Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects, San Francisco: Transparent, Purposeful, Transformative.

“We are a mission driven practice focused on promoting environmental and social sustainability through architecture,” says William Leddy, Principal of Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects. “To execute this demanding work,” says Leddy, “our practice is oriented around the professional development of exceptionally talented, well-rounded architects and designers who share our goals and passions.” 

The current workspace is a former elevator repair shop that was converted to office use for a tech start-up during the late 1990’s tech boom. The firm arrived in 2003, attracted by the large, brick and timber loft quality and the abundant natural light. The office culture has always put an emphasis on transparency, collaboration and action. The open-plan environment has no private offices – every desk is essentially the same size, and all work together, overhearing random conversations, sharing ideas, and stumbling across each other’s creative processes. “This is a messy space – in a good way,” says Leddy. 

The office is a ground floor storefront, so connections with neighbours are made on a daily basis while models and project graphics lure curious passers-by inside on a regular basis. The physical layout is a direct reflection of both the organisational culture and the aesthetic outlook: open, collaborative, forthright, effective, and decidedly un-precious. 

While during the work day, staff are ultra-focused on project delivery and approach their work with rigour, they know how to mix that up with frequent lunchtime pin-ups, lectures, after-work celebrations and happy hours, bike rides, and community volunteer events. To that end, every Monday morning they hold an all-office meeting where everyone shares their work plans for the week, and sometimes their weekend adventures. “Our entire office attended the AIA California Council Monterey Design Conference to share a weekend of inspiration and reflection, as well as a good time on the beach,” says Leddy. 

While the firm is in a period ‘managed’ growth, the intention is not to grow too large and lose the small, family feel of the studio. Meanwhile, they’re exploring a potential relocation to a new work-space that would be an even better host to the evolving nature of the practice.