M.Desgins Family
M.Designs Architects is a Mountain View, California based International architecture, planning and interior design firm specializing in sustainable, residential design as well as commercial and industrial projects.
We have more than 47 years of management experience in all aspects of designing, documentation and construction support, as well as an extensive background in construction and cost estimating for architectural projects.
Our expertise ranges from home and office remodels to new home, Eichler home, townhouses, villas, estates and mid-size commercial projects.
Chip Jessup, president and co-founder of M•Designs Architects and Mogul
Designs, has over 30 years of architectural and construction experience. He has expertise in
a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and residential projects. His project work has
ranged from small highly detail-oriented residential projects to religious facilities (SABA
mosque, Lord’s Grace Christian Church) and commercial projects including banks (First
Republic Bank, California Federal Savings) and technically complex projects for Fortune 500
companies.
Chip takes particular pleasure in developing an understanding of a Client’s needs and then
translating those needs into functional, beautiful, and affordable form. He is able to work
directly with individuals and collaboratively in leading large design and construction
teams.
In addition to his architectural design and management skills, Chip has an intimate
familiarity with the construction environment and the relationship of trades to the work due
to having spent a number of years as a laborer, carpenter & construction supervisor
early in his career. MDA takes pride in its commitment to client satisfaction. The personal
and empathetic approach it takes in its dealings with clients, consultants, contractors, and
agencies has grown out of Chip’s life experience. The company is multi-ethnic and
multi-racial. Chip’s childhood in Asia and experiences gathered through travel as a student
have informed his professional life.
Chip attended Stanford University as an undergraduate in History and graduate student in
Civil Engineering. He has been a licensed architect since 1981 and holds an NCARB
certificate. He is a member of the AIA and the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce. He has served
on the Property Committee of the YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula, the Facilities Committee for the
School for Independent Learners. He has served as an oral examiner for the California Board
of Architectural Examiners, and has for many years served as an officer of a local chapter
of BNI, the world’s foremost referral network. Chip lives in Emerald Hills, California with
his wife and one of his two children and where he is able to indulge his passion for soccer,
the outdoors, and the company of interesting and compassionate people.
Malika Junaid, is a founder and principal of Silicon Valley award winning
architectural firm, M●Designs Architects. She has won several architectural awards for her
work that include awards from the prestigious META Remodeling Awards from NARI (National
Association of the Remodeling Industry), as well as an Environmental Quality Award from the
City of Menlo Park, California, for the most sustainable single-family home in the
city.
Malika’s design work has been featured in many local and
international TV and print media. Her clients include executives from Apple, Box, Facebook,
Google and Whatsapp, amongst others.
In 2009, Malika founded Green Learning Institute in California, which helped communities
establish environmentally sustainable building practices through ongoing training and
education.
In 2010, Malika co-founded Pakistan Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization
committed to promoting sustainable concepts and practices to transform the way buildings and
communities are built and operated in Pakistan.
In addition to her professional work, Malika is a Board Member and Charter Member of the
Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN), member of Women
Entrepreneur (WE) Los Altos, and member of Business Network International (BNI). She is
passionately involved in promoting entrepreneurship and business leadership in the local
community.
Malika is also devoted to supporting many charities focused on educating the younger
generations, especially young girls in developing countries. She is currently a board member
and President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of Development in Literacy (DIL).
Malika Junaid has achieved her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Malika lives in Los Altos Hills, California with her Husband and two daughters, two cats,
seven chickens and nine Koi’s
Ni Ni
Senior Lead Designer
Raised in Toronto, Ni Ni has crafted more than 150 custom houses across the US and Canada, earning 58 client endorsements from LinkedIn. With a Master of Architecture from the University of Toronto (2010) and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo (2006), Ni Ni brings with her over 12 years of expertise to residential design, construction, and permit acquisition.
Ni Ni, recognized for her detail-oriented approach, excels in project management, coordinating with consultants and clients while ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality structures. Fluent in Mandarin, she adds to our office language skillset. In her downtime, Ni Ni enjoys hiking, traveling, walking her Golden Retriever, and experimenting with new recipes. Her culinary skills have earned her the title of the best chef at MDA, as voted by her colleagues.
