METROPOLIS Celebrates the Arch30 LA Cohort

They city’s most promising emerging architects, affiliated with influential firms, convened for METROPOLIS’s Arch30 event held in October.

METROPOLIS’s Arch30 program celebrates the future of architecture by spotlighting top talent under 30, as identified by leading firms in each host city. Participants engage in a dynamic workshop led by METROPOLIS editors, followed by networking opportunities with program partners. In October, the program celebrated its seventh cohort of young architects in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles honorees were nominated by firms including BA Collective, BESTOR ARCHITECTURE, Brooks + Scarpa, Clive Wilkinson Architects, CO Architects, Corgan, DLR Group, Gensler, HDR, HGA, HKS, HMC Architects, HOK, KTGY, MG2, Paul Murdoch Architects, Perkins&Will, RIOS, Shimoda Design Group, SmithGroup, SOM, and WOODS BAGOT.

This year’s workshop, hosted by HDR, inspired participants to explore their purpose, career goals, and the evolving role of architects in shaping the future. The event was made possible thanks to the support of program partners Arktura, Grohe, Rockfon, Tecno, TURF, TimberTech, and USG.

Empowering Arch30 LA Honorees to Find Purpose

METROPOLIS editor-at-large Verda Alexander led a transformative workshop aimed at helping emerging architects uncover their purpose and pursue meaningful work, while also fostering dialogue about navigating workplace challenges.

The Arch30 honorees engaged in reflective and hands-on activities, starting with an Ikigai exercise. This Japanese framework for identifying one’s “reason for being” prompted participants to explore the question, “What is my purpose?” By reflecting on their values, passions, and unique strengths, attendees gained valuable insights into aligning their professional journeys with their core motivations.

Navigating the Evolving Architecture Profession

Subsequent sessions delved into key trends shaping the architectural field and their impact on career development. Topics included work-life balance, sustainability, and the architect’s role as an agent of change. The discussions emphasized the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration and highlighted the honorees’ vision for a more inclusive and dynamic industry.

The workshop concluded with partner presentations and a lively networking session, providing honorees an opportunity to exchange ideas and build connections that will support their growth as future leaders.

The METROPOLIS Arch30 event in LA:

Nicole Acarón-Toro, HKS
Fatimah Al Asad, HDR
Mitch Bennett, WOODS BAGOT
Yixuan Cai, Perkins&Will
Richard Capin, DLR Group
Matt Chamberlain, HOK
Joe Chase, CO Architects
Annette Chung, Gensler
Alycia Corneliu, DLR Group
Airene Dizon, SOM
Juan Febres-Cordero, Clive Wilkinson Architects
Brenna Fransen, SOM
Haley Galian, DLR Group
Alexis Garcia, HMC Architects




Jessica Gardner, BESTOR ARCHITECTURE
Peter Goodwin, HMC Architects
Morgan Jacobs, Clive Wilkinson Architects
Chandu Kandra, Corgan
Mariel Mora Llorens, WOODS BAGOT
Zoe Malecki, Brooks + Scarpa
Dylan Murphy, HDR
Divya Nautiyal, SmithGroup
Albert Orozco, Paul Murdoch Architects
Ryan Petersen, SmithGroup
Gabriel Santos, Shimoda Design Group

Jitendra Sawant, SmithGroup
Chloe Shaheen, CO Architects
Benjamin Sperry, BA Collective
Maryam Tork, KTGY
Elizabeth Vento, KTGY
Nate Waddell, RIOS
Kylie Wong, HGA
Leana Yaacob, MG2
Corie Yaguchi, BESTOR ARCHITECTURE
Gayoen You, Corgan
Yaya Zhou, Corgan

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