With Modernism Week in Palm Springs underway, we’re honored to sit down with Max Strang, FAIA, of STRANG Design, known for his groundbreaking work in Environmental Modernism. Ahead of his presentation about Gene Leedy’s architectural legacy at this year’s Modernism Week and fresh off the grand opening of ANDROS Home, a new showroom from STRANG, Strang shares his thoughts on the role of architecture in the face of climate change and urban growth.
Strang’s design philosophy is heavily influenced by his personal connection to Gene Leedy and the Sarasota School of Architecture, a legacy that continues to resonate throughout his firm’s work. From his formative years living in a Gene Leedy-designed home to his current role in preserving and celebrating Leedy’s impact, Max has continually integrated the Sarasota School’s principles—especially its focus on site-specificity and structural expression—into his practice.
Over the past two decades, Max’s Miami-based firm, STRANG, has garnered accolades such as Firm of the Year by AIA Miami, and multiple awards from AIA Florida and AIA Gulf Coast, reinforcing its position at the forefront of sustainable modernism. STRANG’s portfolio spans the globe, from the Florida Keys to the UAE, but its commitment to Florida’s subtropical environment remains a core part of its identity. Today, as the firm navigates new horizons, Max reflects on how his work pushes the boundaries of modern design while staying grounded and connected to the places it shapes.
In this interview, Max discusses how Gene Leedy’s legacy, the principles of Environmental Modernism, and his ongoing collaborations with thought leaders shape both his designs and his approach to the architectural challenges of tomorrow.
DNN: Max, STRANG has become synonymous with environmental modernism. Can you elaborate on how the principles of environmental modernism inform both your aesthetic choices and your sustainable design practices?
MS: Our designs are site-driven and climate-driven. As such, the architectural responses to address these issues typically result in a striking aesthetic for a project. For example, these could manifest in broad overhangs and other sun-shading elements… that combine with local materials to create a building authentically tied to its place.
The lasting impact of Gene Leedy’s architectural legacy
DNN: Having grown up in a Gene Leedy-designed home, you’ve had a personal connection to the Sarasota School of Architecture. In what ways does Leedy’s legacy continue to shape your design philosophy today, particularly in Florida’s subtropical environment?
MS: Many lessons I learned from my early exposure to the Sarasota School undoubtedly flow through the work of my firm. South Florida’s subtropical environment enables a year-round outdoor lifestyle. It is a great opportunity for architects to design generous outdoor spaces such as courtyards and breezeways and balconies that only enhance the indoor/outdoor connectivity.
DNN: Your presentation at Modernism Week will delve into the Sarasota School and Gene Leedy’s enduring influence. What aspects of Leedy’s approach still resonate strongly within contemporary architecture? And how do you integrate Leedy’s focus on site-specificity and structural expression into your own projects, and how do you see them evolving in today’s architectural landscape?
MS: Structural expression and blurring that division between interior and exterior. Leedy had a deep understanding of how to maximize the enjoyment of a particular site’s views and landscape. At other times, when a site did not possess remarkable attributes, he would create internal courtyards to organize the design.
DNN: Through your work with Double T Arts, you’ve been pivotal in preserving and celebrating Leedy’s legacy. How does his body of work continue to inspire new generations of architects, and why is it crucial to continue highlighting this influence?
MS: It is important for new generations of designers to understand the ongoing evolution of the modernist movement and how their work fits into that continuum. Double T helps this goal through its public tours, enabling scholarly research, lectures, and other unique activations of The Gene Leedy House and The Gene Leedy Office.
DNN: Your upcoming appearance at Open House Miami will highlight the relationship between architecture, landscape, and sustainability. How do you see Miami’s evolving architectural identity, especially as it navigates challenges like climate change and urban growth?
MS: Miami is at the nexus of unprecedented growth and unprecedented peril. The unfortunate challenge of sea level rise is already forcing the city to confront very complex urban planning and building design problems. All of this is occurring at a time when the attractiveness of the city is drawing in many new residents and international attention.
We know how to raise individual buildings and roads, but raising entire neighborhoods will take considerable effort, time, money and patience. People will never stop wanting to live next to the water…however increasing insurance costs, taxes and the like will force many to migrate inland.
DNN: Collaborating with thought leaders like Professor Joanna Lombard and Brian Sidoti for the Kampong event provides a unique platform to discuss Miami’s architectural history. How do such partnerships inform your understanding of architecture’s cultural significance in the region?
MS: The Kampong event represents a multifaceted discussion that unites professional, academic and cultural spheres. Events such as these allow for broader themes and a more engaged audience.
Max Strang’s architectural legacy
DNN: Sustainability is a cornerstone of your work. How do you foresee the architectural community’s role in combating climate change, particularly in areas like Florida, which face unique environmental pressures?
MS: The American Institute of Architects has created Sea Level Rise task forces through its network of local chapters that serve to educate municipalities and the broader public. It is also important for individual architects to remain involved on planning advisory boards, zoning boards and other entities.
DNN: With STRANG’s work spanning diverse locales—from the Florida Keys to the UAE—how do you adapt your design sensibilities to such varied cultural and environmental contexts, and what does “contextual design” mean to you in these settings?
MS: To achieve authenticity in architecture… It’s imperative to engage the local context. This could be through landscape, materials, structural design strategies or other cultural influences
DNN: Your firm has garnered significant recognition, including AIA Miami Architect of the Year. What sets STRANG apart in a competitive field, and how does the firm’s vision continue to drive its success?
MS: I believe our success is fueled by the diversity of our designs and our 25 years of coastal expertise. STRANG does not have a “rinse and repeat” mindset. We approach each project with an optimism to create something unique and meaningful. I believe we also have a reputation for being highly collaborative with our clients.
DNN: Looking toward 2025 and beyond, what are the most exciting developments on the horizon for STRANG, both in terms of design innovation and the firm’s growth trajectory? Are there any emerging architectural trends you’re particularly eager to explore?
MS: Currently our firm is comprised of about 45 people and we will soon be moving into a new office space in Coconut Grove that we’ve designed for ourselves. So, we are definitely eager to move into our new space later this year.
Project-wise we have a handful of exciting projects wrapping up this year and a handful of new ones on which we are just getting underway. I try to eschew trends… but we are always exploring ways to achieve authenticity and timelessness in our work.
DNN: After more than two decades at the helm of STRANG, how do you reflect on your evolution as an architect? What personal milestones or shifts in your perspective have been most significant throughout your career?
MS: It’s been very rewarding to see the firm grow and evolve over the years. I am so fortunate to work alongside such a talented team of partners, associates, designers and all sorts of creatives and professionals. I think we are just hitting our stride!
