About the studio

Architecture as quiet confidence.

We believe great buildings don't shout. They hold their proportions, let the light do its work, and make room for the life that happens inside. That is the kind of architecture Studio Abri sets out to make.

Every project starts with listening. How you move through your mornings. How your business greets a guest. What the site has been asking for all along. From there, the drawings follow.

14+
Years practicing
60
Projects delivered
ATL
Home studio

The team

Who we are.

A small studio with deep roots in Atlanta and a shared love of well-made buildings.

Portrait of Matthew Riggs

Matthew Riggs

Owner + Principal

Matthew Riggs, owner + principal of studioABRI, is a registered architect known for his passion for innovative design and sustainable architecture. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of Georgia in 2011, developing a strong foundation in artistic principles and creative problem-solving. Building on this, he completed a Master of Architecture (MArch) at Georgia Tech in 2015, deepening his technical expertise and broadening his understanding of modern architectural practices.

With a career spanning over a decade, Matthew has had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, including residential and commercial developments, public spaces, and community projects. Matthew lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Samantha, a landscape architect, and their two children, daughter Bobbi and son Roy.

Portrait of Elena Castro-Oliva

Elena Castro-Oliva

Architectural Designer + Marketing Lead

Elena is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture, having earned a B.A. in Architecture with a Design concentration. Elena's work explores the intersections of art, architecture, and object-making, driven by a deep passion for materials, handicraft, and design—particularly within the fiber arts.

In the summer of 2022, Elena was awarded the prestigious Harvey Geiger Traveling Fellowship, which enabled her to conduct in-depth research on the relationship between traditional textile-making practices and spatial design across Mexico, Guatemala, and Peru. Her studies illuminated the cultural and spatial significance of textile art, inspiring her continued exploration of these themes in her work. Outside of her professional pursuits, Elena dedicates time to her crafts; she is often found embroidering, weaving, and crocheting small fruits.

A house should be a background for a life, not a performance.
— Studio Abri

Let's build something considered.

Commercial or residential, new build or renovation — we'd love to hear about it.

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