1 of 200 firms selected for Forbes' inaugural America's Top 200 Residential Architects List for 2025. Starting as a residential firm 20 years ago, today Montalba Architects' work spans all sectors, from commercial and retail to hospitality and urban mixed-use, embodying elements of the home in each project to craft aspirational spaces for our clients.

 

The list includes the nation’s finest practitioners of the creation of “home,” and the residential specialists best suited to help build the setting of life’s most meaningful experiences. A regionally diverse advisory board of leading experts on the American house formulated a singularly rigorous methodology and system of evaluation to finalize the group of 200 architects.


August 5, 2024
9720 Wilshire honored in ARCHITECT 2024 Architecture & Interiors Awards

Montalba Architect's 9720 Wilshire project was awarded a merit award in ARCHITECT's 2024 Architecture & Interiors Awards. Of the project, one of the juror's said, “Very LA that a great supporting actor like this oculus creates its own dramatic focus without upstaging the main attraction, Ed Stone’s iconic façade.” With nearly 200 submissions from firms around the world, the resulting class of 34 winners represents a diverse range of commercial architecture and interior design projects showcasing innovation and ingenuity in all its forms. Congratulations to our fellow nominees!


July 29, 2024
2024 Promotions

Montalba Architects is excited to announce the promotion of Michael Bercovitch to Director of Real Estate, Amy Robles to Senior Designer, and Carolyn Woods to Associate. These three individuals in the Los Angeles office have displayed exceptional growth and dedication in helping to guide the firm forward. They have demonstrated knowledge in various areas within our projects and the practice, and these promotions reflect the accomplishments and contributions of these emerging leaders.

June 24, 2024
The Architect's Newspaper Awards Montalba Architects Best of Practice Award

Adding to our growing list of firm awards this year, Montalba Architects has won The Architect's Newspaper Best of Practice Award in the Architect (Large Firm)—West category! With 20 categories across seven regions, Best of Practice crowns the top businesses in the AEC Industry. The awards take into consideration the overall operations, design, culture, and social impact of a firm. Thank you to The Architect's Newspaper for the incredible recognition and congrats to our fellow awardees!


June 3, 2024
Montalba Architects wins global Best Firm of the Year Award in 2024 Architizer A+ Awards

We are so pleased to announce we have been awarded Architizer’s prestigious 2024 A+ Awards competition for Best Large Firm (41+ employees).  The Architizer A+Awards is the world’s largest architectural awards program honoring the best architecture, firms and spaces from around the globe with more than 5,000 entries from over 80 countries around the world.

 

In addition to the Best Firm award, we have also won the Jury Vote and the Popular Choice in the Commercial Renovations and Additions category for our 9720 Wilshire project. As we near our 20th anniversary this fall, we continue to find ways to celebrate how far we’ve come and the clients and collaborators who’ve contributed to our success. A big thank you goes out to those who’ve been there along the way; this wouldn’t be possible without you!


May 24, 2024
Interior Design describes Graoni Beach House as effortlessly relaxed

Graoni Beach House holds a prominent feature in the Spring 2024 issue of Interior Design, which focuses on bold and beautiful residential design. The story details the different materials and design aspects of the home from the exterior vertical pin fins blackened with shou sugi ban to the wire-brushed Douglas-fir plans on the floors and ceilings. Throughout, David Montalba is quoted about the main challenges and opportunities within the home that crafted this coastal retreat from the city.

May 6, 2024
Construction nearing completion on LA office headquarters

Construction is expected to wrap up this summer for private office headquarters located in an exisitng Los Angeles commercial high rise. Final finishes are being installed including stone wall cladding the entry lobby, coffered wood ceilings throughout the commons spaces, and custom millowrk in the main library. The existing structural grid of the tower was used to create the formal language of the ceiling, which was then broken down into a deepened, fin mullion system which conceals the structural suspension rods that hold the weight of the second floor slab.


April 30, 2024
MA nominated for 3 Architizer A+ Awards - Vote now!

We're excited to announce Montalba Architects and our 9720 Wilshire project have been nominated as finalists in 3 categories for the Architizer A+ Awards:

  • Best Large Firm (41+ employees) - Montalba Architects
  • Commercial Renovations and Additions - 9720 Wilshire
  • Architecture + Renovations - 9720 Wilshire

In the Best Large Firm category, we are one of five firms in the world nominated for the award. We'd appreciate your vote to help us receive this respected award! Please visit this link to create an account and vote for Montalba Architects. If redirected to the home page click on the "All" icon and filter to each category listed above. Voting can be done daily and ends on Friday, May 10.


March 28, 2024
Monocle hosts David Montalba on The Entrepreneurs Podcast

David Montalba joined host Tom Edwards on the latest episode of Monocle's The Entrepreneurs podcast covering the company’s upcoming 20th anniversary, the effect of his early experiences working with renowned practitioners and the critical importance of collaboration. The show dives deeper into the leaders and thoughtmakers behind innovative businesses and inspiring start-ups. Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

March 15, 2024
Wallpaper* gets exclusive first look at Carla Ridge House

Montalba Architects shared the exclusive first look at Carla Ridge House with Wallpaper's Architectural Director, Ellie Stathaki. The feature details the influences of modernist and contemporary architecture on the home, which is sited in the historic Trousdale Estates. The single level home overlooks the valley with a large terrace and pool deck, a low-slung volume roof, sunken living room and ample natural light throughout via pocket doors, windows, skylights and clerestory windows.


March 4, 2024
The Bahamas welcomes a new, luxury Padel and Tennis Club

Situated on 5-acres of land in the heart of Nassau, Aspara Padel and Tennis Club brings a curated collection of expansive experiences through design dedicated to whole-being. The club reflects a contemporary architectural vision with interiors that strike a balance between the indoor and outdoor environment. Drawing on local references, the roof plane of the main building is extended across exterior spaces to create sheltered interstitial spaces. Within this plane, programmatic blocks are shifted to capture additional exterior space.

An evolving portfolio of amenities include padel courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, HIIT Studio, boxing studio, pilates and yoga studio, state-of-the-art fitness center, his/hers experiential wellness spa, athletic boutique, cocktail lounge, juice bar, and community lounge space.


February 19, 2024
Dior's New LEED certified flagship in Waikiki

The Dior Waikiki flagship boutique is prominently sited on two-levels of an existing 14 story building in the heart of the vibrant neighborhood. The LEED certified building anchors the busy street front with a new layered, geometric patterned facade. Mesh and metal cladding layer overtop glass, allowing light to filter into the space while highlighting the merchandise.

