People
moss design, founded in 2008, is a full-service architecture design studio in Chicago. We have been fortunate to work with clients on a variety of large and small projects that are deeply connected to the community we love and made possible by the dedicated crew we work with daily – architects, designers, and creatives — mostly bikers.
Matt Nardella, AIA, LEED-AP
Architect Founder Bike Warrior
After graduating from the NewSchool of Architecture and spending nearly a decade designing sustainable architecture in San Diego, Matt returned to the character-building climate of his native Chicago to found moss. His work utilizes site orientation, creative use of green building techniques, and sustainable building materials. Matt understands the urban environment and how to sustain it as a community for all living things. He volunteers as a Treekeeper for the 47th Ward Green Council, Openlands Project, and a guest laborer at Peasant’s Plot Farm. He has lectured on sustainable architecture and urban design nationwide. Matt enjoys The New York Times, cooking, woodworking, and hydrology. He is not a fan of golf or flaxseed.
Laura Cripe
Marketing Director Founder Vegetable Hunter
Laura spent nearly two decades honing her marketing strategy and business development skills in the corporate environment. Chicago-born and raised near a forest preserve instilled in her a love of nature and an understanding of the importance of urban green space. Her passion for design and desire to maintain a wholesome connection with the environment has guided her toward sustainable architecture. As a certified permaculturist, master gardener, and urban farmer, she tends to the Edible Garden at Lincoln Park Zoo and volunteers for the Chicago Audubon Society monitoring endangered Piping Plovers.
Chris Koster
Designer Gardener Amateur Margarita Mixologist
With a constant interest in understanding how things are constructed, Chris enjoys both the design and construction sides of architecture. His appetite for the “hands-on” has led him to Bolivia to build adobe homes for communities in need. When not in the garden, tending to his chickens, or riding in circles around the velodrome, he enjoys watching reruns of Julia Child or whatever gastronome found on PBS. Sustainability is a common thread that knits together his food culture, cycling, and design interests.
Emily Torem
Head of Journalism Illustrator Grocery Shopper
Emily holds a degree in Journalism from DePaul University. She previously worked as an editorial intern at Newcity, Time Out Chicago, and Intersection Magazine in London. Born and raised in Chicago, Emily still has absolutely no sense of direction and frequently asks tourists how to get around. She is particularly interested in access to quality food and water, healthier urban spaces, and design’s roles in each.
Drew Bayley, AIA
Architect Pedal Pusher Home Chef
Drew holds an MArch degree from IIT and a BSAS from UW-Milwaukee. As the son of an industrial designer and a graphic designer, he couldn’t avoid learning the importance of design. Years as a bike messenger sent him into the most iconic Chicago buildings, and his eye for detail always kept him looking up. He rides his bike regardless of distance, weather, or cargo. From movie theater projectionist to butcher, rickshaw driver to actor, and line cook to carpenter, his assortment of past jobs contribute to his design work. Drew and his daughter live, ride, and eat in and around Wicker Park.
Cam Gasser
Designer Skater
Michigan-born, Cam developed a love for nature, exploring the woods behind his home; later, moving to Chicago ignited his interest in structures. Cam holds a degree from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, where he majored in Interior Architecture & Design and minored in Furniture Design, Fine Arts, and Art History. His interest in how an environment can affect people and their well-being has driven his studies in space, materials, and sustainability. Cam enjoys skating, painting, and cooking with friends when he’s not contemplating the human experience.
Pamela Marcos
Designer Sun & Sea Lover Novice Guitarist
Pamela, a native of Mexico, brings a unique global perspective to her architecture. She honed her skills and earned her degree in Architecture from the Institute of Technology and Higher Education of Monterrey. Her expertise spans landscape, urban, and residential design, nurtured by her immersion in diverse locales like Mexico City, Lisbon, and Cancun. These experiences have enriched her creative process with insights into the significance of site analysis, climate, and comfort in architectural design. Sun lover by nature, Pamela enjoys outdoor activities, whether discovering new parks, lying at the beach, or leisurely exploring urban landscapes. Unskillfully playing guitar for her cat, Xela, became her second passion.
Bosco
Napper Captain of the SS Cardboard Box Exterminator
A chronic overeater and moth chaser, Bosco has been searching for out of the way places to sleep for over a decade. He is way behind on filing.