Berliner Architects recently welcomed three new staff members - Tony Armer, Farrah Matovu, and Krisitana Burgi.
Tony brings his passion to see the project vision met. He has designed for educational buildings for over 20 years and has experience DSA on past projects permitting - he brings a hands on approach to the project from inception through construction. He has worked extensively in the construction of schools to assure project is completed as designed, on time and on budget. Tony is well versed in BIM. Tony is a strong believer in 21st Century learning and boundary-less education and works with clients to provide these goals. Tony believes in the use of the “building as learning tool” and not just a box to house students.
Several of his schools have won awards and industry recognition for design, materials, and lighting.
Born and raised in Kampala, Uganda to a family of builders, Farrah Matovu has always seen herself as a designer with builder’s roots. With both her parents involved in the building and design industry, she, out of her sixteen siblings was the only one interested in pursuing a dream in the design field. Farrah studied Architecture at University at Buffalo in New York, and graduated in May 2015. During her senior year, she was one of five students selected to work on an architectural project in Yangpyeong, South Korea, which involved delivering sustainable urban planning solutions to the city of Yangpyeong under the theme of reshaping the pattern of sprawl. Farrah has successfully completed a number of projects for her father’s construction company, (Youma Builder’s Construction), including the design of the cottage houses for the Katanga Resort, which is scheduled to be completed in December, 2020. Even now, she remains an active part of the design team as they near completion of this eight year project.
Farrah completed her Masters in Interior Architecture at UCLA Extension and Cal Polytechnic Pomona (2017) while serving as an active board member for the ASID UCLA Extension Student Chapter.
Kristiana Burgi is a M.Arch I student at UCLA, finishing her last year of graduate studies with a background in City and Regional Planning, as well as Public Health from The Ohio State University. She is interested in humanitarian architecture, solving urban issues through the power of design. Her undergraduate thesis was on mixed income neighborhoods and the stigmas associated with low income housing. Kristiana had the opportunity to work within communities of need in Columbus, Ohio and focused on participatory design with nonprofit and student work. She is a competitive ballroom dancer, radio DJ and music enthusiast. Kristiana enjoys the eclectic interests within design, and looks forward to what the future of architecture will bring in today’s urban complexities.