Philosophy

No two of my houses are alike, just as no two clients are alike. Each home I design is created to address your particular needs, desires, and dreams. My role is to educate, enlighten, and enable — to show you how sensitive design can enhance the act of living. In essence, I strive to stand in your shoes.

The site of your home is of special consideration. It informs all subsequent design decisions. Your home should feel like it belongs to its site — that it could not have been built anywhere else.

Process

I learn as much as possible about how my clients live now in order to design a home that will enhance their lives in the future.

My clients get several homework assignments designed to get them to think in new ways about the rituals of their lives, to open up new possibilities, to get them to think about how the architecture of their surroundings can affect how they feel and respond, and therefore, how they live. This exploration has nothing to do with style. In fact, I ask my clients to leave the pictures they’ve cut out of magazines at home. Style should come as a natural outgrowth of the process.

Green Building

Green building is not only smart — it is necessary. It makes sense to be aware of the requirements of our hot, humid Texas climate. From long overhangs and deep porches to appropriate siting for maximum ventilation, from modern, energy-efficient glazing technologies and HVAC systems to healthy, low VOC coatings, there are a wealth of techniques I can bring to bear on your project. The use of local, sustainable, and high recycled content materials can also be part of a “green” design that works with the style of your home.

Lou Kimball