Lea’s professional background has focused on large-scale, complex educational and commercial facilities.  Prior to co-founding CR Studio Architects, PC, Lea worked for 13 years at PKSB, Architects, in New York City becoming an associate within five years.  In her tenure at PKSB, she was project architect for two New York State University projects, a library addition and renovation at the Fredonia Campus. In 1996, Lea joined forces with Victoria Rospond to create CR Studio.  Her early involvement in the architectural community includes heading up the technical arm of the New York City Chapter AIA Young Architects Group, comprised of young architects who actively search out fabricators, designers and artists creating cutting-edge work. Lea was also a recipient of a New York City Chapter AIA Travel Grant, through which she studied early modern classroom design in the United States and Holland.  In CR Studio’s first major commission Lea worked as the partner-in-charge of the Eileen Fisher Store, guiding the project through the complex and tiered process of NYC Landmark Preservation Commission approval.  A unanimous endorsement was awarded by the Commission.

The success of the Eileen Fisher store led to other major commissions for CR Studio, including multiple projects with the American Museum of Natural History. These projects entailed both the design of a new learning spaces with user-friendly, durable finishes integrated with museum objects, while simultaneously adding new infrastructural systems for HVAC, lighting, A/V and acoustical treatments.  As lead designer for the Discovery Center at the American Museum of Natural History, Lea coordinated a complex matrix of clients, while navigating the internal workings of the museum to create an interactive, inviting and functional space for children and young adults, supporting the museum’s mission of public engagement.  Under Lea’s leadership, CR Studio created a space that could hold up to the rigors of children’s activity and appeal to all age groups.          

Recent projects include two large residential projects; one in upstate New York using sustainable technologies completed this past year and a 9,100 ft² house in the Colorado mountains.  Lea just completed new offices for non-profit organization the Foundation for Child Development with budget and schedule constraints.  She also is working on the new VW/AUDI Manhattan dealership, which is a $60 million rehabilitation of an existing 250,000 square foot, six story building on the west side of Manhattan that will house the new Flagship Audi Dealership. 

Lea has been an adjunct professor at the New School for Design at Parsons, in the architecture department, and served on juries at Rhode Island School of Design, City College, Pratt, and Columbia.  As the first LEED AP in the office, Lea led the way for the CR Studio staff in becoming LEED accredited professionals; 90 percent of the office now can claim the credential of LEED AP.