2023: a year in review

As we close out January on the precipice of a new year, it's time to take a collective breath and reflect on the whirlwind of creativity, innovation, and enormous design effort that defined 2023. Your unwavering support, thoughtful engagement, and double-tap love on Instagram have fueled our journey, and we couldn't be more grateful. Join us as we rewind the tape on a year that's been nothing short of a design odyssey.

In the heart of Los Angeles, our west coast headquarters chiseled architectural gems that danced on the edge of the extraordinary. With Brunson Terrace , a certified LEED Platinum project in Santa Monica, we continue to prioritize affordable housing by marrying sustainability with elegance and dignity. Its pEUI of 6.6 made efficiency an art form, coming in at nearly eight times the efficiency of similarly sized housing projects. Our imprint on the glamorous Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village was a testament to turning luxury up a notch, leaving an indelible mark on the California landscape

Touching down in the midwest, we travel to Chicago’s Lake & Kedzie : a 100% affordable, Transit-Oriented multifamily competition winner next to the Green Line in East Garfield Park – where we etched the future with purpose.

Going international with another winning competition effort, the Diriyah Gate II development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is focused on water conservation, energy efficiency, wellness, culture, climate change resilience, and heritage preservation.

Venturing to our east coast office in it's always sunny in south Florida, we wove magic that engaged both the private and public realms. A Field House at the Youth Sports Complex in Pompano Beach, Florida, stood as a testament to teamwork, both on the field and on the boards.

Things are getting saltier with the completion of our new book, Salty Urbanism that envisions lifestyles on, over and with water to address rising seas and increased flooding. And just up the road in Hillsborough, NC, the Steeplechase House , a private retreat for a film director, emerged as a sanctuary for reflection and repose; where dreams – both reel and real – came to life.

Our designs leaped off the drawing boards and into galleries – from the Southern Utah Museum of Art to Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia , even making waves in Hamburg, Germany. Over 40 awards and publications, including 8 glittering awards, 4 glossy magazine covers, and features in Architectural Record , Domus, THE PLAN , Fast Company , Los Angeles Times , and Canadian Architect magazine , spoke volumes about our journey to redefine design boundaries.

As we bid farewell to 2023, let's carry the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and a dash of humor into the coming year. Here's to a 2024 filled with more groundbreaking designs, shared laughter, and the continued joy of shaping spaces that inspire and captivate.