BIO

Ken’s approach to architecture strives to create intelligent, innovative designs with personal service. He has a passion for creating spaces that not only meet the functional need of the project, but also provide an inspiring experience. Ken embraces every project as an opportunity for exploration while applying tried-and-true methods. With over 22 years of experience as a firm owner, principal, and design director, Ken provides a balance of creativity, technical skill and understanding of funding strategies. Ken expertly coordinates projects for clients, collaborating with professional consultants and navigating through entitlement processes.

Developing a true collaborative approach to project delivery was a founding ideology of Ken’s firm. Established 22 years ago during the dot-com boom in June of 1994, its original name was DESIGN COLLABORATIVE, INC. In 1999 the firm merged with another Dallas based firm, ISG Architects. This expanded platform provided additional project opportunities on a national scale including healthcare, mixed-use, hospitality, multi-family, office, retail, and master planning.

The latest transformation of the firm happened in June of 2008. Ken transitioned his practice out from under the ISG name as a result of diverging business practices. This change provided an opportunity to reinvent and exercise the collaborative model in its truest form. The results have proven to yield exceptional design solutions and client service along with increased efficiency and responsiveness.

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ARCHITECTURE

“Never talk to a client about architecture. Talk to him about his children. That is simply good politics.” _ Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

While this may not be entirely accurate, the point is well taken Mr. van der Rohe. Developing lasting relationships with our client’s is essential. As architects, we are given a tremendous level of responsibility, and a high level of trust must be established. Yes, architecture is about form, it is about function, it can be timeless. It is about steel, brick, mortar, doors and windows. However, it ultimately is about the people that live out life within the spaces. Iconic architecture has its place, but the vast majority is about day-to-day life. We believe that in creating architecture, our role is to realize our client’s vision to its fullest potential. At times function must rule, at other times creating inspirational space is the priority.

“A great building must begin with the unmeasurable, must go through measurable means when it is being designed and in the end must be unmeasurable. Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.” _ Louie Kahn

Our work is extremely diverse, including complex land planning to intimate interior space planning. Reference our Portfolio for a cross section of select projects. It has been our experience that one project type informs and enhances another. One prime current example is the transition in healthcare. Medical projects continue to integrate retail and mixed-use programming. Our experience uniquely positions us to create new models for changing needs.

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PLANNING

We believe that planning and architecture should be seamless. Each should enhance the goals of the other. Our plans make sensitive use of topography, landform, natural resources, vegetation, infrastructure and buildings, resulting in livable and sustainable projects. This approach nurtures new directions for the master planning of communities, campuses, workplaces, civic and commercial districts, transit-oriented developments, waterfronts, recreation, and natural system restoration. As needed, we pull together teams of consultants ranging from engineers to landscape architects whose collective experience complements our own.

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