February 7, 2024
Construction is underway at Anderson Towers

Construction progress at Anderson Towers is quickly nearing completion.  The latest milestones include plaza work that anchors the project. Prominent tree installation, concrete waterproofing and terrazzo work, canopy installation, and planter formwork are all underway.  The ground level concept focuses on reinforcing connection across the site to nearby public spaces, such as Century City Mall, and a connection between the two buildings, the landscape and the interior lobby spaces.


February 1, 2024
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto and Garden finalist in MIPIM Awards

On the heels of its completion, we are excited to announce Nobu Hotel Palo Alto and Garden project is a finalist in the 2024 MIPIM Awards. This year, the jury focused on projects that enhance the built environment’s prospects, in line with ESG goals. The six key criteria were overall sustainability, integration of the project in its environment and community, quality of the user experience, economic contribution, originality of the concept, and architectural qualities. Official winners will be announced on March 14 in Cannes, France.


January 2, 2024
Happy New Year! Bonne Année!

Here's to the turning of a new year filled with new possibilities. Wishing you a wonderful 2024!

December 14, 2023
Two MA projects win awards at SCDF Design & Philanthropy Awards

Our team recently joined members of the AEC community at the SCDF - Southern California Development Forum annual Design and Philanthropy Awards 2023 ceremony where we received the Adaptive Reuse, Historic Preservation Honor Award for 9720 Wilshire and the Beyond SoCal Citation for Nobu Garden Palo Alto. It's an honor to have two projects recognized for their unique contributions to their communities.

We want to thank SCDF and the jury for selecting Montalba Architects, as well as our clients Anderson Real Estate and Nobu Hospitality for trusting us with each project.


December 4, 2023
Graoni Beach House Exclusive in Architectural Digest

David Montalba, founding principal of Montalba Architects, recently sat down with Architectural Digest's Samuel Cochran for a first look at Graoni Beach House in Malibu, CA. Montalba was joined alongside the homeowners and Cliff Fong, the interior designer, for an exclusive interview about the beachside property and the main design initiatives taken to modernize the home while accounting for rising sea levels. A huge thank you to the AD team, the Clients, Cliff and everyone at MA who had a hand in the project. For the full story, click here.


November 21, 2023
MA designs new gallery concept in LA

Situated along a prominent shopping corridor in Los Angeles, this new gallery concept seamlessly blends the streetfront and exhibition space with the addition of incorporated green-scape and areas for reprieve from the busy neighborhood. Tactile, natural textures are complemented by raw materiality and cool, neutral tones to emphasis works on display. At its center, the building opens up into a orthogonal courtyard that’s isolated from the street. A dynamic pitched roof maximizes natural light, with strategically placed skylights to sculpt sun exposure within the space. Floor to ceiling doors completely open into the courtyard to integrate both interior and exterior spaces.

November 16, 2023
Manhattan Beach House wins AIA CA Residential Award

We're excited to share Manhattan Beach House has won a 2023 AIA California Residential Merit Award. Sixteen residential architecture projects were recognized with ecipients awarded based on design excellence. Additionally, each recipient demonstrated effective performance/sustainability strategies in energy, water, materials, health, ecology, and resilience. Of the sixteen awards only four projects were based in southern California, with Manhattan Beach House being the only South Bay project. A huge thank you goes to the jury and AIA California for recognizing our project, and congratulations to all the other awardees.


October 17, 2023
Monocle names David Montalba the Most-Considered Retail Designer

Monocle's latest issue, dedicated tastemakers in retail, named David Montalba as the 2023 award winner for the "Most-Considered Retail Designer". The inaugural Monocle Retail Awards spotlight the 25 people and places delivering best-in-class experiences and products. Of the 25 winners only five were located in the United States with Montalba the only designer in California. Congratulations to David and the Montalba Architects team for this prestigious award, and to all the other winners!


September 26, 2023
Montalba Architects' Project showcased at Exhibition in Athens, Greece

Montalba Architects’ project Manhattan Beach House was included in an exhibition honoring the winners of the 2023 International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum in Athens, Greece. The exhibition titled “The City and the World” took place at the European Centre over the duration of 23 days commencing on September 8 and ending October 1. Manhattan Beach House was among the projects having won an award in the Private Homes category.

August 23, 2023
LA Times Architecture Critic praises 9720 Wilshire project

Recently we invited Los Angeles Times' art and design columnist, Carolina Miranda, to tour 9720 Wilshire. In her latest story, she details the history of the iconic building by Edward Durrell Stone, as well as our thoughtful renovation to the plaza and basement. "With the remodel, what was once a dim concrete bunker could serve as additional office space or a public commercial venue (a lounge would seem right), since it has direct access to the street via a staircase that is now sheltered by a set of glass doors," says Miranda.


August 16, 2023
Montalba Architects completes Nobu Garden in Palo Alto, CA

Nobu Garden, the newest addition to the multi-phase Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, has officially completed. Upon its open, the restaurant received notes of praise from press including DezeenDesignboom and Hypebeast. Montalba Architects worked with Nobu Hospitality to design its newest restaurant experience focused on immersing guests into a traditional Japanese garden while also providing an intimate dining environment. With minimal seating, emphasis is put on the soothing design and sustainable landscape transporting patrons through a sensory cuisine experience with a low carbon footprint. Large and specially-selected boulders from Japan were individually and sculpturally positioned by Shigeru Namba to enhance the spatial qualities of the garden, while native, drought-tolerant ground cover with Japanese inspired specimen plantings accent the garden, offering pedestrians a physical and visual respite.


July 30, 2023
Interior Design explores Manhattan Beach House's allure

Interior Design describes Manhattan Beach House as a contemporary beach house with modernist allure in its latest story about the project. The story unfolds the main design intent of the home to take an otherwise tight lot in a densely packed, coastal  neighborhood and create a home that hold substantial volume will dissipating compression of the site. Details about the Client's well-rounded art collection is paired with the importance of sculpted light and viewlines throughout the home.

"From outside, the abundance of glass, paired with a pared-down palette of plaster, cedar for the roof overhang and textural screen wall, hints at the voluminous presence. Inside, any sense of compression dissipates. That is mainly because the plan is organized around a double-height interior courtyard open to the sky."

July 18, 2023
2023 Leadership Promotions

Over the last 19 years we have consistently been inspired by individuals who impact the work that we do by providing exceptional leadership skills and knowledge in the craft of making. As our firm continues to evolve and grow, we’ve recognized the need for a new role of Senior Associate that encompasses these leaders within the office. Thus, we are excited to announce the promotion of Alex Kith, Cillian Magee, Gregg Oelker, Juliet Hsieh and Jon Handzo to Senior Associates and Stella Choi to Associate Principal. Each of these people have had an immense impact on our teams and internal culture, as well as the firm’s diverse portfolio of work. Please join us in congratulating them!


