Exploring Life & Business with Joanna Rodriguez-Noyola of RNDA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Rodriguez-Noyola.

Hi Joanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m an architect with over 12 years of experience and a budding design practice focused on warm, modern residential and hospitality work. I’m a Cuban immigrant who came to the U.S. by way of Mexico during Cuba’s “Special Period” in the 1990s. My family eventually settled in Puerto Rico, where I spent most of my childhood. From a young age, I was drawn to visual arts and design, while also having a knack for math and science—architecture presented the natural intersection of those passions.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree at MIT, then worked at Nabito Architects in Barcelona before returning to Boston to pursue a Master of Architecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. After eight years of New England winters, I was ready for a change. On top of perfect weather, LA offered the excitement and opportunity of a major metropolis, along with the strong Hispanic culture I was homesick for.

Initially, I worked on large-scale international stadium projects at Meis Architects, and found myself most drawn to the refined elegance of the club spaces. That interest led me to Marmol Radziner, where I worked on a Four Seasons project and deepened my focus on residential and hospitality design. I’m now a senior project architect and project manager at Studio PCH, further honing my craft on pristinely detailed residences and hotels.

I recently established my own practice, RNDA, and have completed several residential projects. My strongest motivation now lies in helping homeowners and business owners rebuild after the devastating wildfires, compassionately helping them return to their communities and providing thoughtfully crafted, more resilient spaces.

Outside of work, Los Angeles has brought me joy in unexpected ways—from discovering a love for hiking and rock climbing to forming meaningful friendships and starting a young family. After ten fulfilling years here, I’m grateful for all this city has given me and am excited to give back through the rebuilding efforts.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I originally pursued production design when I came to LA, but became disillusioned with my brief exposure to the film industry. I’m grateful to have found my way back to architecture—and I haven’t looked back since!

I always hoped to establish a personal practice and began taking on independent projects as early as 2019, but the pandemic and starting a family brought pauses to that work. With life more stable and our kids past the baby stage, it feels like the right time to pick up where I left off. Furthermore, the recent devastation from the fires has only deepened that resolve and feels like a call to action. My husband grew up in the Palisades, and the community is close to our heart. I hope to contribute meaningfully to the rebuilding efforts with my experience in residential and fire-resistant construction.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My design practice is dedicated to creating thoughtful, modern, and warm architecture, rooted in sustainability and resilience. I focus on residential and hospitality projects, and have had the opportunity to work on single-family homes, ADUs, and remodels, in addition to the residences, restaurants, and hotels developed under other firms. I believe in crafting refined spaces that quietly surprise—using light and geometry to create unexpected moments. I’m passionate about sustainability and building performance, and I work to integrate these elements from the very beginning, so they’re never an afterthought. I strive to give my clients more than they imagined—spaces that not only meet their needs but reveal possibilities they hadn’t yet considered.

What are your plans for the future?
In the near future, I hope to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by the fires, helping to restore the urban fabric of their communities in a more resilient and sustainable way. I also aim to continue growing my practice, bringing my passion for thoughtful design and creative problem-solving to projects of all scales and budgets. While I enjoy the personal nature and the meaningful relationships that residential work fosters, I hope to take on hospitality projects as well, such as wellness spaces, restaurants, and hotels, which are exciting in their broad-reaching impact. Being creatively restless, I would also seek out collaborations with like-minded designers in architecture, furniture, home goods, and beyond. Once the practice is more stable and established, I hope to engage in community outreach for women and minority youth. Architecture still struggles with diversity, and I believe that early mentorship and education are key to helping the next generation see themselves in this field.

The future feels full of possibility, and I’m excited by the opportunity to create spaces that inspire and enrich the lives of those who experience them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://r-nda.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rndaofficial/

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Irving Alvarez
Work photos and renderings: Joanna Rodriguez-Noyola