Five practices, one studio.
Whether you're adding an ADU to your backyard or reimagining a 4,000 sq ft residence, every project gets the same architect-led attention from concept through construction.
Philokalia — the love of beauty.
Bespoke creative mastery.
We blend innovative design with precision, crafting spaces that balance your practical needs, personal style, and aspirations. Our expertise ensures every detail is meticulously planned to deliver beauty, functionality, and lasting value.
Open dialogue, zero surprises.
Stay informed and empowered at every stage. Through clear, proactive communication, we prioritize your voice — adapting designs, addressing feedback, and refining ideas in real time to align with your vision before progressing further.
Your vision, our shared mission.
A handpicked team of designers, engineers, and your personal Project Lead collaborates exclusively on your project. We immerse ourselves in your goals, working side-by-side to transform your ideas into reality with unwavering attention to detail and quality.
The difference is in the doing.
Most clients come to Philokalia Design after a frustrating experience with someone else. Here's what we hear most often about why they stay.
What it's like to work with us.
"Working with Lydia has been an absolute dream! She is not only an incredibly talented interior designer and architect, but also one of the most passionate and detail-oriented professionals I've ever met. From the very beginning, she took the time to truly understand our vision and brought it to life in a way that exceeded all expectations. What really stood out was her communication — Lydia kept us updated at every step and made the entire process seamless. She went above and beyond by handling all the permits with the city, coordinating with the engineer and contractor, and making sure every detail was done right. Thanks to her dedication and efficiency, she was able to get our permits approved in less than 3 months from start to finish, which is truly impressive."
"I had the pleasure of working with Lydia for a full remodel of a multi-family residence and her work was exceptional. Her attention to detail, ability to stick to the budget, knowledge of California building codes, and commitment to quality made all the difference."
"We had the pleasure of working with Lydia, and we couldn't be happier. From the very beginning, she took the time to truly understand our vision. She managed to get everything completed, from design to permits, in under three months — something we know wouldn't have been possible without her dedication and professionalism."
"Lydia was an absolute pleasure to work with. She understood my vision immediately and brought it to life with creativity, precision, and style. Her attention to detail and thoughtful design turned my space into something truly special."
"Absolutely phenomenal designer! Lydia is so professional and was able to design exactly what we needed. Her work is high quality. Definitely recommend!"
Tell us about your project.
Whether you're at the napkin-sketch stage or ready to break ground, Philokalia Design would love to hear what you're working on. The first conversation is free.
Schedule a ConsultationRecent portfolio.
A small studio means we say no to most projects so we can say yes — fully — to the ones we take on. Here’s a look at our recent architectural work across California.
La Habra Garage Conversion ADU.
A complete two-car garage transformed into a fully permitted Accessory Dwelling Unit — one bedroom, full bathroom, living room, and kitchen with in-unit laundry. Designed as a turnkey rental-ready residence, the unit features calacatta-style quartz countertops, custom shaker cabinetry, marble-look porcelain tile, and material continuity from kitchen through living spaces. Permitted and built within the existing structure’s footprint to meet California ADU regulations.
Inside the finished unit.
A look at the four primary spaces — kitchen, living room, bathroom, and the connecting circulation that ties the unit together as one home.
A complete home in 400 square feet.
Garage conversions are deceptively hard. Every inch matters, every California code requirement triggers another, and the existing footprint can’t expand. The unit had to function as a real home — not a converted space — with bedroom privacy, a working kitchen, full laundry, and a bathroom that doesn’t compromise. Designing to plan-check standards from day one is what gets these projects permitted in under 90 days.
Future projects.
Additional residential and commercial work will be added as projects complete and photography becomes available. We take on a small number of projects each year so every client receives architect-led attention.
Residential renovation
Single-family home · Coming soon
Multi-family
Apartment renovation · Coming soon
Commercial design
Tenant improvement · Coming soon
Could yours be next?
We take on a small number of projects each year so every client receives architect-led attention from concept through construction.
Schedule a ConsultationFive practices, one studio.
Every project Philokalia Design takes on receives the same architect-led attention from concept through construction. Here's what we do — and how each engagement actually works.
