TRAILBLAZERS: WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE
HOW DEBRA LEMONS’ JOURNEY FUELS HER PASSION FOR ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP
We’re excited to sit down with Debra Lemons, AIA, NCARB, IIDA, WELL AP, Principal and Partner at L2 Studios, for an inspiring Q&A. Debra’s career is a remarkable story of passion, perseverance, and breaking barriers in architecture and interior design. From her early days dreaming of interior design to becoming a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, she’s shaped a legacy of innovative design and mentorship.
In this blog post, we go deeper to explore her journey, her design philosophy, and what it means to be a female leader in the architecture industry —while offering wisdom for the next generation of architecture, engineering, and construction professionals.
Q1: Tell us about your story and how you decided to go into architecture.
Debra: As a kid, I was obsessed with spaces—rearranging furniture in my parents’ house and marveling at the vaulted ceilings in churches. I always wanted to be an interior designer, even before I knew what that meant. My mom pushed me to aim higher—“Why be a nurse when you can be a doctor?”—but we both assumed interior design was my ceiling. So, I pursued a BFA in Interior Design at Texas Tech University, where I honed my skills in both 2-and 3-D concept development, collaboration, graphic communication, and the pressure of creating while meeting deadlines in a small, tight-knit class. The fine arts core of the BFA program was an unexpected benefit in what would later be a career that blends art with science.
By my senior year, though, I realized I wanted more. I didn’t want to just design spaces someone else had shaped—I wanted to create them inside and out. That led me back to Texas Tech for a Master of Architecture (MARCH) degree—a fully accredited professional degree that leads to eligibility to take the architecture exam and obtain licensure. It was the early ‘90s, and the architecture profession was still a boys’ club. I was one of just a few women in a sea of men, and some doubted whether women had the grit or technical chops for it. But I thrived on the challenge. My professors pushed me to sculpt space and form around concepts, blending theory with practicality. It was tough, but I developed a thick skin and a deep appreciation for how design impacts people.
Today, as a partner at L2 Studios, I design buildings from the outside in and inside out concurrently— one doesn’t shoe-horn into the other, rather, they “hold hands” and dance together to create holistic experiences. It’s a path I never imagined as a girl, but it’s become my destiny.
Q2: What were the early days of your architecture and interior design career like?
Debra: Fresh out of school in the early ‘90s, I jumped into a field where women were still a minority, both in the office and on construction sites. I started at architecture firms—most without interior design departments—and worked on a variety of projects including schools, prisons, police stations, and corporate headquarters for companies such as Xerox and Halliburton Oil. It was sink-or-swim—climbing ladders for roof inspections, trudging through construction mud, and delivering massive drawing sets. I didn’t expect special treatment, and I didn’t get it. But I proved myself through hard work, engagement, and persistence.
By 1998, at 31, I became a partner at the firm that’s now L2 Studios, where we focus on hospitality, resort, and leisure design. Those early years taught me resilience and the value of multitasking—skills I still lean on. Back then, men still were the majority on project teams, but I started noticing more women joining the ranks, bringing collaboration and a fresh perspective. It was the beginning of a shift I’m proud to have been part of.
Q3: Reflecting on your career, what has it meant to be a woman in the architecture field?
Debra: Early on, I didn’t want to be labeled a “woman architect” or “our first female partner”—I just wanted to be an “architect” and a partner, having earned the position and my work to stand on its own. But over time, I saw how my journey could inspire others. When I started, female role models were scarce, and some questioned whether women belonged in architecture. It was tough for everyone, but women faced extra hurdles—like proving we could handle the demands and politics in the office with confidence, and strength and grace, not to mention while balancing life, children, families, and outside interests.
During my 30 years as a practicing architect, I have studied, witnessed, and experienced first-hand the hard work, talent, dedication, and contribution of women in this profession, and I am grateful for the continued advancements being made toward diversity and equity in today’s architecture practice. According to NCARB, Women make up 27% of architects overall. The representation of women in leadership roles has doubled in the last 10 years (to 21%, according to a 2022 DEZEEN survey). And of the more than 3,200 members of the AIA College of Fellows, 18% are Women—including two AIA Orlando Past-Presidents and current OFA leaders, Jacki Hale, FAIA and Debra Lupton, FAIA.
