Montalba Architects

Founded in 2004 by David Montalba, Montalba Architects is an international architecture firm with offices in Los Angeles and Lausanne. The practice produces select architecture and urban design-related projects ranging in scope and context, from rural landscapes in Wyoming and Switzerland to dense urban scapes of New York and Los Angeles. The work engages in a collective pursuit of uncovering ideas and processes embedded in project context to create new forms of expression through space and scale. Projects emphasize experiences by creating environments that are both socially responsive and aesthetically progressive. Over the last 15 years, the firm has continued to refine its craft through the forces of volumetric landscapes, material integrity, natural light and pure spatial volumes.

David Montalba, Faia, Sia, Leed AP
As Founding Principal of Montalba Architects, Inc., David Montalba is the driving force of leadership and design within the firm. MA Inc, is a diverse architecture and design studio of over 60 designers based in Santa Monica, California with a satellite office in Lausanne, Switzerland. The firm is engaged in retail, residential and other select commercial projects across the United States and abroad. Believing that architecture and one’s environment can truly improve quality of life, David’s approach is a humanistic one, which often leads to solutions that are discrete, contextual, yet conceptual in their intent, effect, and appeal. David’s diverse background as an architect includes over 26 years of professional practice, and this work has been recognized in various publications and with numerous awards, including the AIA’s National Young Architect Award in 2008, a 2019 AIA Institute Honor Award, and over 100 other design awards.

Education
Master of Architecture, UCLA 1999
Bachelor of Architecture, SCI-Arc 1996
Newschool of Architecture - San Diego 1991-1995

Professional Experience
Montalba Architects - Founding Principal 2004-present Design Bureau - Partner 2000-2004
Pugh + Scarpa 1999-2000
Daly Genik 1997-1998
Rios Associates 1996-1997
Frank Gehry Partners 1996
Fehlman Labarre Architecture + Planning 1991-1995

Registration
Licensed Architect: California, New York, Florida, Wyoming, Nevada,
Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, British Columbia
NCARB - Registered Architect Member since 2002 FAIA - College of Fellows since 2016
AIA - Member since 2001
SIA - Member since 2003
IIDA - Member since 2007
LEED - Accredited Professional

Affiliations
AIA LA - Co-Chair Design Conference 2009-present
UCLA Graduate School of Architecture Adjunct Professor 2008-present
AIA California Council - Board Member 2007
AIA Los Angeles - Treasurer 2006
AIA Los Angeles - Board Member 2005
AIA Los Angeles - Co-Chair Academic Outreach Committee 2005-2007
AIA Academic Outreach Committee 2003-2008
A+D Museum Los Angeles - Board Member
2004-2007 Swiss - American Chamber of Commerce - Member
UCLA & SCI-Arc Alumni Associations - Member