Homes built around how you actually live.
Whether you're renovating a single-family home, building from the ground up, or restoring a property in a historic neighborhood, residential architecture is the heart of what Philokalia Design does. We start every project with the way the space will be lived in — daily rhythms, family dynamics, light, flow — and let the architecture follow from there.
We work across California — from hillside lots and coastal sites to flat urban infill — and we know how to design for the specific challenges each one presents.
- Site analysis & feasibility
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Construction documents
- Permit submission & follow-up
- Construction administration
"She managed to get everything completed, from design to permits, in under three months." — Joseph Filly
The fastest path to more home, more income, more flexibility.
Accessory Dwelling Units have transformed what's possible on California residential lots. We design detached ADUs, garage conversions, junior ADUs (JADUs), and SB-9 lot splits — and we know the regulations chapter and verse, including the latest 2024 code updates.
This is one of our most active practice areas, and our clients consistently see permits approved in under 90 days because we draw to the city's plan check standards from day one.
- Detached ADU design
- Garage conversions
- Junior ADU (JADU)
- SB-9 lot splits
- Setback & coverage analysis
- Title 24 energy compliance
"Her knowledge of California building codes and commitment to quality made all the difference." — Matt Jimenez
Commercial spaces that get past plan check the first time.
Restaurants, retail storefronts, offices, mixed-use developments, and adaptive reuse projects. Commercial work has a different rhythm than residential — tighter schedules, more stakeholders, more code paths to navigate. We design with all of that in the room from day one.
Our commercial projects span build-outs of existing shells, full ground-up commercial developments, and conversions of existing buildings to new uses.
- Programming & space planning
- Brand-aligned interior design
- ADA & code compliance
- MEP coordination
- Health Department coordination
- Construction documents
Build-outs from shell-and-core to turnkey.
If you've signed a lease on a commercial space and need to transform it into a working environment for your business, that's a tenant improvement project. These projects often run on aggressive timelines because rent starts when the lease starts. We design with that schedule pressure in mind from day one.
We handle everything from light-touch cosmetic refreshes to full demolition and rebuild within an existing shell.
- Existing conditions documentation
- Demolition planning
- Space planning & layout
- Mechanical & electrical design
- Permit drawings
- Construction support
"She understood my vision immediately and brought it to life with creativity, precision, and style." — Armen Adamyan
Full-service interiors, from space planning to final styling.
Interior design at Philokalia Design isn't decoration applied at the end. It begins at space planning and runs through every material, fixture, and finish. We design interiors that work for the way you'll actually live in the space — not the way it photographs.
This service is offered both as a standalone engagement (existing homes, no construction) and as the natural extension of an architectural project we're already designing.
- Space planning & layout
- Material & finish selection
- Custom millwork design
- Lighting design
- Furniture & art curation
- Procurement coordination
Technology that disappears into the architecture.
Most homes get technology bolted on at the end — and it shows. Visible cabling, equipment in the wrong rooms, conduit runs that should have been roughed in but weren't. Philokalia Design integrates AV-over-IP, sound systems, and home cinema during the architectural phase, so the system is invisible, expandable, and built into the bones of the house.
See the full Technology page →
- AV-over-IP distribution
- Multi-zone sound systems
- Home cinema design
- Smart home control
- Network infrastructure
- Lighting & climate integration
Not sure which one is right for you?
Tell us about your project and we'll help you figure out the right scope, sequence, and timeline. The first conversation is free.
Schedule a ConsultationThree pillars of a connected home.
Every Philokalia Design home can be specified with the technology infrastructure to make it modern and effortless to live in. We coordinate all of it during the architectural phase — so cabling, power, and equipment locations are designed in, not chased later.
One network, every room.
AV-over-IP is the modern way to distribute audio and video throughout a home. Instead of dedicated HDMI cabling to every screen, signals travel as data over your network — meaning any source can route to any destination at full 4K HDR.
Philokalia Design integrates these systems during the architectural phase, so the network closet, conduit runs, and termination points are coordinated with the floor plan from day one.
- 4K HDR distribution to unlimited displays
- Centralized rack — keep your equipment hidden
- Scalable — add zones as your home evolves
- Single control interface for the entire system
Music in every space that needs it.
