We believe great design isn’t the result of one star,
but a constellation team of all-stars working as one.
We believe great design isn’t the result of one star, but a constellation team of all-stars working as one.
We design with care for how buildings are imagined, built, and lived in. Our work begins by listening to the site, the people, and the realities of construction, allowing ideas to form through observation rather than assumption.
Our goal is to create architecture that feels natural to its place, supports daily life, and remains relevant as time passes. We believe good buildings are quiet in their confidence, generous in their use, and built to stand up to time.
Design decisions are made early and deliberately, guided by clarity, craft, and an understanding of how things come together. Materials are chosen for their character, durability, and the way they weather over time. We value collaboration with builders and consultants as an essential part of the design process, not a separate phase.
We design with care for how buildings are imagined, built, and lived in. Our work begins by listening to the site, the people, and the realities of construction, allowing ideas to form through observation rather than assumption.
Our goal is to create architecture that feels natural to its place, supports daily life, and remains relevant as time passes. We believe good buildings are quiet in their confidence, generous in their use, and built to stand up to time.
Design decisions are made early and deliberately, guided by clarity, craft, and an understanding of how things come together. Materials are chosen for their character, durability, and the way they weather over time. We value collaboration with builders and consultants as an essential part of the design process, not a separate phase.
Our Languages
English
German
Italian
Chinese
Los Angeles . New York . Singapore
We design with care for how buildings are imagined, built, and lived in. Our work begins by listening to the site, the people, and the realities of construction, allowing ideas to form through observation rather than assumption.
Our goal is to create architecture that feels natural to its place, supports daily life, and remains relevant as time passes. We believe good buildings are quiet in their confidence, generous in their use, and built to stand up to time.
Design decisions are made early and deliberately, guided by clarity, craft, and an understanding of how things come together. Materials are chosen for their character, durability, and the way they weather over time. We value collaboration with builders and consultants as an essential part of the design process, not a separate phase.
Average Team Experience: 25+ Years
Custom Design
Project Management
Client Project Management
Architect of Record Services
Art Installation Collaborations
Architectural Coaching
Our Values
Generosity
Hospitality
Ownership
Curiosity
Tenacity
With our design excellence and expertise, we strive to make your dream project come true exactly as you imagined it. Our Constellation Team of experienced experts will work with you every step of the way to achieve your goal.
We are devoted to delivering superior customer service and exceptional attention to detail. Guided by our commitment to quality over quantity, we focus on creating a truly exceptional design journey that you fall in love with.
With our design excellence and expertise, we strive to make your dream project come true exactly as you imagined it. Our Constellation Team of experienced experts will work with you every step of the way to achieve your goal.
We are devoted to delivering superior customer service and exceptional attention to detail. Guided by our commitment to quality over quantity, we focus on creating a truly exceptional design journey that you fall in love with.
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Howard Chu grew up in Texas, where his appreciation for design and craftsmanship began. After studying architecture at the University of Houston and earning his Master of Architecture from Columbia University in 1994, he moved to New York City to pursue his vision of creating poetic and meaningful spaces.
Howard’s passion for creating timeless, meaningful designs has shaped some of the most extraordinary projects for discerning clients worldwide. His career includes a decade as Director of Design at Masastudio and collaborations with Rick Joy, Thierry Despont, Kelly Wearstler, James Polshek, West Chin, and Stephan Jaklitsch, honing his ability to create designs that reflect clarity, material richness, and cultural resonance.
In 2023, Howard founded ATELIER X with Lukas Peter to elevate the design experience, guided by “Nature Culture Joy” and build a studio from the ground up. Working with Aesop and private residential clients, the studio combines simplicity, materiality, and a sense of place to create timeless designs. In his spare time, Howard enjoys creating videos, music, photography, website design, reading, writing, long-distance running, eating well, connecting with people, laughing, and traveling.
If Howard has a super power, it is his proven track record for creating high quality design and construction drawings for over three decades. His hands on approach and unique insights are refreshingly rare in a profession where the making of the work is separated from conceptual design. Our Constellation Team has been modeled to scale this insight to create better outcomes for our team members, builders, and clients.Originally from Taiwan, Howard moved to Los Angeles to focus on elevating his craft through residential & hospitality architecture and interior designs. In 2014, he reconnected with his college sweetheart, and soon after, they married and settled in Montrose/La Crescenta. Embracing a lifestyle rooted in nature and balance, Howard finds inspiration in the quiet beauty of his surroundings, allowing his work to reflect a deeper connection between design, environment, and the human experience.
