PEOPLE
Luca Pignata
Principal
Luca grew up in Italy and all his life he has been surrounded by the uncompromising work ethic of generations of artisans and master craftspeople, who often were his neighbors and friends.
Luca graduated from the University of Architecture in Florence and began his training under Alessandro Colombo at Gregotti Associati in Milan.
In 1997 Luca was invited to work on an urban development project in downtown Napa, California. In 1999 he started collaborating with Howard Backen in Napa Valley, and he became a Principal at the firm in 2016.
After more than two decades of working on residential and commercial projects throughout the US, Europe and Asia, Luca founded the firm in 2021.
Luca Studio is currently working on residential projects in Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Sonoma County, Malibu, Dallas and Maine.
Peter Chan
Project Manager
Peter Chan is a Project Manager at Luca Studio with a background in architecture and visual design, holding a BFA from San Jose State University and a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc. During his decade at Backen & Backen, he worked on custom residential and hospitality projects throughout Northern California and Hawaii. His approach is shaped by a strong sensitivity to context and client goals, with experience spanning a range of architectural styles and project types.
Peter is skilled in project coordination, technical detailing, and construction documentation, bringing a thoughtful, solutions-oriented mindset to each phase of design. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and two young children.
William Reid
Project Manager
William found inspiration for the built environment growing up around the environmentally and culturally contextual homes of New Mexico. An extensive history that blends European sensibilities with local trades and materials. This spirit was given grounding in an education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where technical studies and problem-solving methods were honed.
These experiences have led to over a decade of work in a variety of project typologies ranging from Single Family, Multi-Family and Commercial. An openness drawn from his past travel and life experiences allows William to address each project with deep consideration for the local vernacular and technical needs. This has provided the basis to find success working in locations as varied as; Kauai, Tahoe, Bay Area, Dallas, and many more.
Giulia Colombo Rossi
Project Captain
Originally from Italy, she studied architecture at “La Sapienza” University in Rome. Alongside her Architectural studies, she became a licensed tour guide. Giulia founded her own company specializing in archaeology, history, and traditions.
Her passion for architecture and design was inspired by her interest in travel, art, fashion, and archaeology. In architecture, Giulia contributed to a high-end hospitality project in Sicily, renovating a historic building from the 1600s. After relocating to the Bay Area, she worked on a remodel project in Sonoma County before joining Luca Studio. Currently, she is involved in high-end residential projects in Kauai and Dallas, as well as a winery project in Sonoma County.
Fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish, Giulia brings a diverse cultural perspective to her architectural work.
Luca Pignata
Principal
Luca grew up in Italy and all his life he has been surrounded by the uncompromising work ethic of generations of artisans and master craftspeople, who often were his neighbors and friends.
Luca graduated from the University of Architecture in Florence and began his training under Alessandro Colombo at Gregotti Associati in Milan.
In 1997 Luca was invited to work on an urban development project in downtown Napa, California. In 1999 he started collaborating with Howard Backen in Napa Valley, and he became a Principal at the firm in 2016.
After more than two decades of working on residential and commercial projects throughout the US, Europe and Asia, Luca founded the firm in 2021.
Luca Studio is currently working on residential projects in Hawaii, Silicon Valley, Sonoma County, Malibu, Dallas and Maine.
Peter Chan
Project Manager
Peter Chan is a Project Manager at Luca Studio with a background in architecture and visual design, holding a BFA from San Jose State University and a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc. During his decade at Backen & Backen, he worked on custom residential and hospitality projects throughout Northern California and Hawaii. His approach is shaped by a strong sensitivity to context and client goals, with experience spanning a range of architectural styles and project types.
Peter is skilled in project coordination, technical detailing, and construction documentation, bringing a thoughtful, solutions-oriented mindset to each phase of design. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife and two young children.
William Reid
Project Manager
William found inspiration for the built environment growing up around the environmentally and culturally contextual homes of New Mexico. An extensive history that blends European sensibilities with local trades and materials. This spirit was given grounding in an education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where technical studies and problem-solving methods were honed.
These experiences have led to over a decade of work in a variety of project typologies ranging from Single Family, Multi-Family and Commercial. An openness drawn from his past travel and life experiences allows William to address each project with deep consideration for the local vernacular and technical needs. This has provided the basis to find success working in locations as varied as; Kauai, Tahoe, Bay Area, Dallas, and many more.
Giulia Colombo Rossi
Project Captain
Originally from Italy, she studied architecture at “La Sapienza” University in Rome. Alongside her Architectural studies, she became a licensed tour guide. Giulia founded her own company specializing in archaeology, history, and traditions.
Her passion for architecture and design was inspired by her interest in travel, art, fashion, and archaeology. In architecture, Giulia contributed to a high-end hospitality project in Sicily, renovating a historic building from the 1600s. After relocating to the Bay Area, she worked on a remodel project in Sonoma County before joining Luca Studio. Currently, she is involved in high-end residential projects in Kauai and Dallas, as well as a winery project in Sonoma County.
Fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish, Giulia brings a diverse cultural perspective to her architectural work.