Architect Albert Sawano of Synchronis Brings Holistic, Systems-Driven Vision to Modern Architectural Design

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 2025 —

Arch. Albert Sawano, Founder and Principal Architect of Synchronis, has outlined a forward-looking approach to modern architectural design that prioritizes integrated, human-centered solutions over the fragmented models common in large corporate firms.

With more than three decades of professional experience, Sawano has contributed to landmark projects collectively valued at over $2 billion. His portfolio includes the USC Village and Century Plaza Towers, two widely recognized developments that reflect his commitment to design excellence and technical precision. Through Synchronis, he is now applying lessons drawn from those high-profile engagements to a broader range of clients and project types.

"Traditional corporate architectural models often place efficiency and billing structures ahead of design integrity," Sawano said. "When I founded Synchronis, my intention was to build a practice where the full complexity of a project could be addressed from the outset — not managed around." He added that a systems-driven methodology allows the firm to identify interdependencies early, reducing costly revisions during later construction phases.

Synchronis operates on the premise that architecture is not simply the production of drawings but a discipline that requires continuous coordination between structural, environmental, and human factors. Sawano describes this philosophy as a merging of craftsmanship with advanced technology — a combination he believes produces more durable outcomes for clients and communities alike. "When you treat a building as a living system rather than a static object, the design decisions change fundamentally," he noted. "You start asking different questions at every stage."

Sawano's entry into the profession was shaped by an early recognition that siloed working practices within large firms limited both creative output and accountability. He observed that when disciplines operated independently — architecture, engineering, and interiors each managed by separate teams with limited overlap — clients often faced disjointed results and prolonged timelines. Synchronis was structured deliberately to counter this pattern, embedding cross-disciplinary collaboration into its project delivery model from the earliest concept phases.

The firm's approach has drawn attention from clients across commercial, institutional, and mixed-use sectors. Synchronis is currently engaged in multiple projects that reflect Sawano's emphasis on contextual sensitivity — designing structures that respond to their physical environments rather than imposing generic forms onto varied sites. "Every site has a logic to it," Sawano explained. "Our responsibility is to understand that logic before we propose anything."

Sawano recently participated in an extended interview discussing his career trajectory, the evolution of Synchronis, and his outlook on where the profession is headed. He addressed the role of technology in architectural practice, noting that digital tools are most valuable when they support human judgment rather than replace it. He also spoke to the importance of client relationships, arguing that architecture achieves its best outcomes when the design team and the client maintain transparent, ongoing dialogue throughout the project lifecycle.

Looking ahead, Sawano expressed interest in expanding Synchronis's work in adaptive reuse — the conversion of existing structures for new purposes — a sector he sees as both economically practical and environmentally responsible. "There is an enormous amount of embodied value in existing buildings," he said. "Finding ways to extend that value rather than demolish and rebuild is one of the more important contributions architecture can make right now."

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About Synchronis

Synchronis is an architectural firm founded by Arch. Albert Sawano, offering integrated design services grounded in a systems-driven, human-centered methodology. The firm draws on more than three decades of experience across commercial, institutional, and mixed-use projects to deliver technically rigorous and contextually responsive architecture.

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