July 3, 2023
Vertical Courtyard House wins AIA|LA Residential Award

We're excited to announce Vertical Courtyard House has won an AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Merit Award! This year the annual program recognized 20 projects across typologies including ADUs, affordable housing, multifamily dwellings, and more. The RAA jury included Rochelle Mills; Simon Ha, AIA, LEED AP; and Vince Bertoni. Congratulations to our team here at Montalba Architects and to all the other RAA winners!


June 22, 2023
Wallpaper* includes Place and Space on list of best architecture books

Wallpaper* recently included Place and Space: Montalba Architects in it's latest roundup of the best architecture books. The list was specifically selected by editors and includes the photographic tomes, architects’ monographs and limited editions they can't resist, touching on themes from anime to brutalism. Place and Space explores the duality of Switzerland and California, and how these locations have inherently influenced our overall ideas and work. Click here to get your own copy!

June 12, 2023
MA converts Swiss warehouse into Duplex showroom

Located in St-Sulpice, Vaud, Duplex was designed through the conversion of an existing warehouse into a showroom for multiple materials and samples. By studying the flow and circulation of the space, the new layout creates an open space for brand displays and co-working areas through the use of monolithic walls. Products are given full spotlight through the use of black finishes while multiple skylights show the reflectivity of each material. The space also includes a kitchen, bar, material library and offices.


May 23, 2023
Place and Space: Montalba Architects at MoMA Bookstore and more

We stopped by The Museum of Modern Art in New York City last week to view the Architecture Now exhibit and came across a few copies of our book Place and Space: Montalba Architects in the museum store. Place and Space explores the duality of Switzerland and California, and how these locations have inherently influenced the overall ideas and work of Montalba Architects. The book is available at select retailers around the world including Hennessey + Ingalls, Payot CH, Skylight Arts Annex, Monograph Bookwerks, Burro, Maxfields, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Somewhere, Carmel.


April 26, 2023
AIA|LA 2023 ArchTour Fest LA includes 9720 Wilshire project

On Friday, May 19 from 2-3pm PST we will be leading a tour of 9720 Wilshire as part of this year's AIA|LA Spring ArchTour Fest LA. The project, completed in 2022, is a significant historical renovation of the original 1962 Edward Durrell Stone Building, and a transformation of the basement level by adding a new light filled garden atrium and sculpture that defines the plaza along Wilshire Boulevard in downtown Beverly Hills. Tickets for exclusive access to the space are available for purchase here. We hope you can join us!

April 14, 2023
Manhattan Beach House wins AIA Long Beach / South Bay Award

We're excited to share Manhattan Beach House has won a 2023 AIA Long Beach / South Bay Design Award. Specific awards will be announced during the Awards Ceremony and Gala on May 6. Every two years, the Biennial Design Awards Program recognizes achievements for a broad range of architectural works that elevate the general quality of architectural practice, establish a standard of excellence against which all architects can measure performance, and inform the public of the breadth and value of architectural practice. Additionally, the Committee on the Environment (COTE) recognizes projects that successfully integrate design excellence with environmental performance. A huge thank you goes to the jury and AIA Long Beach/South Bay for recognizing our project, and congratulations to all the other awardees.


March 15, 2023
Construction nears completion on Carla Ridge Residence

Construction on our Carla Ridge Residence project is wrapping up as we near a Summer 2023 completion date. Custom millwork has been installed throughout the home, while final pieces of the limestone flooring are being placed. Next, plantings will be placed into the three intertwining courtyards that connect the home and offer moments of environmental reprieve. Upon completion of construction, our team will do a full FFE install with custom pieces we've designed for the home.


February 14, 2023
MA celebrates Place and Space at Pace Gallery Geneva

Celebrations for our new book, Place and Space: Montalba Architects, have wrapped with a final private reception in Switzerland. We partnered with Pace Gallery Geneva for a special evening to celebrate the book and a private viewing of the gallery's new Leo Villareal exhibit. The evening saw Clients, Collaborators, Staff and Friends together in one room toasting to Place and Space and the community that drives a lot of our work abroad.

January 31, 2023
2023 MA Promotions

With the new year underway, we are pleased to announce the recent promotions of a dedicated and well deserving group! These promotions recognize each person’s impact on our teams and internal culture, as well as their exceptional contributions to the firm’s diverse portfolio of work and embodiment of our shared design values. Please join us in congratulating our team!


January 16, 2023
New single family residence on Portugal's Comporta coast

Design continues on a 6,000 sf archetypal volume inserted into an isotropic field of pines typical of Portugal's Comporta coast. The monolithic nature of the house contains a series of captured landscapes and sculpted interior volumes that draw in the native landscape. Remnants of traditional Alentejo architecture are present in the use of earthen exterior walls which further drives the relation between the building and its terrain.


January 3, 2023
Happy New Year! / Bonne Année!

Cheers to another year of taking the simple and making it into the extraordinary!

December 12, 2022
Architizer includes MA in list of firms leading global architecture

Architizer has included Montalba Architects in a recent article titled 33 Trailblazing Firms Leading the Globe Into a New Era of Architectural Design highlighting the firm's recent A+Award for Popular Choice Winner in Best of North America. The list features the firms behind some of the world’s most ground-breaking projects from the past 10 years. We're honored to have been included in such a prestigious list of firms!


November 14, 2022
Montalba wins public vote in 10th Annual Architizer A+Awards

We are excited to announce Montalba Architects' is the Public Vote Winner in the Best Firm North America category for Architizer's 10th Annual A+Awards and has been included in this year's A+List. The A+ Awards are the world's largest awards program for architecture and spaces celebrating the extraordinary work of the world's best firms as they strive to create architecture that will stand the test of time. We are honored to be included in this list of exemplary firms and congratulations to our fellow peers who made the list!


November 8, 2022
Construction continues on garden restaurant concept in Palo Alto

Construction on our garden restaurant concept in Palo Alto, CA continues with the installation of boulders hand selected and arranged by a well-known Japanese Landscape Architect. By adaptively reusing what was once a dry cleaner storefront, the restaurant offers an upscale experience and a unique opportunity to dine within an authentic Japanese garden complete with native plantings placed according to Zen principles. 

October 18, 2022
Montalba Wins an Architecture MasterPrize Large Firm of the Year Award

We are excited to announce Montalba Architects has won the Architecture MasterPrize for Large Firm of the Year Award in Multi-Disciplinary Architecture. We are extremely proud of our team and their efforts toward crafting spaces that further cement us as a leading firm in this category. The award recognizes the full portfolio of firms while ensuring company resources and specializations are taken into consideration. Firms were evaluated based on the dimensions of Design Excellence, Innovation & Contribution, and Expertise.


