Conversations with Alexandros Lewis

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandros Lewis.

Hi Alexandros, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Crete, Greece, where I developed an appreciation for design and architecture and, more importantly, for the way people interact with the spaces around them. I’ve always been drawn to the sense of discovery that architecture offers—the process of starting with an idea and gradually turning it into something tangible that becomes part of people’s everyday lives. I find it fascinating that something that begins as an abstract thought can eventually shape how people live, experience, and connect with the world around them.

That curiosity led me to pursue my undergraduate degree in Architecture at Portland State University, before continuing my education at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in Los Angeles, where I completed my Master’s degree. My time at SCI-Arc pushed me to think more critically about architecture, explore new ideas, and develop my own perspective on the discipline. Being surrounded by a community of ambitious designers and thinkers helped me grow both creatively and technically, and gave me the confidence to pursue my own path as an architect.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, and I think that’s part of what makes the process worthwhile. Architecture is a discipline that requires you to constantly question your ideas, challenge yourself, and learn how to navigate the gap between what you envision and what is realistically possible.

One of the biggest transitions for me has been moving from an academic environment, where you have a lot of freedom to explore ideas and push boundaries, into professional practice, where those ideas have to respond to real people, budgets, construction methods, and practical constraints. You begin to understand that having a strong design concept is only one part of the process. You also have to figure out how to communicate it, develop it, and ultimately bring it to life.

I see that transition as an ongoing learning experience rather than an obstacle to overcome. It has taught me to be more adaptable and to appreciate the relationship between creativity and execution. I’m still developing my own voice as an designer, and I think being open to learning, questioning yourself, and embracing the process is essential to growing in this profession.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently work at YLA, where we specialize in custom residential architecture. What I enjoy most about this type of work is that every project starts with a different person, a different set of needs, and a different idea of what home means to them. Rather than approaching design with a predetermined solution, we have the opportunity to develop spaces that respond to each client’s lifestyle, priorities, and vision.

I’m particularly interested in the relationship between aesthetics and the experience of inhabiting a space. For me, architecture isn’t just about how a building looks; it’s also about how light enters a room, how materials feel and age, how spaces connect to one another, and how the design influences the everyday experiences of the people living there. I’m drawn to the challenge of finding simple, thoughtful solutions that bring these elements together while remaining mindful of practical considerations.

Working in residential architecture has also given me a greater appreciation for the collaborative nature of the profession. A project moves through many stages, from the initial concept to detailed design and construction, and requires close communication between the architect, client, and builder. I enjoy seeing how an idea evolves throughout that process and how different perspectives ultimately contribute to the final result.

What I’m most proud of at this stage of my career is the opportunity to take part in that process—to contribute to projects that will become a meaningful part of people’s lives while continuing to develop my own design sensibility. Coming from an academic background that encouraged experimentation and critical thinking, I want to carry that curiosity into professional practice while learning how to translate ambitious ideas into thoughtful, buildable architecture.

I think what matters most to me is maintaining that balance between imagination and reality. I’m interested in design that feels intentional rather than excessive, where the quality of a space comes from the thought behind its proportions, materials, light, and relationship to the people who use it. Ultimately, I want to contribute to architecture that is both visually compelling and genuinely meaningful to live in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandroslewis/