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
Average Team Experience: 25+ Years
Custom Design
Project Management
Client Project Management
Architect of Record Services
Art Installation Collaborations
Architectural Coaching
Our Values
Generosity
Preparedness
Ownership
Curiosity
Tenacity
Los Angeles . New York . Singapore
With our superior 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 superior 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.
Founding Collaborator
howard@atelierx.design
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.
During his career spanning three decades so far, Howard has made meaningful contributions including Amangiri Resort, Amangiri Residences, UNESCO Cultural Center in Yunnan, China, numerous award-winning residences across the globe, homes for ANR Signature Collection, DIA Beacon Museum, West End Synagogue, Rossoblu Restaurant, and public buildings for Pratt Institute, Williams College, Mercersberg Academy, and New York City.
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.
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.
Founding Collaborator
howard@atelierx.design
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.
During his career spanning three decades so far, Howard has made meaningful contributions including Amangiri Resort, Amangiri Residences, UNESCO Cultural Center in Yunnan, China, numerous award-winning residences across the globe, homes for ANR Signature Collection, DIA Beacon Museum, West End Synagogue, Rossoblu Restaurant, and public buildings for Pratt Institute, Williams College, Mercersberg Academy, and New York City.
In 2023, Howard founded ATELIER X DESIGN with Lukas Peter to transform the design experience - guided by the principles of “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 enduring 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.
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.
Founding Collaborator
lukas@atelierx.design
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.
Founding Collaborator
lukas@atelierx.design
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.
Lara Hoad
Collaborator
lara@atelierx.design
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.
Collaborator
lara@atelierx.design
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.
Collaborator
nadeem@atelierx.design
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.
Nadeem Malik
Collaborator
nadeem@atelierx.design
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.
Luke Kielion
Collaborator
luke@atelierx.design
Lucas is an experienced Director of Architecture with a rich background spanning design, interior architecture, construction, development, and the arts. With a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he brings over a decade of hands-on leadership and creative vision to every project.
Lucas joined Marmol Radziner in 2012, where he contributed to the design and management of a wide range of commercial, retail, residential, and multifamily projects. His portfolio from this time includes notable collaborations with brands such as Vince, Oliver Peoples, Starbucks, Saks Fifth Avenue, Twin Peaks, The Oven, The Oven Cellar, Toast, Leadbelly, Las Margaritas, and Art & Soul. His strength lies in the balance between design sensitivity and technical expertise, bolstered by a background in construction, welding, and fabrication. This unique blend of skills allows him to communicate clearly and confidently with clients, consultants, and contractors.
Following his tenure at Marmol Radziner, Lucas served as Director of Architecture at Kelly Wearstler, where he led a 20-person architectural team across more than 20 active projects. His leadership extended to major hospitality and commercial endeavors including Proper Hotels in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as front-of-house design at Proper Austin and Santa Monica. Additional notable work includes King Animal Hospitals in King City, Canada, the Ulla Johnson flagship store in Los Angeles, and several high-profile residential projects in Ontario and King City.
Lucas is proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, project coordination, and contract management, and is known for his collaborative, grounded approach to design leadership. His ability to carry a project from concept to completion while ensuring design integrity, technical precision, and seamless execution has earned him respect across multiple sectors and disciplines.
Collaborator
luke@atelierx.design
Lucas is an experienced Director of Architecture with a rich background spanning design, interior architecture, construction, development, and the arts. With a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he brings over a decade of hands-on leadership and creative vision to every project.
Lucas joined Marmol Radziner in 2012, where he contributed to the design and management of a wide range of commercial, retail, residential, and multifamily projects. His portfolio from this time includes notable collaborations with brands such as Vince, Oliver Peoples, Starbucks, Saks Fifth Avenue, Twin Peaks, The Oven, The Oven Cellar, Toast, Leadbelly, Las Margaritas, and Art & Soul. His strength lies in the balance between design sensitivity and technical expertise, bolstered by a background in construction, welding, and fabrication. This unique blend of skills allows him to communicate clearly and confidently with clients, consultants, and contractors.
Following his tenure at Marmol Radziner, Lucas served as Director of Architecture at Kelly Wearstler, where he led a 20-person architectural team across more than 20 active projects. His leadership extended to major hospitality and commercial endeavors including Proper Hotels in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as front-of-house design at Proper Austin and Santa Monica. Additional notable work includes King Animal Hospitals in King City, Canada, the Ulla Johnson flagship store in Los Angeles, and several high-profile residential projects in Ontario and King City.
Lucas is proficient in AutoCAD, Revit, project coordination, and contract management, and is known for his collaborative, grounded approach to design leadership. His ability to carry a project from concept to completion while ensuring design integrity, technical precision, and seamless execution has earned him respect across multiple sectors and disciplines.
Michael Etzel
Consulting Collaborator
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.
Consulting Collaborator
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.
Consulting Collaborator
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.
Shao Chan
Consulting Collaborator
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.