Our Designers
Our designers have a wealth of experience in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, interior design, landscape design, and more. They work closely with our clients to understand their needs and goals, and then use their expertise to create designs that meet those requirements while also pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Rick Merlau
Rick Merlau has been designing, drawing and/or constructing buildings of all types for 24 years and round buildings are the most fun! In his free time he enjoys building tiny houses for at-risk teens. When he is not building, you will likely find Rick playing outside.
Marisol Baeza
Marisol (Sol) Baeza is the founder and architect of Materia Studio, a growing architecture firm that specializes in architecture and interior design, and sustainability consulting (LEED). With a passion for environmentally conscious design, Marisol works to create buildings that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and sustainable. The different ways nature and humans display connection and emotion will forever be her greatest inspiration. She believe that when you choose to act out of kindness, dedication and love, you are already aligned with your purpose. And her purpose is to create. Marisol is committed to making a positive impact through design. Besides architecture, she loves reading, photography, hiking and climbing.
Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith is the founder & principal of dreamdesignbuild.org, and has been designing custom homes since receiving his BA in Architecture from NJIT in 2003. With extensive, hands-on experience in residential carpentry and construction, as well as architecture, he has emerged as an industry leader in round house (wooden yurt) design. When not at the desk, Matthew Smith enjoys gardening and hiking, and currently resides near Seattle with his wife, three sons, and their dog Daisy.
Michael Fahie
Since graduating from NYIT in 2006 with a Bachelor of Architecture, Michael Fahie been known for his creative vision and dedication to environmentally conscious design. While attending NYIT Michael was a Team Leader for the 2005 DOE Solar Decathlon, to which they designed and built an 800sf off-grid home, Americas first solar-hydrogen home. https://www.solardecathlon.gov/past/2005/where_is_nyit_now.html
Michael has extensive design experience for various different building types not to mention a wealth of hands-on building construction knowledge, including a 5 year stint as a Structural Coordinator for the 55-story 181 Fremont tower in San Francisco, CA.
