Architecture Project Designer: Civic + Cultural

LPA, Inc.
Irvine, CA
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior-level architecture professionals who lead design ideation and value collaboration across disciplines.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years of experience in architecture and a proven track record in conceptual design and client engagement
    — “10+ years of experience in all phases of architecture projects”
  • Individuals who thrive in collaborative environments and can lead integrated design processes across multidisciplinary teams
    — “Engage all disciplines and stakeholders early to ensure an integrated, informed design process”
  • Professionals with a strong interest in sustainable design and high-performance architecture solutions
    — “tackling the biggest issues of our time... sustainable, high-performance architecture”

Things to consider

  • The role requires an active California architecture license, which may limit applicants from other states or countries
    — “Active architecture license in California”
  • Candidates should be prepared for potential travel between California and Texas offices
    — “Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across our studios in California and Texas”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience leading design ideation and presenting concepts to clients for approval
    — “Lead design ideation with clients and project teams, driving creativity from concept through schematic design”
  • Emphasize your ability to mentor junior design teams and align them with firm design standards
    — “Mentor and inspire design teams while ensuring alignment with LPA’s design standards and processes”
  • Demonstrate your proficiency in Revit and Adobe Creative Suite with tangible examples from past projects
    — “Proficiency in Revit and Adobe Creative Suite”
  • Position yourself as someone who has contributed to community-focused or pro bono projects in the past
    — “Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful project completion
  • positive client feedback
Typical background
architecture degree10+ years of experience in architecture

Skills & requirements

Required

Architecture DesignProject ManagementClient CommunicationTeam LeadershipPresentation SkillsCollaboration

Preferred

Sustainability PracticesCommunity Engagement

Stack & domain

RevitConceptual DesignGraphic PresentationsProject ManagementClient PresentationsDesign CharrettesSustainable DesignHigh-performance ArchitectureCollaborationCommunicationLeadershipProblem-solvingTeamworkArchitectureCivic DesignCultural DesignSustainabilityCommunity Design

About the role

Original posting from LPA, Inc. via Ashby

Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner https://www.aia.org/about-aia/press/lpa-design-studios-receives-2025-aia-architecture-firm-award shaping a more sustainable future.

LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table and all input is valued.

We’re currently seeking an Architecture Project Designer to join our dynamic Civic + Cultural team. You’ll be part of a culture that values deep collaboration, technical excellence, and continual growth. Examples of completed projects include West Hollywood Park Aquatics and Recreation Center https://lpadesignstudios.com/projects/west-hollywood-aquatics-and-recreation-center, Michelle Obama Library https://lpadesignstudios.com/projects/michelle-obama-branch-library and Environmental Nature Center. https://lpadesignstudios.com/projects/environmental-nature-center Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across our studios in California and Texas—and help bring high-performance, community-first design to life.

What You'll Do:

  • Lead design ideation with clients and project teams, driving creativity from concept through schematic design.
  • Engage all disciplines and stakeholders early to ensure an integrated, informed design process.
  • Guide and facilitate presentations of design concepts and project documents for client review and approval.
  • Preside over project-specific design meetings, presentations, and activities.
  • Collaborate in firmwide design charrettes to share ideas and elevate design quality.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, builders, authorities, and project stakeholders.
  • Partner with the Managing Director, Design Director, and Project Manager to deliver innovative, high-quality design solutions.
  • Mentor and inspire design teams while ensuring alignment with LPA’s design standards and processes.

What We Offer:

At LPA, your growth and contributions matter. We foster a collaborative culture where creative ideas are valued, and voices are heard.

  • Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.
  • Career development support, including professional development grants and in-house training.
  • Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.
  • 8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.
  • Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.
  • Access to our Professional Development Grants program, created to encourage professional development and further LPA's collective knowledge as a firm. Over the life of the grant program, we have invested $1,196,890 and impacted 848 LPA employees.

What We're Looking For:

Required:

  • Bachelors and/or Masters Degree in Architecture.
  • 10+ years of experience in all phases of architecture projects.
  • Advanced abilities with conceptual design and graphic presentations.
  • Active architecture license in California.
  • Proficiency in Revit and Adobe Creative Suite.

LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs.

This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.

NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS:

Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.

Source: LPA, Inc. careers (Ashby)

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