Current work:2023 - Current
Private Residence in Malibu
Private Residence in Altadena
Pebble Beach House
Bethlehem Stone House
Home Grown House
Country House
Sweet ADU 2
Sweet ADU
Michaelangelo Dental Office
Nordic Knots
Aesop Montana Avenue
Aesop Larchmont
Aesop Beverly Drive
San Jose Market
Works At Previous Firms:
2013 - 2023
Amangiri Villas, Amangiri Resort (at Masastudio)
Amangiri Showroom, Amangiri Resort (at Masastudio)
Amangiri Guest Suite Renovation, Amangiri Resort (at Masastudio)
UNESCO Tea Cultural Center Phase 1, Yunnan, China (at Masastudio)
UNESCO Tea Cultural Center Phase 2, Yunnan, China (at Masastudio)
Jingmai Airport VIP Lounge, Jingmai, China (at Masastudio)
Chillida House, Dallas, TX (at Masastudio)
Brentwood House, Brentwood, CA (at Masastudio)
Mandeville Canyon House, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Nichols Canyon House, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Norman Residence, Beverly Hills, CA (at Masastudio)
Tower Road Residence, Beverly Hills, CA (at Masastudio)
Linda Flora Residence, Bel Air, CA (at Masastudio)
Woods Drive Residence, Hollywood, CA (at Masastudio)
Rossoblu Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Hamasaku Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Michael Voltaggio Sunset Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Sucre and Souk Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Masastudio Office, Los Angeles, CA (at Masastudio)
Private Beach Residence, Dibba, Oman (at Masastudio)
Private Villa, Dubai, UAE (at Masastudio)
Private Residence Concept Design, Oahu, HI (at Masastudio)
Private Residence, Park CIty, UT (at Masastudio)
Stone Pool House, Bethlehem, PA (at Masastudio)
Al Ghurair University, Dubai, UAE (at Masastudio)
AG Properties Office, Dubai, UAE (at Masastudio)
2010 -2012
Sun Valley House, Sun Valley, Idaho (at Studio Rick Joy)
Casa Cipres, Key Biscayne, Bahamas (at Studio Rick Joy)
Telluride House, Telluride, CO (at Studio Rick Joy)
Private House Concept, Shanghai, China (at Studio RIck Joy)
2005 - 2009
C-Shell House Long Beach, NY (at West Chin Architect)
Serge Normant Salon, New York (at West Chin Architect)
Three Pavilion House, Upstate, NY (at West Chin Architect)
Duffy Townhouse, New York, NY (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Belstaff Showroom, New York, NY (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Marc Jaobs Store, Milan, ITA (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Stephan Jalkitsch Office, New York, NY (at Stephan Jaklitsch Architects)
Triana Office, New York, NY (at Workshop for Architecture)
Christoff Finio Penthouse, New York, NY (at Christoff Fino Architecture)
Amangiri Resort, Canyonlands, UT (at Marwan Al-Sayed Architects)
Villa of the Nine Courts, Dubai, UAE (at Marwan Al-Sayed Architects)
2001 - 2004
Burgin Center for the Arts , Mercersberg Academy (at Ennead)
Paresky Center, Williams College (at Ennead)
Primland Lodge, North Virginia, VA (at Thierry Despont)
Harbour House, Bahamas (at Thierry Despont)
St. Regis High School, New York, NY (at TH Bishop Architects)
DIA Beacon Museum Beacon, NY (at Open Office)
Bodhi Retreat Masterplan, Hempstead, TX (at CH2 Studio)
Brescia Mall Competition, Brescia, ITA (at CH2 Studio)
Union Square Art Installation, New York, NY (at CH2 Studio)
Bystronic Factory, Switzerland (at CH2 Studio)
World Trade Center Penthouse, New York, NY (CH2 Studio)
1994 - 2001
Enrique Martinez Boutique, New York, NY (at HMGA)
Private Residence at One Central Park West, New York, NY (at HGMA)
Palos Verdes Center Competition, Palos Verdes, CA (at HGMA)
Stablie Hall, Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY (at PKSB)
Williamsburg Community Center Brooklyn, NY (at PKSB)
West End Synagogue, New York, NY (at PKSB)
Triple Bridge for Port Authority, New York, NY (at PKSB)
World War II Memorial Competition, Washington, DC (at PKSB)
Exxon Coporate Interior, Houston, TX (at PDR)
Oceanic University Masterplan, Keelung, Taiwan (at JJ Pan)
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Lukas Peter grew up in Germany, where his early appreciation for architectural interiors and precision craftsmanship took root. He studied Interior Architecture at Fachhochschule Kaiserslautern and refined his design sensibilities at Università Degli Studi G. D’Annunzio in Italy. With over two decades of experience in Los Angeles, Lukas has designed bespoke residences and distinctive properties, integrating architecture and interiors to create refined, purposeful spaces with a strong connection to their context.
