In the world of architecture where every detail matters, we are your trusted partner in creating value and leaving a long-lasting impact through thoughtful design. We understand that navigating architectural projects may be uncharted territory for you, but we’re here to guide you seamlessly through the process.
It’s About “You“
We help you create value and long-lasting impact with the built environment. We like working alongside people like yourself, who are willing to invest in good design to reach their goals and visions. We understand your time is precious, so we offer clear and prompt communication to simplify your life. We also offer options to choose from to expedite decision-making.
A successful project requires a great team, and that team includes not only you, as a valued client, but also a skilled architect and a good contractor. It is important for us to know you as well as for you to know us. Our approach is centered on building a solid client-architect relationship.
If your values align with ours, we invite you to get in touch today. Let’s embark on a journey to create spaces that truly make an impact.
We Believe . . .
- We believe that Good Design is Good Business.
- We believe that the best design comes from understanding our client’s vision.
- We believe that senior living communities are the intersection of residential, hospitality and wellness, to create a special place to be enjoyed, where seniors can stay healthy and call home.
- We believe that the aging population deserve the opportunity to live gracefully and with purpose.
- We believe in creating architecture that makes long lasting positive impacts on the people interacting with the buildings.
- We believe in architecture that pushes the limits to better everyday lives.
- We believe that connection with nature and biophilic design make people feel better.
- We believe that every building should be environmentally responsible, and high-performance buildings should be the norm.
- We believe that the environments we build today need to positively impact tomorrow.
- We believe that every project is an opportunity to learn something new.
- We strive to glorify God in all what we do.
How We Started
Many years ago, Youssef was reading an architectural magazine, which included an article on how projects impacted patients and made them feel better and heal faster through the design. This article has inspired him to strive for this impact on people by the built environment. And this was the seed from which Impact Architects grew.
After more than 20 years in the architecture industry, frequenting different project types, design processes and clients. Youssef has decided to pursue his dream and launch Impact Architects, to provide clients with the expertise of big firms and the nimbleness and flexibility of small firms while making long-lasting impact on every project that we do whether small or big, it begins by listening and understanding the client needs, operations and aspiration to respond with a design that impact their lives, businesses and well-being.
We offer our expertise to make every building’s impact on people interacting with the buildings positive, to better and enrich their lives by providing an individualized creative, bold and daring outside of the box solutions and designs that provide value, push the limits to get the best of what is available.
Why Senior Living?
When Youssef started working on senior living projects, he felt that the design of those projects provided service to a population that struggles to end their days in peace, being their voice through design we could advocate for the well-being of the weak and needy i.e. the elders, people with dementia, or elders needing nursing homes.
Some of the design solutions are unusual and stem from the opportunity to listen to caregivers and how they have struggled taking care of the senior living populations with their different needs and levels of services provided to them, or latest research. This way provides design solutions that impact the Seniors.
Sustainability
To us sustainability is defined as minimizing environmental impact, emphasizing energy efficiency, responsible material choices, water conservation, waste reduction, maximizing the use of renewable energy and community engagement. It aims to create buildings that promote long-term viability and resilience while minimizing their ecological footprint.
We create high-performance buildings that contribute to the well-being of communities and the planet. High-performance buildings are another layer of impact that Impact Architects do provide whether that is to the Senior living communities to make that long lasting more impactful, or is applied to other projects types that Impact Architects is on the wellbeing of communities, neighborhood, the climate and the earth. During his tenure at LRS Architects, Youssef has designed and managed the largest Passive House certified senior living project on the US and another that is one of the first senior living CLT buildings.
Care and Thoroughness
What sets us apart is the genuine care we bring to every project. Understanding your operations, needs, business model, the residents’ needs; or looking for design solutions even outside of the box and pushing the limits of what have been done conventionally before; or by providing a good set of drawings that is thought through.
Care is evident in every phase of our projects, ensuring a thoughtful and impactful outcome.
Efficiency
Efficiency is at the core of our design philosophy. We achieve this by employing standardization in design where required and optimizing material utilization to maximize the impact of your investment. We also strive to implement flexibility to spaces, so they can serve Multiple purposes when that is appropriate.
Our relentless pursuit of efficiency is reflected in the continuous refinement of our design process, informed by invaluable lessons learned from prior projects. Our straightforward approach is clear and concise communication with everyone involved, showing our commitment to working together efficiently.
