HMC Architects is pleased to announce the promotion of Sergio A. Lechuga, CID, Assoc. AIA, to director of interior design.

Previously serving as design principal of the firm’s interiors team, Lechuga brings 16 years of experience and a commitment to building and strengthening client relationships. His promotion underscores HMC’s belief in developing and promoting internal talent and recognizes his role as a leader, mentor, and award-winning designer.

“Sergio has been an integral part of HMC’s successful interiors practice,” said Brian Staton, president and CEO of HMC Architects. “In his new role, he will continue delivering impactful design solutions and exceptional service to our clients while expanding our interiors practice throughout California.”

Lechuga joined HMC in 2009 as a senior project designer in Los Angeles and was promoted to design principal in 2018. He has led teams on various successful healthcare, higher education, PreK-12, civic, and justice projects using design solutions that respond to each client’s individual needs and goals.

Some of Lechuga’s notable work includes the County of San Diego’s North Coastal Live Well Health Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center’s South Tower Expansion, California State University Fullerton’s Student Housing project, and the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in San Diego. The latter aims to reduce recidivism by creating a design that promotes well-being and educational, vocational, personal, and spiritual growth.

“As interior designers and architects, we help shape people’s personal experiences with the built environment,” said Lechuga. “It is an honor to lead a group of talented and passionate interior designers and architects who have a positive impact through our work.”

Lechuga will work across all HMC’s offices in his new role—leveraging talent from each studio to unify the interiors group, increasing studio cross-collaboration, increasing staffing efficiency, and ultimately elevating the quality of interior design in all markets.

“It is my mission to grow a collaborative and integrated interior design studio comprised of well-rounded interior designers and architects that design beautiful, impactful, and sustainable environments,” Lechuga added.

A graduate of California State Polytechnic University – Pomona, Lechuga received his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2005.  He also received his Master of Architecture in Real Estate Development from Woodbury University in 2009. He served as HMC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion chair and led a Metropolis Think Tank panel discussion on improving public sector design. He was recently published in The CEO Magazine for an article on how workplace design is evolving to foster more meaningful team interactions.

Lechuga is currently leading interior design for the County of Los Angeles Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Replacement Program Project.