HOW WE WORK
Our Studio
With over 25 years of experience in Southern California, Syntax Design Lab has earned a reputation for delivering custom, site-specific solutions that transcend conventional architectural trends. Our leadership’s European background informs our design approach, blending contextual place-making and building performance with west-coast innovation. We view design excellence as a collaborative effort, with our clients as integral members of the team. Rejecting off-the-shelf architectural styles, we create unique design languages for each project that reflect the client’s vision and respond to the site’s specific context and character.
As forward-thinking designers, we thrive on tackling complex projects. We believe great architecture enriches communities, creating spaces that foster meaningful connections. Sustainability is at the core of our work, essential to creating lasting value. Through bold concepts, meticulous attention to detail, and exceptional craft, we deliver solutions that meet both construction budgets and project schedules. Whether in Los Angeles or beyond, we continue to set the standard for architectural excellence.
Leadership
Steffen A. Leisner, RA, LEED AP
M. Arch – Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles, CA
B.S. Arch – Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences, School of Engineering, Stuttgart, Germany
Steffen A. Leisner is an architect, educator, and sustainability expert who brings a global perspective and over two decades of professional experience in Southern California to his innovative architectural work. Originally from Stuttgart, Germany, Steffen began his career in construction before studying architecture at the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences and the Technical University of Delft. He later earned a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Los Angeles, supported by a European Commission merit grant.
Early in his career, Steffen worked with Frank O. Gehry, contributing to internationally recognized projects including the Guggenheim Museum in New York, a competition for the New York Times Headquarters, and projects for the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Marqués de Riscal winery, and Case Western Reserve University.
In 2002, he founded Syntax Design Lab, initially as a platform for architectural research and design strategy. It has since grown into a full-service architecture firm with a portfolio spanning residential, commercial, hospitality, and educational projects. His work has been widely published, including features in Architectural Record, ARCHITECT, The Architect’s Newspaper, and the Los Angeles Times, and included in key publications such as Encyclopedia of Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture and Living West: New Residential Architecture in Southern California. His project 1+3=1 House received Architecture Magazine’s “Home of the Year” award.
Alongside his practice, Steffen is deeply engaged in architectural education and research. From 2005 to 2011, he served on the faculty at the University of Southern California School of Architecture, teaching design studios and seminars in building technology. He has also been a visiting critic at institutions across Southern California, including UCLA, SCI-Arc, Woodbury University, and Otis College of Art and Design.
He is a licensed architect in California, a member of the Chamber of Architects in Stuttgart, and a LEED Accredited Professional. Steffen’s global background, design leadership, and commitment to sustainability continue to shape his impactful, forward-thinking architecture.