Matthew Porreca's Elevation to AIA Fellows Highlights Sustainable Design Leadership
In a noteworthy achievement, Matthew Porreca, the Design Director at LPA Design Studios, has been elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This remarkable recognition is reserved for architects who have substantially contributed to the field and society at large, and Porreca becomes the sixth leader from LPA to receive this esteemed honor.
Located in LPA's San Diego studio, Porreca has cultivated a remarkable career dedicated to innovative design that emphasizes health and wellness while pioneering carbon-neutral practices. His commitment is evident through his extensive work on projects across various sectors, including higher education, commercial spaces, and healthcare. Porreca champions passive design principles that act as the cornerstone of high-performance buildings—demonstrating how sustainability and design excellence can harmonize.
Wendy Rogers, FAIA and CEO of LPA, commended Porreca, stating, "For almost 30 years, Matthew has worked with clients to push the boundaries of sustainable design, setting new benchmarks for performance and innovation across a diverse portfolio." This sentiment underscores not only Porreca's dedication but also the essential role designers play in fostering healthier, more efficient environments.
Porreca's influence within LPA has been pivotal in leading the firm toward an impressive portfolio focusing on net-zero, all-electric designs. His efforts have fostered a collaborative culture at LPA, aptly framed by the motto, 'we don't do this alone.' Recently, LPA was awarded the AIA Architecture Firm Award for 2025, celebrated as a beacon of sustainable, high-performance design, emphasizing that the firm is at the forefront of architectural innovation.
As the Design Director, Porreca spearheads integrated, research-driven teams dedicated to performance, wellness, community, and user experience in every project, transcending limits of scale or budget. His landmark projects feature downtown San Diego's first LEED Platinum and net-zero energy office building (Makers Quarters) and the first net-zero community college project in California (Palomar College M+O). He also managed the design of the largest naturally ventilated structure in Southern California (Pacific Center Research and Development) and the largest steel modular project on the West Coast (El Cerrito Permanent Supportive Housing).
Porreca's passion for designing all-electric buildings has significantly contributed to sustainable transformations at esteemed institutions, including UC Berkeley and UC San Diego, hence driving major shifts towards decarbonization across campus environments.
His distinctive design philosophy has been shaped by earlier collaborations on prominent projects, including the striking Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, developed with Moshe Safdie, and the expansion of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with Steven Holl, which showcased the integration of contemporary designs within historic frameworks. His collaborative research with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has also focused on producing environments conducive to human health, a principle that continues to emerge across Porreca's designs today.
Over the past decade, Porreca's endeavors have garnered 75 awards, showcasing his significant impact on the architectural landscape, with recognitions including 28 AIA component awards and a dozen other national and international accomplishments.
In response to his induction into the AIA College of Fellows, Porreca humbly remarked that this honor represents the collective achievements of his colleagues, clients, and the communities served. "I am exceedingly proud to work alongside so many talented and devoted designers, and I extend my gratitude to all for enabling this recognition," he expressed.
Porreca's influence further extends to leadership roles in various initiatives, including the San Diego Green Building Council's Living Building Collaborative and the AIA Los Angeles Living Building Collaborative. He frequently shares his expertise as a speaker at national and regional conferences, discussing the nexus of sustainability and design excellence.
LPA is a multi-discipline firm known for its collaborative approach and inclusive design processes that connect exceptional building performance with sustainable design choices. Founded in 1965, the firm's vision centers on creating designs that are timeless, environmentally conscious, and enriching for the human experience. With six studios located across California and Texas, LPA consists of over 500 professionals—including architects, engineers, landscape architects, and researchers—committed to advancing diverse projects that can shape a better future for our environments and communities.
For more information about LPA Design Studios and their exceptional projects, visit lpadesignstudios.com.
Located in LPA's San Diego studio, Porreca has cultivated a remarkable career dedicated to innovative design that emphasizes health and wellness while pioneering carbon-neutral practices. His commitment is evident through his extensive work on projects across various sectors, including higher education, commercial spaces, and healthcare. Porreca champions passive design principles that act as the cornerstone of high-performance buildings—demonstrating how sustainability and design excellence can harmonize.
Wendy Rogers, FAIA and CEO of LPA, commended Porreca, stating, "For almost 30 years, Matthew has worked with clients to push the boundaries of sustainable design, setting new benchmarks for performance and innovation across a diverse portfolio." This sentiment underscores not only Porreca's dedication but also the essential role designers play in fostering healthier, more efficient environments.
Porreca's influence within LPA has been pivotal in leading the firm toward an impressive portfolio focusing on net-zero, all-electric designs. His efforts have fostered a collaborative culture at LPA, aptly framed by the motto, 'we don't do this alone.' Recently, LPA was awarded the AIA Architecture Firm Award for 2025, celebrated as a beacon of sustainable, high-performance design, emphasizing that the firm is at the forefront of architectural innovation.
As the Design Director, Porreca spearheads integrated, research-driven teams dedicated to performance, wellness, community, and user experience in every project, transcending limits of scale or budget. His landmark projects feature downtown San Diego's first LEED Platinum and net-zero energy office building (Makers Quarters) and the first net-zero community college project in California (Palomar College M+O). He also managed the design of the largest naturally ventilated structure in Southern California (Pacific Center Research and Development) and the largest steel modular project on the West Coast (El Cerrito Permanent Supportive Housing).
Porreca's passion for designing all-electric buildings has significantly contributed to sustainable transformations at esteemed institutions, including UC Berkeley and UC San Diego, hence driving major shifts towards decarbonization across campus environments.
His distinctive design philosophy has been shaped by earlier collaborations on prominent projects, including the striking Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, developed with Moshe Safdie, and the expansion of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with Steven Holl, which showcased the integration of contemporary designs within historic frameworks. His collaborative research with the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has also focused on producing environments conducive to human health, a principle that continues to emerge across Porreca's designs today.
Over the past decade, Porreca's endeavors have garnered 75 awards, showcasing his significant impact on the architectural landscape, with recognitions including 28 AIA component awards and a dozen other national and international accomplishments.
In response to his induction into the AIA College of Fellows, Porreca humbly remarked that this honor represents the collective achievements of his colleagues, clients, and the communities served. "I am exceedingly proud to work alongside so many talented and devoted designers, and I extend my gratitude to all for enabling this recognition," he expressed.
Porreca's influence further extends to leadership roles in various initiatives, including the San Diego Green Building Council's Living Building Collaborative and the AIA Los Angeles Living Building Collaborative. He frequently shares his expertise as a speaker at national and regional conferences, discussing the nexus of sustainability and design excellence.
LPA is a multi-discipline firm known for its collaborative approach and inclusive design processes that connect exceptional building performance with sustainable design choices. Founded in 1965, the firm's vision centers on creating designs that are timeless, environmentally conscious, and enriching for the human experience. With six studios located across California and Texas, LPA consists of over 500 professionals—including architects, engineers, landscape architects, and researchers—committed to advancing diverse projects that can shape a better future for our environments and communities.
For more information about LPA Design Studios and their exceptional projects, visit lpadesignstudios.com.
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