Lukas’s design approach blends methodical precision with creative exploration. As Senior Project Designer at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects for two decades, he led complex residential and institutional projects for discerning clients, including spaces for cultural institutions such as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Biola University. These projects focused on seamless integration of advanced audiovisual systems into beautifully crafted environments, including screening rooms and performance spaces that set new standards for technical excellence and design harmony.
In the ultra high-end residential realm, Lukas worked on hillside homes in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and the Hollywood Hills for prominent actors, artists, and financiers. These projects frequently included specialty spaces such as state-of-the-art home theaters, recording studios, and deeply customized living environments designed for both creative work and personal retreat.
At Masastudio, Lukas guided teams on bespoke residential and hospitality projects, including private residences at Amangiri and distinctive homes on unique sites in Los Angeles. His deep understanding of construction and attention to material integration helped bring ambitious design concepts to life with precision and elegance.
In 2023, Lukas founded ATELIER X DESIGN with Howard Chu, where he continues to explore the intersection of materiality, function, and beauty. His collaborative, hands-on approach ensures that every project reflects clarity, craftsmanship, and innovation while maintaining a deep sensitivity to context and client aspirations.
Fluent in German, English, and Italian, Lukas brings a cosmopolitan perspective to his work, blending cultural narratives with sophisticated design solutions for both private residences and institutional spaces. His designs emphasize material authenticity, environmental consciousness, and enduring elegance.
Selected Current Work2023 - Current
Private Residence in Malibu
Private Residence in Altadena
Pebble Beach House
Bethlehem Stone House
Home Grown Affordable Housing
Country House
Sweet ADU 2
Sweet ADU
Michaelangelo Dental Office
Nordic Knots Store
Aesop Montana Avenue
Aesop Larchmont
Aesop Beverly Drive
Market Place
Work At Previous Firms
2021 - 2023Amangiri Residence, Amangiri Resort (at Masastudio)
West Bel-Air House, Bel Air, CA (at Masastudio)
Brentwood House, Brentwood, CA (at Masastudio)
Tower Road Residence, Beverly Hills, CA (at Masastudio)
Linda Flora Residence, Bel Air, CA (at Masastudio)
2001 - 2021
Oriole Way House, Los Angeles, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Riverhouse, New York City, NY (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Blueridge House, Los Angeles, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Tower Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study, Hollywood, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Biola School of Cinema and Media Arts, La Mirada, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood, CA (at Offenhauser Mekeel Architects)
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Lara Hoad is a licensed Architect in the State of California, and a LEED Accredited Professional, Lara was educated in her home city of London and has a BA (Hons) in Interior Design from Middlesex University and an MA in Architecture from the Royal College of Art.
As well as being a practicing architect, Lara holds teaching positions at prominent Los Angeles schools - Otis College of Art and Design and Woodbury School of Architecture, where she served as chair of the Interior Design department. Lara also served as co-chair of the Community Engagement Committee for the AIA/LA non-profit organization ACLA (Architecture for Communities Los Angeles).
Lara is an environmental activist, a Climate Reality Leader, and crew member and ambassador for eXXpedition, the all-female sailing voyages exploring the impact of toxins and plastic pollution in our oceans. Lara also founded The Ocotillo - a house, workshop and gallery located in Joshua Tree hosting artist residencies supporting the Mojave Desert Land Trust for desert conservation.
