we are…
"I was raised on the colorful slopes of Maui's north shore in the 1970s and 80s, where the landscapes and buildings were, at the time, mostly beautiful, historic, and unique. That is often no longer the case. Similarly, in my 25+ years of living in Phoenix, I have seen sprawl perpetuate many negative issues (economic, aesthetic, social, and health related). Because of the positive experiences I had as a young person, I feel a responsibility to make positive impacts on all the communities I work with.”
The Partners…
Matthew Salenger, AIA, AA dipl. hons.
coLAB studio co-founder, managing partner;
Matthew is an artist and architect raised on the island of Maui. Matthew graduated with Honors from Arizona State University (1996) and with Diploma Honors from The Architectural Association of London (1999.) Matthew explores innovative ways to expand what is possible regarding community interaction, design, and environmentalism. He is also a life-long surfer, musician, and non-fiction author.
Having spent 9 years in college studying both studio art and architecture, Matthew continues to work as both an artist and architect. As of 2024, (along with Maria) he has collaboratively designed and/or managed nearly every coLAB studio project, thus far completing 25 constructed buildings and 25 public artworks in Arizona, California, Hawai’i, Florida, and Oregon. He also provides consultation services for other designers on Biophilic Design, the Integrated Design Process, and Public Art Planning.
Matthew has co-founded and led multiple community organizations such as The Living Building Challenge Sonoran Collaborative, Urban Choices, Citizens for a Vibrant Apache Corridor, Southwest Regenerative Development Cohort, and the Phoenix Regenerative Development Group. Since 2019 he has been learning to work as a Regenerative Practitioner.
(Read a very short autobiography to learn more)
Maria Salenger, AIA
coLAB studio co-founder, majority owner;
As a native Phoenician, Maria is witness to the explosive development in the Southwest region over the last 50 years. Perceiving the impact economics and efficiency has had on this growth, Maria works to infuse culture and re-connections to nature in urbanized spheres. Maria trained with a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Arizona (1994) and Master of Fine Art from University College London, Slade School of Fine Art (1999). She teaches design studios at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, including faculty exchange to Universidad LaSalle, Mexico City. Maria was recognized by Arizona Business Magazine's Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate. As part of AIA Arizona’s Women’s Leadership Group, she works to empower diverse voices in design practice.
"I love crafting with words because careful use of words compels us to refine and reflect and bring more quality to life. Life opens up to time, or maybe the other way around, in the writing or comprehending of a good poem.”
coLAB studio’s (partial list of) associated/cooperative network:
Sonja Bochart, IIDA, LEED AP BD&C
For over twenty-five years, Sonja Bochart, a design leader in health and wellness, has had an extensive background in creating spaces to support individual, community, and ecological wellbeing. She works nationally as a senior designer and biophilia consultant. Sonja serves as a recognized leader and educator in the industry, with teaching at Arizona State University’s Herberger School of Design, and contributing to Healthcare and Wellness Councils, working groups for Biophilic Cities, the advisory council for the International Living Future Institutes Biophilic Design Initiative, and sitting on the board for Green Plants for Green Buildings. As an advocate for fostering connections between people and natural systems and regenerative development, Sonja is one of the foremost facilitators for integrative community workshops, including consulting for LEED, Living Building Challenge, and WELL Building and regenerative-biophilic design charrettes.
Jason Griffiths
Jason Griffiths grew up in Africa and rural England. He graduated as an architect with a distinction from the Bartlett in 1994 and began a career that mixed practice with teaching and competition work. He specializes in design build projects that combine fabrication and social engagement with graduate and undergraduate teaching. His work investigates the relationship between popular culture and architecture often through digital fabrication techniques. Jason is currently studying the potentials of building large and tall buildings using heavy-timber construction, which has the potential to drastically reduce a building’s carbon footprint while improving a building’s universal appeal through the warmth of wood.