From discreet ceiling speakers in the great room to weatherproof outdoor zones in the garden, we design multi-zone audio systems where every space has the right sound for what happens there.
We work with reference-grade brands — Klipsch, Sonance, JBL, Episode, and more — and specify the right model for each room based on ceiling height, room volume, and listening intent.
- In-ceiling, in-wall, and outdoor speakers
- Independent volume control per zone
- Streaming integration — Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal
- Architectural speakers that disappear into ceilings
The cinema, brought home.
Whether you want a dedicated theater room with tiered seating, or a media room that doubles as a family living space, we design the room and the system together. Acoustic treatment, screen geometry, projector throw, lighting control — every variable considered before a single wall is framed.
We offer fully reference-grade builds (McIntosh, Wisdom Audio, Sony Crystal LED) and budget-conscious systems that still deliver immersive performance.
- Dolby Atmos and immersive audio formats
- Reference-grade and budget-conscious tiers
- Acoustically tuned rooms — designed, not retrofit
- Hidden equipment, integrated lighting, motorized screens
Speakers for every space.
We specify a wide range of speaker types, configurations, and finishes — chosen room by room based on what each space is actually for.
Your home, in your hand.
A unified app brings lighting, climate, audio, video, and home awareness into a single touch — at home or from anywhere in the world.
Designed in, not bolted on.
Most homeowners discover technology too late — after walls are closed and conduit runs are impossible. Because Philokalia Design integrates technology during the architectural phase, your system is invisible, expandable, and built into the bones of the house.
Plan your technology system.
Whether you're building new or upgrading an existing home, Philokalia Design will help you design a technology system that fits the space and the way you live.
Schedule a ConsultationRecent technology installations.
A small portfolio of recent AV, sound, and smart home installations across California — including some of the most acoustically demanding spaces in the state. Each project is a collaboration with specialist sound and AV designers, integrated alongside the architecture from day one.
Spaces where technology serves the moment.
Houses of worship demand more from technology than almost any other space — long reverberation, complex geometry, and architectural ornament that the system must never visually compete with. Here are two recent installations where we delivered exactly that.
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church.
A sanctuary that finally sounds the way it should. We delivered a discreet multi-zone sound system integrated directly into the church's coffered ceiling, with parallel video distribution feeding side-mounted displays for liturgical text. Speakers are positioned for even coverage across the nave without competing visually with the iconostasis or the architectural detailing of the space.
in collaboration with Philokalia Design
St. Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church.
A complete AV and sound system design spanning the newly built sanctuary — with its domed ceiling, full Byzantine-arched iconostasis, and complex curved geometry — and the church’s adjacent multi-purpose room. We delivered AV network design and distribution, audio and video network configuration, and multi-purpose room sound design, all built on Dante — the professional digital audio networking standard used in broadcast and major venues. Cabling, network architecture, and equipment locations were resolved during construction, not retrofitted afterward.
in collaboration with Philokalia Design
Future technology projects.
Additional residential and commercial installations will be added here as projects complete and photography becomes available.
Residential AV-over-IP
Whole-home distribution project · Coming soon
Home Cinema
Reference-grade theater build · Coming soon
Multi-Zone Sound
Indoor/outdoor whole-home audio · Coming soon
Have a space that needs technology done right?
Whether it's a residence, a sanctuary, a commercial space, or a custom installation, we'd love to hear what you're working on.
Schedule a Consultation Back to Technology
Lydia Salib — the architect behind Philokalia Design.
Lydia Salib is the principal architect and founder of Philokalia Design, an architecture and interior design studio serving clients throughout the state. Her practice centers on residential design, ADU and garage conversions, commercial build-outs, and interior design — all delivered with architect-led attention from the first sketch through final permit approval.
Lydia is known for two things her clients mention consistently: her ability to understand a vision immediately and translate it into something buildable, and her track record of getting permits approved in under 90 days by designing to plan-check standards from day one.
"She went above and beyond by handling all the permits with the city, coordinating with the engineer and contractor, and making sure every detail was done right. She was able to get our permits approved in less than 3 months from start to finish."
