Actively involved in the rebuilding efforts after the LA wildfires, they employ the principles of healthy design, along with creative, affordable material considerations and delivery models, to support the reestablishment and resiliency of the affected communities, now, and for generations to come.
They are founding members of The RRC – a collective of architects advocating for a built environment that is resilient, sustainable and healthy.
Melina Girardi, Assoc.AIA, PrincipalMelina has 10 years of experience working in leading global architecture offices, among them 5 years with Frank Gehry where she was a Lead Designer on projects ranging from Concert Halls to large-scale housing developments, and 2 years with Foster + Partners as Senior Designer.
She enjoys developing unusual design solutions to complex architectural prompts and embraces the ambiguous territory of the creative unknown with a sense of play, using the tactile nature of working with regenerative materials as a tool to craft seductive aesthetic narratives, advocating for sustainable material practices with earth in mind and design at heart.
She holds a Master of Architecture from the Angewandte in Vienna.
Matthew Kabala, PrincipalIn his 10 years of professional experience, Matthew has played important design roles on large-scale cultural and civic projects, including museums, concert halls, schools, and parks. He has also worked directly with Frank Gehry on sculpture, industrial design, film and opera sets, collaborating with top artistic and technical talents from a broad range of professions. His personal approach to the discipline locates pragmatic material solutions to contemporary design needs within the fertile ground of resonant social, religious, and architectural traditions.
He holds an M.Arch from Yale School of Architecture and a Bachelor in Philosophy from UC Davis.