Setting up a kid’s room
obsessing over getting it right?
feeling stuck?
afraid that an honest mistake might cause irreparable damage?
breathe.
think strengths not weaknesses.
you’ve just found an ally in a like-minded architect…
meet alla
cultivating self-expression
Hello! I usually introduce myself as an architect, but I am also a picture book
author-illustrator, an educator, and a mother. When my architect license and first
daughter arrived on the same day, I quit corporate life to open a kid-focused
architecture firm with the purpose of integrating creativity into parenting while
weaving parenting into a career.
A self-appointed spokesperson for nurturing potential literally from day one,
I work in tandem with parents who want to improve their children’s
(and their own) lives through great design.
testimonials
treating with respect
“I would love to offer any support to Alla, the brilliant artist who created my school space I love more every day! It would have been better with the beams she called for rather than the soffit Armando put in, but it is still wonderful. The way the ceiling opens up, out, and into the light is a metaphor for learning. The modern and traditional elements never clash. I am happy the whole time I am in the space.”
– Gigi deMarrais client
“Undoubtedly the most committed designer exploring the needs of children and families.”
– Vaughan Davies colleague
“Alla is an Architect’s Architect. She is also as warm and creative and as full of life as the space that she created for me. My advice: Hire her. Work with her. It will make you happy.”
– Steven Goldberg client
“Dear Alla,
thank you very much for these useful suggestions. I will continue on this path following the
interesting approach of your book “DIY Like an Architect”. What you wrote is true; stimulating our personal creativity, we can really make our ideas come to life and that’s the good architect’s job — helping the customers find their way. So, once again, thank you for your original thinking and approach…for sure I will come back to you soon for your support on this project! A presto, Fabiola”
– Fabiola DIY-er
accolades
yielding amazing results
Having been one of the first designers to introduce the concept of modern in children’s furniture, I received accolades from numerous periodicals, including Financial Times of London, InStyle, and Elle Décor. The work was published in books, such as: Graphis Product Design 2 & 3, Designing for Children, Kids’ Spaces: Architecture for Children. The Easel+Art Cart won Best Toy of the Year Award from Child Magazine – The New York Times boasted: “It not only holds art, but also looks like art.” The portable aluminum A-desk (sold exclusively at MoMa Design Store) was recognized with a very prestigious and coveted GOOD DESIGN Award.
Building a house for our family meant prototyping a transformational hub, which culminated in its selection as one of the “100 best in the world” by an international architectural publisher. It was featured in The New 100 Houses x 100 Architects, 1000 x Architecture of the Americas, Pool Design, The Ultimate Urban Makeover and others.
50+
Books & Publications
5+
Awards
5+
Museum Catalogs
20+
Media Features
legacy
making an impact
To have a profound influence in my daughters’ lives, I established
Children’s Architecture Workshop at Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-arc). Mia and Nastasya enrolled as soon as they were old enough.
These snapshots capture work in progress as summer camp participants design and build a play structure to donate to a non-profit infant and toddler care center in Santa Monica, California. Once installed, the play structure is used and enjoyed!