Office of Lou Arencibia is a landscape architecture and urban design studio dedicated to crafting meaningful spaces that reflect the unique spirit and story of each site. Our projects are made with honesty and clarity to serve the people, nature, and functions that inhabit them. As a team with diverse backgrounds and curiosities, we share an openness to different ways of living and perspectives of space. We believe that meaningful design unfolds from strong relationships. Together, we seek to uplift people and places through the creative process.
Lou Arencibia founded OLA in 2018 in New York City. Since then, the office has grown to include a Miami studio that supports our work in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Our portfolio spans all scales, from masterplans to waterfronts, parks, streetscapes, plazas, rooftops, and private gardens. Through our collaborations, we shape the experiences of public spaces, cultural destinations, hotels, residences, workplaces, and educational facilities.
Lou Arencibia LLC is certified by the National Minority Supplier Development Council as well as the New York City Department of Small Business Services as a M/WBE firm.
OLA IS A M/WBE DESIGN STUDIO
PEOPLE
Lou Arencibia, PLA
Founding Principal
Lou, the Founding Principal at OLA, stands at the intersection of architecture and landscape design. With over 20 years in both the professional realm and academia, he champions a holistic approach to design, focusing on a balance between big-picture thinking and attention to detail to enhance the dialogue around our built environment. Lou's background is punctuated by his tenure at globally recognized firms such as Bjarke Ingels Group, Office for Metropolitan Architecture, Land Collective, Raymond Jungles, Inc., and Rene Gonzalez Architect, setting a solid foundation for OLA's approach to creating impactful and sustainable design solutions.
Kate Rogers, PLA
Landscape Architect
Kate is a landscape architect and urban designer with a background in architecture. As an Associate Landscape Architect at OLA, she specializes in techinical detailing, materials research, and fabrication. Her project experience covers a range of scales and typologies, from transit hub masterplans and waterfront parks to intimate residential gardens and school campuses.
Lauren McPhillips
Director of Marketing
Lauren is a marketing and business development leader with an interdisciplinary background, spanning architecture, photography, and design communication. With over a decade of experience, her career blends design, storytelling, and education to drive strategic growth and cultivate meaningful connections between people, spaces, and ideas.
Anna Saminathan
Landscape Architect
Anna's expertise in landscape architecture focuses on leading the studio's technical construction documentation. Her attention to detail and proficiency in translating design concepts into precise construction plans play a key role in ensuring successful project implementation.
Shabi Khan
Designer
Shabi Khan is a designer at OLA, contributing creativity and thoughtful design solutions to the studio's projects. Shabi's skills and collaborative approach enhance the development and execution of OLA's innovative landscapes
PROCESS
Our work begins with a clear focus on our clients’ goals, ensuring their vision drives every step of the process. Collaboration, careful planning, and precise execution are central to delivering designs that feel timeless, imaginative, and deeply connected to their surroundings.
We draw heavily on local materials, traditions, and native plant communities to create landscapes that feel authentic and grounded. By embracing nature’s inherent unpredictability, we craft spaces that balance structure and spontaneity, offering a sense of order within natural beauty. These elements come together to create cohesive environments where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors dissolve, seamlessly integrating architecture, garden, and landscape.