October 6, 2022
Montalba Architects hosts book release party at Hammer Museum

Last week Montalba Architects gathered Clients, collaborators, friends, family, and the MA team together at the Hammer Museum's Annenberg Terrace to celebrate the pre-release of our first published conceptual book, Place and Space, by Artifice Press. The event was a celebration of the ideas behind the work and the people who made this book possible. A specially curated food installation by artist duo Ananas Ananas reflected the essentialism and materiality within our work and paired with newly launched Frank August whiskey bourbon. A special thank you to the 200+ people that showed up to raise a glass with us!


September 29, 2022
Modern Luxury Interiors California spotlights Place and Space

Modern Luxury Interiors California featured Place and Space: Montalba Architects as a recommended book to get in the October Issue. The story highlights the connection between Swiss precision and California modernism within our work. "The firm’s first retrospective showcases some of its hero projects over 240 gorgeously illustrated and informative pages."

August 30, 2022
Place and Space: Montalba Architects by Artifice Press Now Available

Montalba Architects’ conceptual book, Place and Space by Artifice Press, is officially on the shelves. Place and Space explores the duality of Switzerland and California, and how these locations have inherently influenced the overall ideas and work of Montalba Architects. Woven throughout the text are conversations between David Montalba and other creatives and thinkers, including landscape designer Andrea Cochran, artist Andy Denzler, entrepreneurs David Alleman and Rich Pierson, and film director Zack Snyder, that cross-examine and explore different approaches to space and place.


July 29, 2022
Wallpaper Reviews Place and Space: Montalba Architects by Artifice Press

Wallpaper* shares a first look and review by US Editor Pei-Ru Keh for Montalba Architects' upcoming book, Place and Space, by Artifice Press. "The book is appropriately easy on the eye too. Filled with drawings, floorplans and enviable photography by Kevin Scott, Dominique Vorillon and Delphine Burtin, the book positions each of the firm’s projects in relation to its philosophies."


July 6, 2022
Layered materials and gallery display create an immersive experience at luxury brand house HQ

We recently completed concept design for Moet Hennessy’s new 2-story North America headquarters in New York.  The main objective was to provide the Moet Hennessy team, customers, and VIP guests alike a luxury hospitality focus and gallery-like experience rich in the brand history of the company.Upon entry, a sweeping staircase serves as the centerpiece anchoring the two floor.  Accented with feature bottles representing the 23 houses, this central connecting space represents timelessness, together with the growth and evolution of the Moet Hennessy family.  Adjacent flex spaces are conceptualized around the idea of gathering through the ritual of drink and are designed to accommodate events, meetings and private dining experiences. Smaller transitional spaces are more intimate and accented with gallery displays showcasing historical books and objects all part of the brand story.

June 12, 2022
Montalba included in Frame's latest book The Healthy Indoors

Montalba Architects' has been included in Frame's latest book, The Healthy Indoors, which addresses the increasing need for spaces designed to serve multiple and diverse uses while promoting a culture of well-being and innovation. Within, the Whitepod Eco-Chalets and Vertical Courtyard House reflect the importance of a connection between a space and nature that's often found within our projects. The Healthy Indoors provides a cleverly guided survey of projects that have successfully put the occupants’ physical and mental health at the center of their design.


May 21, 2022
MA finalist for "Best of North American Firm" in this year’s Architizer A+Awards

Montalba Architects is honored to have been selected as a finalist for Architizer's A+ Awards in the Best North America - New category. Architizer A+Awards is the largest awards program focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture and spaces. The Best North America category is new to the awards this year and includes firms based in the United States, Canada and Mexico demonstrating excellence in their field. 


April 21, 2022
MA's upcoming book Place and Space now available for pre-order

We are excited to announce the upcoming release of our first published book, Place and Space, which is now available for preorder. Raised between Switzerland and California, David Montalba has cultivated a design philosophy that balances precision and craft with humanistic architecture leading to a cohesive presence of both the contextual and the conceptual. Place and Space explores the duality of Switzerland and California through ideas and projects of the studio spanning more than a decade, and how these locations have inherently influenced the overall ideas and work of Montalba Architects. Woven throughout the text are conversations between David Montalba and other creatives and thinkers, including landscape architect Andrea Cochran, artist Andy Denzler, visionary leaders David Alleman and Rich Pierson, and film director Zack Snyder, that cross-examine and explore different approaches to space and place.

March 23, 2022
Construction Completes on new Banque Raiffeisen Morges Venoge

Construction has officially been completed on the new Banque Raiffeisen Morges Venoge in the heart of the Lake Geneva region. Centered around the form of water and the values of Raiffeisen Bank, liquid space was the common thread throughout the design. Within the space are container elements represented by opaque partitions that have specific program functions to create more or less privacy. The space lives by its fluidity amongst the different programs generating a spatial homogeneity and a continuous flow. Much like water dispersing on a flat surface, the floor finishes spread around the elements generating work and meeting spaces.


March 18, 2022
Elle Decor Belgium features LR2 House

For French-speaking readers, Elle Decor Beligum details what influenced the dramatic, complex design and how LR2 House communicates with the site. The matchbox concept was driven by the idea of expansions of interior and exterior space in relation to the volumes of the building. It is the landscape itself that sets the backdrop, and the volumes of the architecture ultimately guide one’s experience of the home through the passage in and around the home.


February 24, 2022
VOLA showcases Montalba Architects projects

VOLA continued its series of conversations with individuals who share their philosophy of bringing meaning and purpose to the spaces we inhabit with a virtual trip to Lausanne, Switzerland to meet David Montalba. The conversation dives into the dualities of place within our studio, specifically the connection between California, Switzerland and our work. How all these elements drive and evolve our design and process over time.

February 7, 2022
David Montalba joins Jury for AIA Los Angeles APA Awards

David Montalba has been selected as part of the jury for this year’s AIALA Architectural Photography Awards. The fifth annual AIALA APA Awards honor the photographers who have long been an integral element of an architect’s work. Submissions fall into three categories, including Best Image, Best Instagram Feed (Photographer and Firm) and Best Rendering. Entries are judged on the interpretation of architecture or the built environment; not the architecture itself. David is joined on the jury by Elizabeth Parker, Chief Creative Officer, Shimahara Visual, and Ashok Sinha, Architecture Photographer with winners to be announced in Spring 2022. Best of luck to all those submitting for an award!


January 3, 2022
Happy New Year / Bonne Année

We want to express our sincere gratitude for another great year as we look forward to the one ahead. Happy New Year from all of us here at MA!


