EDUCATION

Harvard University, Graduate School of Design. MAUD ’93 -with Distinction (Master of Architecture in Urban Design)

Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. B.Arch ’88 (Bachelor of Architecture)

Universidad de la República, Facultad de Arquitectura, Uruguay, 1980-1984.

PROFESSIONAL / CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

American Institute of Architects. Member 2009-2022

Boston Society of Architects. Member 2009-2022

Society for College and University Planning. Member 2004-2022

Harvard GSD Sert Council Dean’s Circle. Member 2107-2022

Marblehead Zoning Board of Appeals. Board Member since 2011

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

1998-2022               PAYETTE, Boston.

Partner, 2007-2022 / Managing Principal, 2015-2018 / Board of Directors, 2012-2022

• 10 million SF of planning and design – including 2 million SF built
• 6 National/International Design Competitions won, resulting in 8 new buildings
• 32 Design Awards for 14 different projects *
• 77 Publications, including essays, interviews and articles
• 15 Lectures 
• 31 Exhibits 

1993-1998              Stull & Lee Associates, Boston. Associate.

1988-1991               Moshe Zur Architects, Haifa, Israel. Designer.

SPONSORED SCHOLARSHIPS

Payette Scholarship Fund. Leon established the academic scholarship in 2010 at Technion University, his alma mater. It provides tuition support to one student, based on need and academic promise.

Sho-Ping Chin Memorial Academic Scholarship. Leon established in 2016 with his partners at Payette. It awards a scholarship of $10,000 each year to a woman for the study of architecture.

Thomas Payette Financial Aid Fund, established 2017 by Leon Drachman and Kevin Sullivan at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, part of its Grounded Visionaries campaign.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN LEADERSHIP

Designed buildings for institutions and organizations including:

      Academic research/science buildings:

The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA

The University of Texas at Austin, TX

West Virginia University, Morgantown WV

Clemson University, Clemson, SC

Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL

National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

      Hospitals:

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, PA

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston

Boston Children’s Hospital, Waltham and Boston

Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, CT

Jefferson Health, Philadelphia, PA

Veterans Affairs Medical Center (multiple New England sites)

Central South University, XiangYa Hospital, Changsha, China

Hengqin Island Hospital, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

DESIGN RECOGNITION/AWARDS

Led architectural design teams recognized with prestigious regional, national and international awards, including:

      National/International:

AIA, Healthcare Design Award, 2023

AIA, Architecture Firm Award, 2019

AIA, COTE Top Ten Recipient, 2016

AIA, IDP Outstanding Firm Award, 2014

AIA, Institute Honor Award for Interior Architecture, 2006

AIA/Modern Healthcare, Award of Excellence, 2013

AIA/Modern Healthcare, Award Citation, 2006

SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Planning Award, 2016

SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture, 2015

CARITAS Project, Generative Space Health Improvement Award, 2010

R&D Magazine, Lab of the Year Award, 2005

CHCC (China) Top Ten Healthcare Design Award, 2020

Irish Building & Design, Architectural Project of the Year, 2014

      Local/Regional:

BSA Sustainable Design Award, 2016

BSA Campus Planning, 2015

BSA Honor Award for Design Excellence, 2014

BSA Healthcare Facilities, Award, 2014

BSA Healthcare Facilities Design Award, 2010

BSA Campus Planning Award, 2006

AIA Alabama Honor Award, 2014

AIA Pennsylvania, Honor Award, 2013

AIA New England, Merit Award, 2011

AIA West Virginia, Honor Award, 2003

TEACHING / JURIES

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Architectural Open Studio, Boston. Instructor 2021-2022

Boston Architectural College, Thesis Advisor. Summer 1996 – Spring 1997

Boston Architectural College, Advanced Architectural Design Studio, Instructor. 1994-1995

AIA Northwest & Pacific Rim Firm Awards. Jury Member. August 2019

Guest Reviews for Design Studio at schools of architecture, including:

Harvard, Roger Williams, Northeastern, Clemson, Wentworth, Wizo Institute, Boston Architectural Center, Virginia Tech

LECTURES

Roger Williams University School of Architecture, Bristol, RI, 2019

The University of Texas, Austin, 2019

Hunan Design Institute, China, 2017

Tradeline Conference, Boston, 2016

Healthcare Facilities Design Conference, San Diego, 2014

Tradeline College and University Science Facilities Conference, Scottsdale, 2014

SCUP Southern Regional Conference, Orlando, 2014

Healthcare Facilities Symposium, Chicago, 2013

Tradeline Academic Medical Centers Conference, Orlando, 2013

Healthcare Facilities Symposium, National Harbor, MD, 2010

Laboratory Design Conference, Toronto, 2010

AIA Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia, 2012

Clemson University, Clemson SC., 2009

Healthcare Building Expo, Chicago, 2008

EXHIBITIONS

Multiple art shows, Marblehead Arts Association, Marblehead, MA. 20204, 2025

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University School of Architecture + Design. 2020

Roger Williams University School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation, Bristol, RI. 2019

AIA National Convention. 2019, 2016, 2006

Architectural Review-Emerging Architectural Awards, London, England. 2006

Healthcare Design Expo. 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2006, 2005

American Society for Health Care Engineering Annual Conference. 2019, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007

Healthcare Facilities Symposium. 2015, 2013, 2010, 2006

ABX, New England Architects Exhibits Gallery. 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002

Tel Aviv Artist Studios, Jaffa, Israel. 1992

Artists House, design exhibition, Jerusalem, Israel. 1992

Harvard Graduate School of Design, “Studio Work” exhibition at Harvard’s Gund Hall. 1992