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During his undergraduate studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, Nadeem developed a desire for a more creative path and enrolled in an Architecture class. He also participated in a semester-long internship at a local architecture firm during his final year. Nadeem firmly established his aspiration to pursue Architecture and enrolled at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan to pursue a Master of Architecture.
Upon graduation, Nadeem relocated to New York City, where he has resided ever since. His professional journey has taken him to various architecture firms specializing in retail, residential, and corporate interiors. Notably, he has spent the last 12 years working in-house for retail brands.
As Director of Store Design for Capri Holding, Nadeem led a team of architects and designers in constructing the global store fleet, offices, and showrooms for three renowned brands: Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, and Versace.
Subsequently, Nadeem joined Aesop as Head of Store Design for the Americas, overseeing both the architectural, store maintenance and facilities programs for a fleet of 92 stores and three offices in the United States and Canada. This role presented Nadeem with the opportunity to establish standards and processes, cultivate trust with the Leadership Team, and engage internal and external stakeholders who shared the brand’s values. His primary objective was to establish a best-in-class fleet of stores in North America by managing a yearly budget exceeding $10 million.
In 2025, Nadeem embarked on a personal endeavor to establish a design collaborative that aligns with the design principles that have guided his career over the past 19 years. His vision is to assist retail brands define their identities through thoughtful architecture with meticulous residential-level detailing.
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Michael Etzel is a thoughtful architect whose work reflects decades of exploration, collaboration, and innovation. Over the past 30 years, his design journey has been shaped by formative experiences, from the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest to the cultural intensity of New York City.
He began his career in the office of Bill Fletcher, immersed in a vision of Northwest modernism rooted in the rugged terrain and clarity of light unique to eastern Oregon. That early grounding carried forward as Michael spent two decades designing cultural and hospitality spaces around the world from a New York base, including time with the visionary studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro, first architectural firm to receive the MacArthur “Genius” Grant.
Along the way, Michael served as Creative Director at the Rockwell Group and helped define the early design identity of Equinox Fitness Clubs as their founding Design Director.
Michael has also played a meaningful role in our own story. First as a graduate school classmate of Howard Chu, then as an early and trusted advisor and mentor, he helped shape the early vision of ATELIER X DESIGN, encouraging us to embrace the idea of a Constellation Team - one that values collaboration, shared authorship, and a deep commitment to craft.
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Born and raised in Singapore, renowned as the Garden City. Shao’s formative years were shaped by the experience of inhabiting mass housing in the modern typology of sameness. This ignited her curiosity on the importance of how indoor spaces, intertwined with natural outdoor spaces can shape mood, behavior, and overall well-being, leading her to pursue architecture at the National University of Singapore. With a Master’s Degree in Architecture, she relocated to Los Angeles where she expanded her architectural perspective by working within a contrasting urban landscape, one defined by its horizontal sprawl, cultural layering, and unique relationship with scale and space in the Pacific climate.
Shao is passionate about creating spaces that are intentional, elegant, and timeless. At Offenhauser Mekeel Architects, she was part of a multidisciplinary team engaged in the design of high end residential and cultural institutions. Her tenure at the firm refined her ability to navigate the complexities of programmatic requirements, technical constraints, and client aspirations, most notably in projects for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Her time at Yu2e expanded her engagement with diverse project typologies, including hospitality, small-scale mixed-use developments, and residential architecture. There, she honed a nuanced understanding of housing typologies, from accessory dwelling units to large multi-family dwellings, approaching each project as an exploration in materiality, light and space.
In her independent practice, Shao is recognized for fostering a deeply collaborative process with her clients. Her design approach is rooted in empathy and dialogue, allowing her to craft architectural responses that are tailored, contextually aware, and emotionally resonant. Each project becomes a narrative, bridging the client’s lived experience with spatial solutions that are both pragmatic and poetic.
Now based back in Singapore with her family, Shao applies the same design ethos and process to residential projects. Architecture is not just about buildings, it’s about shaping the environments in which lives unfold.
Retail . 2023 - 2025
“You’re the gold standard for us. You’ve introduced us to great people, resources, and builders. All of them have been excellent.”
- Aesop
“This design is like no other dental office I have ever seen.”