December 15, 2021
MA recently completes design of single-family residence

A new 6,300 sf family home rests above a 4,400 sf basement separating living space from amenities alongside a sunken courtyard with long, linear lightwells that allow light to puncture the subterranean floor. The L-shaped building encloses the corner lot creating an expansive courtyard featuring a lap pool and deck with a seamless transition into indoor living spaces through pocket sliding glass doors. The transition is woven well into the open floor plan allowing nature to seep into the home. Poured concrete walls on the ground floor contrast against vertical wood slats and a standing-seam gabled roof creating a juxtaposition between the above grade floors. Below, a 4-car garage, media room, guest suite and full gym flank the sunken courtyard which allows an abundance of natural light and reflectivity throughout what would otherwise be a dark, stale space. Lush landscape expands deck sight-lines both beyond the pool and into the home creating a sense of tranquility and privacy among the site.

December 10, 2021
MA Reflects: La Mobilière’s 9th edition of Dimension Mobilière

As another year ends, MA reflects on the amazing events we’ve been able to take a part in, including La Mobiliere’s 9th edition of Dimension Mobilière at the Swisstech Convention Center in Lausanne. David Montalba joined a group of distinguished speakers and panelists including Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor; Paul Bulcke, President of Nestlé; André Hoffmann, Philanthropist and Vice President of Roche; Bertrand Piccard, Co-founder of Solar Impulse to discuss the theme - "Against the Tide”. La Mobilière’s Dimension Mobilière aims to promote the economic dynamism and creativity characteristic of the French-speaking region of Switzerland.


November 17, 2021
Vertical Courtyard House wins AIA CA Residential Merit Award

American Institute of Architects California has officially announced the recipients of the 2021 Residential Design Awards. This year’s jury deliberated through nearly 100 projects, taking many aspects of design into consideration including design which represents all that California architecture has to offer. We are honored to have received a Merit Award for our Vertical Courtyard House project. Congratulations to our team and all the other honorees!


November 9, 2021
2x8: Assemblies Student Exhibition kicks off its 15th year

This year's annual 2x8:Assemblies student exhibition kicked off with projects from 19 unique architecture and design programs throughout California on display that celebrated the diversity of architectural philosophy and encouraged conversation around the central theme of Community. 2x8 is an annual non-profit program that functions as a student exhibition and scholarship fund, and design competition. This year, 2x8:Assemblies will present over $25,000 in scholarship awards through the annual scholarship program, raised by community members in the AEC industry. Montalba Architects is pleased to be a sponsor for the event and congratulates all the students on their exemplary work!

November 1, 2021
AN Interior Magazine includes MA in annual list of Top 50 Architects

Montalba Architects has been included in AN Interior's, The Architect's Newspaper's magazine, list of the Top 50 Architects in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Now in its fourth iteration, the represented firms span the full range of experience, from promising upstarts to well-established offices. This is MA's second year appearing on the list with many years to come. 


October 28, 2021
MA attends LABC 51st Annual Architecture Awards

We want to sincerely thank Los Angeles Business Council for another year celebrating great design at the 51st Annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards ceremony. We're honored to have two winning projects this year, Nobu Hotel Palo Alto and Headspace SM HQ. Congratulations to our team here at Montalba Architects, our collaborators, and all the other winners of the night!


October 5, 2021
Aston Martin Magazine Features LR2 House

The latest issue of Aston Martin Magazine features LR2 House, which is also home to the Client's personal Aston Martin D82/4. A new take on West Coast modernism, the house is sited on a hillside overlooking the Californian city of Pasadena and the mountainous surroundings. It is stepped up a sloping site and appears to rest on the steep gradient, rather than feel embedded within it. The dramatic, dark concrete panel facade contrasts with the incline of the site to create the exterior monolithic masses along the slope, while a light, plywood interior allows natural light to reflect and move throughout the spaces.

September 28, 2021
Interior Design’s Best of Design Book is Published

Interior Design’s Best of Design Book has officially been published and is available to select consumers and online. Focused on wellness, the book features Vertical Courtyard House and Headspace SM HQ, both of which strongly emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces to create a coexisting environment that promotes spiritual moments of quiet and pause. Additionally, each is flooded with natural light to induce a feeling of wellbeing and recharge.


September 14, 2021
MA Celebrates Two Project Wins at the International Architecture Awards in Athens, Greece

On September 10, 2021, MA joined 150 other architecture and design firms to celebrate the winners of the 2021 International Architecture Awards. Held in Athens, Greece, the event rewards the best architecture and urban planning designs in the world, and this year of the 800 submissions only 130 were selected as winners. Among those winners were LR2 House and Venice Beach House. We couldn't be more proud of the teams who worked to help each of these projects come to life, and congratulations to all the other winners of this year's award.


September 10, 2021
Construction Completes on Dior Santa Clara

Construction has been completed on a Women's and Men's Dior store in Santa Clara, California. Inside, subtly layered textures and precise details enhance the materiality of the new store offering movement in an otherwise stagnant space. Ridged plaster patterns adorn the interior walls to add a backdrop to the products, while smooth stone at the storefront gives a sleek and sensible welcome to shoppers.

August 31, 2021
Sunken Garden in Progress at 9720 Wilshire Blvd

Construction has begun on the historic Edward Durell Stone building at 9720 Wilshire Blvd. Recently the exterior slab has been cut for a sunken garden that will bring a dynamic focal point to the main basement space and revamp the existing prominent plaza at the ground level. With the intent to bring natural light into the otherwise windowless basement, the renovation focuses on the exterior plaza, interior lobbies, and common areas.


August 12, 2021
Work Completes on San Vicente Office Interiors and Continues on Exteriors

Work has been completed on the interiors of the San Vicente Office project in Los Angeles, CA. Renewed lobby and public areas were upgraded with feature Belgian stone walls while planted seating areas create welcoming entry conditions to each floor. More spacious elevator lobbies bring in extra light and air into hallways allowing for better ventilation and less artificial lighting. Construction continues on the exterior where a central plaza will provide a green space with seating to draw shoppers to retail establishments while simplification of the building's upper massing unifies the various storefronts.


July 15, 2021
Architect's Newspaper names MA a Editor's Choice for Best of Practice

Montalba Architects was named Editor's Choice for A'N's Best of Practice Award - Architect (Large), West category. The program is organized by The Architect’s Newspaper with the ambition to “stake out an expansive meaning of excellence, one which takes into account inclusivity, social impact, sustainability, regionality, and technological innovation, in addition to formal and structural considerations.”  We are honored to be recognized amongst an elite group of design firms!

