Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA
Widely recognized as an architect of vision and purpose, Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, champions architecture as a catalyst for equity, sustainability, and community empowerment. A leader at Brooks + Scarpa and within AIA’s national network, Garcia consistently demonstrates how design excellence and advocacy can drive lasting, positive change in the built environment and the profession.
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Larissa LindsayPlanned Parenthood New Orleans: This 8,000 ft² medical office building provides essential healthcare services in a safe and welcoming environment, overcoming years of opposition and challenges to serve the community. -
Brooks + ScarpaCaltech Quantum Computing Center: This 25,000 ft² research facility features a dynamic brick façade inspired by quantum computing, blending seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood while providing a secure and welcoming space for cutting-edge research. -
Brooks + ScarpaPompano Beach Youth Sports Complex: This 4,100 ft² field house serves as a central hub for the 10-acre park, featuring board-formed concrete, a metal lattice structure, and a rain garden that recharges the park's aquifer.
Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, is Associate Principal and Studio Director at Brooks + Scarpa in Los Angeles, where he leverages architecture as a tool for advancing equity, sustainability, and community impact. Since beginning his career amid the rebuilding efforts of post-Katrina New Orleans, Garcia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to design excellence, environmental stewardship, and inclusive practice. His portfolio spans community centers, multifamily housing, and urban design projects that balance aesthetic innovation with social responsibility.
Garcia's design leadership shines in projects like the Rose Apartments in Venice, California, a LEED Gold-certified permanent supportive housing development. By creatively navigating zoning constraints and innovating with affordable materials, he delivered a dignified, sustainable residence for formerly unhoused individuals. His commitment to advancing access and affordability is further evident in his role managing the design and construction of New Orleans' Planned Parenthood health center, overcoming political and social barriers to deliver critical community healthcare infrastructure.
Beyond practice, Garcia amplifies his impact through leadership in organizations such as the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE), where he advocates for climate action and equity through architecture. His contributions to the International Code Council (ICC) and ASHRAE's standards development initiatives help shape sustainable design practices worldwide. A tireless mentor, he guides emerging professionals through the licensure process, working with NCARB to open pathways to the profession for historically marginalized communities.
Garcia’s civic engagement extends to advising city leaders through the Mayors' Institute on City Design, where he promotes design excellence, resilience, and community-driven urban development. His holistic approach—combining technical expertise, design innovation, mentorship, and advocacy—positions him as a catalyst for transformative change within the architectural profession and the communities it serves.
For Garcia, architecture is not merely about creating beautiful buildings; it is about building equitable, resilient communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders to design a better world.
The Young Architects Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers.
See all the early career architects recognized for exceptional work.
Widely recognized as a builder of leaders and a champion of emerging professionals, Matthew Szymanski, AIA, creates transformative opportunities that bridge education, practice, and community
