AAHA Studio’s family-first business model

The first thing that stands out about married couple Harper Halprin and Aaron Leshtz, founders of AAHA Studio is their warmth and approachability. Mom and dad in real life, and mom and dad of their firm – this is leadership you trust and want to follow.

Like any successful partnership, their success can be traced back to their complementary strengths: Harper focuses on client relations, business operations, and project management, while Aaron specializes in technical aspects, construction details, and graphics.

What sets AAHA Studio apart is not just their design expertise but their family-first business approach. Their ability to not just balance family life with professional demands, but incorporate it, has created a work culture that emphasizes long-term relationships with their employees, clients and industry partners.

Their four children, who are growing up immersed in the world of design, have already shown an interest in architecture, (their middle child is building his own AAHA structures out of LEGOs now). This family-first mindset informs their internal business dynamics and extends to their approach with clients, fostering partnerships that stand the test of time.

How to scale a design firm with control

When it comes to scaling a firm, the hiring process can be daunting. AAHA did something rather unconventional to help maintain their budding firm’s quality; a level of control that can be lost when you grow too quickly.

They started their business by ‘sharing’ an employee with other women-owned architecture firms before adopting the employee full-time in 2017. Now, they run a team of eight, including themselves — right in the sweet spot.

Design with space to play

AAHA Studio’s portfolio is a testament to their diverse design capabilities and their drive to continue evolving. From post-Woolsey Malibu Fire residential reconstruction to their current focus on rebuilding after the devastating Los Angeles fires, their firm demonstrates an impressive range in projects of all sizes and scope. Their work spans from national retail rollouts for companies like Therabody and Love Shack Fancy to community-driven residential rebuilding efforts, showcasing their ability to adapt to the unique needs of each project.

As they’ve seen firsthand, the effects of disaster ripple through communities in profound ways: “So many are hurting, so many lives, and livelihoods, lost. At the end of the day, the only way forward is through and, as architects, we are uniquely positioned to be on the front lines. The road to recovery is going to be challenging, but the architecture community is ready to help lead the charge.” For more information on their fire relief efforts, visit here.

They are particularly excited about projects that allow for more creative freedom. For them, that likely means expanding outside the city where the red tape of zoning restrictions can feel creatively stifling.

Leshtz’s advice to clients looking to hire a designer is to ‘hire them for their capabilities, not because you want something they already created.’ The reality is that designers like AAHA are never going to create the same thing twice. It is a sure-fire way to set oneself up for disappointment, he says. They need space to play, push their own creative boundaries and give their client’s something better than they could have imagined.

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Leveraging vendor relationships for quality and durability

AAHA Studio’s approach to sourcing materials and products underscores their commitment to aesthetic quality and long-lasting durability. The firm loves to work with contemporary local manufacturers, like Stahl + Band and Croft LA which Halperin admires for their meticulous attention to detail.

AAHA’s furnishings choices generally blend high-end, international pieces from brands like B&B Italia with custom pieces and family heirlooms, while always keeping durability and the needs of growing families in mind in their residential work. This mix of styles and time periods creates a design language that combines the individuality and needs of their clients with refined architectural lines and relaxed Southern Californian style — a look that is distinctly AAHA.

Client-centered, tailored design

The core of AAHA Studio’s philosophy lies in understanding their clients’ deeper needs rather than following fleeting design trend they see on Instagram or Pinterest. This thorough, personalized approach ensures that each project is truly customized to fit the client’s unique lifestyle and vision.

Their concierge-style service has helped the studio build a reputation for thoughtful, innovative designs that reflect how people actually live, work and play in Southern California and beyond. AAHA Studio’s ability to translate individual needs into design solutions sets them apart as a firm that values long-term satisfaction over short-term trends. | To see more of their work, visit AAHA Studio online.

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