Melissa REZAEI

BA (Hons) | MArch | Postgrad Dip | ARB | RIBA

FOUNDING DIRECTOR & HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Melissa is an accomplished Architect with over a decade of expertise managing projects across the UK and internationally. A graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University and Westminster University, she has built her career through roles at renowned firms such as Foster + Partners in London and Shigeru Ban Architects in Tokyo. There, she contributed to high-profile, award-winning projects spanning both private and public sectors.

As a skilled team leader and design strategist, Melissa has guided multidisciplinary teams across diverse sectors, developing creative solutions that respect each project’s unique context and constraints. Driven by a deep interest in human psychology, she approaches each design with empathy and a commitment to fully understanding the client’s vision. Her work seamlessly blends aesthetic and functional considerations, always focused on enhancing the human experience within thoughtfully crafted spaces.

Matthew Riley

BA (Hons) | MArch | Postgrad Dip | ARB | RIBA

PARTNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Matthew founded YUKKA alongside Melissa and Sam after working with Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A). During his employment with AL_A, he played a key role in the delivery of the award winning cultural project, Exhibition Road Quarter for the V&A London, a technically challenging project which required an aspirational approach to technical detailing alongside sensitivity in working with 5 interfacing Grade 1 listed buildings.

Following this, he was a critical member of a small team developing and delivering the eagerly anticipated Access Centre and Undergraduate Centre in the heart of Wadham College’s historic campus at the University of Oxford. His role required effective communication and a collaborative approach to working alongside clients, consultants and contractors. Most notably, he led the design development and delivery of the two striking building facades which set-out to represent Wadham College’s modern outreaching philosophy.

Prior to working at AL_A, Matthew gained experience in several small-to-medium sized practices in Manchester, Leeds and Ahmedabad, India, where he completed a large number of domestic, residential, commercial and educational projects.

saM Maindonald

BA (Hons) | MLA

PARTNER & LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Sam has over 20 years of experience designing and constructing within the building industry, operating in both the UK and the US across a wide range of climate zones. He successfully established his US company, Monarch Design, before returning to London in 2018.

Sam also has a devoted interest in horticulture and a wide knowledge of planting. His extensive experience managing the on-site delivery of projects, coupled with his frenetic conceptual personality, allows him to approach design holistically.

In 2013, Sam graduated from Leeds School of Landscape Architecture with a first-class honours degree, culminating in the delivery of an award-winning show garden at RHS Tatton Flower Show. The garden won the Silver Gilt Medal, in addition to the award for Most Creative Large Garden, and was a testament to Sam’s integrity and craftsmanship.