50 US ARCHITECTS

“We are firm believers that architecture can make a difference in people’s lives,” states Kip Kelly, Founding Principal of Nest Architecture. “We strive to embrace the human spirit in this digital age and create contemporary designs that are soft and organic yet have an edge and speak to the soul.”

Kelly studied engineering at the University of California at Irvine before graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Prior to starting his own practice in 1995, Kelly worked in the offices of Gensler, Charles Kober Associates, and Boss Agnew Architects. Influence by his Berkeley professor Joseph Esherick and the work of architect Bernard Maybeck, Kelly emphasizes the responsibility of architecture to the user and the notion of function as a bridge to beauty. For Kelly, the most practical solution becomes the guide for the aesthetics of a building. The firm frequently combines modern technology and environmentally conscious products and practices. According to Kelly, Nest’s work is based on the purity of function, efficiency, minimalism, and utilization of local materials. These elements are often woven together to blend built forms with the natural landscape. The company’s objective is to produce environments that are conducive to creativity, production, and cooperation.

With offices in Culver City, California and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Nest has completed projects in several sectors, encompassing education, commercial, and retail. Its notable work in the residential sector includes renovations and new construction for projects in California such as the Sierra Mar and Bowmont residences in Hollywood Hills, the Glenside house in Beverly Hills, and the Napoli home in Pacific Palisades. The firm has received numerous awards, and its designs have been featured on television and in print media, including People Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and Robb Report.”

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50 US Architects—Residential + Planning

By Damir Sinovcic