239: AIA Architecture Firm Award Winners: The Next Generation at LPA

How can a 60-year-old architecture firm maintain an 80% energy reduction across its portfolio while fostering an integrated "no excuses" culture that empowers its future leaders? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, host Evelyn Lee sits down with three future leaders from LPA Design Studios, the winner of the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award. Federico Cavasos, Jake Junge, and Rachel Nasland join the show to discuss how they are shaping the firm's operations and what winning the profession's highest honor means for their continued trajectory. The group reflects on their distinct roles and how LPA's culture encourages individuals to design their own career paths. From Federico's recent transition to principal in San Antonio, to Jake spearheading the firm's new digital and data infrastructure, and Rachel pioneering an applied research function rooted in environmental psychology, they highlight the power of an interdisciplinary, integrated practice. The conversation delves into the tangible impacts of their integrated approach, particularly their impressive achievement of an 80% energy reduction cost across their portfolio. The guests unpack their "no excuses" culture, demonstrating how prioritizing human outcomes and equipping teams with sustainability fluency allows them to design smarter, high-performing spaces without inflating budgets or timelines. "LPA is helping shift architecture from designing buildings to designing outcomes." - Rachel Nasland This episode serves as a powerful reminder that an architecture firm’s legacy is built on continuous innovation, investing in people, and empowering every discipline to have a voice at the table. Guests: Federico Cavazos is a Principal and Design Director in LPA’s San Antonio studio who has devoted his career to designing public spaces that educate and facilitate better lives. Inspired by his architect father, he leverages an open mind and a passion for integrated design to deliver impactful results and solve client problems, even on the tightest budgets. Jake Junge is an Architect and Digital Manager at LPA Design Studios who focuses on advancing how technology, data, and digital products support architectural practice. He partners with interdisciplinary teams to develop data-driven workflows, automation tools, and scalable digital experiences that improve efficiency, enhance collaboration, and empower teams across all sectors. Rachel Nasland is a Senior Design Researcher at LPA Design Studios who leverages her master’s degree in Environmental Psychology to understand how people interact with the built environment. She partners with design teams and clients across various sectors to translate behavioral insights into practice, utilizing pre- and post-occupancy evaluations to uncover how design decisions shape user experience and organizational outcomes. This episode is especially for you if: ✅ You want to understand how a top-tier architecture firm sustains an 80% energy reduction across its portfolio. ✅ You are curious about the integration of data, AI, and digital tools to enhance design processes rather than replace human connection. ✅ You want to explore how environmental psychology and applied research can elevate user experience and human outcomes. ✅ You believe in a flattened hierarchy where every discipline has a voice and "no excuses" is the baseline for sustainable performance. What have you done to take action lately? Share your reflections with us on social and join the conversation. 📍 Show Links: • Learn about LPA Design Studios (https://lpadesignstudios.com/) • Follow LPA Design Studios on Instagram (  / lpainc  ) • Connect with LPA Design Studios on LinkedIn (  / lpa  ) 📍 Follow Practice Disrupted on Social: Instagram (  / practiceofarch  ) | LinkedIn (  / practiceofarchitecture  ) | Youtube (   / channel  ) Check out our past episodes (https://practiceofarchitecture.com/po...) Be a part of our community — join the conversation (https://practiceofarchitecture.com/co...)