la union studio

Warmth meets modern craft at New Jersey’s Ayala Coffee. @ayalacoffee is more than a neighborhood coffee shop; it’s gathering place for New Jersey’s thriving Filipino community. From the textures to the tones to the food and beverages, every detail celebrates culture, connection, and the art of specialty coffee. 🇵🇭☕️ A huge thank you to our clients Matt & Trixie and our collaborators/partners for hekoing bring this to project fruition! Clients: @ayalacoffee Design Architect: @launionstudio Architect of Record: @gsa_home General Contractor: @cafone_contractors_ Photography: @mike.hom #wheredesignmeetsculture #designxculture

What does your story look like in space or building? For @ayalacoffee , it’s a story of growth, entrepreneurship, and galvanizing community around Filipino coffee. Every design decision, material choice, texture and corner of this café was shaped by narrative — a reflection of heritage and a celebration of what it means to create belonging through design. Spaces like these remind us that architecture isn’t just about what we build, but who we build for. As we close out Filipino American History Month, we honor the stories, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans who continue to shape the fabric of our communities. Next time you’re visiting the NYC/NJ area, be sure to stop by and grab a bite and beverage at Ayala Coffee located in Union Township, NJ! Huge gratitude to our talented collaborator @mike.hom for helping tell OUR story, and to our clients @trixie_tangg & @mattrgram for spending your day off with us! #wheredesignmeetsculture #designxculture

Before any bold design becomes a building, it starts with a line on paper. Quick sketches and studies help us test ideas, unlock possibilities, and spark conversations. There’s power in analogue; pen to paper allows for freedom, speed, and imagination that digital tools can’t always capture. These explorations are where big, bold visions first take shape. Take a peek into our design process on this design exploration for a 1600 SF art space in South Seattle. #wheredesignmeetsculture #designxculture

#repost La Union Studio partnered with @thebeaconmm to refresh and reimagine their space - helping them expand beyond their evening dance class offerings. Together, we transformed portions of the studio into a welcoming daytime third place environment through the introduction of @freshh_cafe - Now open as a space for youth, neighbors, families, and creatives alike, to gather, work, recharge, and connect over smoothies, açaí bowls, and light bites. 🥤🍓 Rooted in Seattle’s robust hip-hop culture, the @massive_monkees have long cultivated a safe and inclusive space for creative expression in South Seattle. If you’re in the Chinatown International District, stop by for some tasty treats! Huge gratitude to @seattleeconomy for supporting this project. 📸@projectremark #wheredesigeetsculture #designxculture

Something delicious is taking shape at @flysea ‘s Seattle–Tacoma International Airport… and no, it’s not just the smell of BBQ. 👀🔥 Construction at Nanny’s BBQ inside the C-Concourse Expansion is moving fast, and the space is finally starting to show its personality. Over the past few weeks we’ve seen major milestones come together, signage courtesy of @nobleneonstudio installed, custom casework going in, lighting fixtures illuminating the space, and interior finishes starting to give the space some flavor. What was once a framed-out shell is now quickly transforming into a vibrant restaurant environment that will soon welcome travelers passing through SEA! Stay tuned for more progress!

This week is Architecture Week! This week, we’re celebrating the designers, builders, dreamers, and community partners who transform ideas into places that bring people together. Whether it’s a neighborhood café, a cultural hub, a family home, or a space for learning and healing, great design has the power to reflect who we are and inspire who we can become. As a purveyor of design & space, La Union Studio is proud to practice architecture rooted in culture, community, and connection, and where every project is an opportunity to create spaces that feel personal, purposeful, and alive. 📸: @projectremark @mike.hom #wheredesignmeetsculture #designxculture

Been a while!…I promise we’re working. Q1 has been a blur, lots to be grateful for! We wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s what we’ve been working on! 1. @luumiplaycafe An indoor kids play cafe in Kirkland! 2. @projectremark collaboration production to tell our story and share our journey! 3. A multifamily refresh of apartment units in Kirkland! 4. SFR + DADU combo development in Maple Leaf neighborhood slated for completion in 4/26 5. 5/6 complete with our architecture license! One more exam to go! 6. Always prospecting with new clients, this ones a MCM refresh in SeaTac! 7. We’re collaborating with @schemataworkshop @opendoors_multicultural and Mercy Housing on a 233 unit affordable housing development for folx with IDD! We did all of the interiors! 8. BTS 9. We helped @northwesttapconnection close on a commercial property acquisition! 10. Expanding to the Bay Area, a boutique fitness club in South San Francisco 11. Sneeks of @yokateaofficial 2.0 in Ballard! 12. @freshh_cafe soft opening; we helped them with the launch of their food program! 13. @larotayokent is an indoor play club for kids and is open for business in Kent, WA! 14. More projects in the Bay Areaaaa, @progressivemotionpt sports medicine facility launch! 🚀 15. African vernacular studies for @sacred_land_collective @friendsofthefamilyart stewardship of 79 acres! 16. The Bay Area is beautiful…but go Hawks! 😉 17. Lots of site visits 18. @ladysonia and I 19. @launionstudio HQ Cozy 20. Felt cute might delete later 😃

West Seattle DADU Completed, From Concept to Completion This project started in August with a full garage demolition on the property. From there, we rebuilt everything from the ground up. We installed a brand-new foundation, completed the full framing, and moved through roofing, insulation, and drywall to bring the structure together. Inside, we handled flooring, tiling, kitchen cabinetry, doors, lighting, and a complete bathroom installation, finishing the space with a clean, modern look. On the exterior, we completed siding, fencing, landscaping, and paver work to fully transform the property and tie the entire project together. This DADU is now a fully functional living space, designed for comfort, flexibility, and long-term value. If you’re thinking about building a DADU or transforming your property, we’re here to guide you from start to finish. Interior Design by - @launionstudio

Great projects start with good people.
 We spent the day filming with our friends Sergio and Sonia from LA Union Studio, working on a brand film that tells the story behind their studio and the communities they design for.
 LA Union began by helping small local businesses bring their ideas to life through space. Cafés, shops, and gathering places that reflect the culture and identity of the people behind them.
 Grateful to collaborate with people who care deeply about the impact their work has on the neighborhoods around them.
 Can’t wait to share more from this brand film.

Huge gratitude to @creative_lou for stopping by the studio and sharing your creative process and journey. Damon is Seattle born and raised visual artist and storyteller who draws inspiration from history, culture and community in his work. Working in both digital and analog mediums, his works is diverse and operates at the intersection of art, architecture, industrial design, fashion and more, with recent collaborations with Brooks Running and Seattle Kraken. Follow Damon’s work and journey >>> @creative_lou ! Keep inspiring us! 💪🏾🪬

What’s the ROI of cultural capital? In a world where brands compete on price and speed, the real differentiator is belonging. In design, culture is not ornamentation, it’s the foundation that shapes space, experience, and long-term value. It builds loyalty, deepens trust, and turns customers into community. We’re grateful to the @seattlechamber for inviting La Union Studio, @tasteofthecaribbean and @morningstarkcc to join this week’s Elevate NW session on The ROI of Cultural Connectivity. It was an honor to speak with fellow business owners and share our experience with how cultural authenticity can strengthen brand identity, increase long-term value, and position companies to thrive! #wheredesignmeetsculture #designxculture

POV: you came for the architecture, and accidentally found inner peace. Visiting the Salk Institute designed by Louis Kahn, felt less like a tour and more like a quiet conversation with light and material. The way the courtyard opens to the Pacific, the thin line of water pulling your gaze to the horizon, the precision of concrete; every move is intentional. The lesson? every design decision we’ve ever made feels…negotiable.