July 1, 2021
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto wins AIA SF Award

Montalba Architects is honored to have received a Merit Award in the Interior Architecture category from AIA San Francisco Design Awards for Nobu Hotel Palo Alto. Our main objective was to create a moment of pause in the middle of downtown Silicon Valley while creating a property that provided a subtlety of contrasts to its urban setting. The materials palette was derived from ideas of reflecting natural light and textures as a response to the moments of ceremony and stillness while developing details and extremely high-level architectural resolution.


June 22, 2021
David Montalba on Jury for Bee Breeders Competition

David Montalba joined the jury for Bee Breeders design competition in partnership with the Spirala Ecological Village, a pioneering project focused on self-development and connection with nature. The community and farm, based in Northern Portugal, is planned to consist of 20 buildings in which residents live and work together and practice ways of connecting with nature while reducing their ecological footprint on Earth.

 

The Spirala Community Home Competition called for submissions for a shared building that will form the heart of the Spirala Ecological Village – a space where community members could gather together and meet for events, workshops, or socializing. Winning designs were critiqued by their construction and design solutions that would best serve the various needs of the community, as well as green building practices and sustainable design. 

 

Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding work!


June 15, 2021
Elle Decor Italy finds solace at Whitepod, Zen Suite

Elle Decor Italy shares Whitepod, Zen Suite, and its symbiotic relationship with nature along with its spiritual and holistic response to the environment. The small gem set in the vertical landscape of the Swiss Alps is part of the Whitepod Eco-Luxury Resort, a hotel completely immersed in the mountains and made of up eighteen independent pods. The spherical structure alludes to the cycle of time, and elects the circle as a symbolic shape, replicated several times even inside.

June 10, 2021
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto announced as an HD Award finalist

Nobu Hotel Palo Alto has been named a finalist in the Suites category of the 17th annual Hospitality Design Awards. The project was selected out of nearly 800 submissions further establishing the property as a staple to the Nobu brand. The Ryokan guestroom suites offer an upscale experience through the use of natural materials and elevated amenities, including a tori gate-inspired bed, freestanding teak soaking tubs, specially curated artwork and unique objects selected to compliment the Japanese – California environment.


May 12, 2021
Gaggenau publishes Vertical Courtyard House

Recently, David Montalba invited Gaggenau inside Vertical Courtyard House for a photoshoot included in their latest book, the Art of the Kitchen. The book features an intimate look at the kitchens of various tastemakers and how they use Gaggenau appliances within their kitchens. At Vertical Courtyard House Gaggenau is the backbone to the kitchen space, which is completed with the Combi-Steam oven, warming drawers and wine climate cabinet.   


April 22, 2021
Happy Earth Day

As we reflect on the value and importance of our planet, we celebrate the moments in nature that provide a source of inspiration for our projects. From the San Gabriel Mountains mirrored upon LR2 House and the expanded coastline at Oxnard Beach House, to the Swiss Alp pines surrounding the Whitepod Eco-Chalets and rolling green mountainside cradling the Bex & Arts Pavilion. Today and every day we give thanks to the environments that continue to inspire us all. Happy Earth Day.

April 7, 2021
LR2 House awarded by AIA Pasadena Foothill

Montalba Architects is excited to share LR2 House has been recognized with a Merit Award by the AIA Pasadena Foothill 2020 Design Awards. The Pasadena & Foothill AIA Design Awards program provides a forum to celebrate design excellence and innovation as well as providing an arena where architects are recognized by their peers for their effort and dedication to the profession. LR2 House was one of only five projects awarded.  


March 19, 2021
MA Completes Concept Phase of New Urban Hotel

Design has wrapped on a new technology-driven, touch-less hospitality concept focused on providing guests with a unique escape within urban settings. This concept reclaims leasable space and transforms them into guest rooms, lobby spaces and flexible workspaces with high ceilings and pockets of indoor landscaping. The use of calming materials, such as warm wood tones and soft lighting, along with thoughtfully integrated technology provides seamless plug-and-play, which in turn produces a relaxing environment for everyday and business travelers. Within each of the guestrooms, the latest LED technology capabilities allow users to dim and alter color temperatures mimicking natural daylight and allowing the guest to step in tune with their natural circadian rhythm giving way to a restorative stay.


March 2, 2021
MA Announces 2021 Promotions

As we begin a new year, we are pleased to announce the promotion of five key members of the MONTALBA ARCHITECTS team: Cillian Magee, Gregg Oelker and Stephanie Rychner-Roux to Associate; Kyle Engoian to Senior Designer; and Kelly Hromadka, Director of Operations, who has also joined our MA Strategic Exec team. 

 

Each of them is motivated by a dedication to engagement and learning within a unique blend of disciplines. But, beyond their individual strengths and skills, there is an underlying quality they all share: a desire to support and lift others around them, which is the foundation of the MA spirit. We are so happy to celebrate them, their commitment, and their accomplishments.

 

Additionally, we're pleased to welcome Philippe Marmillod as a Senior Associate in the Lausanne, Switzerland studio. Prior to MA, he collaborated with Switzerland architecture firms on various project types from campus buildings to hospitality facilities. Sending a big thank you to Cillian, Gregg, Kelly, Kyle and Stephanie, and welcome to Philippe!

February 20, 2021
The New York Times Style Magazine features the Eco-Chalets

The New York Times Style Magazine included the Montalba Architects designed eco-chalets at Whitepod in their latest T List roundup. Nestled in the pristine alpine hamlet of Les Giettes, in Switzerland’s Valais region, the eco-friendly Whitepod resort offers a resplendent way to experience the Alps. Each week, editors share things they're eating, wearing, listening to, or coveting now in the list. 


February 10, 2021
MA Awards Marvin Rand Scholarship to Brian Yoon

We are honored to announce Brian Yoon, artist and illustrator, as the recipient of the 2020 Marvin Rand Scholarship. Awarded annually to an exemplary employee or affiliate who has demonstrated a commitment to continued personal and professional growth, The Marvin Rand Scholarship is dedicated to late photographer, Marvin Rand, Hon. AIA (1924 – 2009). Drawing inspiration from the graphic-art styles of the late 1800s and early 1900s, Brian reinterprets folktales, myths, and religious texts through his paintings and illustrations. He will be using this scholarship to help develop his next fine-art collection here in Los Angeles. Congratulations from all of us at MA!


February 4, 2021
InspireDesign features recently completed Nobu Hotel Palo Alto

InspireDesign featured the recently opened Nobu Hotel Palo Alto. The story explores the relationship between the hotel's design with its location and surrounding landscape, with a huge emphasis on the natural elements within. The desire to connect occupants more closely to nature through the use of natural materials was extremely important. The stone facade and floors, wood walls and floors and a strong preference away from artificial or plastic materials stayed top of mind. Careful use of Grasscloth wall coverings and Japanese fiber paper walls around the lobby and rooms (laminated in glass for durability) help soften the experience and quiet the mind. This is woven throughout the public spaces, guestrooms and suites, and conference rooms. 