"Her attention to detail, ability to stick to the budget, knowledge of California building codes, and commitment to quality made all the difference."
Hany Salib — 30+ years of professional sound engineering.
Hany Salib is a professional sound engineer with over 30 years of hands-on experience designing and delivering audio systems for some of the most demanding spaces in California. From houses of worship and concert halls to recording studios and custom residences, his work is defined by one principle: the system should serve the space, not compete with it.
At Philokalia Design, Hany leads all technology integration — bringing 30+ years of acoustic and system design expertise into the architectural process from day one, so the technology is built into the building, not bolted on afterward.
30+ years in sound, one mission.
30+ years of professional sound engineering across live performance, fixed installation, houses of worship, and residential systems — with the IT and network infrastructure knowledge to back it all up.
Technology should serve the space, never compete with it.
The best sound system in a church is the one you don’t notice. The best AV infrastructure in a home is the one that disappears into the walls. After 30+ years of designing systems that live inside other people’s spaces — sanctuaries, concert halls, studios, living rooms — Hany’s measure of success has always been the same: does the system make the space better? If you have to think about it, the answer is no.
That’s why every Philokalia Design technology project begins during the architectural phase — when walls are open, conduit can be roughed in, and the system can be designed as part of the building rather than bolted onto it afterward.
30+ years, one discipline.
A career built entirely in sound, technology, and the spaces that need both.
- Experience30+ years in professional sound engineering
- SpecializationAudio system design, AV-over-IP, Dante networking
- Venue typesRecording studios, concert halls, houses of worship, residential
- TechnologyDante audio networking, AV-over-IP, IP audio
- Service areaCalifornia — statewide
- Recent completionsSt. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Bellflower CA
- Recent completionsSt. Mary of Egypt Coptic Orthodox Church, Santa Clarita CA
- Scope at St. MaryAV network design, Dante distribution, sanctuary + multi-purpose room sound design
- CollaborationAll technology projects delivered in collaboration with Philokalia Design
Technology integrated from day one.
Hany collaborates with Philokalia Design’s architectural team on every project where sound and technology are part of the brief. With 30+ years of sound engineering behind him, he brings acoustic expertise into the design phase — when walls are still open, conduit can be roughed in, and the system can be designed as part of the building rather than added to it afterward.
From a church sanctuary where the speakers must never compete with the iconostasis, to a home where the cinema and music systems should feel effortless — the integration approach is always the same: design it in, don’t bolt it on.
Ready to start your project?
Whether it’s an architectural project with Lydia or a technology installation with Hany — the first conversation is free.
Get in Touch View Technology ProjectsTell us about your project.
Whether you're at the napkin-sketch stage or ready to break ground, Philokalia Design would love to hear what you're working on. The first conversation is free, and you'll leave with a clearer sense of what your project will take.
Start the conversation.
We respond to every inquiry within one business day.
Before you reach out.
What's the first step after I send this form?
Lydia personally reads every inquiry and responds within one business day to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. The first call is exploratory — we'll discuss your goals, your site, your budget, and whether Philokalia Design is the right fit for your project.
How long do permits typically take?
Most ADU and residential renovation projects clear plan check in 60–90 days. Larger residential projects, complex commercial work, and ground-up construction typically take 4–8 months. We design to plan check standards from day one, which is why our timelines tend to be shorter than industry average.
Do you work outside Los Angeles?
Philokalia Design works with clients throughout California — including the Bay Area, San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Sacramento, and surrounding areas.
Can you handle the engineer and contractor too?
We work directly with your engineer, contractor, and consultants to keep the project aligned. If you don't have a contractor yet, we can recommend trusted partners we've worked with successfully on similar projects.
What does a project cost?
Architectural fees vary based on scope and complexity, but for residential projects we typically work on a percentage-of-construction-cost or fixed-fee basis. We'll provide a clear, line-item proposal after our first consultation — no hidden costs, no scope surprises.
Do you offer just interior design or just technology, without architecture?
Yes. Interior design and technology integration are available as standalone engagements for existing homes. They're also offered as the natural extension of an architectural project we're already designing.