Architects

Pierluca Maffey joins Carrier Johnson + Culture as new Firmwide Head of Design

Feb. 13, 2024
2 min read

San Diego, CA – Architecture, interiors, and landscape firm Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C) has hired Pierluca “Luca” Maffey, International Assoc. AIA, as its new Firmwide Head of Design and Design Principal.

Maffey joins CJ+C with a portfolio of high-profile architectural projects in the U.S., and abroad, in the hospitality, workplace, mixed-use, master plan, and residential sectors. In his 25-year career, he has held several roles within the industry, from Design Principal to Business and Marketing Director, at such firms as Portman Architects, TVS Design, Cooper Carry Architects, and Gensler.

Mission: Design leadership, business development, and culture cultivation

His role encompasses firmwide design leadership, business development, and culture cultivation. As the champion of design excellence across the offices he will steer the creative vision, serving both as a mentor and a coach to empower growth. On the business front, Luca will help retain and consolidate existing clients, while acquiring new ones, helping the firm to enter new national and international markets.

“Carrier Johnson + Culture is at a pivotal growing point in its well-established history as an architectural firm," said Maffey. "I am excited to bring my contribution to the future development of the firm and am delighted and honored to be working with such a tremendously talented team.”

Going beyond the West Coast

For CJ+C, adding Maffey is a strategic play in the firm's expansion from the West Coast to other regions of the U.S. and abroad. The San Diego-based company has completed hundreds of projects across the country. Ray Varela and Claudia Escala, who took over as Presidents in 2019, are striving to advance CJ+C’s reputation as a multi-disciplinary design firm with wide-reaching influence.

“Carrier Johnson + Culture has established a strong presence over our 47-year history,” says Varela. “We are excited to have Luca on board to help us grow into new markets and broaden our design explorations.”

About Carrier Johnson + Culture

Founded in 1977, Carrier Johnson + Culture is an award-winning architecture, interiors, landscape, and urban planning firm based in San Diego. The firm specializes in workplace, multifamily, mixed-use, affordable housing, public, higher education, hospitality, and commercial projects.

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