Brooks + Scarpa is a collective of architects, designers and creative thinkers dedicated to enhancing the human experience. Honored with the 2014 Smithsonian Cooper- Hewitt National Design Award, the firm is a multi-disciplinary practice that includes architecture, landscape architecture, planning, environmental design, materials research, graphic, furniture and interior design services that produces innovative, sustainable iconic buildings and urban environments.

Awarded the 2010 State of California and National American Institute of Architecture Firm Award for nineteen years of consistently exemplary work seamlessly blending architecture, art and craft, Brooks + Scarpa has also garnered international acclaim for the creative use of materials in unique and unexpected ways. The firm has also been recognized for pioneering more holistic approaches to delivering award winning environmentally responsive designs.

While the Brooks + Scarpa team practices architecture with an extremely rigorous and exacting methodology, incorporating cross-discipline research and digital technologies, we remain open-minded, so that our work can adapt throughout the dynamic process of making places for people. Each project is designed to address our client’s needs, budget and specific site conditions incorporating important global issues such as sustainability and digital fabrication.

History – Founded in 1991 as Pugh + Scarpa, the firm changed its name in 2010 to reflect the current leadership under Angela Brooks, FAIA and Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA. Today, Brooks + Scarpa is a 25 person interdisciplinary practice involved in rigorous design and research that yields innovative, iconic buildings and urban environments.

Our Work - Over the twenty five years of practice Brooks + Scarpa has competed nearly every project type ranging from single-family homes to multi-family housing, affordable housing, commercial, institutional, educational and governmental buildings. While many firms specialize in a single project type Brooks + Scarpa has developed design expertise regardless of building type. We are known for ‘special’ and ‘unique’ buildings of various types. We have developed design expertise, a methodology, regardless of building type. Approaching every project with fresh eyes, allows us to bring the best critical thinking to the table, often resulting in unique and appropriately suited solutions to old problems.

Process - Our practice is grounded in the belief that clients direct participation in our design process results in more meaningful and thoughtful buildings. Our process is open and fosters active client participation and the ability to make choices as the project develops. We seek, obtain and develop critical knowledge early in the concept design phase. This collaborative approach to design serves as the basis for all Brooks + Scarpa projects.

Environmental Stewardship – Embedded in our way of working is a respect for our natural environment and fragile ecosystems. By integrating state-of-the-art eco-friendly design and science, our work is at the leading edge of sustainability best practices and innovation.

Design Excellence - Brooks + Scarpa has a proven track record at delivering design excellence that inspires and engages people, incorporating creativity, originality, functionality and technology. These core values allow us to challenge convention and explore new ways of building thru innovative use of materials, structures and technical systems to create spaces people love.

Recognition – Ranked 7th Overall top Architecture Firm in the USA by Architect Magazine and 333rd worldwide by Design Intelligence, Brooks + Scarpa is considered one the premier design firms in architecture, having been recognized with some of the most prestigious honors in the profession.

With more than one hundred significant national and international awards and thousands of publications awards include; the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award, National and State of California American Institute of Architects Firm Award, The Lifetime Achievement Award from AIA California Council and Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Record Houses, Architectural Record Interiors, The World Habitat Award and The Rudy Brunner Prize.

The firm’s work has been exhibited worldwide including venues such as The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, The National Building Museum, Portland Museum of Art, the Gwanju Bienale and has also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show.