ABOUT RIPBANG STUDIOS
We believe people are drawn to places that create meaningful experiences and meaningful connections. The most successful destinations are not defined by buildings, graphics, or branding alone, but by the interactions they inspire.
Ripbang Studios helps clients create places where brand, story, and experience are seamlessly integrated into the built environment. Based in Los Angeles, our work spans sports venues, entertainment districts, hospitality destinations, mixed-use developments, cultural institutions, and branded environments across the United States.
Led by architect Bob Bangham and graphic designer Rowena Macaraeg, Ripbang is a multidisciplinary studio of designers, strategists, architects, writers, artists, and technical specialists focused on creating places where people want to gather, explore, engage, and return. Our flexible studio model allows us to assemble highly experienced project teams tailored to each assignment, drawing from a network of long-standing collaborators, consultants, and specialists with whom we have worked throughout our careers. This approach combines the agility and responsiveness of a boutique practice with the depth and expertise typically associated with much larger firms.
Our work bridges architecture, interiors, environmental graphics, branding, and storytelling to create cohesive and memorable experiences. We approach projects more architecturally than a traditional environmental graphic design firm, yet with a deeper understanding of brand, narrative, and guest experience than is typical of many architectural practices. This unique perspective allows us to contribute at multiple scales—from destination visioning and placemaking strategies to immersive environments, wayfinding systems, and branded experiences.
Our principals remain actively involved in every project, ensuring continuity of vision, accountability, and design excellence from concept through implementation.
At Ripbang, we create places where people want to be.
BOB BANGHAM, AIA
Principal | Creative Director
Co-Founder Bob Bangham is an experiential designer, architect, and creative leader with more than 35 years of experience creating destination environments throughout North America and internationally. His work spans sports venues, entertainment districts, hospitality destinations, mixed-use developments, themed attractions, and branded environments where architecture, story, and experience converge.
A founding partner of OLIO Design with renowned illustrator Charles White III, Bob helped shape landmark projects including Universal CityWalk, Treasure Island, Bellagio, New York New York and The Dig at Atlantis Resorts. As Lead Thematic Designer for Gensler, he contributed to Tokyo DisneySea’s American Waterfront. Before founding Ripbang in 2000, he was a Creative Director at NBBJ Sports and Entertainment and later served as a Studio Director at Rockwell Group in New York.
As Creative Director of Ripbang Studios, Bob leads project vision, strategy, and creative development, helping clients create places that foster human connection and lasting value. He holds a Master of Architecture from SCI-Arc, a Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University, and is a licensed California architect.
ROWENA MACARAEG, SEGD
Principal | Design Director
Co-Founder Rowena Macaraeg, is a graphic designer and design leader with more than 30 years of experience creating environmental graphics, signage, wayfinding, and branded environments for hospitality, entertainment, transportation, retail, workplace, and mixed-use developments.
She began her career with the renowned environmental graphic design firm Sussman/Prejza & Company, where she developed a strong foundation in environmental graphics, placemaking, and wayfinding. She later held design leadership roles with Selbert Perkins Design, OLIO Design, IA Interior Architects, Gensler, and Ripbang Studios. Her project experience includes Downtown Disney, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Universal CityWalk, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, and numerous destination, hospitality, and mixed-use developments throughout the United States.
As Design Director, Rowena leads multidisciplinary teams through all phases of project development, ensuring that brand, architecture, and user experience are translated into thoughtful, buildable solutions. She holds a degree from the University of California, Berkeley College of Environmental Design and is a long time member of SEGD.