News Summary
LPA Design Studios has achieved remarkable growth of 20% in local billings, marking a total of $156 million. The firm has also been awarded the prestigious 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award, reflecting its commitment to innovative and sustainable design practices. With over 500 employees, LPA has been a pioneer in high-performance architecture across various sectors, significantly impacting the architectural landscape in Orange County.
IRVINE, CA — LPA Design Studios has achieved a significant milestone in the architectural landscape of Orange County, marking a 20% growth in local billings, now totaling $156 million for the year ending June 30. This impressive increase makes LPA the leading architectural firm in the region, outperforming other notable competitors who collectively recorded a 4.3% rise in billings.
In addition to its financial success, LPA has been recognized with the prestigious 2025 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Firm Award, the highest honor awarded to an architecture practice. This recognition underscores LPA’s commitment to innovation and sustainable practices in architecture, areas in which it has consistently excelled.
Founded approximately 60 years ago in a garage in Irvine, LPA has expanded its workforce to over 500 employees, comprising architects, engineers, designers, and researchers. The firm has established itself as a pioneer in sustainable, high-performance architecture, reflected in its projects across the education, civic, healthcare, and commercial sectors.
Over the past five years, LPA has achieved an average reduction of 75% in predicted energy use across its projects. Their designs focus on the integration of facility performance in energy efficiency, wellness, community impact, and user experience. This holistic approach is a cornerstone of their philosophy and reflects a broader trend in the architectural industry towards sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Wendy Rogers, the CEO of LPA, has emphasized the importance of a performance-based approach to achieve design excellence. LPA’s notable projects include the 310,000-square-foot headquarters originally designed for Ford’s Premier Automotive Group in Irvine, recognized as the first LEED NC certified building in the U.S. Following Ford’s downsizing, most of this facility is now occupied by Taco Bell, and operations from the Ford Design Studio are relocating to Long Beach.
LPA has also engaged in the ambitious $1 billion expansion of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian’s Sun Family Campus. This expansion aims to create a wellness village connected to nature, featuring specialized gardens pertinent to various medical disciplines. The first phase includes a surgical pavilion and two parking garages, anticipated for completion by spring 2026. This design was awarded to LPA after a competitive selection process, where they proposed a horizontal campus approach, distinguishing it from standard vertical hospital designs.
In line with its ethos of sustainability, LPA’s landscape designs seek to enhance local permeable landscapes by 45% and implement innovative stormwater treatment methods. Their architectural emphasis also prioritizes walkability and aims for net zero emissions as part of the AIA 2030 Commitment.
LPA’s recognition through the AIA award was a result of a jury composed of distinguished architects, commending the firm for its cultural approach and innovative practices. The firm’s commitment to equity, inclusivity, and sustainability, showcased through various initiatives and mentorship programs, further reinforces its noteworthy standing in the design community.
In the context of local developments, LPA is also associated with significant upcoming projects, including enhancements to Sage Hill High School and Pretend City at the Great Park. The firm’s billings reached $92 million in Orange County, making it the second-largest firm in the area, trailing only AO in previous years.
Noteworthy projects by LPA include the Michelle Obama Branch Library and the Christ Cathedral Arboretum, demonstrating their versatility and commitment to community-focused design. AECOM Technical Services, which experienced a remarkable 96% increase in billings, has recently moved up in the rankings from ninth to fifth place among the largest firms in the region.
As LPA Design Studios continues to shape the architectural landscape in Orange County and beyond, its growth trajectory and commitment to sustainable design remain guiding aspects of its evolving legacy.
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Additional Resources
- Orange County Business Journal: Insider Sustainable Designs
- The Architect’s Newspaper: LPA Design Studios Wins AIA Award
- Orange County Register: Eco-Conscious Home in Newport Beach
- Building Design + Construction: Orange County Civic Center Project
- Google Search: LPA Design Studios
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
