Welcome to Douglas Leach Architecture.

For over 25 years, Douglas Leach Architecture has provided superior custom design for high-end residences throughout the South Bay and Los Angeles areas, creating homes that have been featured in publications such as Dream Homes Los Angeles, Southbay Magazine, Traditional Home, Country Living, Builder/Architect, and more.

A South Bay native, Doug graduated from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in 1980, and obtained his Architecture license in 1985. A short time later, his passion for architectural design led him to open his practice, allowing him to design beautiful custom homes that have been exceeding his clients' dreams ever since. The volume of work designed through the years represents a total of over 300 million dollars of new construction.

Having an intimate boutique office allows Doug to be the sole designer on each project, giving his clients personal attention and care throughout each stage of the process. Doug relies on only a select group of trusted builders and visits his clients� sites frequently throughout the construction process to ensure that each design is successfully carried out. What sets Doug apart as an architect is not only his knowledge and understanding of various architectural styles, but his ability to stay true to

each style while taking into consideration and incorporating each of his clients� personal tastes, thus creating thoughtful plans that resonate with their landscape.

Blessed to live and work in some of Southern California's most coveted oceanfront communities, Doug understands the importance of efficient planning, as property is extremely valuable in the region, particularly those with views of water. As such, he has become a master of site analysis, taking advantage of all available square footage and working with clients to determine the ideal placement and flow of rooms to capture significant views. He achieves interior harmony by minimizing hallway space, creating open floor plans that evoke feelings of unity and expansiveness.

A family man, Doug prides himself on his ability to shape spaces that foster family unity, providing clients a home that not only meets their needs and desires, but promotes a better way of life. What fuels Doug more than the work itself is having the pleasure of hearing a client say, "Enjoying the sunset and wanted to let you know we absolutely love our new house. We receive many invitations to go on vacation with friends, but we turn them down...we just want to stay home!" Indeed, this is the goal of each custom residence.

Cape Cod / Nantucket Shingle

Tuscan

Beach Plantation

Santa Barbara Spanish

Italianate

Craftsman

French

Clean Contemporary

Cape Cod / Nantucket Shingle

is a warm style characterized by steeper roofs, crown moulding detail at roof eaves, double hung and casement windows with cut-ups, dormer windows, bay windows and an exterior skin of shingles which provides texture. Covered wrap around porches with round or square columns, Dutch doors and ledge stone are commonly sought after features. Interior detailing usually includes wood floors, crown moulding with beaded board or tongue & groove at ceilings, wainscot paneling, tall baseboards, wood casing at windows and plenty of millwork. Cape Cod / Nantucket Shingle evokes feelings of coziness and beachiness and is a very inviting style for families who enjoy casual elegance.

Tuscan

style is inspired by the architectural forms and materials of the homes built in the hill towns of Tuscany. The predominant characteristic of this centuries old style is the extensive use of exterior rubble stone with a generous amount of exposed flush mortar. Windows and French door openings are inset to create a chiseled motif. Roofs are generally barrel 2-piece tile with darker earth tone colors and can be hipped or gabled. Porticos, loggias, garden areas and fountains are commonplace. Interiors are inclined to be more rustic with hardwood and terracotta flooring, weathered beams and distressed cabinetry. Vibrant wall colors are a current trend. Tuscan homes feel warm and luxurious.

Beach Plantation

style is also sometimes referred to as "West Indies" or "Key West". It is an architectural style which is beginning to take off in the beach area and features low-pitched metal roofs with large overhangs, Bermuda shutters, combinations of batten board and/or beveled siding, indoor/outdoor attributes with bi-folding or pocket sliding French doors, cabana type covered outdoor living areas and combinations of casement and double hung windows with cut-ups at the top portion. This style has advantages in instances where the floor levels need to be as high as possible to acquire the best desirable ocean view. Interiors usually consist of wood or bamboo floors, beaded board detailing, ceiling fans - generally a breezy and unfussy style that feels relaxing.

