Philokalia — the love of beauty.
Our mission is to provide personalized services for every client, with quality workmanship that exceeds expectations.
Bespoke creative mastery.
We blend innovative design with precision, crafting spaces that balance your practical needs, personal style, and aspirations.
Open dialogue, zero surprises.
Stay informed and empowered at every stage. Through clear, proactive communication, we prioritize your voice.
Your vision, our shared mission.
A handpicked team of designers, engineers, and your personal Project Lead collaborates exclusively on your project.
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.
- Role
- Principal Architect & Founder
- Specialty
- Residential, ADU, Commercial
- Service area
- California — statewide
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.
- Experience
- 30+ years
- Specialization
- AV-over-IP, Dante networking
- Venues
- Studios, concert halls, churches, residences
“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.”
Sound engineering
30+ years of professional sound engineering across live performance, fixed installation, and broadcast environments.
System design
End-to-end AV and audio system design — room analysis, equipment specification, rack design, cabling infrastructure, commissioning. Dante-certified audio networking.
Information technology
IT infrastructure design supporting modern AV-over-IP, audio networking, and smart building systems.
Studio recording design
Recording studio acoustic design and technical infrastructure — control room geometry, isolation principles, monitoring placement.
Concert hall & church design
Acoustic and AV system design for large-scale liturgical and performance spaces — including two completed Coptic Orthodox sanctuaries in California.
Residential technology
Whole-home AV-over-IP distribution, multi-zone sound systems, home cinema design, and smart home integration.
The difference is in the doing.
Permits handled, not promised.
Our clients regularly receive approved permits in under three months, because we design to plan-check standards from day one.
One architect, start to finish.
You won't be handed off to a junior associate. Lydia is personally involved in every project, every meeting, every revision.
Coordination, not just drawings.
We work directly with your engineer, contractor and consultants — so problems get solved before they reach the job site.
What it's like to work with us.
“Her attention to detail, ability to stick to the budget, knowledge of California building codes, and commitment to quality made all the difference.”
“She understood my vision immediately and brought it to life with creativity, precision, and style.”
“From the very beginning, she took the time to truly understand our vision. We couldn't be happier.”
“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.”
“Absolutely phenomenal designer! Lydia is so professional and was able to design exactly what we needed. Her work is high quality.”