Fluent in Mandarin & English
Avery Cobe
Associate
Avery joined M Designs Architects in July 2015 and has since become an indispensable asset to the company, considering MDA as his extended family. As the senior-most employee, Avery works seamlessly from the cloud and serves as the go-to person for questions. He is not only a Revit Guru but also a key member of the management team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction.
Avery earned his Bachelor of Architecture Technology from Lawrence Technological University in 2015. After relocating to different states, he and his lovely wife Jordan found their dream home in Holt, MI, in 2019, together with their beloved pets—four dogs, two cats, five birds, and a Russian Tortoise.
Beyond his professional commitments, Avery has a passion for ice hockey. He actively plays for and manages his inline hockey team, competing in the Midwest Inline Hockey Association (MIHA). Avery's dedication, expertise, and leadership contribute significantly to the success and cohesion of M Designs Architects.
Priyanka Bendre
Senior Designer
Originally from India, Priyanka joined MDA in 2016, bringing with her valuable architectural work experience. Holding a Master of Advanced Architectural Design in Digital Craft from California College of Arts, San Francisco, Priyanka enriches her design process with diverse multicultural perspectives.
At MDA, she places a strong emphasis on client satisfaction by offering innovative and personalized design solutions. Priyanka ensures prompt attention to client concerns and maintains an open dialogue throughout the design process, aiming to deliver creative and cost-effective solutions. Throughout her years at MDA, Priyanka has served as a design lead on numerous projects, many of which have received recognition through NARI awards.
Outside of office hours, she finds joy in spending quality time with her family, including her little one and husband. Priyanka's interests extend to gardening, crafting, yoga, playing badminton, reading, and exploring the world.
Priyanka is fluent in English and Hindi
Maria Abreu
Senior Designer
Maria began her architectural journey in Brazil, focusing on residential and educational design, with a specialization in acoustical design for theaters, studios, and convention centers. She also taught Environmental Design to university students there.
Relocating to the Bay Area, Maria joined M Designs Architects in 2007. In 2015/2016, she also served as a QA/QC consultant for the Apple Campus II in Cupertino. Family obligations led her to Chile, where Maria lived for 7 years, becoming fluent in Spanish. Returning to the Bay Area in 2023, Maria eagerly rejoined M Designs Architects where we welcomed her with open arms. In her leisure time, she embraces the Bay Area's outdoor activities, enjoys swimming, and indulges in her passion for cooking.
Fluent in Spanish and English
Arnita Serri
Lead Designer
Arnita is an accomplished Lead Designer with a wealth of experience in architecture and interior design. Having relocated from London, UK to the vibrant Bay Area, she joined our team in 2024. With over a decade of expertise, Arnita brings a dynamic skill set to residential and commercial projects. She holds a Master of Science in Engineering in Architecture and Design from Aalborg University, Denmark.
Arnita's professional journey includes collaborations with esteemed architecture firms in Malta, as well as contributions to companies in Latvia and the UK. Her commitment to success is reflected in her ability to ensure timely project completion and client satisfaction while adhering to budgets and timelines. Arnita seamlessly blends aesthetics with functionality in her design approach, often incorporating bespoke furniture to elevate interior spaces.
Arnita also possesses extensive knowledge in prefabricated timber panel buildings and timber structures, in which she then enjoys implementing her love for Scandinavian design.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Arnita takes pleasure in spending quality time with her family, enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
Fluent in English and Latvian.
Zhengrui He
Lead Project Designer
Zhengrui is a Lead Project Designer with over 5 years of experience in residential and commercial design. He graduated with a Master's Degree in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis in 2017 and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Architecture in China.
With a focus on modern and contemporary design aesthetics, Zhengrui has extensive experience designing and executing modern style homes and interiors since 2018. He is a talented designer who thrives on challenges and finding creative solutions to complex problems. Zhengrui considers the needs of his clients paramount and works closely with them to bring their vision to life.
In his spare time, Zhengrui enjoys exploring new places and cultures through road trips and travel. He also likes to stay active by going to the gym, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Zhengrui finds inspiration in movies, art exhibitions, and nature, constantly exposing himself to new ideas that influence his innovative approach to design. His diverse educational background in both architecture and landscape informs his holistic approach to every project.