Santa Barbara Spanish

is a very romantic style which has been present in Southern California for more than a century and embodies very distinctive exterior features. Low pitched mission tile roofs, exposed rafter tails or stucco moulding at roof eaves, gable shapes sometimes mixed with hips, smooth stucco, deeply recessed casement windows, wrought iron balconies, courtyards with fountains - all these elements contribute to a simple yet very graceful architectural style. Interiors involve the use of bullnose dry-walled corners, combinations of wood plank, stone and tile floors, exposed distressed beams and cove detailing at ceilings, tall French doors, creative tile work at bathrooms and usually rustic cabinetry. Although interiors tended to be darker years ago, the current trend is for much lighter colors and more natural light.

Italianate

is an "Old World" style that is more formal than Santa Barbara Spanish and is a timeless architecture. Italianate distinguishing characteristics include simple hipped roofs with barrel tile, deeply recessed windows that are vertically proportioned and possibly arched, extensive use of precast concrete columns and moulding surrounds at window and door openings, precast concrete balusters and/or wrought iron railings with scroll detail, and smooth stucco. Interior detailing is more ornate than Spanish and involves more complex ceiling elements, possible precast @ fireplaces, marble/travertine/wood flooring, and generally a more decorous and orderly feel than it's Spanish "cousin". Italianate has remained a popular style as the exteriors can be very striking when the massing proportions, window and precast detail, and roof eave detail are implemented tastefully.

Craftsman

style originated in Pasadena in the early 1900's and quickly spread throughout the country. The early "Greene and Greene" homes such as the Gamble House employed low-pitched gable roofs with exposed rafter tails, open porches, exposed wood structural elements and unique wood railing. A contemporary version of Craftsman would also utilize wood shingles or clapboard siding treatment at walls, casement windows with cut-ups across the top, possibly some stone highlighting, and very large roof overhangs when possible. A Beachy cottagey look is ultimately possible when all the elements and colors are pulled together in unison. Interiors are typically not as elaborate as the early mansions which involved detailing that would cost a fortune today. The end result of a well executed Craftsman can feel very artistic, amiable and comfortable.

French

style is also a very romantic architecture featuring traditionally steeper pitched roofs of slate or flat tile, casement windows with cut-ups, smooth stucco, some use of precast mouldings and quoins, wrought iron railings with decorative scrolls, and frequent use of shutters. Decorative lanterns, elaborate chimney caps and arched windows are other common characteristics. Interiors can feel formal or casual and feature wrought iron railings, distressed beams, travertine/stone and wood planking at floors, tall baseboards and normally muted colors. Clients who prefer French usually desire a home that is uniquely special and uncommon.

