Community Highlights: Meet Anton Baklan of SOIA Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anton Baklan.

Hi Anton, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always believed that some people are wired to notice beauty — I’m one of them. As a Libra, I naturally gravitated toward harmony, proportion, and aesthetics from an early age. As a child, I was instinctively drawn to the most beautiful choice in any situation — whether it was objects, spaces, or even the energy of people. Over time, that sensitivity to beauty evolved into a calling.

My formal journey began in landscape design, where I first learned to shape environments and understand how people emotionally connect to space. From there, I transitioned into architecture and spent five years working in renowed architectural firm, refining my technical foundation and design language.

About ten years ago, I founded my own firm, where I now focus on custom homes and high-end hospitality spaces, including restaurants. Today, my work blends architectural precision with an intuitive understanding of atmosphere, creating spaces that are not only visually refined but deeply experiential. What started as a personal love for beauty has grown into a career dedicated to designing environments that elevate everyday life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve come to see every challenge as part of the right path. Earlier in my career, I felt the need to control everything — every detail, every outcome, every step forward. That mindset helped me build a strong foundation, but it also came with stress and the feeling that I was carrying the whole weight alone. Thankfully for my love and partner, Ekaterina, it wasn’t a truth.

Over time, experience taught me something equally important: how to trust — my intuition, the timing of life, and the natural flow of opportunities. Some of the biggest turning points in my career happened when I let go of rigid plans and allowed things to unfold. Those moments often led to better outcomes than anything I could have forced.

Relocating to Los Angeles is a perfect example. It was a leap that required faith, but it opened the door to a new level of projects, clients, and creative growth. Looking back, the obstacles weren’t detours — they were redirections toward where I was meant to be, both professionally and personally.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SOIA Design?
At its core, SOIA Design is about designing spaces that feel as extraordinary as they look. We specialize in custom homes and high-end hospitality environments, particularly restaurants, where architecture, interiors, and atmosphere come together to create a complete sensory experience.

What sets us apart is that we don’t see architecture and interior design as separate disciplines. For us, the story of a space begins with the structure and flows all the way down to the smallest tactile detail. Because of this holistic approach, our projects feel cohesive, intentional, and emotionally engaging rather than just visually impressive.

We’re especially known for creating spaces with a strong identity — environments that feel curated, layered, and deeply personal to the client or brand. Whether it’s a private residence or a hospitality concept, we focus on how people feel in the space just as much as how it looks in photos. Atmosphere, proportion, materiality, and light are the tools we use to create that emotional connection.

I’d love readers to know that we’re a studio that thrives on ambitious, detail-driven projects. We work best with clients worldwide who see their home or business not just as a building, but as a legacy, a story, and an experience. Our role is to translate that vision into a space that feels timeless, refined, and deeply alive.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is not to rely only on a small local circle or a closed pool of clients. Word of mouth is powerful, but it shouldn’t be the only engine behind your growth. At some point, you have to become your own advocate and allow the world to see your work.

For me, networking became less about “collecting contacts” and more about building genuine visibility. Sharing projects publicly, entering awards, collaborating with other creatives, and being open about what you do and what you stand for helps the right people find you. Reputation travels much further today than geography does.

When it comes to mentors, I’ve learned they don’t always appear in an official role. Most importantly, I believe in developing inner confidence alongside external connections. When you trust your own voice and direction, networking stops feeling like chasing and starts feeling like alignment — the right people and opportunities connect more naturally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soiadesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soia.archdesign

Image Credits
Vlad Feoktistov, Misha Chekalov