Zhengrui is fluent in English and Mandarin
Giselle Keshtgar
Lead Architectural Designer
Giselle brings over 10 years of experience to the MDA Team. She obtained her Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University where she honed her skills in architectural design and construction techniques. In addition, she received a Minor in Sustainable Environment from Cal Poly and spent time studying in the Interior Design Institute in New York City. Throughout her career, Giselle has collaborated with renowned architectural firms designing/managing projects in multiple markets. With a diverse portfolio spanning various architectural projects, her passion has consistently gravitated towards the intimate and transformative realm of residential projects, establishing them as her preferred focus.
Having a background in the cultures and history of multiple countries, Giselle has developed an adventurous mind with an appreciation for details, diversity and flexibility in design. Her design philosophy revolves around the idea that architecture is not just a built environment, it should tell a story, evoke an emotional response and enhance the overall well-being of the occupants. She is passionate about all architectural styles and takes great satisfaction in working closely with clients to create an environment that synthesizes their culture, ideas, desires and needs.
Outside of work, Giselle finds joy in cooking, photography, spending time with friends and playing with her golden retriever!
Giselle is fluent in Farsi and English
Quan Nguyen
Designer
As a member of the MDA team, Quan is exited to be joining a firm with a rich reputation, a strong
portfolio, and skilled people.
Quan went to the University of Technology in Danang, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He
is currently pursuing his architecture licensure in California.
He is always fascinated by how building systems, people and architecture are synchronized to
create highly efficient and functional spaces. He enjoys working with clients and project teams
to "design the process" to design the project, enable all stakeholders to participate, be heard,
and contribute to the project's direction. Being able to understand and communicate the vast
array of issues and challenges, Quan is adept at navigating them through the process to create
high-quality projects that will best meet the needs of their users and communities.
When Quan is not at the office, he enjoys pursuing his passions at the gym, sipping a smooth red
wine, hiking, playing guitar.
Fluent in Vietnamese and English
Swaroopa Dugani
Interior Designer
Swaroopa Dugani's professional journey began as a data analyst in the vibrant city of San Francisco. However, her unwavering passion for design and architecture ultimately led her to transition into the design field. Before joining MDA in 2023, she pursued her MA in Interior Architecture and Design at AAU San Francisco. Prior to her venture into the design world, Swaroopa spent time delving into healthcare data research, even publishing research papers on platforms like IEEE and Springer. Her academic background includes earning B.E and M.Tech degrees in Computer Science from India.
Swaroopa's approach to creativity is firmly anchored in an unwavering commitment to design excellence, a proficiency in crafting interior drawings, and a relentless drive to discover innovative solutions. She strongly believes in the harmonious fusion of aesthetics and functionality in design.
Outside of her professional life, Swaroopa has a passion for baking, doodling, and an undeniable enthusiasm for watching movies, enjoying them with a bucket of popcorn. She is fluent in Indian and English.
Fizza Iqbal
Interior Design Lead
Fizza, an accomplished architect with more than ten years of professional experience, holds a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture in Pakistan. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with esteemed firms in Pakistan, serving as a design lead on numerous corporate and residential interior projects, overseeing the entire process from conceptualization to construction. Demonstrating a passion for creative thinking, Fizza eagerly embraces challenging interior projects. Actively contributing to the field, she is also a dedicated member of the Pakistan Council of Architects.
Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in travel and cherishes moments spent with her daughter and husband.
Najam Ul Hassan
Drafter
As an Architecture and Interior Drafter, Najam became a valuable member of M.Designs in 2003. Prior to joining our team, he garnered experience in esteemed architectural firms, initiating his career in 2011. Najam holds a Diploma in Associate Engineering (CIVIL), showcasing his commitment to foundational expertise.
Beyond the drafting table, Najam dedicates his leisure moments to quality time with his family and engages in friendly badminton matches with his friends.
Jawwad Naseer
Jr. Architectural Designer
Jawwad is an accomplished architectural designer with a rich tapestry of experience and a passion for design. Jawwad earned his architectural stripes from the respected UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
At the heart of his capabilities lies his mastery of Revit BIM modeling, and a deep understanding of the International Building Codes (IBC). Jawwad can create lifelike visualizations to help our clients envision the final outcome.
Jawwad's portfolio spans from single unit residential homes, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as well as commercial developments spanning offices, retail spaces, and hospitality.
Apart from his passion for architecture, Jawwad is also passionate about fusion cooking, barbecuing, traveling, and exploring new places. Also, he is intrigued by cars and electronics and appreciates learning about them.
