Erik K. Evens
Erik Evens is a lifelong resident of California, born and raised in Los Angeles. His profound appreciation of traditional architecture was nurtured during extensive travels throughout the United States and Europe. In the early years of his career, he worked for several design firms with varying specialties, but it was his tenure in the Los Angeles office of Marc Appleton that sealed his passion for historical styles attuned to the classical principles of harmony, proportion, order, and, above all, beauty.
Evens joined KAA Design in 1998 and became a partner in the firm in 2005, overseeing a broad range of custom residential, commercial and institutional projects. In 2013, he established Evens Architects, an independent design studio operating under the aegis of KAA Design and focused exclusively on traditional residential design. His work has been published in a wide array of publications, including Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Luxe, House Beautiful and Milieu.
A teacher and mentor, Evens lectures widely on a variety of design-related topics. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) and sits on its national curriculum committee. He is a founding member and former president of the Southern California Chapter of the ICAA. He is also an avid sailor, drawing inspiration from the lines, craftsmanship and romantic allure of classic sailboats.
About Evens Architects
“The language of the classical is there to show us the beautiful, and to remind us that those things are possible by our hand.”
-Erik Evens
Evens Architects is committed to the idea that architecture inspired by classic traditions is uniquely well suited to life in the modern world. We are adept at the interpretation of classical design languages that reflect the tastes of our clients and the particulars of their locale. Whatever the style, these traditional archetypes need not be nostalgic or retrograde. We are fascinated with exploring with our clients how these grand traditions can say something important about how we live…today.
Our design philosophy is predicated on deep, meaningful connections between the house and the land. Southern California is blessed with a nurturing environment that provides extraordinary opportunities for true indoor-outdoor living. The homes we design fulfill that promise with beauty and joy.
Stone, plaster, and terra cotta become elements of a nuanced design language we use to articulate the stories of our clients’ lives and ambitions. The complexity and individuality of those stories supersedes questions of style and taste. Far beyond dry exercises in period style, our ambition is to create highly personal, one-of-a-kind homes that enrich the lives of the people who occupy them.
Architecture is our vehicle to celebrate lives well-lived.