Profile

Keith’s been designing and building for as long as he can remember.  He began with marshmallows, transitioned to Lego’s, crafted lighting fixtures and furniture along the way, and eventually, built houses. 

Keith’s father was an engineer and his step father was a general contractor specializing in residential projects.  Every house Keith has lived in has been demolished and rebuilt in some fashion (mostly while living through the construction). 

Graduating from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a Master of Architecture degree, Keith earned the Koeper Award, the Excellence in Environmental Technology Award, and the American Institute of Architects' School Metal and Certificate of Merit while in attendance. 

Keith is a Certified Green Building Professional and a licensed architect in California. He also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the California Architects Board. 

Keith also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science degree from University of California, Los Angeles (Magna cum laude / Phi Beta Kappa). 

Keith's background gives him a unique perspective. His education and experience enables him to synthesize solutions that are pragmatic, reflect the clients’ aesthetic, and still remain sensitive to financial constraints.

Philosophy

The design of a house, and the spaces within, is about you.  It is about taking you from where you are today to where you want to be.  From how you live today to how you want to live.   And having the overall aesthetic reflect who you are in the final composition.  It is a personal process unique to you.  While others may go through this process, the results will differ.  It is personal.  This is what transforms a house into a custom home.  This is residential architecture.

Process

A Residential Project

The design and construction of a residential project is a major undertaking.  The process involves the participation of many talented individuals that must cooperate and collaborate to meet your requirements.  While many of the activities of the project will be choreographed by the architect, the end result is a joint venture that involves you, the architect and the design consultants, and the general contractor and the subcontractors.  On projects where a Home Owners Association (HOA) or Design Review Board (DRB) exists, the Board members and your neighbors unfortunately have a say in the design as well.  Everyone must have the same end goal (HOA & DRB excepted).  Each must understand the level of quality expected. 

Communication is the element that ties the entire project together.

Our Approach

Our approach to design is always the same.  But the result differs for every client.  Residential architecture is very personal.  It simply can't be any other way.  Our process reflects this.

We begin by understanding your expectations, defining your budget, and clearly prioritizing your wants and needs.   We will discuss how you live at great length.  Additionally, we will consider many other variables (site parameters, potential views, sources of noise, privacy sight lines, local and state applicable building codes, association regulations, design review board requirements, and many others, for example).

As we develop and propose solutions, these are discussed and evaluated.  Revisions are made based on your feedback.  The review process often generates further ideas that require exploration.  Iteratively, we move towards a plan that meets with your approval.  Finally, we document the solution with detailed construction drawings.  When consultants are involved or required, these drawings are shared with these project team members so they can perform their portion of the work.

These drawings will then be used to obtain cost estimates/bids from qualified general contractors.  If you do not have a general contractor in mind, we will help you select one.  After receiving estimates, we will review and discuss the pros and cons of each of the estimates with you.  We will answer your questions and, likely, seek out more information from each of the bidding contractors.  Through this review process, you will ultimately select a contractor for your project.

After you select a general contractor, we will assist you with the construction of your project by periodically visiting the construction site to observe the work and verify that construction is progressing as planned.  The contractors will have lots of questions for you during the construction process.  You will also likely have many questions during this time.  We will answer your questions and help you answer your contractor’s questions as well. 

Throughout the entire design and construction process, we never forget that this is your project; your house.  We take the time to get it right.