LOHA Founder Lorcan O'Herlihy Passes Away at 66
The architecture world is mourning the loss of one of its most socially engaged and creatively driven voices. Lorcan O'Herlihy, the Irish-born architect who founded the acclaimed Los Angeles studio LOHA (Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects) in 1994, passed away on 14 June 2026 at the age of 66. His studio confirmed that he died from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, at his home in Los Angeles. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned more than three decades and left an indelible mark on American architecture, urban design, and affordable housing advocacy.
Who Was Lorcan O'Herlihy?
Born in Ireland, Lorcan O'Herlihy developed an early passion for architecture that would eventually take him across the Atlantic to establish one of California's most distinctive and mission-driven design practices. After completing his architectural education and gaining international experience, O'Herlihy settled in Los Angeles — a city that would become both his home and his greatest source of creative inspiration.
In 1994, he founded LOHA, a studio whose work would come to be defined not only by bold, modernist aesthetics but also by a deep commitment to community, equity, and the built environment's role in shaping human lives. O'Herlihy believed firmly that good design should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy, and this philosophy permeated virtually every project his studio undertook.
Over the course of his career, O'Herlihy became widely respected not only as a practitioner but also as an educator and advocate. He taught at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), influencing generations of young architects who passed through his studios and seminars.
The Legacy of LOHA: Architecture with a Social Purpose
LOHA became synonymous with a particular kind of architecture — one that is formally inventive yet fundamentally human-centered. The studio built a strong reputation across a wide range of project types, including residential, cultural, civic, and mixed-use developments, but it is perhaps best known for its work in the realm of affordable and social housing.
O'Herlihy recognized Los Angeles's chronic housing crisis long before it reached its current severity, and he channeled that awareness into a body of work that attempted to provide dignified, well-designed living spaces for people at all income levels. His projects in this sphere were notable for proving that affordability and architectural quality need not be mutually exclusive — a message that resonated deeply within the profession and beyond it.
Among LOHA's most celebrated projects are a number of multi-family housing developments in Los Angeles that have been widely published and exhibited. These buildings are distinguished by their use of color, texture, and modular form to create lively, community-oriented environments within the often-challenging constraints of urban infill sites. The studio's work has been recognized with numerous awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and other architectural organizations.
A Voice for Housing Equity and Urban Design
Beyond his architectural output, O'Herlihy was known for his outspoken advocacy on issues of housing equity, homelessness, and urban planning in Los Angeles and across the United States. He participated in public forums, contributed to policy discussions, and used his platform as a respected architect to push for systemic change in the way cities plan, fund, and deliver housing for vulnerable populations.
His commitment to these issues was not merely rhetorical. LOHA's portfolio includes numerous projects developed in partnership with non-profit organizations and public agencies, demonstrating a willingness to work within difficult financial and regulatory frameworks in service of broader social goals. For O'Herlihy, the social dimension of architecture was not an add-on or a marketing angle — it was the very foundation of why he chose to practice the profession.
International Recognition and Influence
Lorcan O'Herlihy's work attracted attention well beyond the borders of Los Angeles and the United States. LOHA's projects have been featured in leading international architecture publications, and O'Herlihy himself lectured and exhibited globally, sharing his design philosophy with audiences in Europe, Asia, and beyond.
His Irish heritage remained an important part of his identity throughout his life, and he maintained strong connections to the architectural community in Ireland even as he built his career in California. He served as an inspiration to a generation of Irish architects who looked to his example as proof that it was possible to achieve international recognition while remaining committed to values of community and social responsibility.
Remembering a Visionary Architect
The news of O'Herlihy's passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, collaborators, former students, and admirers around the world. Those who knew him personally have described him as generous, intellectually curious, and deeply passionate — a man who brought the same energy and commitment to his relationships as he did to his buildings.
His loss is felt acutely at a moment when the debates he cared about most — around housing, equity, climate resilience, and the future of cities — are more urgent than ever. The work he produced and the ideas he championed will continue to influence architects, planners, and policymakers for years to come.
LOHA Continues O'Herlihy's Vision
While the architecture community grieves the loss of its founder, LOHA as a studio is expected to continue the work that O'Herlihy built over more than thirty years. The team he assembled and the values he instilled remain very much alive in the projects the studio continues to pursue.
Lorcan O'Herlihy is survived by his family, his colleagues, and a body of work that will stand as his most enduring testament. He was 66 years old.
- Lorcan O'Herlihy founded LOHA in Los Angeles in 1994.
- He died on 14 June 2026 from glioblastoma, aged 66.
- LOHA is widely celebrated for its work in affordable housing and social design.
- O'Herlihy taught at SCI-Arc and UCLA, influencing many young architects.
- His projects have received multiple AIA awards and international recognition.