Preparing for an interview at LPA requires a balance of technical readiness and self-reflection. Because the firm values a conversational and low-pressure interview environment, you should focus on telling compelling stories about your past projects rather than just listing your technical proficiencies.

To stand out, you must demonstrate strength in the following core evaluation criteria:

Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration – You must show that you do not work in a silo. Interviewers will look for evidence that you actively seek out input from engineers, interior designers, and landscape architects early in your process. Frame your past experiences around how you facilitated teamwork and integrated diverse perspectives.

Technical Viability & Innovation – Your designs must not only look good on paper but also work in reality. You will be evaluated on your understanding of building materials, structural systems, and sustainable technologies. Be ready to discuss the specific metrics, tools, and construction methodologies you have used to bring complex projects to life.

Communication & Relationship Building – The interview style at LPA is highly conversational and friendly. Your ability to build rapport with your interviewers, listen actively, and explain complex architectural concepts in simple terms is just as important as your technical portfolio.

Adaptability & Cultural Fit – With multiple regional offices and diverse market sectors, LPA values professionals who can adapt to changing project demands and office dynamics. Show that you are comfortable with ambiguity and excited about contributing to a collaborative office culture.

The interview process at LPA is highly professional, welcoming, and structured to give you an authentic look at the company's culture. Candidates frequently note that the process feels more like a structured conversation than a rigid interrogation. This approach is designed to relieve pressure, allowing you to showcase your true personality and working style.

The journey typically begins with a screening call from a recruiter, who is often based in one of the firm's main operational hubs, such as Texas. This initial call focuses on your high-level qualifications, career goals, and alignment with LPA's sustainable design philosophy. If there is a mutual fit, you will transition to calls with office leadership and market leads.

The final stage often involves an on-site interview at one of their regional offices, such as Irvine, San Diego, or Portland. During this visit, you will meet with leaders from various disciplines and markets. A unique and highly praised aspect of the LPA process is the opportunity to attend a monthly company lunch meeting prior to your formal interview, giving you an unvarnished look at how their teams interact and celebrate achievements under one roof.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression from your initial recruiter contact to the final offer stage. Use this timeline to pace your preparation, ensuring you focus on high-level career alignment early on, and deep technical and cultural preparation as you approach the on-site rounds. While the process is generally swift, the exact duration may vary depending on the specific office location and the availability of regional market leads.

To excel in your interviews for the Solutions Architect position, you must understand the specific areas where the hiring team will focus their assessment.

Integrated Sustainable Design

This area evaluates your ability to design spaces that are environmentally responsible, energy-efficient, and structurally sound. LPA is a pioneer in sustainable architecture, meaning sustainability cannot be an afterthought in your design process; it must be the foundation.

Be ready to go over:

• Passive Design Strategies – Utilizing natural light, ventilation, and solar orientation to reduce mechanical loads.
• Energy Modeling & Metrics – How you use computational tools to predict and track building performance.
• Material Lifecycle Assessment – Evaluating the embodied carbon and environmental impact of your structural choices.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Net-zero water systems, regenerative design frameworks, and advanced building envelope technologies.

Example scenarios:

• "Describe how you would design a high-performing building envelope for a school located in a region with extreme seasonal temperature fluctuations."
• "How would you convince a skeptical developer to invest in high-efficiency HVAC systems that have a longer payback period?"

Cross-Market Leadership

Because LPA services diverse sectors—including education, commercial, and civic projects—you must prove that you can lead technical solutions across different building typics and market requirements.

Be ready to go over:

• Market-Specific Regulations – Navigating different building codes, such as DSA for California schools or specific commercial zoning laws.
• Stakeholder Management – Balancing the needs of community groups, corporate clients, and internal design leads.
• Project Scaling – Adapting structural solutions from small-scale renovations to massive, multi-acre master plans.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – High-density mixed-use zoning challenges and adaptive reuse of historical structures.

Example scenarios:

• "Walk us through a time you had to adapt a design to comply with strict public funding requirements without sacrificing the project's sustainability goals."
• "How do you manage design delivery when working with market leads who have conflicting priorities for a shared site?"

Cultural Fit & Collaborative Communication

LPA prides itself on its warm, friendly, and non-hierarchical culture. Your ability to communicate clearly, handle constructive feedback, and maintain a positive attitude under pressure is critical.

Be ready to go over:

• Active Listening – How you take feedback from junior staff, such as an Architecture Intern, as well as senior leadership.
• Conflict Resolution – Navigating creative disagreements within a multi-disciplinary design team.
• Work-Life Balance & Boundaries – Discussing your approach to managing stress and maintaining personal boundaries in a deadline-driven industry.

Example scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time when a team member strongly disagreed with your technical approach. How did you handle the conversation and reach a resolution?"
• "How do you maintain a high standard of work-life balance for yourself and your team when facing tight project submittal deadlines?"