Rehan Siddiqui
3D Visualizer
Rehan started his career in 2010 as an Architecture and interior 3D visualizer, additionally making Animations. Before this, he completed his 3D visualization and animation degree from Arena multimedia. Rehan also has experience teaching in Arena multimedia Pakistan. He joined M.Designs in 2021, now working online from Pakistan and spending free time with his wife and two children.
Outside of work, he likes hiking and traveling.
Sadia Puri
Project Manager
Sadia joined M Designs Architects in 2003, where she seamlessly fulfills her responsibilities as a Project Manager. With a keen eye for detail, Sadia plays a crucial role in overseeing and coordinating various projects within the firm.
Her journey at MDA reflects a commitment to excellence in project management, ensuring that each endeavor meets the highest standards of quality and efficiency. Sadia's dedication to streamline processes and effective communication contributes significantly to the success of the projects under her purview. Her ability to navigate complex tasks and deadlines, coupled with a focus on client satisfaction, makes her the go-to project manager. Sadia's passion for project management is not just a profession but a commitment to delivering exceptional results for the firm and its clients.
Besides her work, Sadia has a keen eye and love for interior design and flower arranging.
Oceanna Anderson
Director of Operations
Oceanna joined M Designs Architects in 2021 as the Office Manager. Having studied Art History and Historical Architecture, Oceanna is thrilled to be working in a field related to her University education. Oceanna holds a BA and MA in Art History from Richmond University in London. Having worked as a Gallery Director and Art History Professor, her versatile and curious nature allowed her to switch gears, drawing her into the world of technology, where she worked in the software field for 12 years.
Oceanna enjoys donating to numerous animal charities and going to the beach with her husband and adorable rescue dog on weekends.
Shahzadi Shamsi-Baig
Head of Marketing
Armed with an MSc. in International Marketing, Shahzadi brings a wealth of experience to her role, serving as the dynamic force behind all marketing endeavors. Her multifaceted role encompasses Social and Content Marketing, lead generation, and CRM strategies, showcasing her prowess in elevating the firm's brand presence.
In addition, she is a valued member in the Management team, where she plays a pivotal role in enhancing business processes and efficiencies, contributing to the firms short and long-term goals.
Prior to joining M Designs, she accrued 16 years of expertise as an HR specialist at Shell International in Europe. Her background includes talent development, process & change management, trainings and service delivery.
Outside the professional realm, she dedicates her free time to organizing and hosting cultural and charitable events, loves to travel and seizes any opportunity to create meaningful memories with family and friends.
Fluent in English, Dutch and Urdu/Hindi
Taha Farooq
Manager Accounts
Muhammad Taha Farooq is a dynamic professional with a multifaceted skill set and a passion for excellence. He holds several notable qualifications, including APFA, ITP, and CAF, which highlight his comprehensive knowledge in finance and accounting. Taha's educational background is complemented by his proficiency in ERP systems and SAAS accounting platforms, as well as his designation as a QuickBooks Pro Advisor, all of which enable him to provide efficient and tailored solutions to clients.
As of 2024, Taha's career spans over 11 years in the fields of accounts, audit, tax, and finance, where he has honed his expertise and become a trusted advisor in the industry. His extensive experience and strategic insight allow him to navigate financial complexities and deliver customized solutions that drive client success.
Currently, Taha is leveraging his extensive knowledge and skills in his role at M Designs Architects as manager accounts, where he has been making significant contributions for over 2 years. His dedication to his craft and unwavering focus on client satisfaction make him an invaluable asset to the organization.
Outside of his professional endeavours, Taha enjoys blogging, gaming, and doing tech research.
Ali Haider
Graphic Designer
Ali Haider is an accomplished Graphic Designer with four years of experience and a fervent passion for design. His journey in the world of creativity commenced with the pursuit of an Advanced Diploma in Media Studies at Arena Animation, where he honed his skills and laid the foundation for his career. Building upon this foundation, Ali furthered his expertise by delving into the realms of Digital Marketing and Media Editing at Aawaz Institute of Media, thereby expanding his knowledge and staying abreast of industry trends.
Ali joined M.Designs Architects in the beginning of 2024, where he is responsible for crafting captivating designs and elevating the brand's online presence.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Ali is deeply passionate about E-Sport games, cricket, and football, and has recently become a father for the first time.