Cosmopolitan by nature: The Swiss-American architect reflects on the spirit of contemporary architecture, his current projects, and his enduring connection to Switzerland.

Architecture That Awakens Emotion:  A Portrait of David Montalba

There are architects who design buildings – and those who evoke emotion. David Montalba belongs to the latter. His work is not a spectacle of glass and concrete, but a carefully orchestrated composition of light, material, and emotion. Born in Florence and raised between Switzerland and California, Montalba embodies a mindset that transcends geographic, conceptual, and cultural borders. With studios in California, Lausanne, and New York, he merges Californian openness, Swiss precision, and New York urbanity – where clarity meets warmth, and craftsmanship meets creative freedom. At the elegant Eden au Lac in Zurich, we spoke with the architect about the spirit of contemporary architecture, his current projects, and his connection to Switzerland.

Text: Manjot Riyait

Architecture is returning to its essence: material, proportion, light.

When David speaks, there’s a calm in his voice. His sentences are measured, but never distant – much like his architecture. Asked about the current zeitgeist, he answers without hesitation: «We’re living in a time of deceleration. After years of spectacle, architecture is returning to its essence: material, proportion, light. What matters is learning from the past, enjoying the present, and thinking ahead to the future.» He observes that people today have a growing need for calm and authenticity. «I believe that also has to do with trust,» he says. «Architecture must become honest again – not a marketing object, but a place where people feel understood.»

Quiet Spaces, Honest Details

Currently, David and his team are working on several international projects, all unified by a distinctive language: minimalism, clarity, natural materials, and spaces defined by light. For him, architecture is a silent conversation – between space and user, between place and emotion. «When someone pauses in one of our spaces without knowing why, we’ve achieved our goal.» His designs may appear simple at first glance, but behind that clarity lies an almost obsessive love of detail. Every line, every joint, every material is questioned. «I like architecture that speaks softly,» says David. «It doesn’t need to shout to have impact.»

Between Continents and Cultures

This philosophy runs through all his work – from luxury retail to hotels and private retreats. «We often work with natural light as a material,» he explains. «It’s the invisible element that holds everything together.» In Los Angeles, he leads a studio of around 40 people; in Lausanne and now in New York, smaller teams. «California teaches me generosity, Switzerland teaches me precision,» he says. «You need both to find balance.»







Vertical Courtyard House, Santa Monica - © Kevin Scott

His connection to Switzerland remains strong – not only professionally but emotionally. «I’m always inspired here – by nature, by scale, by the way people interact with their surroundings.» Despite his international career, Montalba’s tone remains humble. «In the end, it’s not about us architects,» he says quietly. «It’s about creating spaces that endure – silent, yet perceptible.»

Roots, Light, and Respect

When David speaks about his work, the influence of his European roots is unmistakable. «I learned in Switzerland that precision isn’t about rigidity – it’s about respect,» he says. «Respect for the place, for the material, for the people who live or work within it.» That belief is evident across all his projects – whether residential, retail, commercial, or hospitality. The vastness of California has also shaped him deeply: the play between inside and outside, light and shadow. «There, you learn that architecture is allowed to breathe,» he explains. Sustainability, for him, is not a trend but a given. «A building in harmony with its environment is inherently sustainable,» he says. «It’s less about technology and more about attitude.»

Authenticity as a Guiding Principle

What drives him is the search for authenticity. «I believe people immediately sense whether a space is honest or not,» he says. «When architecture steps back, space for emotion emerges.» Montalba draws inspiration not from famous names, but from everyday impressions. «I’m inspired by the way light shifts, by textures, by music – by things that move you without being loud.»







Graoni Beach House, Malibu - © Kevin Scott

For him, architecture begins not on paper, but in observation. He also emphasizes the importance of collaboration. «Architecture isn’t a solo act. We work like an atelier – in exchange, with curiosity, and always with respect.» That collective energy, paired with his calm leadership, defines the spirit of his practice.

Projects & Relationships

Building structures is remarkable – but the relationships that come from them are just as meaningful. From large-scale developments worth 400 million US dollars to smaller 500,000-dollar office renovations, the range demands transparency, creativity, and innovation – and for that, he is deeply grateful. In the world of building, it’s not just about steel, glass, and concrete. It’s about the relationships that truly sustain projects. Whether large or small, every project tests the balance of design, planning, and execution – and every challenge brings growth.







The Row Melrose - © Dominique Vorillon

Among his notable works is «The Row» in Los Angeles, a project defined by its use of natural light – an element that lends warmth and movement to the space. Material choice plays an equally vital role: the connection between light and material creates spaces that are both functional and emotionally resonant. Beyond the design itself, leadership and culture shape success. The studio thrives under creative minds whose energy defines a positive environment. For David, «The Row» is more than a building – it’s a place he returns to for energy and inspiration.

To the Next Generation

«Be patient. Build relationships – they’re as important as the structures themselves. Follow your passion, act with respect, and surround yourself with people who inspire you.»

Advice to His Younger Self

If he could turn back time, what advice would he give young David? «Work hard, follow your passion – and don’t forget to share your success and let others be part of it.»


More by David Montalba:

montalbaarchitects.com
@montalbaarchitects