January 20, 2021
Archinect lists MA as a must-follow firm on Instagram

Archinect recently released a list of the must-follow architecture firms for 2021 on Instagram and included Montalba Architects. The writer specifically points out the variation of project photos featured. Many thanks to those who follow along and continue to be supporters of our work. 


January 4, 2021
Happy New Year!

From Los Angeles to Lausanne, best wishes for a Happy New Year!


December 17, 2020
Multiple MA Projects Awarded

Various MA projects have been recently awarded and recognized, including Headspace SM named one of Architect's Newspaper's Best of Design and Riviera Loft awarded one of the Best Projects of 2020 on Archilovers. The Vertical Courtyard House was a finalist in Interior Design's Best of Year Awards, while LR2 House was recognized by the Blueprint Awards. Lastly, Whitepod, Zen Suite was awarded by Hospitality Design Awards for its Sustainable Design. A big thank you to the publications and institutions that continue to award and support our work. 

December 4, 2020
ESPACES shares sustainable elements of Vertical Courtyard House

ESPACES took an in-depth look at the sustainable design aspects of Vertical Courtyard House. The piece also shares a detailed diagram where each eco-friendly element can be found within the project. For example, optimal air circulation is achieved through a passive system of operable glass doors and mobile louvered shades, and large overhangs for shading. Cross-ventilation over the footprint of the home and evaporative cooling from the strategically sited pool creates a cool-air corridor through the family living area. The greenery of the backyard folds down through the central courtyard into the basement level allowing light to penetrate the darker levels of the basement. 


November 23, 2020
Vertical Courtyard House shortlisted for Interior Design Best of Year Awards

Montalba Architect's is honored to have Vertical Courtyard House listed as a finalist in Interior Design's 2020 Best of Year Awards. Best of Year is the design industry's premiere design awards program, honoring the most significant work of the year and recognizing designers, architects, and manufacturers from around the globe. The Vertical Courtyard House was one of only 5 finalists in the "City House" category.


November 17, 2020
Construction Completes on Nobu Palo Alto Ryokan Levels

Within the rapidly evolving Silicon Valley, the recently completed Nobu Palo Alto Hotel expresses a subtlety of contrasts to its urban setting while offering an unmatched hospitality experience to the area with the completion of the Ryokan upper levels. Situated on the top floors of the hotel, slatted teak wall paneling at elevator arrival and curated unique artwork allude to the craftsmanship and distinctive experience awaiting guests of the Ryokan levels. Light toned furnishing palettes provide a bright and spacious demeanor, while natural materials are used throughout, including white oak paneling, hardwood teak flooring, teak vanity details, natural crema Marfil marble stone, and woven cloth textures. Floor to ceiling, wall-to-wall glass windows, and doors within the suites provide access to privatized, landscaped patios with expansive views of the surrounding mountains.

November 6, 2020
MA named one of the Top 50 Interior Firms by AN Interior

Montalba Architects is proud to be named one of the Top 50 Interior Firms by AN Interior Magazine, a print publication by architectural outlet The Architect’s Newspaper. The list is included in the November Issue of the magazine and highlights Montalba as one of the awarded firms.


November 5, 2020
Virtual AIA|LA 2x8 student exhibit opens

Every year, AIA|LA hosts the annual 2x8 student exhibit, a program that showcases student work from architecture and design institutions throughout California. This year the exhibition, competition, and scholarship program are completely virtual through a digital matrix of virtual exhibition galleries at 2×8: Domum. Designed by Garet Ammerman, THR.D studio, Inc, and developed by Bryan Zheng, WbML at USC, the virtual exhibition space offers an untethered immersive gallery experience within a field of equally accessible student pods distributed by a graphic scaffolding. Montalba Architects is pleased to sponsor the event and excited to explore the work virtually.


October 15, 2020
Channel House nears final stages of construction

The single-family, canyon residence nears the final stages of construction and is projected to complete in Spring 2021. With the framing finished, installation of the doors, windows and interior finishes, as well as the roof and solar panels, are in progress. Site walls on the house almost complete, which paves the way for construction of the pool. Set upon a sloping hillside, the 5,300 sf home coexists with sweeping canyon views allowing full sun exposure to radiate through the basement and two intersecting volumes that orient each of the living areas toward landscapes beyond the pool terrace. Designed with the intent to create a dialogue between indoor and outdoor spaces, the living room, dining space and kitchen are connected by an interior glass corner that allows greenery to seep into view along the indoor circulation path.

October 5, 2020
Swiss EMS Bussigny Competition

Located between the existing city of Bussigny and the new extension plan, the retirement community is strategically situated next to a future school, a public square, and an urban park offering residents plenty of access to local life. Although introverted by its geometry, the proposed building opens onto both the square and the park, allowing the exterior spaces to enter its enclosure. The primary design element is the central courtyard around which life at the EMS revolves. Surrounded by three walls on its ground floor, the building opens onto a public square to become an extension of outdoor space. Inside, the lower courtyard gives access to the polyvalent space, staff areas and offices from the urban park, which are flooded with natural light. In the upper level, homey private rooms are placed in the outer perimeter while semiprivate spaces open to the main courtyard.


September 29, 2020
Dwell shares first look at Whitepod Eco-Chalets

Dwell shared the first look at the Whitepod Eco-Chalets, which are now available for bookings. Montalba designed the new additions to the alpine, luxury hotel to provide mountain housing for groups and families. Multiple chalet exteriors have been completed with larch wood paneling to further blend the structures with the mountainous environment, while also evoking the design of a traditional Swiss chalet. The interiors are lined in OSB wood panels with polished concrete underfoot, while large, triple-glazed windows frame views of the mountains and open up to let in natural ventilation.


September 25, 2020
Banque Raiffeisen Morges Venoge Begins

Recently, our Swiss studio won a competition to design Banque Raiffeisen Morges Venoge in the heart of the Lake Geneva region. Influenced by the proximity of the lake, and the prime position of the municipality of Morges, it seems logical the new Raiffeisen become a “liquid space,” fluid in both its purpose, design, and functionality. The space lives by its fluidity amongst the different programs, generating a spatial homogeneity and a continuous flow. The vast views throughout the space allow the user to constantly orient themselves while giving a feeling of openness and transparency, which reflects the values of Raiffeisen Bank.

