Martha was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. Growing up on the beautiful rugged New England coastline she was influenced by its many different sculptural forms as elements of architecture. Her work is firmly rooted in the landscape, grounding and connecting her strong architectural forms.
With a passion for the arts, Martha obtained a BA in Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She then moved to Los Angeles and earned a master’s degree in Architecture from the UCLA’s School of Urban Planning and Architecture. After graduation she worked for various architectural firms with a focus on residential design.
Martha feels all art forms are related. She is also a potter whose her forms are influenced by her architecture and vice versa. Whether she is crafting a pot or designing a house, she applies the same meticulous attention to lines, scale, proportion and details.
In 1984 Martha decided to escape from Los Angeles and moved to Mammoth Lakes to ski and practice architecture. She met her husband on the ski slopes and joined him in Ventura.
From 1985 to 1999 Martha worked for several architectural and development firms in Santa Barbara and obtained her California Architectural License in 1987.
In 1999 Martha founded Picciotti Design as a sole proprietor. Picciotti Design specializes in custom residential architecture, both new homes and renovations. Three years later, with her husband acting as general contractor, they completed the design and construction of their home with attached office in Hobson Heights, Ventura. The house is a laboratory to show clients her ideas about space and volume, and connection to the outdoors and landscape.
Martha is an advocate of both traditional and contemporary design, and this is reflected in the diversity of her work. She believes great design is achieved through a collaborative process between the architect and client to create unique environments that enhance the quality of daily life. Although designing a house is a serious undertaking, there should be joy and delight in the process. It is a journey she shares with her clients.
Martha’s collaborative approach is further reflected in her years of public service for the City of Ventura. She served on both the Planning Commission and the Design Review Committee. In addition, Martha has been a board member and vice president of the Ventura Botanical Gardens, and is currently active in the organization as head of the design committee.
“Martha is a very talented architect. She listens to the needs and wishes of her clients and is very easy to work with. Martha is creative and collaborative and ensures that her projects are executed with the highest quality builders.”
“Martha and her team are a creative and high energy group that really listens to the client and works tirelessly to make the clients dream house come true!! She goes the extra mile!”