Martin Leitner

Martin has been a city enthusiast his entire life. He grew up in Berlin and Sydney, but it wasn’t until the 1990s when he was studying economics in London that he became aware of how urban design shapes our lives. “While walking through London’s financial district, I was struck by the deserted streets and the absence of people.” He began to see how a city’s design could transform not only people’s physical environment but also their interactions. He decided then to dedicate his career to exploring urban solutions that put people first.

Martin taps into that international experience in leading our Los Angeles studio’s urban design practice. His core belief is that successful cities focus on their inhabitants’ quality of life. “I see architecture through the lens of making places for people.”