Business Details
Award-Winning Contemporary Architects in Los Angeles, CA
Sander Architects has been at the forefront of contemporary architecture since our founding in 2025, specializing in innovative hybrid construction methods that combine prefab technology with traditional techniques. Our approach prioritizes design excellence, sustainability, and budget efficiency, resulting in award-winning projects recognized globally. With expertise in green architecture, we have earned international acclaim through prestigious awards such as the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design Award and the Dedalo Minosse International Prize. Our work reflects a philosophy that balances poetic design with practical functionality, creating spaces that resonate with both environmental and human contexts.The firm's leadership, including founder Whitney Sander and Director of Interior Design Catherine Holliss, brings decades of academic and professional experience, ensuring each project achieves artistic merit while addressing ecological and programmatic needs. We maintain a dynamic team committed to education, material innovation, and community impact, as evidenced by our publications in leading architecture journals and participation in sustainable housing initiatives.
Services
Contemporary Architecture
Sustainable Design
Hybrid Construction
Interior Design
Fire-Resistant Construction
Details
- Year established: 2025
Highlights and features
- We pioneer hybrid construction methods that reduce costs while maintaining custom design.
- Our projects have won international awards for architectural excellence and sustainability.
- Founding principal Whitney Sander brings Peace Corps experience and academic leadership to every project.
- Director of Interior Design Catherine Holliss specializes in green materials and holistic design.
- Our work has been published in Dwell, Architectural Record, and the New York Times.
Services
Contemporary Architecture
Our contemporary architecture practice merges prefab technology with traditional methods to create custom, cost-efficient structures. Focused on sustainability and aesthetic innovation, we deliver projects that balance artistic vision with functional requirements. Clients benefit from reduced construction timelines and award-winning designs that prioritize environmental responsibility.
Sustainable Design
Specializing in eco-friendly architecture, we integrate energy-efficient materials and fire-resistant construction techniques. Our sustainable designs meet rigorous environmental standards while maintaining visual appeal. Clients receive LEED-aligned solutions that minimize ecological impact through strategic material selection and passive energy systems.
Hybrid Construction
Hybrid construction combines modular prefab components with site-specific elements to optimize budget and quality. This approach allows for precise manufacturing controls while accommodating custom design elements. Clients achieve faster project completion without compromising architectural integrity or material innovation.
Interior Design
Our interior design services focus on functional aesthetics using sustainable materials and biophilic design principles. Catherine Holliss leads projects that integrate natural elements with modernist sensibilities. Clients receive cohesive interior environments that reflect both personal needs and environmental consciousness through award-winning spatial solutions.
Fire-Resistant Construction
Fire-resistant construction employs non-combustible materials like metal panels and concrete to create defensible structures in high-risk areas. We implement UC wildfire mitigation guidelines for material selection and landscaping. Clients gain peace of mind through proactive design strategies that meet CALFIRE standards while maintaining architectural elegance.
People
Whitney Sander
Founder
Whitney Sander founded the firm after graduating from Yale School of Architecture and serving in the Peace Corps. He teaches at major universities and has received multiple AIA awards for his innovative approach to sustainable design and community-focused architecture.
Catherine Holliss
Director of Interior Design
Catherine Holliss leads interior design initiatives with expertise in green materials and biophilic design. An award-winning writer and UCLA MFA graduate, she contributes to the firm's sustainability focus through material innovation and holistic space planning.
Questions
What architectural styles does Sander Architects specialize in?
We focus on contemporary architecture that integrates prefab technology with traditional construction methods while emphasizing sustainability and modern aesthetics.
Do you offer sustainable building solutions?
Yes, our hybrid construction methods prioritize eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs that meet rigorous green building standards.
What awards has the firm received?
We've earned international recognition including the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture Award, Dedalo Minosse International Prize, and multiple AIA honors.
Can you design fire-resistant homes?
Yes, we implement fire-resistant materials and construction techniques following University of California wildfire mitigation guidelines for high-risk areas.
Do you work on commercial and residential projects?
We handle both project types, with notable works including the William M. Lowman Concert Hall and various award-winning residential designs.
What makes your firm unique?
Our combination of prefab innovation, sustainability focus, and academic leadership creates distinctive architecture that balances artistic vision with practical functionality.
Reviews (2)
Julia Monteith
Jan 06, 2017
Report
Beautiful building and the references to the native landscape are woven into the structure in a unique way - congrats!
Joseph Newfield
Jan 06, 2017
Report
A unique utilization of pre-fabricated materials to produce work that does the impossible: totally original and genuinely sustainable.
