Press Archives - Moya Design Partners

How Calya Was Born: The Story Behind an Intentional Brand

Every name that feels natural begins with purpose

When we began designing the Calya Collection brand, our goal was simple yet deep: to express a vision of hospitality that captures Colombia’s warmth, cultural depth, and harmony with nature; while connecting with a global audience that values meaning, elegance, and intentional design.

The Search for Meaning. The creative process began long before the first sketch, as we always do at Moya Design Partners (MOYA). We spent months immersed in cultural and linguistic research exploring Colombia’s ancestral languages, craft traditions, and the patterns of the Emberá and Kuna Tule peoples. We connected these discoveries with botanical and spiritual symbols that define belonging and identity.

We asked: What does wellness sound like through the language of nature? How can balance take form through words and rhythm?

From those questions, our digital wall quickly filled with ideas. We generated more than 200 name options inspired by life, renewal, and connection. From indigenous origins to Latin and Sanskrit roots, and new hybrids that could belong to Colombia while resonating globally.

We then grouped them into three conceptual families:

· Raíces Ancestrales (Ancestral Roots): authenticity, heritage, storytelling.

· Tierra y Tradición (Earth and Tradition): craftsmanship and connection to nature.

· Bienestar Holístico (Holistic Wellbeing): tranquility, clarity, renewal.

Each concept helped us imagine how serenity might look — how a word could translate into form and atmosphere.

From Many Names to One That Flowed. Each name was tested for sound, rhythm, and visual integrity. Would it feel natural in conversation? Would it live beautifully on a ceramic sign, a linen label, or a digital screen? We spoke them aloud, visualized them engraved in brass and printed on paper. The list narrowed — from 200 to 50, 50 to 20, 20 to 5 — until one name carried the calm strength we sought. – That name was Calya.

Why Calya. Calya means graceful path. In Sanskrit, it speaks of movement, balance, and inner alignment. In Indonesian, it means flawless. In certain African dialects, it represents uniqueness in harmony. Its tone felt deeply tied to Colombia’s identity — soft, balanced, and human. The sound carried the cadence of our landscapes and the calm of our culture. For us, Calya became a meeting point between global design and local essence — a brand that believes:

Luxury exists in balance. Design moves with purpose, grace, and connection.

Designing Stillness. Our design process followed the same deliberate rhythm. The team at MOYA Creative developed over thirty logo iterations, refining letterforms until geometry and emotion aligned. We studied proportion, rhythm, and spatial harmony to build a visual language of flow and authenticity. Every curve carried intention; every space held meaning. The result is a wordmark that conveys movement through stillness — a quiet identity designed to endure.

An Intentional Journey. Creating Calya was a journey across strategy, architecture, linguistics, and visual design, rooted in one shared belief: brand design is storytelling with purpose. Calya is the outcome of focus and reflection — hundreds of drafts distilled into one truth: Beauty rooted in meaning becomes timeless.

At MOYA and MOYA Creative, we uncover the stories that already exist. Calya was one of them — found at the intersection of language, design, and soul.

A Closing Thought. A logo may appear simple at first glance, yet behind it lies a journey of research, dialogue, and creative intention. Calya is an example that design with purpose carries emotion, and every sound, line, or gesture can hold a story worth telling.

#BrandDesign #HospitalityDesign #IntentionalDesign #CulturalStorytelling #ColombianDesign #MOYACreative #MOYADesign #DesignMatters

Building Legacy: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Through Design

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the culture, resilience, and creativity that continue to shape our communities. For me, this recognition is deeply personal.

When I came to the United States, I carried with me the lessons of my Colombian roots — resilience, dignity, and the belief that design can create belonging. Those values still guide my work and my journey.

At Moya Design Partners (MOYA), I’ve had the privilege of leading projects that honor heritage while opening doors to the future. One of the most meaningful was the site selection studies for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. When I told my mother we had won this pursuit, my eyes filled with tears. To be part of such a legacy project — as a Latina and a woman business owner — was profoundly moving. My hope is that future generations walk through that museum, see their stories represented, and know that a Latina helped shape it.

That same commitment to representation and equity guides our work across the Washington, D.C. region and in Raleigh — from affordable and multigenerational housing that brings stability and dignity to families, to projects like Sansé & Naja, where Latino culture is celebrated through design, storytelling, and public space. It continues with CentroNía in Maryland, a bilingual, multicultural child-care center supporting working families, and with Audi Field, where thousands of Hispanic fans unite through the world’s most beloved game.

These projects remind me that design is about identity, equity, and community. They reflect my journey as a Latina architect, entrepreneur, and CEO, bridging cultures, leading diverse teams, and designing with a global perspective rooted in local voices.

Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that representation matters — culture belongs at the center of design, shaping our cities, our institutions, and our daily lives.

I’m proud to be part of this movement and to stand with the leaders, colleagues, and communities who show every day that heritage isn’t only remembered — it’s built into the future.

Learn more at www.moya.us and let’s connect.

#HispanicHeritageMonth #NationalMuseumoftheAmericanLatino #DesignMatters #AffordableHousing #CommunityBuilding #UrbanDesign #CentroNía #Sanse #Naja #AudiField #MOYA

NC Affordable Housing Conference: The Road to Housing -Innovation, Equity, and Community in NC

At the Affordable Housing Conference last week, Dr. Jenny Schuetz highlighted something many of us feel every day: the U.S. hasn’t built enough homes in over 15 years. And the barriers aren’t just financial—they’re regulatory, from zoning rules to dimensional limits that make innovation harder.