Continuous Learning
We’re architects and dedicated lifelong learners, finding genuine satisfaction in the learning process. Delving deep into focused research within each project is our passion, driving us to unravel complexities and conquer project challenges, while our commitment to continuous professional development enriches our projects. We thrive on the challenges that emerge within each project, viewing them as opportunities for learning and personal development.
Let’s Create Impact Together
If you’re ready to elevate your senior living community, church or other project types with design that lasts, we’re ready to collaborate.
Reach out to us, and let’s embark on a journey to make a lasting impact.
“Your brilliance and mastery of architecture and its processes treating architecture as art while making sure it was completely useful in all the ways it needed to be. Creating a beautiful supportive environment for the seniors.”
“You helped us create an extraordinary example of what senior housing could and should be.”
Rob Hays
Former COO of Terwilliger Plaza
Meet Our Founder
Youssef Matta, AIA, NCARB, PMP
[YOO-sef]
Principal | Architect
Biography
Youssef is a seasoned Architect (1) and a Certified Project Manager (2) with over 20 years of experience, which spans both nationally and internationally. Weaving his expertise across a diverse array of projects ranging from Senior Living, to Multi-family, Religious, Hospitality, to Health care and beyond, encompassing a staggering seven million square feet of innovative design. However, it is in the realm of Senior Living projects that he has truly found his passion since 2016 and exercised his expertise.
Youssef is not content with the ordinary, he strives for creativity, boldness, and daring solutions that break free from conventional constraints. His reputation as a visionary and forward-thinker precedes him, earning recognition as an initiator, organizer, problem solver and a mentor with an unwavering attention to detail.
Known for fostering enduring relationships and possessing an attentive ear, Youssef brings a unique blend of passion for Senior Living and sustainability design coupled with an unwavering commitment to technical excellence. His leadership extends from the initial schematics to project end, ensuring seamless coordination with the Owners and Consultants to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
In 2023, he Launched Impact Architects, to be the vehicle that accomplish his vision in architecture, making the impact and difference one building at a time. This venture encapsulates not just a professional endeavor but a personal commitment to leaving a lasting impact on the built environment, shaping a future where design is synonymous with positive change.
Connect with Youssef on LinkedIn
(1) Licensed in Arizona, California and Colorado – will extend licensure to states we get work in.
(2) Project management Institute (PMI) – largest body of project management in the world.
Fun Facts
• Youssef’s career path was defined at an early age, he wanted to be an Architect. Raised in Egypt, born into a family of Architects: dad, mom and both brothers. Architecture has always surrounded him and is in his DNA.
• As a kid, Youssef enjoyed playing with his middle brother building cities, houses and high-rises using milk boxes and particle boards.
• Youssef is the Hebrew and Arabic of Joseph.
• Outside of work, Youssef enjoys spending time with his family, photography, reading, listening to worship music and support his local church and ministries.
• Youssef is trilingual, speaking English, French and Arabic.
• Matta River – a River in Virginia with my family name – check it out here:
What People Are Saying About Youssef
“Youssef listened intently and was able to transform a complex vision into a practical, efficient, and effective senior living building, that I’ll forever be proud of. Even in the face of challenges, Youssef was calm and methodical. His patience, combined with a thoughtful approach and extraordinary competence, resulted in an enjoyable collaboration. It was so much fun to work with Youssef!”
Rob Hays
Former COO of Terwilliger Plaza
“In our work together, Youssef was pragmatic, listening, and responsive. His explanations of proposed designs were concise and clear. He was tenacious in pursuit of required permits and approvals; he did not shy away from promoting (appropriately) our interests in working with the various authorities having jurisdiction.”
Sean Beausoleil
Senior director with RMR group
“Clients trust him and value what he brings to the table to develop their projects and take them a step ahead. For the projects he is involved with, he immerses himself whole heartedly and whole mindedly, which naturally inspires others around him to do the same.”
Darcy Wong
Project Manager at Cuningham
Collaborators and Partners
We work with the following creative and talented professionals on different projects – it’s part of our nimbleness strategy – we expand and contract our team based on each project, with our deep bench of friends and partners.
- East Side Studio Architects
- LKB Architecture
- Green Project Architects, PLLC
- mdn-studio
- Simplify Design, LLC
