Matthew Salenger, AIA, AA dipl. hons.

coLAB studio co-founder, managing partner;

Matthew is an artist and architect raised on the island of Maui. Matthew graduated with Honors from Arizona State University (1996) and with Diploma Honors from The Architectural Association of London (1999.) Matthew explores innovative ways to expand what is possible regarding community interaction, design, and environmentalism. He is also a life-long surfer, musician, and non-fiction author.

Having spent 9 years in college studying both studio art and architecture, Matthew continues to work as both an artist and architect. As of 2024, (along with Maria) he has collaboratively designed and/or managed nearly every coLAB studio project, thus far completing 25 constructed buildings and 25 public artworks in Arizona, California, Hawai’i, Florida, and Oregon. He also provides consultation services for other designers on Biophilic Design, the Integrated Design Process, and Public Art Planning.

Matthew has co-founded and led multiple community organizations such as The Living Building Challenge Sonoran Collaborative, Urban Choices, Citizens for a Vibrant Apache Corridor, Southwest Regenerative Development Cohort, and the Phoenix Regenerative Development Group. Since 2019 he has been learning to work as a Regenerative Practitioner.

"I was raised on the colorful slopes of Maui's north shore in the 1970s and 80s, where the landscapes and buildings were, at the time, mostly beautiful, historic, and unique. That is often no longer the case. Similarly, in my 25+ years of living in Phoenix, I have seen sprawl perpetuate many negative issues (economic, aesthetic, social, and health related). Because of the positive experiences I had as a young person, I feel a responsibility to make positive impacts on all the communities I work with.”

Maria Salenger, AIA

coLAB studio co-founder, majority owner;

As a native Phoenician, Maria is witness to the explosive development in the Southwest region over the last 50 years. Perceiving the impact economics and efficiency has had on this growth, Maria works to infuse culture and re-connections to nature in urbanized spheres. Maria trained with a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Arizona (1994) and Master of Fine Art from University College London, Slade School of Fine Art (1999). She teaches design studios at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, including faculty exchange to Universidad LaSalle, Mexico City. Maria was recognized by Arizona Business Magazine's Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate. As part of AIA Arizona’s Women’s Leadership Group, she works to empower diverse voices in design practice.