WHO WE ARE
MICHELE LANDEGGER, PRINCIPAL AT STUDIO BOA
Building is my passion. The ability to take a project all the way from that first step on raw land to ultimately a new home inhabited by a family for generations is an unbelievable honor. Similarly with remodeling, transformation of space inspires me. I enjoy so many aspects of my work throughout the build process.
I like to lead a team, find the right person for the task at hand, inspire people to think ahead and build with integrity. I communicate with as much clarity as possible, as clear communication in a cohesive team is the key to a successful project.
Collaboration, cooperation and creativity between designer, builder, client, crew, subcontractor is paramount to design + build.
General Contractor Lic # B-525188
Advisory board member of CASBA, California Straw Building Association
Founding member of non-profit Just Places, providing homes for those living without, a program of The Free Guide 501.c
Certified Green Builder
Guest lecturer at DeAnza and Cabrillo College
Certified in Home Testing/Non Toxic Building Strategies
Mom, Musician, Surfer, Walker
DEBRAE LOPES, DESIGN LEAD AT STUDIO BOA
I am the kind of person who makes sense of the world and finds pleasure by approaching every task as art. Raised from childhood with the constancy of building and design projects, marrying a building contractor at an early age and homesteading raw land in the Santa Cruz mountains as a young mother., this way of engaging with my life... created my life.
In 1995, after years of pursuing fine and applied arts, I was a mother on raw land with a partner who built houses full time. It seemed a natural direction to explore the art of where and how people live.
Working hand in hand with Michele, I gradually joined and became the lead designer of BOA entering a lifelong journey that has become my calling… to discover and share our meaning of HOME.
Understanding the responsibility and caring act of service required to craft homes for people who live in them. Learning how to build spaces with knowledge, attention and integrity. These ideals are both vast and individual to each project. Facilitating the relationship between an environment, a building and its people is for me another art form... a subtle balancing, a divine journey of trust.
As director of STUDIO BOA's design vision, I have found that bringing all the necessary complex elements together to create beautiful, functional, livable spaces truly takes an artist's hand.
STUDIO BOA CREW
Niranjan David Porter
With Boa since 1997, Niranjan has abundant skills in building that keep growing. As a former Mt. Madonna Center community member, he is consummate in carpentry, electrical, painting and HVAC. His excellent design sense and spatial /visual skills are a huge asset, and all at a steady pace for 25 years with Boa! He makes every project shine. On weekends he can be found walking East Cliff Drive, honing his photographic eye.
Nick Kushnerov
Nick came to Boa in 2020 as a 22 year old Santa Barbara transplant with a truck full of tools and abundant energy to put to use. Nick is an excellent Boa team member as he is thoughtful and thorough, able to tackle all from foundation, frame to fine finish carpentry. Nick has grown to team leader and assistant project manager because of his drive to grow and learn. When not at work, catch him surfing big waves at dawn and dusk.
Artemio Suarez
Artemio rejoined Boa, having worked for us 2011-2017. He took a break moving houses and running a foundation crew. We are thrilled to have him back as Artemio can move mountains with his generous personality and attitude. His skills in foundation, frame, welding and his innate leadership bring great things to Boa. He loves his family, dogs, making things and his connection to nature.
Lorenzo Lolo Graziosi
Lolo joined the team in 2022 as a laborer/ carpenter and has progressed into carpentry full steam ahead. Lolo is quick to learn and quick to smile, taking on all tasks from reading structural plans, framing, sheet metal, painting. There’s nothing stopping this guy! His determination will take him far.
Jenna Yu
Designer Jenna has worked with Studio Boa on projects since 2017. She has become an invaluable subcontractor and is part of the design team at Studio Boa, collaborating and working on design development and plan prep for permit submittal as well as numerous tasks in job management and organization. Jenna is equally passionate as us at Boa in natural building, green building and high performance construction.
Ryan Harlen
Ryan came on as a laborer in 2022, and has progressed in all tasks, from site work to strawbale projects, eager to learn, ability to back up a trailer like nobody's business, wield a nail gun and a chain saw all with his super positive attitude. Michele finds him after work at the local basketball hoop or in the ocean with the Boa surf team for our board meetings.