www.HomeDesignLA.Com Home Design Handbook - KAA Design Group, Inc.

Oct. 8, 2008 - PRLog -- This holistic perspective combines architecture, landscape, interior and graphic design to shape unique, carefully crafted solutions for clients with vision and high expectations. KAA Design Group's thoughtful process is intended to give tangible testimony to the highest human values.

In its quest for an evolved "New Regionalism," KAA takes the great historic Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, Romanesque and European traditions and instills them with a compelling, contemporary spirit. KAA's homes embrace all the details of the past, yet are marked by an indoor/outdoor flow awash in ambient light, offering extraordinary views with extensive glass walls and enormous pocket doors. There is also an excellent balance between a highly analytical approach to the craft ("a finely oiled machine") and a sincere respect for timeless domestic sentimentality, making the process pleasurable and the results heartwarming.

Founded in 1987 by Grant Kirpatrick, the firm recently changed names and has three additional partners: Steve Straughan, Erik Evens and Michael Eserts. Clients work with one of the four partners, all of whom are said to be "very responsive" and "incredibly sharp." The firm's staff, numbering 50, is praised just as highly, and the nontraditional office has a "fresh young openness of approach" with the architects riding razor scooters to get to the next department. Kirkpatrick and Eserts received their architecture degrees from USC, while Straughan earned his at Tulane and Evens from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In addition to residential renovations and ground-up construction, the firm also does independent landscaping and accepts occasional retail, museum or gallery projects.

Many of the firm's commissions are in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills and the South Bay, but it has also completed projects in Beirut, Cabo San Lucas, Miami, New York and Chicago. Projects range from 4,000-square-foot urban beach homes to 12,000+ square-foot suburban estates. Price per square foot starts at the standard $350 and goes up from there, with standard fees.

Client Comments:

"They are confidently bridging the classical and contemporary forms." "They are so rational. When we wanted to talk about what our house should look like, they said we first needed to figure out how it would function." "Grant's ability to listen and translate our thoughts into images is uncanny." "We didn't want drama, we didn't want ‘in your face' architecture, and their sensitivity to that was marvelous." "They never get rattled." "Beautiful—not stupid—modern." "On a path of discovery." "No two homes look alike. No signature style, it is all about the client." "Always looking for a unique approach that is respectful of history."

# # #

ABOUT: www.HomeDesignLA.Com - Home Design Handbook
A Luxury Lifestyle and Design Resource Directory, includes Architects, Interior Designers, Construction Builders, Kitchen, Bath, Landscaping, ...