.jpg)
ABOUT
About Menendez Architects, P.C.
Menendez Architects, PC is a full-service architectural practice committed to high-end residential, civic, and community design. Luis Menendez and Nasrin Nourian Menendez—partners in life and in business—founded their firm in 2004. They and their team bring a love of design, inherent global sensibility, and deep experience to every project. Known for distinctive solutions that respond to the needs and aspirations of their local, national, and international clients, Menendez Architects achieves warmth and comfort with elegant designs that are mindful of refined twenty-first-century living.
Based in Aspen, Colorado, the firm provides specific expertise in custom architecture, interior architecture, interior finishes, furnishings and décor as well as thorough construction documentation. Team members are exceptionally familiar with the unique mountain environment and the inherent challenges of building in this region. From ridgeline review to understanding local wildlife and environmental issues; from feasibility studies and site evaluations to space planning and understanding the historic preservation approval process, Menendez Architects specializes in comprehensive preparation long before the design process begins. Profoundly collaborative, the firm has developed long-standing relationships with land-use consultants, contractors, engineers, landscape architects, and specialty craftsmen to create homes of enduring character. To maintain a high level of quality the firm undertakes a limited number of projects each year.
Luis A. Menendez
President / Founder
Intending to enrich lives with the elegant beauty that arises from honest and simple design, Luis began his career in Los Angeles after completing his architectural studies. Subsequently, he and his wife Nasrin relocated to Aspen with the intention to practice architecture at a higher level while also enjoying a better quality of life for their family. Together they established their firm there in 2004.
Luis’ approach to design is sensitive, comprehensive, and aims always to fulfill a client’s needs. He is an attentive listener and is inspired by the same motivations that stir his clients. To arrive at designs that endure and gratify the human spirit, Luis rethinks assumptions, dissolves preconceptions, and explores beyond the obvious. He is active in all aspects of the process, overseeing each project from initial consultation to move-in day.
The firm’s success and high regard it has attained from clients and the local design and construction industry is attributed to Luis’ commitment and dedication to the highest standards for all work produced by the studio. Through excellence, Luis seeks to advance appreciation for the practice of architecture and to demonstrate its value to society and the built environment.
Originally from Mendoza, Argentina, but raised in Los Angeles, California, Luis received his Bachelor’s in Architecture from the esteemed Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) where he was steeped in artistic innovation and progressive exploration. He is licensed to practice architecture in California and Colorado. Although extremely serious about his responsibility to his chosen profession and his passion for transformative design, Luis’ warmth, good humor, and confidence impart a valuable sense of ease during the complexities of any project.
Project Manager
Martin Taffarelli
LEED AP BD+C
Martin is an accomplished Project Manager in charge of much of the production work at Menendez Architects. A dedicated member of the team, he brings over 21 years architectural experience to the work of the firm. Although he focuses primarily on residential projects now, Martin’s previous expertise encompassed a range of building types including luxury residential, community/civic, wineries, and government. As a LEED AP BD+C professional, he is responsible for all LEED related issues: research, sustainability goals, green strategies, and managing the LEED documentation process.
Martin earned his Bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Mendoza, Argentina, where he is also a licensed architect. His allegiance to Menendez Architects and its clientele since 2007 is surpassed only by his devotion to his wife (a beloved school teacher) and their two children.
Maintaining an active lifestyle, Martin relishes riding off-road bikes with the entire family on summer weekends, skiing in the winter, and CrossFit training year round.
Architectural Staff
Emanuel Baldino
Emanuel has been a valuable member of Menendez Architects since 2021. Emanuel earned his bachelor’s in architecture degree from University of Mar del Plata’s School of Architecture, Urbanism and Design in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to joining our team Emanuel practiced his profession for more than 13 years in Buenos Aires, where he is a licensed architect, and the United States. Currently, his main focus is on luxury residential projects, specifically in the production of construction documents.
Emanuel's previous experience encompassed a wide range of building types, including residential, office, community, civic, government work and residential neighborhood master planning.
Throughout his career, Emanuel has been very successful in architectural design competitions for which he has received awards, honorable mentions and publications.
In his spare time Emanuel enjoys biking, painting, creating pottery and exercising.
Architectural Staff
Matias Casetta
.jpeg)
Matias is the newest member of our team. Fascinated from a young age by the creative process of architectural design Matias pursued his architectural degree during his undergraduate studies. In addition to his experience with residential work, Matias brings over 10 years of experience working on commercial projects including airports, private and public office buildings and banks. Beyond in-office responsibilities in design development and construction documents he has field experience in construction phase services. His qualifications, hard work and dedication allows him to reach the high standards of Menendez Architects’ practice.
Matias holds a bachelor’s in architecture degree from the University of Mendoza, Argentina, where he is also a licensed architect. An extreme sports enthusiast, husband and father of two, he loves to spend time with family, sharing and creating life-long memories.
Collaborators
PLANNING / LAND USE CONSULTANTS
Bendon Adams
Davis Horn, Inc.
Haas Land Planning
Alan Richman Planning Services
Rawley Design Planning, LLC
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Design Workshop
DHM Design
Lift Studio
MATERIAL SHOWROOMS
Decorative Materials
Nasrin Nourian Menendez
ASID, NCIDQ
A native of Tehran, Nasrin has long been fascinated by the intelligence of Persian architectural structures and designs and the infinite variety in the application of tile, its geometry and arrangement. Beautiful, detailed traditional calligraphy, miniature paintings, and the flowers and patterns woven into fabrics and rugs are equally inspiring, as are the literature and exuberant poetry of the past. For Nasrin, all evoke wonder and a rich lens through which to view the world.
Raised amidst the vibrant colors, patterns, textiles, and scents of her heritage, Nasrin’s innate sensibilities are soulful and deep. A gifted storyteller with her designs, Nasrin meticulously represents her client’s personalities and narrative while also
Design / Co-Founder
reinforcing the architecture to create an all-encompassing and delightful environment. She believes color is a vital and powerful component for daily life and seeks to imbue it in all her work.
Nasrin holds a Bachelor’s in Architecture from SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture) in Los Angeles, California and is a member of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She also holds an Interior Design Certification (NCIDQ).
Her early career focused primarily on residential and commercial projects in California before she took time off to raise her family in Aspen. During this period she was active teaching students about her culture and volunteering extensively at her daughters’ school to support their education and those of others. Returning full time to her design career at Menendez Architects, Nasrin brings an energetic focus on interior architecture and decoration to the firm. She is an enthusiast of all the visual and performing arts and especially enjoys and is inspired by theatre, music, dance, and photography.
