Our Team

People are the engine that makes this train move and we’re fortunate to have the best team around and chances are you’ll get to know each of us quite well through the life of your project. Our distinct perspectives, varied experiences, and individual skills are the basis of a rich collaborative experience.

Harper Halprin, AIA

ARCHITECT & PARTNER

A native of Southern California, Harper made her way to New York after graduating from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Architecture. Under the direction of Bill Sofield and S. Russell Groves, she was integral to domestic and international retail roll-outs from Tom Ford to Tiffany & Co. From private penthouses and luxury residential developments to hospitality and commercial interiors, Harper has played key roles in managing high-end projects for private clients.

She can take the heat and always adds extra 🌶

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Aaron Leshtz, AIA

ARCHITECT & PARTNER

A California licensed architect, Aaron's design sense and technical abilities are influenced by his experiences in Los Angeles, New York, and London. Under the mentorship of world-class designers Bill Sofield and Hagy Belzberg, he learned the importance of detail and craftsmanship honing an understanding of the difference between style and quality.  He has been integral to the development of numerous flagship retail concepts as well as the documentation and construction for high-end residences across the country. His broad experience also includes development of creative office space for tech and entertainment clients.

He also never says no to ice cream. 🍦

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Becky Cardenstern

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT MANAGER

Becky fell in love with architecture as a child while watching her family home transpire from paper to reality. After receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from USC in 2008, she worked on high-end residential projects domestically and internationally with some of the top firms in Los Angeles.  A few notable projects have been on the cover of Architectural Digest, CA Home+Design, and have won the Robb Report Ultimate Home of 2015.

Becky joined the AAHA Studio team in 2018 and brings over 12 years of experience in residential design, as well as the desire to collaborate and make every design personal, unique, and the epitome of the client’s vision.

Becky can also make a mean cheesecake and can be found at most parties making small talk with the 🐩.

Sonja Grozdanic

ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT MANAGER

After receiving her Masters in architecture and working in Boston for four years in a multi-disciplinary architectural firm, Sonja moved to Los Angeles to embark upon her new life adventure. For the last five years she has been working in LA on high-end residential projects and loving the teamwork and creativity that come from architecture and design.

Sonja thoroughly enjoys her arts and crafts projects. 🎨✂️ 🧵

Lisa Ljevaja

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

Lisa subconsciously knew she was destined to be a designer when she proclaimed in her sleep at 8 years old, “that’s not the way I wanted it arranged.” After stints of studying anthropology, and traveling as a beekeeper, she settled down to study Interior design at Ryerson University in Toronto. Following graduation, she had the opportunity to work on a project of the late architect Will Alsop.

Since then, Lisa’s design interests have taken her into the world of film as an art director, to NYC working in the Empire State Building on hospitality projects, managing a stained-glass studio, more hospitality work in LA and back to residential design. Through combined experiences and a multitude of interests, her design ethos has organized around storytelling to create a unique and tailored backdrop for each client and project.

Her least favorite word and its implications: parka 🌨

Favorite word: sunshine ☀️

Ngoc-Linh Dang

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

Ngoc-Linh considers herself an artist, first and foremost. She didn’t always know she wanted to pursue architecture, but always had a strong interest in the building arts from growing up around construction. She took a shot at architecture and fell in love. After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design, she began her budding career in a small firm with a wide-range portfolio. 

Ngoc-Linh made the spontaneous decision to move out of her hometown and into the big city of Los Angeles, with no solid plan in place. She loved the colorful, lively, and eclectic energy of the city and knew she wanted to set some roots there. Shortly after, Ngoc-Linh joined the AAHA Studio loves creating beautiful spaces in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Her favorite past time activities are painting, playing video games, and learning something new.

She also loves to snuggle with her cat-form doppelgänger: Baby Girl!

Jesse Franco

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Jesse fell in love with the art of interior design and transforming spaces at a young age from watching both his mom, who had an eye for interior design, as well as his father, who is a contractor for residential properties. However, it took Jesse a few years to realize you can merge a love for art with a career. 

He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management from California State University of Northridge, following graduation he went on to work in finance for a few years. Unfulfilled, he quit his job in finance and returned to school to study Interior Design at College of the Canyons. 

 Since then, Jesse has worked as an Interior Designer for a luxury furniture & design company as well as independent design studios for the past three years.

He loves traveling and experiencing different parts of the world.

Maggie

GUARD DOG

Born in the south and raised on the streets of NYC - she’s acclimated to the southern California lifestyle and always finds her spot in the sun ☀️

Alexandra Green Silver

STUDIO MANAGER

Alexandra received her BA from Boston University in the History of Art and Architecture, and went on to study Art Business in Sotheby’s post graduate program in London.

Alexandra built a career in the fine art world, where she worked at numerous galleries and art institutions. Through the years she has worked with artists and clients in sales, artist liaising, project management, and communications.

As Alexandra’s interest and passion for architecture grew, she decided to make the transition and joins our team as Studio Manager where she assists with operations throughout the studio.

Alexandra moved to Los Angeles from New York 3 years ago, and has adapted quickly to life on the West Coast. When she’s not working you can find her outside hiking and surfing, or picking up hobbies like beekeeping and ceramics.