Meet Ralitsa Kombakis

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ralitsa Kombakis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ralitsa, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my roots. I’m the daughter of Greek immigrant parents who came to this country with nothing but grit, heart, and a dream. They opened a small pizza shop and, through tireless work and quiet humility, put three kids through college. Growing up in that environment, I learned early on that success doesn’t come easy—but it does come with dedication, sacrifice, and showing up every single day. Just as importantly, my parents always understood that kindness mattered. No matter how hard things got, they led with generosity and respect—for their customers, their community, and each other. That quiet strength and compassion shaped me. As an Architect and founder of Studio Rallou, I carry those values into everything I do—resilience rooted in hard work, and a belief that integrity and kindness are just as essential as vision.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Studio Rallou, we embrace the profound impact the built environment has on human lives. Our work is rooted in the belief that architecture should not only serve a function—but evoke emotion, spark connection, and tell a story. With a steadfast dedication to designing spaces brimming with personality, we obsess over every detail, because we know those small, intentional moments are what shape unforgettable experiences.

We practice human-centric design. For us, architecture is never just about walls or finishes—it’s about people. It’s about how someone feels walking into a space, how they gather there, how they remember it. Whether it’s a hospitality concept, a retail environment, or a personal residence, we design with empathy, clarity, and a deep sense of purpose.

I’m especially drawn to hospitality and single-family residential projects—because these are deeply personal spaces. They’re designed for the end user in an intimate way, and that means the process becomes equally thoughtful and collaborative. When you’re designing a home or a space where someone will host, gather, and express themselves, the level of detail and emotional investment becomes incredibly meaningful. And the final result feels that much more rewarding.

Studio Rallou is newly launched, and this moment feels especially exciting. I’ve spent the last decade working under some of the most visionary designers in the industry—taking notes, refining my voice, and dreaming of building something of my own. This new chapter is not only a celebration of creative independence, but a commitment to designing with soul, curiosity, and courage.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Curiosity, observation, and adaptability have been the most impactful qualities in my journey so far.

First and foremost—ask questions. As many as you possibly can. Early in your career, that habit is everything. Stay curious, ask why things are done a certain way, how they were built, who made the decision, what material was used. Then keep asking, even when you’re no longer “junior.” Our industry is constantly evolving—new materials, new codes, new technologies, new ways of storytelling through space. If you stop learning, you risk becoming an obsolete designer. Make it a lifelong practice to be a student of the craft.

Equally important is listening—really listening. From the client to the contractor to the engineer, everyone brings something to the table, and the ability to read between the lines is crucial. Often what someone is really asking for isn’t what’s said out loud—it’s in the subtext, in their body language, or in the bigger picture. Great design comes from being attuned to those unspoken details and understanding how to translate them into thoughtful, responsive solutions.

Observation is another key skill. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned came from quietly watching how the best people in the room carried themselves—how they led a client meeting, how they annotated a drawing set, how they reviewed a submittal. The details matter, and excellence is usually found in the subtleties.

And finally, adaptability. Design is not a linear process, and our work lives at the intersection of creativity, logistics, and human emotion. Learning to stay flexible while staying true to your vision is an art in itself. The more open you are to collaboration, feedback, and new tools, the stronger your work will become.

For anyone early in their journey: Be humble. Be hungry. And be brave enough to keep asking the next question—even when you think you’re supposed to know the answer.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely—I want to keep collaborating with other creatives today, and for the rest of my career. Some of the most inspiring work I’ve been part of has come from unexpected collaborations, where different perspectives collide and something entirely new emerges.

I’m especially interested in working with creatives beyond my own industry—whether that’s artists, musicians, chefs, furniture makers, stylists, or storytellers of any kind. Seeing the world through another creative lens brings a fresh kind of energy into the design process. It opens up new ways of thinking and pushes my work to evolve in ways I couldn’t reach on my own.

If you’re someone who values storytelling, craft, and the emotional power of space, I’d love to hear from you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studiorallou.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiorallou/

Image Credits

These are all personal renderings not photos.