September 10, 2020
Gabriele Colangelo's first flagship stores open in China

Located in Beijing and Shanghai, the first flagship stores for Italian designer Gabriele Colangelo offer an art gallery inspired experience to view his latest collections in a space that reflects the intimacy of a home. Montalba Architects was committed to providing a direct customer experience by illuminating the space with a unique ring suspended in the middle of the space to display the collection. The flexibility of the ring opposes the clear protocol assigned for the rest of the store, where there is an accurate position for each element. A mineral curtain made by CNC technique combined with Douglas Fir wood was used to generate the furniture elements, which were limited so as to not overpower the apparel. The conceptual design creates a minimalist, yet cozy experience that offers an open invitation to interact with the collection.


August 13, 2020
Montalba Architects joins the 2030 Challenge

To support the 2030 Challenge, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) created the 2030 Commitment Program, aimed at transforming the practice of architecture to respond to the climate crisis in a way that is holistic, firm-wide, project-based, and data-driven. Montalba Architects has joined over 400 A/E/P firms in the 2030 Commitment, and have been tracking and reporting projects since 2019, with over 304,592 sq. ft. of our project work reported in the most recent cycle alone. We have made a conscious effort to improve our design process to integrate the conservation of both energy and the environment, including evaluating our designs with resources such as the Cove Tool. More importantly, this year we will wrap construction on a house we anticipate will be our first net-zero project.


June 26, 2020
Vertical Courtyard House featured on Wallpaper*

The Vertical Courtyard House made its debut on Wallpaper* in a feature about the home's design and convergence of indoor and outdoor spaces. Montalba designed the residence as two building masses with a connective bridge that peeks behind a secluded garden wall from the street side. Throughout the interior, white oak adds warmth and a level of texture to crisp, architectural building features, such as sandblasted concrete walls and corrugated millwork by Wider SA of Switzerland.

June 11, 2020
Multiple projects recognized by ArchDaily

Architecture news outlet ArchDaily recently featured two of Montalba Architects projects, LR2 House and Bex & Arts Pavilion. Each feature thoroughly details the design elements of each project including LR2’s matchbox concept with stacked volumes creating a rotated series of rectangular masses abutting the hillside. Given the project’s international location, the Bex & Arts Pavilion piece has also been featured on ArchDaily China.


May 24, 2020
LR2 featured on GQ AU

Recently GQ Australia highlighted LR2 House and it’s distinctive matchbox design. The story describes the home as “thoughtful, aesthetically beautiful and well-designed based on natural elements.” The 4,200-square-foot home is made up of several distinct living volumes that are stacked atop each other, creating a rotated series of rectangular masses. Outdoor spaces like breezeways, porches, rooftop decks and courtyards present stunning views of the surrounding mountain vistas.


May 14, 2020
Reimagined Swiss Chalets construction continues

Construction continues to ramp up on 21 chalets located above Monthey, Switzerland in the Swiss Alps. Multiple chalet exteriors have been completed with wood paneling to further blend the structures with the mountainous environment while also evoking the design of a traditional Swiss chalet. The minimalist chalets are conceived to receive families and groups wishing to spend a few days in the mountains. A central bloc containing all services separates the volume of the chalet with the night part composed of 3 bedrooms on one side and the day part with the entrance, dining room and the living room on the other side.

 

April 6, 2020
David Montalba shares home design trends with Dwell

Recently David Montalba connected with Dwell's Assistant Editor Duncan Nielson to talk about how home design will change after this year's events. The story, which highlights key tastemakers in the design industry, uncovers a few common trends like flexible spaces and WFH techniques. However, David adds a different perspective by taking an overall look at how this will affect buying markets while putting a strong emphasis on sustainability, productivity and simplicity. 


March 19, 2020
Interior Design highlights Headspace

Interior Design recently featured Headspace’s headquarters expansion. Headspace comprises a campus of four structures at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica with three of them renovated by Montalba Architects for a total of 32,700 square feet. The most recent included two of the repurposed, industrial steel structures which now interconnect via a courtyard and a 25-foot-high, bi-fold airplane door that intertwines the interior and exterior spaces.


March 16, 2020
Designbloom features LR2 Residence

Designbloom showcases the LR2 residence in a feature article on the 4,200-square-foot house in Pasadena. The house follows the matchbox concept where the layered volumes of the structure are integrated into the downhill slope of the lot creating open spaces between the structures for integrated planting areas, covered terraces and dial linear water features for passive cooling.

February 12, 2020
Construction begins on Graoni Beach House

Construction has begun on the coast of Malibu for an elevated single-family residence that accounts for predicted rising sea levels. The design emphasizes the existing views of the site allowing each space to take advantage of the unique qualities of the oceanfront home and ample natural light. Raised windows and ceilings expand the space and frame the beach views, while a combined kitchen, dining and family room creates an open floor plan. The entryway focuses on a warm, inviting space that opens up into the larger main floor’s vast views of the ocean and carries natural light through the second floor to create a more airy, alluring home.


January 30, 2020
MA Announces 2020 promotions

We are very happy to announce the promotion of eight staff members: Jonathan Nadel and Stella Choi to Associate, Eddie Winn, Stéphanie Rychner-Roux, Marco Aguilera, Lauren Rice and Alice Biemosi to Senior Designer, and Alexandria Fernandez to Studio Manager. Each of these people are motivated by a dedication to engagement and learning with a unique blend of disciplines. But beyond their individual strengths and skills, there is an underlying quality they all share: a positive and constructive attitude, which is the foundation of the MA spirit. A big MA thank you to each of them! 


January 20, 2020
Montalba Architects expands Los Angeles office

We are excited to announce the MA X expansion of our Los Angeles office at Bergamot Station. We added an additional 4,500 sq. ft. adjacent to the original studio and collaborated as a team to conceptualize the new space. Following months of renovations, the expanded office space includes a large conference room, materials library, kitchenette, workspace and storage. A "working studio" aesthetic is carried throughout the interior with exposed steel beams, concrete floors, plywood workspaces and an open floorplan.

January 15, 2020
Headspaces's California headquarter expansion is complete

MA recently finished construction on the newly expanded office headquarters for app creator Headspace, in Santa Monica, California. Set within an existing industrial site, the project creates a modern, flexible workspace in response to Headspace’s growing office and cultural needs.  The primary programming focus was to find ways to juxtapose group and individual spaces in keeping with the company’s core values.  Small spaces were created where employees could find a moment of personal solace that would not deter from the surrounding communal environment.  Joining all the programmatic spaces is a central green space that starts from an expansive outdoor courtyard and folds through workspaces to a central, open-air courtyard on the second floor. The second floor courtyard filters light and greenery into previously dark, isolated spaces.


January 1, 2020
Happy 2020!

Happy New Year, Bonne Année from all of us at MA!




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