Studio

By Utility & Wonder

We are SPF:a, an industrious group of designers, thinkers, and humanists.

Our practice is anchored in a rigorous pragmatic, holistic philosophy. We uncover truths, pursue the unexplored, and challenge conventions in architectural and urban organization; we speak the language of our builders and engineers, and we have a strong culture of critique and communication.

We want to make things look better, perform better, and awaken their environment. And so we give care to our clients’ goals and investments and endeavor to balance them with our pursuit to enhance the human experience and our communities.

We are an award-winning practice specializing in cultural institutions, civic projects, and purposeful architectural works that touch both the private and public spirit.

Leadership

Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA

Founder + Design Principal

Zoltan leads SPF:a's award-winning studio, a team that has been recognized with over 80 national and regional design accolades. Prior to founding SPF:a in 1990 with partner Judit, he worked closely alongside Jerrold E. Lomax, FAIA, a case study maestro and one of the original LA-12. In 2005, Zoltan was inducted into the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows; he was one of the youngest architects to have ever received the designation.

—Full Biography

Judit M. Fekete-Pali, LEED AP

Founder + Creative Director

Judit been responsible for the strategic direction and artistic vision of SPF:a since launching the firm with partner Zoltan in 1990. Aside from serving as the firm’s managing principal, she is also the head curator of the SPF:a Gallery, founded in 2007 and focused on the symbiotic relationship between art and architecture.

—Full Biography

Team

Selected Awards

Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Outstanding Structural Engineering Award Rainbow Bridge 2018
Engineering News Record California Landscape/Urban Development Project of the Year Rainbow Bridge 2018
Los Angeles Business Council, Landscape Architecture Award Rainbow Bridge 2018
Los Angeles Business Council, Design Concept Award Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles 2018
California Council of Engineering, Honor Award Rainbow Bridge 2018
Southern California Development Forum Design Award Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles 2018
Golden Nugget Award, Commercial WE3 at Water's Edge 2017
California Preservation Foundation Design Award Morgan Phoa Library & Residence 2017
AIA California Council Award, Single-Family Residential Double Stick 2016
Residential Architect Design Awards, Renovation/Adaptive Reuse Morgan Phoa Library & Residence 2016
BUILD News Architecture Awards, Best International Museum Architects Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2016
Engineering News Record Southern California Building of the Year Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2015
AIACC Residential Awards, Single-Family Residential Oberfeld Residence 2014
Southern California Development Forum, Built Award Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2014
American Architecture Award Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2014
Engineering News Record California Cultural Project of the Year Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2014
AIA|LA Presidential Award The Getty Villa 2006
National AIA Honor Award Somis Hay Barn 2004
American Architecture Award MODAA 2007
Honor Award, ACEC California Engineering Excellence Awards Rainbow Bridge 2018
AIA California Council Design Merit Award Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts 2018