www.jasongriffithsarchitecture.com
Ron Phares
Ron began exploring contextual poetry in 2004. The interface of subject, form, place, and language continue to inspire him. Ron holds Masters degrees in International Management (Thunderbird School of Global Management) and Divinity (Austin Seminary) as well as a B.A. in Religious Studies from Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College. A native of Phoenix, he has lived abroad in China, Belgium, France, and Texas. Ron currently lives in Tucson with his wife, Katie, and their twin girls, where he serves as the minister the Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
James Trahan, AIA
James is a licensed architect in Arizona and has practiced in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Illinois. He holds a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certificate as well as residential and commercial general contracting licenses in Arizona. James is a past recipient of the AIA's Young Architect Award, as well as past president of both the AIA Rio Salado Chapter and AIA Arizona. He has received 15 Presidential Commendations for his involvement in the American Institute of Architects and is involved in the local community. He is a board member of the Rio Salado Architecture Foundation. He has designed and managed educational, religious, recreational, retail, and residential works and has built work in 18 states.
Austin Trautman
Austin founded vali homes, llc development company and sustainability consultancy to provide metro-Phoenix with affordable infill housing focused on contemporary design with high energy efficiency. Austin wants to live in a world where people flock to increasingly rich, comfortable and fulfilling urban centers. As the founder of Vali Homes and general instigator he’s been applauded by a wide variety of viewpoints including Inhabitat, Residential Architect, Arizona Horizon, American Institute of Architects, Builder Magazine and the front page of the Arizona Republic.
Austin believes the best solutions are always a combination of relentless scientific improvement that is deeply rooted in what the natural world has already figured out. He draws on widely varied experiences combined with specific knowledge to make sure his next collaboration is always his best to come.
When he’s not driving progress towards a more sustainable future, you can find him exploring Arizona and beyond by foot, bike or other alternative transportation in an effort to better understand this captivating planet.
Sherwood Wang, RA
Sherwood has more than 10 years of working experience, both in architectural offices and contractor related field experience. Throughout this time he has developed methods and solutions to complex architectural design geometry. This includes facilitating designs and implementing the fabrication and installation of these elements in built projects. Experience with the design/build process has offered him a unique perspective on how designs are implemented and reveal construction related issues that may unknowingly affect the design intent.
His experience in design and fabrication has led him to utilize digital tools to help facilitate the building process. During his time in the Architectural Association, he has developed skills and methods to use parametrically based tools to achieve an architectural intent. This range includes fabrication and assembly of discrete elements to urban development simulations. Fabrication technologies such as CNC machines and 3D printing were also integrally involved in developing architectural designs to investigate alternative methods of construction.
Eric Watson, AIA
As an early adopter of building information modeling and environmental analysis tools, Eric strives to evolve the traditional role of the architect. He believes in the value of close collaboration between architect, contractor, and client. Eric is an expert in the craft of architecture at all scales and is passionate about the process of ‘making’. He has worked in architecture for over 17 years and has over 500,000 square feet of award winning architecture design and construction experience. Eric received his Masters of Architecture Degree and Bachelor of Environmental Design from Montana State University in 2001. In his free time, Eric is an avid hiker and outdoorsman, as well as an active member of the AIA and USGBC.
Joe Zazzerra
He has been working with nature in the built environment for 35 years. As the founding principal of Plant Solutions Inc., his company designs, installs, and maintains living walls, indoor atriums, and corporate nature programs. His mission is to create working environments which connect people with nature, enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism, manage stress, and improve overall well-being.
Joe has a Masters of Science degree in Biomimicry from Arizona State University where he trained under Janine Benyus and Dayna Baumeister of Biomimicry 3.8. Joe is a LEED Accredited Professional, an Accredited Green Roof Professional, and a provisional WELL Accredited Professional. Joe has been awarded the “Master of the Southwest” designation for his work and artistry in the area of living walls.
Past Contributors Include:
Karl Eicher, Brett Marinoff, Rachel Marie Frail, Sean Hartigan, Annette Park, Kate Horvat, Allie Riley, Kameron Selby, Brandy Burdick, Katie Gates, Aaron Forbes, Maria Batista, and Maria Talavera, and Abel Clutter.