Audax, Award-Winning Architecture and Design Firm, Expands to Palm Beach

Principals Gianpiero Pugliese and Mariya Naumov Bring Firm's Signature "Human Architecture" Philosophy to the U.S., Now Licensed to Practice in Florida with a New Office Opening in Palm Beach

PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Audax, an award-winning architecture, interior design, and construction firm celebrated for its luxury residential and hospitality projects, announces the opening of its first U.S. office in Palm Beach, Florida. With Audax's first office based in Toronto with projects across North America, the Caribbean, and Europe, this expansion marks a major milestone for the firm, coinciding with Founding Principal Gianpiero Pugliese receiving licensure to practice architecture in Florida. Pugliese leads Audax with his wife Mariya Naumov, who is a celebrated interior designer.

Audax has built an international reputation for its Human Architecture philosophy: an approach that emerged from Audax's recognition that today's built environments all too often overlook the importance of beauty. Modern cities, buildings, and interiors frequently emphasize functionality and efficiency at the expense of aesthetic appeal. This shift, which began with the modern movement, has resulted in the unremarkable environments we encounter today. Human Architecture is a deliberate response to this trend in hopes of restoring the enduring principles of design that have historically ensured beauty.

The firm's diverse portfolio includes custom residences, landmark hospitality destinations, and commercial spaces for an elite clientele of residential developers, celebrity chefs, affluent homeowners, and much more. Audax's comprehensive services integrate architecture, interior design, and construction to deliver seamless, cohesive projects from concept to completion. The firm offers all three services independently or in combination with one another, and also works with other professionals to collaborate on these services.

Gianpiero Pugliese founded Audax in 2007 after building an award-winning career in luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality design, shaped by his studies at Harvard, UC Berkeley, and in Venice, Italy. Mariya Naumov later joined the firm, bringing her background in art history and interior design, with degrees from the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), as well as her refined ability to blend historical influences with contemporary style. Together, their combined expertise has led Audax to expand its portfolio and grow its reputation in the luxury market.

"With longstanding client relationships in Florida, this expansion allows us to deliver Audax's distinctive design approach in one of the most design-forward and dynamic regions in North America," said Gianpiero Pugliese, Founding Principal of Audax. "A local presence in Palm Beach gives us the opportunity to be more hands-on, offering a truly personalized experience for our international projects."

The Palm Beach office, located at 801 S Olive Avenue, Suite 122, West Palm Beach (by appointment only), will strengthen Audax's ability to serve South Florida's thriving luxury real estate market, which has seen unprecedented growth in recent years. Reports show that in early 2025 that Palm Beach County's overall home sales rose an astonishing 41% year‑over‑year, with the largest gains coming from high‑end properties. From oceanfront estates to innovative boutique hospitality projects, the firm is poised to bring its signature blend of elegance, beauty, and timelessness to the Sunshine State and beyond. One of the first projects from the new Palm Beach office will be a residential project in the Bahamas, with additional South Florida residential developments currently in design and slated for announcement in the near future.

Recognized with multiple awards for design excellence, Audax continues to expand its reach while staying true to its mission of enriching the lives of people by creating beautiful places.

About Audax
Audax is a distinguished firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and construction, with offices in Toronto and Palm Beach, led by Gianpiero Pugliese and Mariya Naumov, who embrace a philosophy known as Human Architecture. This approach arose from observing that modern built environments often neglect beauty, favouring functionality at the cost of aesthetic appeal. Human Architecture, a deliberate response to this trend, seeks to restore enduring design principles like symmetry, proportion, and materiality, ensuring that each space they create is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply meaningful.

Learn more at audax.ca, through the Audax brochure, or by watching this video here.
Follow the firm on Instagram at @audax.ca.

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SOURCE Audax