Julie Eizenberg is a founding principal of Koning Eizenberg. Julie brings design vision, leadership, and expertise in working with cities, nonprofit agencies, institutions and private developers to generate inventive master plans and public places. She is an astute observer leading investigations that reshape the way we think about conventional building typologies. Her focus on the user experience — whether it is an individual, underserved community, or the public at large — brings an empathetic perspective that translates seemingly mundane programs into places of ease and generosity.

Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and honorary doctorate from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a master’s degree in architecture from UCLA. She teaches and lectures around the world, currently serves on the boards of Public Architecture, the School of Architecture at Taliesin, and FYI (From Youth Inside) FILMS. Her most recent book, titled “Urban Hallucinations,” offers more insight into the philosophy and work of a practice that aligns humanist values with inventive architectural form making.

Under Julie’s leadership, Koning Eizenberg has earned more than 160 design and sustainability awards and been widely published. The practice has been honored as AIA California’s firm of the year, and she and founding partner Hank Koning were awarded the 2019 Australia Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the 2012 AIA Los Angeles Gold Medal in recognition of a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.

Q&A

How do you take your coffee?
Black, no sugar

What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
Family Record by Patrick Modiano. Yes, I would recommend it. It’s about how family history influences identity. Many vignettes describe a fantasy of retribution on behalf of earlier generations.

What is your favorite album of all time?
Astral Weeks by Van Morrison