When Sergio and Cecilia Hazou moved from Bolivia to Northern Virginia, they did not know a single person. But within days, Sergio had found work painting homes, and together they started laying the foundation for what would eventually become Luka Design & Build, a residential design and construction firm that has grown through word of mouth, loyalty, and a clear point of view.
Their journey is one of reinvention, partnership, and perseverance. What began with flips and side projects has become a full service business with a growing team and a reputation for thoughtful, high quality design and construction.
A leap of faith and a long game
Before moving to the United States, Sergio studied business administration in Spain and operated successful nightclubs in Bolivia, where he first collaborated on design and construction projects. Cecilia studied interior design in Argentina and always had a creative perspective. But when they arrived in Virginia, they had no roadmap. Sergio started working as a painter, then as a framer and project manager, learning every step of the process from the inside out. Cecilia began contributing design work quietly at first, photographing their own home to build a portfolio and finding her voice one project at a time.
Together, they created Luka Design & Build, named after their two daughters. For Sergio, the company is a reflection of his deep love for family and a desire to build something lasting for the people who matter most.
A working relationship rooted in trust
Sergio manages operations and construction. Cecilia leads design and client experience. It is a dynamic that works because they know how to stay in their lane and support one another. When Cecilia is working on a project and she tells me the colors, I say, show me the layout, Sergio laughs. The layout is the most important thing. Once you have that, everything else follows.
Cecilia designs with intention. She is not tied to one aesthetic, instead choosing to mix styles based on the home, the neighborhood, and the client’s energy. I want to know how they live in the space, how they move, what brings them peace, she says. Every detail builds on that story.
Designing a life in Virginia
Cecilia had never been to Virginia before relocating. What she found surprised her in the best way. It was completely different from what I imagined. But I started to fall in love with it. The neighborhoods, the architecture, the trees, everything. It is a place where you can raise a family and grow a business.
Over time, the local landscape has shaped how she thinks about design. Seeing how homes change from town to town inspires her to approach each project with a fresh eye. She also draws inspiration from the families they work with, who trust them to transform the spaces where life happens.
Overcoming barriers and building trust
Sergio remembers the early challenges of building a company from scratch. At the beginning, that was the toughest part, he says. Trying to get money to be able to get into this project, we are talking about millions of dollars. One of the moments he is most proud of came when a bank finally approved a major loan without requiring a guarantor. That was huge. It was a game changer.
He also takes pride in the team he has built. Many of the subcontractors and crew members at Luka have been working with him for years. Trust and consistency are what matter most to me, he says. That is how you build something real.
Looking ahead
Today, Sergio finds balance on the golf course and in time with his family. Cecilia finds inspiration in travel, connection, and creative exploration. They are still learning, still evolving, and still pushing to grow the business without losing sight of what makes it meaningful.
From flipping their first home to managing full scale renovations and new builds, Sergio and Cecilia have proven that vision, trust, and grit can go a long way. Luka Design & Build is more than a company. It is a family legacy built one room at a time.
