From Liguria to California: A Journey in Design and Craft

Matteo grew up in Liguria, Italy, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Northern Italian coast and timeless hillside villages. He watched his grandfather reclaim smokehouses, ancient flour mills, and forgotten structures—transforming them into homes where generations of his family lived. These early lessons—breathing new life into old spaces, valuing craft, and working with his hands—became the foundation of his passion for architecture. His mother, an artist, nurtured his eye for beauty and balance, introducing him to painting at an early age. Together, their influence taught Matteo that design is as much about emotion and memory as it is about form and function.

Matteo’s path has been anything but conventional. Before pursuing architecture, he worked as an auto mechanic, welder, and metal fabricator—experiences that taught him to solve problems creatively, understand materials at a fundamental level, and approach design from multiple angles. Whether it’s architectural design, interior environments, patent concepts, or 3D visualization, Matteo sees opportunities where others might see obstacles and translates them into inspired solutions.

Early Life and Education

Matteo earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Pennsylvania State University, where he received an Honorable Mention as one of the school’s Best Designers in 2005. He went on to earn a Master of Architecture from North Carolina State University, where he was awarded two prestigious scholarships, nominated as a Kamphoefner Fellow, and received a Faculty Award for Design Achievement in honor of the department’s emeritus faculty.

Influential Experience

His expertise spans automotive design, patent development, interior design, and architecture, reflecting a limitless ability to visualize and execute creative solutions. Matteo’s hands-on experience—from HVAC installation to carpentry—provides him with a unique, practical understanding of construction. Combined with his advanced design skills, this foundation sets him apart from most architects and allows him to articulate all facets of a project, from concept to completion.

Practice

Today, Matteo is a licensed architect practicing across the United States, holding licenses in California, South Carolina, Utah, and Nevada. Over the last decade, Matteo has successfully permitted projects in more than two dozen jurisdictions across California, as well as in multiple states nationwide, ranging from multi-million-dollar custom residences to boutique commercial spaces. His portfolio also includes military facilities, advanced building envelope systems, patent designs, and immersive 3D renderings.

For over eight years, Matteo has specialized in building envelope design, constructability consulting, and forensic construction defect investigations, working on projects from the East Coast to the West Coast. Large or small, every commission is approached with the same guiding commitment: to craft spaces and solutions that endure, inspire, and elevate the lives they touch.