Steven Ehrlich Architect 1979-2015

Steven Ehrlich was born on June 12th, 1946, in New York City and grew up in Radburn (Fair Lawn), New Jersey. In 1969 he graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees. Ehrlich spent the next six years working in Africa, serving first in the Peace Corps for two years as an architect for the Moroccan Government in Marrakech. He taught architecture at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria from 1974 to 1977, returning to the United States and founding his Los Angeles-based firm in 1979. His work ranges from residential projects such as the Kalfus Studio and the Schulman and 700 Palms residences, to educational and research buildings including the 675 W. Kendall St. Biotech Research Laboratory and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, as well as multiple libraries, theaters and other cultural and civic buildings. (In 2015, the firm became a partnership, Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects (EYRC).
Steven Ehrlich cites the lessons of indigenous architecture as formative influences on his approach to design. He coined the term “multicultural modernism,” which advocates sensitivity to local culture and embraces the sustainable wisdom of the vernacular.

Additional archives of Steven Ehrlich are located at The Getty Research Institute.

Steven Ehrlich

Steven Ehrlich papers, Architecture and Design Collection. Art, Design & Architecture Museum; University of California, Santa Barbara.

1979-2025

Copyright retained by Steven Ehrlich. Copyright of all photographs retained by the respective photographers.