Malibu resident Lorcan O’Herlihy is not a household name, but in the international world of architecture he’s considered one of the best.
Early in his career, he was part of the design team that created the famous Louvre Pyramid and lived in Paris for four years while he worked on it. It’s still one of his favorite buildings.
O’Herlihy’s company, LOHA, is based in Los Angeles and employs 25 people to design buildings all around the globe. LOHA has won many awards, including 2010 Architect of the Year from the American Institute of Architects.
O’Herlihy knew what he wanted to do when he was just 15.
“I enjoyed drawing and art. I was definitely visually oriented as a teenager. I instinctively felt a career as an architect was a good idea. I remember falling in love with architecture as a college freshman and have never regretted my choice,” he said.
Along with architecture, the O’Herlihy name is well known in the world of cinema. O’Herlihy’s father, Dan, was nominated for an Oscar in 1954 for his lead role in “Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.” Dan O’Herlihy passed away in 2005. Lorcan’s brother, Gavan, is also a successful actor and the third brother, Cormac, is a Malibu Realtor. There are two O’Herlihy sisters that complete this talented family, all with strong Malibu roots.
According to O’Herlihy, an architect needs a good eye and an understanding for structure.
“Architecture is reciprocity between form, organization and fabrication. You need to be passionate about it, be a great thinker, observant and curious about life and buildings, coupled with an artistic approach. Designing buildings is a long process, so you really have to love it if you want to make it your career.”
O’Herlihy lives in a Las Flores beach house with his wife, former actress Cornelia Hayes O’Herlihy, their five-year-old twin sons, Daire and Darcy, and Jasper the cat. Although he didn’t design their current home, he designed the family’s last home in Venice, along with his parents’ house on Trancas and another on a Malibu beach that’s still under construction.
There are specific challenges associated with building and living on the beach, but O’Herlihy confirms that this stretch is still prime real estate.
“There’s only so much coastline in the United States and Malibu is a beautiful place to live,” he said. “But to take full advantage of the magnificent ocean views, you need to build a sea wall and be extra careful with foundations.”
Born in Ireland and having spent many years in Europe, O’Herlihy was influenced by Swiss architects like Le Corbusier, one of the pioneers of modern architecture. He also admires Herzog & de Meuron, and is impressed with Peter Zumthor’s design for the new LACMA building.
The local building O’Herlihy finds most interesting is the John Lautner-designed house in the Malibu Colony.
His dream home?
“A wholly sustainable, inventive solution that is a wonderful place to live and has strong engagement with the outdoors. I’m a contemporary architect. For me, it’s not about style so much as the life created within the space. Something that’s very open, embraces the outdoors and is uniquely designed for the site. Design adds significant value to the property and to the quality of life of those who live or work in it.”
As if he isn’t busy enough, O’Herlihy is also a professor at USC School of Architecture. “I think it’s essential for architects to be constantly thinking of new ideas and to teach others,” he said. “Being a professor allows that continuous thinking process. Walking the line between practice and academia is very important.”
He’s now looking forward to his young sons starting their education at his old school, Our Lady of Malibu, in September.
An upcoming exhibition, “Sketches to Structures,” features drawings by O’Herlihy and other prominent architects at New York’s Carnegie Museum of Art. It runs from January 31 to May 25, 2015.
