MA-MA
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MA-MA is a design studio for architecture, interiors, scenography, and products.
Beginning each project with an architectural lens, our multi-scaled work unfolds through meticulous attention to detail, merging narrative and design to shape journeys that are as curated as they are surprising. Combining beauty and functionality, we create designs that both ground and elevate the human experience—from furniture design and retail interiors to housing and mixed-use urban development.
MA-MA’s recent projects include site-specific concepts for the international luggage brand RIMOWA; Rolling Hills Residence, a 4,000 square foot interior remodel and 1,500 square foot addition; a contemporary design for a Menorah; scenography for Genesis during the 2024 New York International Auto Show week; and a redesign of the product and packaging for Houseplant’s U.S. launch.
MA-MA has been featured in notable publications such as Architectural Digest US, AD Spain, AD Italia, LA Times, Wall Street Journal and has been featured on the cover of Interiors California Magazine for their Queens Residence project. MA-MA has also been recognized with the following awards and distinctions:
2022 - Laus Gold - Best Line of Packaging and/or Labels for Houseplant
2022 - D and AD - Shortlist / Packaging Design / Rebrand for Houseplant
2021 - Clio Cannabis Silver Award for Brand Identity for Houseplant
Team
Her career portfolio includes leading teams in winning competitions such as the Delacorte Theater renovation in Central Park, the 670 Mesquit mixed-use development in Downtown Los Angeles, and The Washington Commanders NFL stadium in Washington DC. In the hospitality sector, as part of Nômade’s in-house design team, Sanam developed a 170-key hotel with a Balearic island aesthetic on a cliffside along the Portinatx coast, a masterplan and design concept for a six-hectare beachfront hotel resort, and a multi-use commercial town farm in the heart of Todos Santos. She also spearheaded the design concept for Nômade Hotel Madrid, transforming a historic building into a 85-key hotel in the heart of the city.
Sanam earned her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she later taught a graduate architecture studio.
Laylee Salek is a Partner at MA-MA. She previously worked as a Designer at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and as a Project Architect and Manager at Peterson Rich Office (PRO), where she led projects that introduced innovative design solutions through dynamic and flexible programming.
Her portfolio includes being part of the winning competition teams for Greenpoint Landing - a pair of residential towers along the East River in New York, POST Houston - a transformation of a former USPS facility into a vibrant commercial and cultural hub, and the Pioneer Works Rooftop Observatory in Brooklyn. A dedicated leader, Laylee not only meets clients’ programming needs but elevates projects through strategic dual programming. This approach was particularly evident in her work on P&T Knitwear Bookstore in New York City, where she expanded the bookstore’s purpose by integrating a communal amphitheater for seating and events, as well as a free-to-use podcast studio.
Laylee earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and has served as a guest juror at institutions such as Pratt University and SCI-Arc.
Safura Salek is a Partner at MA-MA. She previously worked as a Senior Designer at Commune Design and founded the practice, Mass Studio, specializing in high-end residential architecture, interiors, hospitality, and retail projects. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and keen understanding of materiality, she holistically transforms spaces by designing everything from overall architectural concepts to custom built-ins, furniture, and fixtures. Her work reflects a modern, defined by clean lines and simple forms
Her portfolio includes private ground-up and renovation projects in residential and hospitality design across Los Angeles, New York, and St. Barts. She has also collaborated with leading firms to execute detailed retail designs for international brands, including Oliver Peoples in San Diego and Kiki de Montparnasse in Las Vegas.
Safura earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and has served as a guest juror at institutions such as USC, UPenn, and SCI-Arc.
Clients
Adidas
Amplify
Bureau Betak
Carhartt
Crossover Health
Depop
Gagosian Gallery
Genesis
Houseplant
Hypebeast
KIKI
Takashi Murakami
Nike
Nomade Hotels
Off-White
Prada
RIMOWA
Snapchat
St. George Spirits
The Points Guy
Van Cleef and Arpel
Vice