Melanie Gilbert is an architectural designer focused on residential work, with a background in public and institutional architecture rooted in place, meaning, and experience.

Her work is guided by a belief that the most enduring spaces are those shaped by light, material, and a strong connection to their surroundings. With a foundation in both large-scale public projects and intimate residential design, she brings a thoughtful and measured approach to each home—balancing clarity, proportion, and detail.

Melanie holds both a Bachelor and Master of Architecture from NewSchool of Architecture & Design. She began her career in San Francisco at HED (Harley Ellis Devereaux), where she worked on a range of complex, large-scale projects, developing a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for collaborative design.

Now based in Colorado, she works independently, maintaining close relationships with builders, trades, and industry collaborators. She is currently pursuing architectural licensure in Colorado.

Her design perspective is shaped by time spent in San Francisco—particularly the Russian Hill neighborhood—as well as travels throughout Europe. Influences range from California modernism and midcentury design to Bauhaus principles and classical architecture, alongside a personal practice in watercolor and mixed media.

Melanie is currently designing and overseeing the construction of her own residence in Manitou Springs, a full renovation and addition that reflects her approach to living, materiality, and place.

Her work has been recognized with an AIA San Diego Design Award 2019 for her thesis project, and she is a published contributor to The Routledge Companion to Ecological Design Thinking.

She lives in Colorado with her husband and two young sons.