Split between six offices in California and Texas, LPA Design Studios is known for delivering thoughtful institutional buildings often on limited and inflexible budgets, among other impressive accolades. The firm is the recipient of the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award. Since 1965, LPA has cultivated a reputation for having a keen sensitivity to design research. This often translates to thoughtful, innovative, and sustainable designs. The office has its own wing, Sustainability + Applied Research (S+AR) team, dedicated to such affairs.Some projects that demonstrate the firms ethos and sustainability commitment include Environmental Nature Center and Preschool, the first Living Building Challenge Petal Certified building in southern California; and the CSU San Bernardino Center for Global Innovation, to name but a few.LPA has six offices spread throughout California and Texas. (Courtesy AIA)Equity and inclusivity are central to LPAs philosophy, AIA said in a statement. 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. AIA continued: 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.The jurors who chose LPA were the same bunch who bestowed upon Deborah Berke this years AIA Gold Medal. That panel was chaired by Anne Hicks Harney of Long Green Specs, a New Jersey practice. It included Kjell M. Anderson, Ung-Joo Scott Lee, Amy Slattery, Megumi Tamanaha, Roderic Walton, Korey White, and Taryn Williams.Last years AIA Architecture Firm Award went to Quinn Evans.