Heinfeld built firm into a national model for integrated design practice focused on sustainability and performance.
LPA Design Studios today announced the upcoming retirement of longtime president Dan Heinfeld, who led the firm’s growth from a small, commercial development-focused architecture studio into a nation-leading integrated design practice setting new standards for performance and design excellence.
During Heinfeld’s 37-years as president, LPA created a new model for a diverse design studio with architects, engineers, landscape architects and interior designers focused on tackling the largest issues facing the built environment. He made sustainability a core part of the firm’s ethos long before it was mainstream, illustrating that designers could significantly reduce energy use on a large scale, across project types. His influence can be seen in a generation of innovative corporate campuses, schools, recreation centers, civic projects, mixed use developments and healthcare facilities that are sustainable and support people in new ways.
In recognition, LPA has earned the country’s top design awards, including a 2023 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Architecture Award, the industry’s highest honor for a single project, for the TIDE Academy, a groundbreaking public high school in Menlo Park, California; a 2023 National Council of Structural Engineering Associations Structural Engineering Excellence award for the West Hollywood Aquatic and Recreation Center; and a 2020 national AIA COTE Top Ten award, the industry’s most prestigious award for sustainable design, for the Environmental Nature Center and Preschool in Newport Beach, California.
In his 45-year career at LPA, Dan’s never wavered from a deep-rooted belief in the gifts of the site, inspiring a generation of architects and engineers to prioritize performance to create design opportunities...” — Wendy Rogers, Chief Executive Officer
In 2021, LPA earned its second AIA California Firm Award, the state’s top award for a practice, in recognition of the firm’s culture, influence on the community and role in the design industry.
“In his 45-year career at LPA, Dan’s never wavered from a deep-rooted belief in the gifts of the site, inspiring a generation of architects and engineers to prioritize performance to create design opportunities,” said LPA Chief Executive Officer Wendy Rogers. “Ordinary projects became extraordinary projects.”
Heinfeld’s formal retirement completes a leadership transition that started three years ago. Chief Design Officer Keith Hempel was named the firm’s new president in June. Heinfeld will officially retire on Dec. 31, but will remain with the firm as a consultant and advisor to the board of directors.
“I am confident and excited about what this next generation of leaders is going to do at LPA,” Heinfeld said. “The firm is well positioned to make a difference for our clients and the industry with the idea that every project, no matter the budget or scale, can be designed for high performance and design excellence.”
One of Dan’s major contributions has been to demonstrate to the industry that it is possible to have a large architectural practice focused on innovative design, which can also be run as a successful and sustainable business.”
— Roger Torriero, Chief Executive Officer, Griffin Structures
In the course of a 40-year partnership with the Irvine Company, one of the largest community builders in the country, Heinfeld helped create a portfolio of corporate campuses that are models of smart land development, balancing open space, landscape, architecture and sustainability.
“I was very fortunate to work with a remarkable landowner and builder who understands the value of planning, landscape and design,” Heinfeld said. “Mr. [Donald] Bren’s stewardship and focus on master planning has played a large role in my career and the amazing environment we all share here in Orange County.”
Heinfeld spearheaded LPA’s expansion into public schools and universities, sectors often ignored by architecture firms, working to develop a new generation of schools and universities that have changed the experience for millions of students. LPA is now one of the leading school designers in the country; in the past three years its projects have won three national American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) awards.
Heinfeld built LPA around the concept that designs could be timeless and do more to cut energy costs and improve health and wellness. The firm was an early and passionate advocate for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system and the AIA 2030 Commitment. To better address performance challenges, the firm added engineers, landscape architects and interior designers, developing a model for a collaborative firm that breaks down barriers between disciplines. On every project, designers develop goals around wellness, community, experience and performance.
Through Dan’s leadership, building performance and sustainability were established as core values...allow[ing] us to apply these values to every project regardless of its typology.” — Keith Hempel, Chief Design Officer
To date, LPA has designed more than 200 LEED-certified buildings and consistently ranks among the largest firms in the nation to meet or surpass the 2030 Commitment performance targets.
“Through Dan’s leadership, building performance and sustainability were established as core values,” Hempel said. “Our evolution into an integrated design firm allowed us to apply these values to every project regardless of its typology.”
Heinfeld also inspired a generation of younger architects, many of whom are now in LPA leadership positions, including Hempel and Rogers, who started as an intern. Five LPA architects have been elevated to the AIA’s College of Fellows, including Heinfeld, in recognition of significant national contributions to the architecture profession. Three LPA architects have earned the AIA’s Young Architect honor in recent years.
In 2018, Heinfeld received the AIA Orange County’s chapter’s President’s Award for his contributions to the community and leadership in sustainability.
Industry leader comments:
One of Dan’s major contributions has been to demonstrate to the industry that it is possible to have a large architectural practice focused on innovative design, which can also be run as a successful and sustainable business.” — Roger Torriero, Chief Executive Officer, Griffin Structures
(Griffin Structures has hired LPA for 139 civic and cultural projects, including the public-private-partnership with Swinerton that is redeveloping the County of Orange’s real estate assets in Santa Ana, California.)
Early on, he believed in the idea of sustainability. He was one of the first guys to say we’re going to commit to doing this. The way he did it, he never preached to clients that you’ve got to do this. He would look for opportunities to introduce things into the course of a project. He was always there with practical, thoughtful ways to introduce sustainability and responsible green architecture.”
— Rob Elliott, Senior Vice President, Irvine Company Planning and Design Group
(Elliott is responsible for the overall planning and design of the company’s master planned communities.)
Dan’s leadership and influence has created an indelible impact on the building industry through his passion for marrying great design with sustainable building practices. By making this a core element of LPA’s corporate DNA, the buildings and spaces created by the firm showcase the role that the built environment has on creating “places” that are award winning, dynamic and sustainable."
— Sanford Smith, Hoag Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Facilities
(In addition to leading Hoag’s sustainable facilities effort, Smith formerly served as Executive Vice President in charge of Real Estate and Operations for Toyota Motor Sales.)