		Doug Leach has designed two homes for us in Palos Verdes Estates and in both cases we could not have enjoyed a better experience. After working with Doug the first time we never even considered another architect for the second home. He listened well to our thoughts and needs and then designed homes that completely met those desires. His homes are beautiful, functional and efficient to build. He is well respected with cities, engineers, general contractors and subcontractors. Through the entire design and approval process he met every deadline. Going through the city approval process Doug handled every aspect professionally and there is no one else that we would have wanted to represent us. As an architect and as a person Doug has the highest integrity and is an absolute pleasure to work with. We whole heartily recommend him. Doug Leach and his staff are the best architectural services firm I have ever used. I think Doug and his staff have excellent design sense and outstanding technical ability. Having built over 50 luxury homes in Manhattan Beach, over 25 of them with Doug Leach as architect, I have found him to be the consummate professional. Doug and his staff are always on time, keep me up to date on the status of all my projects� design and plan check, and work very well with city building staff and related outside service providers such as structural engineers, soils engineers, and coastal permit specialists. He is a member of the Palos Verdes Art Jury, and maintains excellent relations with all city building department staffs. Most importantly, Doug has an innate sense of what homeowners want and need in a luxury home design and amenities. His ideas are always fresh, up to date, and interesting, yet his designs are timeless and classic. Regardless of architectural style, in all of which Doug is fully conversant, I would not consider using any one else for my luxury home projects. He is simply the best architect I have ever worked with. We wholeheartedly recommend Doug Leach. He is exactly what we were looking for. A highly skilled, experienced, professional, reliable, and punctual team that also exhibits the intangibles. The attributes that go beyond credentials. They are just solid people that are easy to work with and make the process a positive and fun adventure! Doug and his team were great to work with and made the entire process easy and comfortable. He was very open to our ideas and worked with us to design a contemporary home with the livable floor plan we were looking for. He even reworked part of the plan when we realized much later that we wanted something different (at no charge!). Our home is almost built now and we're very excited to be moving in soon. Doug came highly recommended to us and we've been extremely pleased with our decision. In fact, we recently referred him to friends and we'd highly recommend him to anyone looking for a great architect! I have been developing residential projects for 39 years and I believe Douglas Leach is the most creative, diligent and qualified architect I have encountered. Douglas Leach Architecture has provided outstanding architectural design to my firm and our clients over the last 10 years. Everyone who works with Douglas will appreciate the fact that he personally designs each and every home and then oversees all aspects of the drawings. His dedication to each project sets him apart from the field. The firm meets all criteria of great design from its authentic elevations to dramatic, spacious and functional interiors. The firm only starts with dynamic concepts, and then continues with great attention and timely progress through the architectural working drawing. I highly recommend the firm to anyone seeking excellence in architectural design. Not only is Doug creative and talented, but working with him was truly an enjoyable experience. He really listened and was always available to answer questions or discuss ideas. Doug created a beautiful Spanish style home for us that is both authentic and unique. His expertise and professionalism were crucial in navigating our plans through the approval process. We highly recommend Doug Leach and his team. As an interior designer/interior project manager for the past seven years, I have worked with many architects. I am constantly amazed at how seamless my own home project was because Doug was so competent and knowledgeable. He has the rare combination of artistic talent and professional comprehension of the building process. He understood the aesthetic concept we were looking for, as well as the needs of our family and the confines of our property. Doug communicated exceedingly well with the Neighborhood Compatibility Committee and the Art Jury of Palos Verdes Estates, and he was able to keep in mind our budget constraints, with no surprises. His attention to detail and ability to work so well with his clients� needs really made for a positive experience. We are, fourteen years later, still thankful for how much we love our home. It is with great enthusiasm that I would recommend Doug Leach and Associates; an established and experienced architectural firm. He takes a great deal of care in listening to his customer's requirements, and then works with them as he translates their ideas into a workable design. J Patrick Construction, Inc. has specialized in new custom homes for over 20 years. I have used Doug Leach for a number of my projects, and have been completely satisfied with his services and his valuable advice. Doug has some very creative designs, and has always been helpful and professional. He is available to answer questions during construction, and makes regular visits to the construction site. Overall the quality of the services and professionalism connected with his office would encourage me to use him on any future architectural project that I have. Working with Doug Leach was an absolute joy for my wife Kei and I. We purchased a lot in Palos Verdes Estates on a very difficult but beautiful site with a 180-degree ocean view. Doug realized our dream by designing a stunning Frank Lloyd Wright style contemporary home that has been and is the perfect home for large scale entertaining and intimate family moments. It was one of the very few homes that was approved on consent which meant that Mr. Leach, by being very considerate to all of our neighbors and respecting the views and compatibility of the neighborhood , did his homework. Doug is a good listener, has great ideas and is very easy to work with. He is a gifted and talented architect. His designs are both beautiful and functional. And his support staff is friendly and knowledgeable. But for us, the extraordinary value Doug provided came when we went through our city�s Planning Commission approval process. Doug�s ability to work with them and to keep our design intact was exceptional. When we were under construction, Doug was always available to consult with the contractor when questions arose. We cannot thank him enough for working with us and for providing guidance through this challenging, and at times, difficult process. If you want the best, then you have found him.
		Steve & Linda M. Ken Johnson, President Ken Johnson Development Inc. Serena & John P. Eric and Patricia Sugden Michael Tumanjan, Real Estate Developer Catherine Carlisle and Doug Rovens Linda Proano & Dr. Fabian Proano Jay Patrick, President J. Patrick Construction, Inc. David and Kei Benoit Ken S.