Melbourne, Australia
New York, New York
Tokyo, Japan
Brisbane, Australia
Shenzhen, China
Sydney, Australia
London, United Kingdom
Beijing, China
Masdar City, Abu Dhabi
Auckland, New Zealand
Umbria, Italy
Our Los Angeles Studio is the newest member of our Global Studio, driven by fresh ideas, a creative urge for innovative designs, building a sustainable future, and People Architecture.
Based in the City of Angels, the team is leaving its mark around the globe with unique projects spanning workplace interiors, aviation, hospitality, mixed-use, adaptive reuse, and more.
A dexterous designer, Yang loves building and creating with his hands. He’s hiked Machu Picchu, upcycles old furniture, and throws ceramic pieces on weekends. He has watched the TV show “Friends” 11 times in one year and met and is blessed by the Panchen Lama in Tibet.
Because of his adventurous spirit, Leo approaches design with meticulous planning. He emphasizes enriching the human experience, designing spaces that enhance connections to nature and abundant natural light grounded in local culture, surroundings, and history.
Tell us about your experience at Woods Bagot, your role and what you’re most proud of.
I joined Woods Bagot in 2022. My greatest strengths would be my ability to quickly adapt and how to be resourceful in challenging situations. There were times when I was tasked with something I’ve never done and rather than shying away from the opportunity to learn, I looked to ask questions. Woods Bagot has a wealth of knowledge within its ranks, spanning from accomplished senior designers to an extensive resource library. You just have to know where to look.
What’s your connection to LA?
I was born and raised here in Los Angeles, and even though I’ve moved for school and work, I somehow always find myself back in LA. Growing up in Los Angeles, I saw and experienced the embrace of diversification and culture and how its influences still continue to shape LA today. This city is a melting pot of different cultures and is a place anyone can call home.
I was born and raised here in Los Angeles, and even though I’ve moved for school and work, I always find myself back in LA.
Woods Bagot’s Los Angeles studio is located at the historic Bradbury Building, as part of Neuehouse, a private workspace and cultural home for creators, innovators, and thought leaders. Built in 1893, The Bradbury Building has continuously operated as an office building since it was completed – becoming a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
“This city is a melting pot of different cultures and is a place anyone can call home.”
Taken at the LA river – an iconic part of Los Angles and is a notable filming location for movies such as Pulp Fiction, Grease, and Fear the Walking Dead.
The material palette of one of my favorite coffee shops, Stereoscope Coffee Co in Echo Park.
What’s your approach to interior design?
Great design takes meticulous planning. I start by doing as much research as possible from the beginning. I will find out who will be using the space the most and which specific areas will be used the most. It is essential to understand that the client you talk to may not be the person using the space the most. “Measure twice, cut once.” I like to constantly double check that I have all the information I need to make an informed and well-thought-out design.
How would you define the character of the city?
Los Angeles is a city that truly immerses itself in the culture of its people. There is a place to call home for everyone. If there isn’t a community that fits you, Los Angeles is a place that allows you to create one with the support from other communities. The city is constantly changing to adapt to its people but the one thing that will never change is how loud, vibrant, and diverse it is.
“Great design takes meticulous planning.”
‘Band’ by Richard Serra is displayed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The artwork is a towering assembly of massive steel plates that have been arranged to form a sinuous, curving structure. While simple in detail, I was drawn to Serra’s exploration of the relationship between art, space, and the viewer’s experience.
The famous lights of LA – ‘Urban Light,’ created in 2008 by the artist Chris Burden, stands at the entrance of the LACMA along Wilshire Boulevard. This installation consists of restored street lamps from the 1920s-30s which once illuminated the streets of Southern California.
“The city is constantly changing to adapt to its people but the one thing that will never change is how loud, vibrant, and diverse it is.”
The ROW DTLA is “Downtown LA’s creative city within a city.” The creative hub is full of art, culture, food and events all in one.
It’s the little details in public spaces that I find the most interesting like this intricate wall detailing in a sushi restaurant.
The exterior façade of the Vespertine, a multi-sensory restaurant in Culver City, California. The design of the exterior has fittingly earned the restaurant the nickname “The Waffle.”
“You don’t know if an idea will work until you try it. Sometimes the design works beautifully from the start and sometimes it takes some tinkering. Regardless, you’ll end up in the same spot. A design that you’re proud of.”
What is your passion outside of work and how do you bring that into work?
I love building and creating with my hands. On the weekends I look for old furniture to upcycle and throw ceramic pieces. I would see a piece of furniture created one way and recognize the potential to put my own twist on it. Sometimes it works out beautifully and sometimes it doesn’t. The same applies for ceramics. I would sketch out an idea for a piece and then proceed to throw it. It almost never works out how I imagined on the first attempt. I bring that same attitude to work. You don’t know if an idea will work until you try it. Sometimes the design works beautifully from the start and sometimes it takes some tinkering. Regardless, you’ll end up in the same spot. A design that you’re proud of.
One of my hobbies outside of work is upcycling furniture and making – I found a free table while walking in DTLA. I spoke to the owner who agreed to bring it to my place for $20.
The final reveal of the full set of table with chairs. The process included sanding and cutting the table and intentionally leaving the table top. It was the very details of the table top I fell in love with.
Journal
September 26, 2023
July 11, 2022
February 07, 2022
November 16, 2021
August 20, 2021