- Michaelangelo
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you these last six months. I truly feel ATELIER X has set the baseline for the collaborators we want to partner with.” - Aesop
“We love working with good designers who also work with good people. You make our job easier, and the client gets better results.”
- General Contractor
“In my mind, your window idea alone justified your fees; you helped us see our building in a new light and saved us a lot of money.”
- Commercial Client
“You’re worth higher fees. The value you bring far exceeds what we pay. I wish you had an office here so you could do all our projects.”
- Family Office Client
“We’ve never had a designer or architect provide a trenching plan, even on bigger jobs. We really appreciate that.”
- General Contractor
”We are comfortable approving Atelier X to work in the building. Your referrals were very complimentary of you and your team. Looking forward to working with you.”
- Hines
Retail . 2023 - 2025
“You’re the gold standard for us. You’ve introduced us to great people, resources, and builders. All of them have been excellent.”
- Aesop
“This design is like no other dental office I have ever seen.”
- Michaelangelo Cosmetics
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you these last six months. I truly feel ATELIER X has set the baseline for the collaborators we want to partner with.”
- Aesop
“In my mind, your window idea alone justified your fees; you helped us see our building in a new light and saved us a lot of money.”
- Family Office Client
“You’re worth higher fees. The value you bring far exceeds what we pay. I wish you had an office here so you could do all our projects.”
- Family Office Client
“We’ve never had a designer or architect provide a trenching plan, even on bigger jobs. We really appreciate that.”
- MODAA Inc, General Contractor
”We are comfortable approving Atelier X to work in the building. Your referrals were very complimentary of you and your team. Looking forward to working with you.”
- Hines
Residential . 2025
“Your drawing set was the best we have ever seen”
- Sebastian Construction Group, Builder
“Thank you for sharing your professional connections, expertise and allowing me to have a seamless experience.”
- Sweet ADU Client
“We love working with good architects. They work with good people. You guys make our job easier to do, and the client gets better results.” - Archwood Builder
“Coming into this meeting, I wasn’t expecting much. You guys have exceeded my expectation. I just can’t imagine the design turning out like this. Which design option do you like the best?”
- Magnolia House Client
”Lukas treats the project as if he’s spending his own money. I am thankful for you both.”
- Sweet ADU Client
”Yes and with you at the helm - I feel empowered to - I feel so happy I have met you and your team! Thank you! ”
- La Quinta House Client
Residential . 2025
“Your drawing set was the best we have ever seen” - Sebastian Construction Group, Builder
“Thank you for sharing your professional connections, expertise and allowing me to have a seamless experience.”
- Client
“We love working with good architects. They work with good people. You guys make our job easier to do, and the client gets better results.”
- Archwood Builder
“Coming into this meeting, I wasn’t expecting much. You guys have exceeded my expectation. I just can’t imagine the design turning out like this. Which design option do you like the best?”
- Magnolia House Client
”Lukas treats the project as if he’s spending his own money. I am thankful for you both.”
- Sweet ADU Client
”Yes and with you at the helm - I feel empowered to - I feel so happy I have met you and your team! Thank you! ” - La Quinta House Client
Residential . 2023 - 2024
“I always enjoy our journey down the collaborative creative path and watching the design come to life. There’s so much love of the craft. It turns to magic!”
- PA Stone House Client
“Thanks for sharing! I’m so excited. I feel like you’re building modern art, and we’ll get to live in these conceptual sculptural moments.”
- Pebble Beach Client
“Thank you and Lukas for everything! You’ve been a blessing. You’re amazing. It truly looks fabulous.”
- Sweet ADU Client
“A renowned architect visited our job site and asked if we did the window drawings. I told him no, the designers did. He said these are the best drawings he’s ever seen.”
- General Contractor
Residential . 2023 - 2024
“I always enjoy our journey down the collaborative creative path and watching the design come to life. There’s so much love of the craft. It turns to magic!” - PA Stone House Client
“Thanks for sharing! I’m so excited. I feel like you’re building modern art, and we’ll get to live in these conceptual sculptural moments.”
- Pebble Beach Client
“Thank you and Lukas for everything! You’ve been a blessing. You’re amazing. It truly looks fabulous.”
- Sweet ADU Client
“A renowned architect visited our job site and asked if we did the window drawings. I told him no, the designers did. He said these are the best drawings he’s ever seen.”
- General Contractor
