Travel has a way of sharpening our attention to the places around us. Away from our daily routines, we notice buildings differently… a detail we might otherwise pass by, a familiar architectural tradition expressed in an unexpected way, or a new approach to preservation, adaptation, and contemporary design. For us, these encounters are part of an ongoing architectural education. They broaden the references we bring to our work, spark conversations within the studio, and give us new ways to think about the places we design and the people who inhabit them.

This summer, our team traveled near and far, taking in architecture across the country — from historic landmarks and unexpected residential gems to new museums and adaptive reuse projects. Here are a few of the buildings that caught our eye, prompted us to look a little closer, and stayed with us after we returned home.

LACMA & Beyond, Los Angeles, CA | Kelly, Mengying, & Kyra

Three members of our team visited the new David Geffen Galleries at LACMA, each with a different perspective on Peter Zumthor’s design.

“This summer, I took my family to LACMA to see the new building designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. His design breaks from the traditional idea of the white-box museum, instead using tactile materials such as concrete and glass to create a more connected experience between the art, the architecture, and the city.”Kelly was also drawn to Zumthor’s collaboration with Japanese textile designer Reiko Sudo, whose translucent chrome textile curtains filter sunlight while maintaining views of the city. “I especially enjoyed the way the collection was organized geographically rather than chronologically. This created unexpected visual and thematic connections between works from different centuries, making the experience of moving through the museum feel more exploratory and open-ended.”

For Mengying, it was the materiality that stood out: “The fluid concrete and expansive glass make the space feel surprisingly light and welcoming.” The experience also resonated with her as she begins work on a TBA project in which concrete plays a defining architectural role.

Kyra, meanwhile, enjoyed exploring the galleries and the architecture of LA more broadly, including Jagyeong Hall, Gyeongbok Palace by Do Ho Suh, “a full-scale chunk of building rendered in sheer fabric.” Her summer explorations also included the La Brea Tar Pits and views of downtown from the rooftop of the courthouse where she served jury duty.

Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL | David

“The Chicago Cultural Center is one of those buildings that reminds you just how ambitious Chicago has always been about architecture,” says David. Completed in 1897 as the city’s first central public library, the building is beautiful throughout, but the Tiffany glass dome in the central space is the real standout. “Spanning nearly 40 feet and made up of some 30,000 pieces of glass, it fills the room with this incredible filtered light and extraordinary detail… It is both monumental and surprisingly delicate.” For David, the building is a wonderful example of the craftsmanship and civic pride that helped shape Chicago’s architectural identity.

Hollyhock House, Los Angeles, CA | Jaz

“This summer I visited the Hollyhock House by Frank Lloyd Wright. This home is a great example of how Mayan/Brutalist architecture can be seamlessly integrated with nature.” Jaz was drawn not only to the house, but also to its views, landscaping, and the detailed model of the site and home.

Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. | Stephanie

“During a summer visit to Washington, D.C., I visited the Library of Congress and was struck by the incredible level of detail throughout the building.” The Thomas Jefferson Building opened in 1897 after nearly a decade of construction and was considered an architectural and cultural achievement for the nation. Its Main Reading Room, inspired by the British Museum Library, was designed as a grand celebration of knowledge, with marble, sculpture, painting, ornament, and a soaring dome. More than a century later, the Reading Room remains an extraordinary example of how architecture can make the act of learning feel monumental.

Pajaro Dunes, Watsonville, CA | Perry

“For a reunion, my family had the opportunity to stay at Pajaro Dunes, just outside of Watsonville, California. The development — a gated community with around 550 structures made up of single-family, townhomes, and condominiums — is along the coastline surrounded by miles of farmland.” Perry’s photographs capture the homes within walking distance of his stay. “I felt the architecture to be California noteworthy and love the Brutalist style in the mix. Many of these homes are inspirational to me.”

Architecture & Art in New York, New York | Neo

Neo’s time in New York City brought encounters with three very different approaches to architecture and design. On Marcel Breuer (The Breuer): “The fun play of weight that seems to gently float above the busy street. How it expands outward the higher it climbs without toppling over; and [I love] the playful window shapes and orientations.” On Santiago Calatrava (The Oculus): “The rhythm created by the structure and the light going through it — combined with the spacious volume — created a moving moment that made me stop to marvel in it.” And on Donald Judd’s former residence: “It was great to see how he converted this commercial space into a residence to experiment with art, furniture design, and interior architecture.”

Sites Around Kauai, HI | Sara

On Sara’s July trip to Kauai, visiting the 1930s Gaylord’s at Kilohana Plantation offered a fascinating window into the island’s early tourism and sugar-era history. The sprawling mansion, more than 15,000 square feet, retains incredible character in its vaulted bar, fireplace, and creaky wood floors. Nearby in Hanapepe, the 1936 Aloha Theater offered a different glimpse into the plantation era, serving as a gathering place for immigrant sugar and pineapple workers who came to watch Filipino and Japanese films. The theater survived several floods between 1948 and 1947. Today, it is undergoing an adaptive reuse renovation.

Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA | Tim

After decades living in California, Tim finally made it to the Winchester Mystery House, notorious for endless building over 38 years (1884-1922) without official blueprints. The heir to the Winchester Rifle fortune believed that spirits killed by Winchester rifles were seeking revenge and would haunt her unless she built a house “night and day” to appease them. “It’s true that there is a stair to nowhere, and there are many, many unexplainable rooms, but surprisingly, the mansion is filled with light, from the most unexpected places,” he notes.

Travel gives us the opportunity to see architecture outside the context of our everyday work — to notice different materials, approaches, and ways of making places for people. We return from summer with new ideas, new references, and plenty to keep talking about around the office.