At Moya Design Partners (MOYA) , this reality has become our creative challenge. Affordable housing doesn’t mean building less; it means designing smarter. Working closely with our clients, we see their mission as our own—whether it’s a nonprofit serving seniors, a developer building for multigenerational families, or a community organization advocating for equity. Together, we find solutions that make dignity and affordability possible side by side.

In the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, we’ve designed housing that embraces seniors, women who suffer from domestic violence, and multigenerational households, because affordability is not one-size-fits-all. Each community deserves design that reflects its story, culture, and needs. In Raleigh, we’re extending this work—tailoring our approach to the local context while staying rooted in our core belief: design can unlock opportunity.

This is where creativity matters most. When zoning rules feel rigid, when costs threaten to shrink the vision, we lean into innovation—rethinking layouts, material strategies, and partnerships so projects can thrive.

The data on underbuilding is daunting, but the policy landscape is shifting. The newly introduced ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 (Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing) is a step forward, tackling barriers with financing reforms, preservation incentives, and measures that expand supply. It’s proof that federal action, paired with local design innovation, can create real momentum.

If the past 15 years left us behind, the next 15 can look different—if we choose to collaborate boldly, design responsibly, and push for reforms that open doors instead of closing them.

That’s the work that excites me most. Not simply adding units, but creating homes that build equity, community, and possibility. Learn more at www.moya.us and let’s connect.

#AffordableHousing #DesignMatters #Construction #UrbanDesign #CommunityBuilding #WashingtonDC #Raleigh

Celebrating Excellence: MOYA Design Partners Wins Two Viddy Awards

Celebrating Excellence:
MOYA Design Partners Wins Two Viddy Awards

We are incredibly proud to announce that MOYA Design Partners has received prestigious recognition at the 2024 Viddy Awards! Our team was honored with both a Platinum and a Gold award for our work in short-form video storytelling and social media campaigns.

The Circle of Life: Exploring Wayuu Inspiration with Paola Moya – Gold Winner (Inspirational Short Video) In this thought-provoking short video, we dive into the culture and artistry of the Wayuu people, exploring the unique inspiration behind the designs of Paola Moya. The project highlights the powerful connection between indigenous traditions and modern design, telling a deeply personal and inspirational story. Directed by the talented Laura Moya Guerrero, this piece serves as a celebration of heritage and creativity.

The MOYA Story: Six Years of Design and Dedication – Platinum Winner (Social Media Campaign) This social media campaign chronicles six years of growth and innovation at MOYA Design Partners. Through engaging visual storytelling, we celebrated our journey, the people who have shaped our work, and our commitment to design excellence. From the inception of the company to the projects that have defined our brand, this campaign highlights the passion and dedication that fuel our team every day.

We are thrilled to have been recognized for our creativity, storytelling, and digital innovation. This award serves as a testament to our dedication to creating meaningful and impactful content for our clients and the world.

To learn more about our winning projects, visit the Viddy Awards pages:

The Circle of Life: Exploring Wayuu Inspiration with Paola Moya – Gold Winner >

The MOYA Story: Six Years of Design and Dedication – Platinum Winner>

Special thanks to Laura Moya Guerrero for her incredible work as the filmmaker behind both of these award-winning pieces.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our clients, collaborators, and the amazing team at MOYA Design Partners for making this possible. Here’s to many more creative milestones ahead!

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Paola Moya Featured in M&T Bank’s CommunityLIVE

We’re proud to share that Paola Moya, our founder and CEO, was recently featured in M&T Bank’s CommunityLIVE session, where she shared her journey as a Latina entrepreneur and visionary leader in the architecture and design industry.

Paola spoke about building MOYA Design Partners from the ground up — from the challenges of starting a business to leading a thriving, multidisciplinary design firm rooted in purpose, equity, and excellence. She highlighted how support from partners like M&T Bank has helped drive MOYA’s growth and long-term sustainability, especially in securing funding for key community projects.

The conversation touched on leadership, resilience, and the power of visibility for women of color in business. It was an inspiring moment that spotlighted Paola’s deep commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and building lasting impact through design.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to M&T Bank, Cecilia Hodges, Wilson Badillo, and Alberto Garcia for amplifying women leaders in the Greater Washington business community.

We’re excited to continue building a future where more women entrepreneurs thrive — and where design continues to be a catalyst for change.

MOYA Design Partners Inspires Future Architects at Easterseals STEM Event

Inspiring Future Architects: MOYA Design Partners Leads STEM Event at Easterseals

This week, our CEO Paola Moya, along with Adrian from the MOYA Design Partners team, had the pleasure of engaging with a group of young students at Easterseals Silver Spring, MD, during a STEM volunteer event focused on architecture education and creativity.

Paola and Adrian shared their passion for architecture and design with a group of curious Pre-K students (ages 3–5), giving them a glimpse into the world of creativity, buildings, and imagination.

The morning began with an interactive presentation where Paola explained what architects do, showcasing different architectural styles, types of buildings, and the design process. The students were engaged and excited, asking thoughtful questions and showing early signs of design thinking.

Following the presentation, students participated in a hands-on creative exercise using cardboard boxes donated by their families. Each child was encouraged to decorate their own “building,” practicing spatial awareness, design expression, and collaborative creativity. The room buzzed with imagination as these future architects brought their visions to life.

At MOYA, we believe in designing for impact — and that includes nurturing young minds. We are incredibly grateful to Easterseals for allowing us to be part of this special day and to share our love of architecture in a way that empowers children through learning and play.

To learn more about Easterseals and their inspiring work with children and families, visit: