Leah Alissa Bayer
President / Architect / Director of Powerful Practice (she/her)
Leah Alissa Bayer, AIA, NOMA, LEED GA, NCARB, is an award-winning Architect licensed in California, Hawaii, and Washington with an endless curiosity, forward-focus, and passion for improving quality of life. Her big-picture visioning and integrated approach to architecture stems from her multi-discipline background. She graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), a Minor in Fine Arts, and four years of Structural Engineering (B.S.) from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Leah’s background is in creative business design and management focused on transparency. She founded EVIA Studio, a highly collaborative, women-led, and virtual architecture practice that merged with OJK in 2021 and subsequently became Architects FORA. Prior to EVIA, Leah led resource management at Perkins + Will in San Francisco and grew multiple small businesses to success in various industries.
Passionate about volunteering, Leah is AIA Silicon Valley’s President and Chair of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Experience Committee, and a Director of AIA California’s Board.
Leah and her husband Tim (engineering physicist) live in Bellingham, WA, both major lovers of the Pacific Northwest. She’s a life-long gamer (FPS’s FTW), owner of the world-famous dog Everest aka Shmoo, and enjoys reading, painting, traveling, gardening, coffee, cats, and adventuring.
"Integrity is the essence of everything successful."
- Buckminster Fuller
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Architectural Business Plan Competition Winner
AIA Silicon Valley President's Award
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"A Tech-enabled Hybrid Era for A&D" - ThinkLab Clubhouse Panel, Nov 2021
“When Small Firms Merge” - EntreArchitect Podcast, Nov 2021
“From Ladder to Lattice: Women Leaders” - AIA San Diego Panel Interview, Oct 2021
“Managing a Virtual Practice” - Practice Disrupted Podcast Episode 54, Sept 2021
“How to Transition Firm Ownership” - Monograph Fireside Chat, April 2021
“New Ideas for a New Architecture Firm” - EntreArchitect Podcast, Aug 202
“Monday Morning Coffee with Leah Alissa Bayer” - Inside The Firm Podcast, July 2020
“Maintaining Business Continuity with a Remote Workforce” - Architect Magazine feature, March 2020
“Celebrating Women In Architecture” - NCARB feature, March 2020
“Driving Innovation with Unapologetic Authenticity” Young Architect Conference Keynote Speaker, Aug 2019
“Embracing Your Weird with Leah Alissa Bayer” - Young Architect Podcast, 2018
“Architect Spotlight: Leah Alissa Bayer” - NCARB, Dec 2017
“Why Women Architects Are Hitting An Artfully Designed Glass Ceiling” - Forbes, 2016
“The Hawaii Project - it started it all!”
“Auzerais - the catalyst for the merging of our (EVIA + OJK) teams.”
“Monterey RFP - first effort (+WIN!) with my new partners.”