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Gabriel Alaka, AIA

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INTRODUCTION

I'm an Architect & Technology Expert

ABOUT

My design approach focuses on innovative ideas and digital media to explore and create dynamic but practical forms and spaces.

I am a proud graduate of the School of Architecture at Woodbury University (Class of 2007). After spending a decade in the industry, I acquired my Architect License in the State of California (C36863). I have had the opportunity to work on many projects throughout the world and it is quite rewarding to witness the evolution of a project from concept to completion.

I am based in the Los Angeles area.

SERVICES

Services I offer.

Every project that I work on will require a signed contract. 

  • Architectural Professional Services

    Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration. MEP, Structural and other consultant fees are separate.

  • 3D LiDAR Scanning (Coming Soon)

    With the use of a professional grade LiDAR 360 camera, I can create a floor plan of existing conditions (as-built) along with hosting a 3D walkthrough of the space for an additional fee.

  • ADU (Accesory Dwelling Unit)

    If you are a home-owner or developer, we can explore adding an ADU to your property, whether it's a garage conversion, an attached or detached ADU, or a Junior ADU.

  • Home Re-building from the CA Wildfires

    The Wildfires in Southern California in January of 2025 have devastated the community and I would like to assist in the re-building efforts. 

  • Software Training

    I offer training for Architectural Software such as Revit, AutoCAD, TwinMotion, BlueBeam, Adobe Suite products, etc.

PROJECT TYPES

Architecture is beyond buildings. It is about human interaction and perception of space within the built environment.

There are many categories of architectural projects and below is  a short summary of the types of projects I have had the pleasure of being involved with. The image gallery below shows more details about each category. 

10+

Residential

15+

Office /
High Rise

25+

Water Features

5+

Multi-Family

5+

Mixed Use

5+

Retail / Commercial

2

Urban Planning

RESUME

Experience

I have been practicing Architecture for nearly 20 years.

WET Design

2013 - Current

Project Architect / BIM Manager

Coordinate projects with in-house engineers as well as client teams and consultants (mostly international-based firms such as Parsons, Atkins, RMJM, KPF, etc.). Oversee projects from Schematic Design through Final Completion while respecting the original concept design. Due to the nature of the one-of-a-kind projects, participated in the creation of various mock-ups of which some were built at full scale. Conducted site walkthroughs during construction. 

Separately, I upgraded the Architectural Department from MicroStation to AutoCAD and then later to Revit and setup new standards. I also created templates, drawing standards, file naming conventions, families, etc.

R204 Design

2007-2013

Architectural Designer

Played a major role in the development of International large scale projects (high-rise office, entertainment, retail, master planning, unit plans, landscaping) by guiding them from Conceptual Design through Design Development. Gathered various input from Senior Designers and Principals to translate into hard-line site plans, floor plans, elevations, building sections, wall sections, details, etc. Played a major role in the preparation of a magnitude of project colored presentation sets for the purpose of presenting them to various clients either through online presentations or in-person presentations.

Builder-Direct

2005-2006

Junior Designer

Prepared computer models, renderings and animations to present to clients mainly on high end residential projects located in West Los Angeles and Brentwood.  Put together Architectural drawings sets for approval from the city of West Los Angeles.

Woodbury University

2002-2007

Peer Mentor and Tutor

Met with students on a weekly basis to help them with time management issues, personal issues and educational difficulties.  Tutored students on all the computer programs taught at Woodbury University as well as a few other courses such as Structures.

SKILLS

Skills I have collected over the years.

Revit

96%

AutoCAD

96%

BlueBeam Revu

94%

Adobe Suite

96%

TwinMotion

75%

PORTFOLIO

Portfolio

Please select each image to explore more projects within that category.

Water Features

Water Features

Cover Project: SURREAL at EXPO 2020 (Dubai, UAE)

In a city infused with adventure and innovation, United Arab Emirate's EXPO2020 holds SURREAL, an experience unlike any other on the planet. Here near the heart of the Expo, native textures and mysterious forces converge to blur the boundary between natural and man-made. Within its circular plaza, visitors are surrounded by the sights and sounds of a three-hundred-meter long, fifteen-meter-high wall over which tumbling, frothy waves of water fall.  Encompassed by the hypnotic water-walls, guests witness a celebratory performance of colored flames igniting in rhythmic combustion effects, highlighting the musical water show that surrounds them.

Residential

Residential

Residential Design

Multi-Family

Multi-Family

Cover Project: Mysore Meadows Residential (Mysore, India)

The main entry to the site is branded by a single signature grand tree gateway, enhancing the identity of the community.  As you enter, there is a framed view of the rolling meadows beyond.  The central palm lined drive winds through the rolling. hills and ties all the residences badk to the Great Meadow and central clubhouse. 

Taking advantage of the ideal local climate, the character of the architecture blurs the indoor and outdoor spaces to evoke a resort quality experience and provide natural light and ventilation.

Office / High Rise

Office

Cover Project: COMMERCE SQUARE OFFICES (Gurgaon, India)

The challenge was to allow both of the towers to read as integral to the whole, while conceptually having the volumes linking across the plaza.  The lower tower offers more efficient floor plates, while the taller tower provides the exclusive views, each having values that cater to a range of clientele.

The lobbies were both designed to open up to the exterior square as a space expanding to the outdoors. In the evenings, a golden warm light radiates from each of the entries into the plaza.

Retail / Commercial

Retail

Cover Project: JURRASIC TRIANGLE (Damascus, Syria)

Located in one of the oldest cities in the world, a primary challenge for the project was maintaining the historic culture within a highly themed modern retail entertainment venue.

The overall planning concept organized the built structures into two wings each entry catering to different age groups which all flanks a central welcoming park. The approach with the primary elevation facing the highway was to capture the attention of drivers by offering a community park like experience with the commercial center as backdrop rising up to the main atrium in the center.  Each entry lures attention from the adjacent road with life-size dinosaur scultptures and engages guests within the plaza.  The unique site configuration lead to the project's name, Jurrasic Triangle, which became a concept carried out to other aspects of the architectural, interior and landscape designs.

Mixed-Use

Mixed-Use

Cover Project: URBANA RETAIL Gurgaon, India)

The Urbana 630,000 sf Outdoor Passive Retail shopping experience located in Gurgaon India represents the first of its kind in modern outdoor retail experiences.

Due to the contemporary and energy efficient design, on the project's launch it completely overshot estimates and sold out in the first day.

Urban Planning

Master Planning

Cover Project: Golden Elephant Park (Nanxun, China)

Part of the 263 acre Nanxun masterplan, the central cultural district of the new Nanxun City will establish Nanxun as a pioneer in responsible urban lifestyle and sustainable development.  The unique quality of life and culture of the Old Nanxun water town, located in the Zhejian province near Huzhou city is a timeless experience, one which is rarely round in the world today.  In contrast to the recently built orderly civic administrative core, the yet to be developed, introspective cultural core will define the social and international identity of the New Nanxun to the world.  Within the cultural district one can experience the main cultural center and the four district Historical Legacies of Nanxun's elite silk traders; the Learning Center; community recreational facilities; exclusive waterfront tower and terraced residences; an island with water view dining and the many different public community spaces within the Four Elephants Park

Thesis

Thesis

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PRICING

Pricing for Professional Services

Every project is different, so all I can provide in advance is a price range as it all depends on the scope of work and size of each project.

  • Architectural Professional Services

    5.5%

    of Total Construction Cost

    Construction cost starts at around $300 per square foot

    A 5% retainer fee is required at the time of Contract signing

    Consultant Fees and Permitting Fees are not included

  • 3D LiDAR Scanning (Digital Twin)​

    Coming Soon

    See Details

    Small projects (house, small building): $TBD

    Medium projects (industrial facility, complex building): $TBD

    Large projects (large infrastructure, detailed site survey): $TBD

  • ADU (Accesory Dwelling Unit)

    $3,000+

    See Details

    Garage Conversion: $3,000+

    Attached ADU: $5,000+

    Detached ADU: $7,000+

Software Training

Varies

Contact for Details

FAQ

Do you have questions?

Below is a list of commonly asked questions.

  • Can I hire you for commercial work?

    Yes you may. Since I am a licensed Architect, I am able to legally work on any type of project.

  • Is consultation free?

    Yes. I will be happy speak/meet with you about your project at no cost.

  • Is a contract required?

    Yes, a contract is required for each and every project regardless of how big or small the project is.

CONTACT

Let's get in touch.

Fill out the form to send me a message or:

Email: gabriel@GAlakaArchitects.com

Phone: 323-539-8055

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