LIZA BOFFI, AIA, NCARB
Founder and Principal, L Boffi Studios | Pittsburgh PA
I work at the edges: between art and architecture, theory and utility, the speculative and material. Intersections—like ecological ecotones—are where I find delight.
My studio approaches every project as a living system—as inquiry, infrastructure, and an act of care. I believe playful investigation strengthens intuition, conceptual thinking sharpens practical design, and beauty gains depth when grounded in context.
BACKGROUND
I was shaped by exceptional mentors at Harvard's Graduate School of Design (GSD), where I earned my Master of Architecture. As Teaching Assistant to Jeanne Gang and the last graduate thesis student of Krzysztof Wodiczko (Hiroshima Art Prize recipient), I continue to practice at the intersection of art and design.
In Architecture, I've contributed to award-winning projects at firms including Ikon.5 Architects and 1100 Architect, deepening my understanding of people and systems-informed solutions. As a Product (UX/UI) Designer, I have developed B2B and B2C platforms in the financial, site services, and healthcare industries, and as an Artist I exhibit and produce commissioned artworks.
I'm a licensed architect, NCARB certificate holder, Special Faculty at Carnegie Mellon's School of Architecture, and proud member of the Pittsburgh Creative Corps - Shiftworks, and the American Society of Botanical Artists.
TEACHING
48-640: Praxis II - Carnegie Mellon University '25
Architecture is a modulator of complex cultural and historical flows. This graduate-level integrated systems studio intensively explores, evaluates, and expands the role that tectonic cultures and their associated modes of architectural expression play in shaping our world.
48-100: Poiesis I - Carnegie Mellon University '24, '25
This introductory undergraduate studio investigates the role and process of architectural design in practice.
LECTURES
Planet Tree - Carnegie Mellon University '25
Haven 2x5 CMU CS+CFA Mixer - Carnegie Mellon University '25
Giant Inhabitable Subwoofers /Pre-Thesis - Carnegie Mellon University '25
INVITED REVIEWS
48-410: Reparative Infrastructures - Studio Final Review '25
48-410: Past Futures, Mississippi River Delta - Final Review '25
48-205: Second Year Option Studio: Unlikely Hybrids - Final Review '25
48-205: Articulating Forces I Second Year Option Studio - Interim Review '25
48-205: Second Year Option Studio: Unlikely Hybrids - Interim Review '25
48-314D: Object/Noun/Verb - Interim Workshop '25
48-205: Second Year Option Studio: ONE TO ONE - Final Review '25
48-305: Architecture Design Studio: Praxis Studio II - Final Review '25
48-410: Past Futures, Mississippi River Delta - Interim Review '25
48-200: Poiesis Studio III - Exhibition/ Final Review '25
48-626 A1 Mini: Bending Active Systems - Final Review '25
48-410: Reparative Infrastructures - Studio Interim Review '25
48-557: Formless as an Operation - Exhibition / Final Review '25
48-410: ASOS: Studio Interim Review '24
48-400: Praxis III - Studio Final Review '24
48-300: Praxis I - Studio Final Review '24
48-300: Praxis I - Studio Interim Review '24 (x2)
48-630: Praxis I - Studio Interim Review '24
ARC-1204: Vertical Dwelling - Final Review '24
ARC-1204: Vertical Dwelling - Interim Review '24
ART
Liza paints botanical watercolors and is a proud member of the Pittsburgh Creative Corps, Shiftworks. Her work can be viewed at ASBA-art.org, and in the Creative Corp Directory. Her work is soulful, naturalistic, and sensorially engaging. Please reach out if you are considering a commissioned artwork.
CONTACT
Do you want to start a project? Make an appointment for a free 30 minute virtual consultation.