Santa Monica-based Montalba Architects (MA) has received two Spark Awards, with its Citizens of Humanity showroom design bringing home the gold in the Space category and a bronze win in the Health category for its Studio Dental mobile office.
The international awards recognize impactful designs across multiple disciplines, from product and concept to automotive and experience. These projects are the first two Spark Award wins for Montalba Architects, which recently opened a second studio location in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“We are honored to be in such great company and recognized for creating environments that make a positive difference for their respective audiences,” says MA Founding Principal David Montalba. “Both of these projects presented very different and unique challenges surrounding space, light, and innovation, and it is energizing to have that work recognized.”
MA adapted a historic downtown Los Angeles loft for the Citizens of Humanity showroom, and created a malleable, open floorplan to maximize light and connectivity. The resulting showroom is clean and vibrant, with custom features including “floating” canvas walls and flexible workspaces for this global fashion brand.
MA’s primary challenge with the Studio Dental project was how to create space, or rather the illusion of space, while accommodating the requirements of a fully-equipped dental office. The firm transformed a 26 foot-long trailer, with only 230 interior square feet, into a standalone, mobile dental office, complete with a waiting area, two semi-private operatories, and a sterilization room.
These MA Spark Award-winners highlight a fraction of the firm’s capabilities in the retail, commercial, hospitality, urban, and residential realms. All of MA’s designs are rooted in a humanistic and holistic approach to architecture, one that considers the sociological, economical, and practical implications for engagement and experience.
Additional information about Montalba Architects and a full suite of project images can be found at www.montalbaarchitects.com.
Founding Principal David Montalba, AIA, SIA, started Montalba Architects in 2004 and is the driving force of leadership and design within the firm. Montalba Architects is a diverse architecture and design studio of more than 40 designers based in Santa Monica, CA, with a satellite office in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The award-winning practice is engaged in retail, residential and other select commercial projects in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Believing that architecture and one’s environment can truly improve quality of life, Montalba’s approach is humanistic in nature, which often leads to solutions that are discrete, contextual, yet conceptual in their intent, effect, and appeal. Projects aim to create environments that are both socially responsive and aesthetically progressive.
Montalba Architects’ original Santa Monica studio is located within Bergamot Station, a creative hub and arts district at 2525 Michigan Ave., Bldg. T4, Santa Monica, CA. Montalba Architects, Sàrl is located at Rue Centrale 6, 4 eme stage, Lausanne, CH-1003, Switzerland.
