HiP Awards > People > Designer: Lifetime Of Hipness: West Coast

Photo: Jenny Morgan

Primo Orpilla is the co-founder of Studio O+A, a multidisciplinary San Francisco design firm that has transformed the way we think about work and workplace. O+A’s groundbreaking designs for companies such as Facebook, Microsoft, Yelp, Nike, McDonald’s, Slack, Netflix, and adidas have redefined the modern office—demonstrating how well-crafted environments can serve as catalysts for creativity and vehicles for change. A visionary in workplace design, Primo has also led numerous experimental initiatives—from pop-up installations and conceptual furniture to next-generation office prototypes. During the pandemic, he directed the development of A Toolkit for the Times and The Eco Playbook, two digital resources offering adaptable strategies for hybrid and remote work environments. Primo is a passionate advocate for design education, working to expand opportunities for young professionals and emerging talent. He is a frequent lecturer at universities and global design conferences, where he shares his insights on the evolving workplace and empowers the next generation of designers to create with purpose and authenticity. His work has earned widespread recognition, including the 2016 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Interior Design, the 2019 ASID Designer of Distinction Award, and induction into the Interior Design Magazine Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2017, FRAME Publishers released Studio O+A: Twelve True Tales of Workplace Design, a retrospective highlighting the firm’s innovative evolution and lasting impact on workplace culture.