About the Firm
Building architecture
that earns its place.
Our Story
Fifteen years of
craft in Santa Monica
Studio 1323 was founded in 2010 with a simple premise: that great architecture requires deep attention to the specific — the specific site, the specific client, the specific program. Not an imposed aesthetic, but a rigorous search for the right answer.
Over fifteen years, that commitment has produced a body of work across Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and the greater Westside — from intimate hillside homes to 24-unit mixed-use developments to boutique hotels on the coast.
Today, Studio 1323 remains a tightly focused, partner-led practice. Every project benefits from the principals' direct involvement, from the first concept sketch through final construction observation.
What We Believe
Precision
We obsess over the details — proportion, materiality, light — because great architecture depends on getting the small things exactly right.
Authenticity
We don't impose a signature style. Every project should feel inevitable — the perfect solution for that site, client, and program.
Transparency
Our clients understand every decision we make. We believe better-informed clients lead to better architecture.
Craft
We are hands-on through construction, because the design is only as good as its execution.
The Team
Marcus Rivera
Principal Architect
Marcus founded Studio 1323 after a decade at SOM and a boutique residential practice in Venice. He holds an M.Arch from UCLA and is licensed in California.
Leila Nakamura
Design Director
Leila leads design development on all Studio 1323 projects. Before joining the firm, she practiced in Tokyo and San Francisco, bringing a rigorous international perspective.
Diego Patel
Project Manager
Diego ensures every Studio 1323 project is delivered on time and on budget. With 12 years of construction administration experience, nothing gets past him.
Ready to work together?
Initial consultations are complimentary. Santa Monica & Los Angeles.