LPA Design Studios receives 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award

Founded in 1965, the firm grew from humble beginnings into a dynamic collective of architects, engineers, landscape architects, and designers, all united by the shared responsibility of addressing climate change and fostering equitable, thriving communities.

Early in its history, LPA embraced sustainability as a cornerstone of its practice. As one of the first firms to advocate for LEED certification, LPA delivered groundbreaking projects like the Ford Premier Automotive Group headquarters, the first LEED NC-certified building in the United States. By 2004, LPA committed to surpassing California’s stringent Title 24 energy code by 25% for every project, a standard they have upheld and exceeded through meticulous integration of sustainable practices. The firm’s early adoption of the AIA 2030 Commitment further underscored its leadership in decarbonizing the built environment.

LPA's integrated design approach is a defining feature of its practice. The firm eliminated traditional hierarchies among disciplines, fostering collaboration and creativity across architecture, engineering, landscape, and interior design. This approach has produced innovative solutions across diverse project types, from speculative office buildings to K-12 schools, civic centers, and higher education facilities. Notable achievements include the Environmental Nature Center and Preschool, which became the first Living Building Challenge Petal Certified building in Southern California, and the CSU San Bernardino Center for Global Innovation, a LEED Platinum-certified project designed to harmonize with its desert environment.

The firm's commitment to sustainable design is not limited to achieving certification milestones. LPA prioritizes "sustainability at scale," demonstrating that high-performance design can be implemented across all project types, budgets, and contexts. Projects like the TIDE Academy in Silicon Valley provide underserved students with a cutting-edge STEAM learning environment, showcasing how sustainable design enhances educational equity. Similarly, the Palomar College Learning Resource Center redefined community college architecture by emphasizing environmental stewardship and creating a vibrant, student-centered space.

Research and data-driven design are at the core of LPA’s success. The firm’s Sustainability + Applied Research (S+AR) team collaborates on projects from inception to completion, employing tools such as carbon analysis, post-occupancy evaluations, and energy modeling to inform decision-making. This rigorous approach ensures that sustainability is seamlessly integrated into the design process and delivers measurable benefits. Projects like the Edwards Lifesciences campus demonstrate how LPA's research has helped clients adopt sustainable practices and achieve ambitious environmental goals, such as carbon neutrality by 2030.

Equity and inclusivity are central to LPA’s philosophy. The firm has implemented initiatives like the Diversity in Design Scholarship and the Developing Future Project Leaders program to support underrepresented voices in the design industry. Additionally, LPA has reimagined traditional career paths to create opportunities for individuals from nontraditional educational backgrounds, exemplified by their Digital Design pathway. Internally, LPA fosters a culture of mentorship and shared leadership, with a majority of its principals and associates having started their careers at the firm.

LPA’s achievements have earned it national and international recognition. The firm has received numerous AIA awards, including a COTE Top Ten Plus Award and several AIA Committee on Architecture for Education honors. Projects like the Lanier High School Renovation in San Antonio and the West Hollywood Aquatics and Recreation Center exemplify the firm’s ability to address pressing social and environmental challenges while creating spaces that inspire and uplift communities.

LPA’s influence extends beyond its projects. Through partnerships with universities such as Cal Poly and the University of Texas at San Antonio, the firm has helped reshape architectural education by promoting integrated design and sustainability. LPA’s thought leadership is evident in its participation in professional organizations, conferences, and publications, where it advocates for a holistic, data-driven approach to addressing climate change.

Looking ahead, LPA remains committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and fostering a more equitable and resilient built environment. By demonstrating that high-performance, carbon-neutral buildings are achievable for every client, budget, and scale, LPA Design Studios continues to set the standard for the architecture profession.