That said, leadership in architecture remains predominantly male. Men still occupy four out of five key roles (or 79% of top positions). The road for women in architecture remains steep. Yes, there’s been progress—more women are in the field, and I’ve seen it firsthand at L2 Studios—but there is still progress to be made. Subtle biases linger, opportunities aren’t always equal, and balancing career with children/families and personal life can feel like an unfair juggling act for women in ways it often doesn’t for men. But what’s different now is that we’re speaking out. Women are using their voices to call out inequities, push for change, and demand a seat at the table. We’re not just adapting to the profession; we are redefining it!
This reality keeps me grounded, but it’s the women who’ve paved the way that inspire and remind me why I do it . Florence Knoll broke barriers with her pioneering work in interior design, showing women could lead with vision and skill. Zaha Hadid was a bold, unapologetic voice—shattering traditions and leaving an indelible mark on the global architectural landscape. Angela Brooks of Brooks Scarpa inspires me with her focus on sustainable, community-centered design, proving architecture can serve a greater good. And locally, Isabel Roberts and Ida Ryan were some of the first female architects in the U.S. in the early 1900’s. Ryan was the eighth woman to be admitted to the American Institute of Architects. The two women worked under Frank Lloyd Wright and designed homes and businesses here in Central Florida at a time when architecture itself was still a new discipline.
Another woman leader in our community recently said, “I’m inspired by circumstances as much as people.” For me, it’s true—the challenges - or opportunities as I’d rather see it - we face as women in architecture fuel my resolve, but it’s these heroes who light the way. They remind me that our voices matter and that equality isn’t just a goal—it’s a movement we’re building every day.
Q4: How do you approach each project, and what’s your design philosophy?
Debra: Every project starts with the client’s vision—what’s the heart of this space? What are the physical, economic, and consumer dynamics in play? It’s not about my personal stamp; it’s about weaving together context, culture, and needs into something seamless, high-performing, inspiring and memorable. I’m inspired by nature—not in the way many speak of such as color, organic forms, etc., but rather the way nature morphs and evolves in response to internal and external forces. It is resilient, adaptable, and ultimately leads to a more refined solution. While I appreciate the integrity of structure and materials, and an inherent order as a base, life isn’t a grid, and the human body isn’t a box, so our designs find the balance between the two while layering elements of discovery, surprise, and delight
At L2 Studios, hospitality is our specialty—think Marriott, Hilton, and independents. For me, hospitality design is about belonging and feeling cared for. We anticipate needs, foster connection, and evoke joy, crafting emotional sanctuaries that leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a massive building or a small interior, I see every project as part of a continuous design exploration—the site and the building inform interiors, and interiors spark new architectural and site concepts. It’s all about collaboration and thinking holistically from the arrival to the pillow.
Q5: How can you support women coming up in the design world?
Debra: Mentorship is everything. At L2 Studios, we have a talented crew of young designers and architects, and I love guiding them. I encourage them to experiment, take risks, and push past their limits. My job is to build their confidence by challenging them not to settle for a first option—develop several. I call it “boot camp”, work on multiple ways to solve the problem. Anticipate and have responses to questions our clients will ask so we are always prepared to think on our feet and present our ideas with confidence. The best part of my job is then watching them shine—whether that’s through hands-on problem-solving or big-picture thinking. I want them to aim for my job, to grow alongside me, not compete against each other to get ahead.
To young women in design, I say: Go for it with confidence. The “good-old-boy” days are gone—this profession is wide open if you work hard and stay true to yourself. Get your license, find your niche, and earn respect through results. Lead with servitude, not ego. Older generations like mine had to forge our own paths with few female role models in the workplace, but today’s women have more support. Use it—collaborate, communicate, and don’t settle for “good enough.” That applies to architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors—any woman shaping the built environment.
Conclusion:
Debra Lemons’ story is one of transformation—from a girl rearranging furniture to a leader designing experiences that touch lives. Her career reflects how far women have come in the field of architecture and design, from outsiders to innovators, and she’s played a quiet but powerful role in that shift. Through her philosophy of care and collaboration, she’s not just building spaces—she’s building a legacy of mentorship and possibility for the women following in her footsteps. Here’s to Debra and the countless women shaping our world today and beyond.
Debra was recently featured on Spectrum News 13 for Women’s History Month in a story about Women in Architecture. Check it out here: See the "Women's History Month News" Story.
