Dillon Kyle Architects of Houston TX

Dillon founded Dillon Kyle Architects in 1995, after earning a BA from Princeton and a MArch from Harvard. A native Houstonian, he practiced in San Francisco and New York before moving back to his hometown to open the firm.

“I love the landscape of Texas. I’m drawn to it. I don’t love the beach or the ocean. I don’t love the mountains. There’s something about this middle landscape, this normal, average, Texas landscape, that I find particularly beautiful.”

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After receiving a BS in mathematics from the University of Texas and a MArch from Rice University, Peter came to the practice in 2004.

“Architecture can be all-consuming to a fault. To step back and get refreshed, I have a few favorite activities: rescuing stray animals, discovering new music, and enjoying food and drink with friends.”

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Parrish joined the firm in 2010. He graduated from Rice University with degrees in architecture and art history.

“Architecture is one of the best professions in the world! Where else can you be part of a creative process and literally watch your efforts come to life? We get to work with people who want to contribute to something very special. Thinking about my time with the firm, I’m reminded of a quote that my grandfather had framed and kept on his desk: ‘If you chose a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.’ Outside the office, I cherish time spent with my family—at home, on the road, and all the places in between.”

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Scott joined the office in 2012. He has a BArch degree from the University of Houston.

“I am passionate about music: I play it, write it, record it. I also make vacuum tube guitar amplifiers for working musicians. Like music, architecture is about making, bringing something into reality that previously didn’t exist. It is much the same process (with the addition of neon and whisky) to make a building that is unique and beautiful—in a musical sense—in the best manner one can.”

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A graduate of Rice University, Heather joined the team in 2012.

“On a daily basis, I think it’s too easy to get caught up in the business and practice of architecture. Taking time away from my desk and the daily grind reminds me of why I pursued architecture in the first place. Travel, reading, and a good glass of wine—all things that transport me in one way or another—allow me to step back, appreciate, and experience my environment. Similarly, seeing the world through the eyes of my family enriches my perspective on spaces of all scales.”

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With a degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Adam came to the firm in 2010.

“Architecture, like every other creative process/profession, is a collection and evolution of one’s interests and experiences. They should all influence each other, especially when at first they seem unrelated. Spending time with my family and running are my outlets.”

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Josh holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from Texas A&M University, and master’s degrees in architecture and construction management from Washington University. He came to the office in 2014.

“I enjoy spaces that can be considered both exterior and interior. Spending time outside—I enjoy camping, kayaking, and fishing—continually helps me to understand relationships between these controlled and uncontrolled environments.”

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Kiza joined DKA in 2017. She is an alumna of University of Houston.

"Architecture requires a unique blend of critical and creative thinking. Most of my leisure pursuits are an extension of this mindset, which results in a lot of quiet intensity in the day to day. A lot of my extra time is spent volunteering for local AIA organizations, with a focus on education and community growth. My wife and I frequently travel and go camping to recharge and reconnect with nature."

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Jessie joined the DKA team I 2018. The University of Houston is his alma mater.

"Depending on the place I visit and when it was built. Some inspire, others I get excited about how long they have been around on this earth. Every place informs either a detail, a finish, a sense of volume or scale. Walking on the High Line in NYC made me appreciate how small details can still have an impact on an already robust architectural city."

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A graduate of the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston, Mike has been with the firm since 2003.

“I have recently developed a passion for building scale models of my design work out of Lego pieces. Lego essentially provides a prefabricated ‘kit of parts’ that can be used to build almost anything. Building in this format forces me to balance aesthetics with constructability, which is an important underlying concept in architecture. I have found that by rethinking a certain connection, or by cleverly repurposing a certain piece, one can discover a better solution to a design problem.

I think this helps my understanding of architecture because it sharpens my ability to think of multiple ways in which something can be built, and also increases my ability to quickly analyze different combinations of materials in order to produce the most beautiful and yet efficient solution to a design problem.”

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After studying at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Sam joined the firm in 2011.

“Away from the drawing board, I like to play blackjack; read actual, physical, paper books; and drink red wine. Any and all of the aforementioned off-the-clock activities gives me a chance to appreciate my surroundings. And some of those surroundings are architectural.”

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Carlos came to the practice in 2011, after graduating from the University of Houston.

“Everything I’ve learned by working in architecture fuels my interest in printmaking and music-making. Working in architecture informs my leisure pursuits more than the other way around; leisure pursuits are just that—leisure.”

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Brian started with the team in 2015. Texas Tech University is his alma mater.

“Spending time outdoors and studying the history of architecture are things I like to do in my time away from the office. I find the latter really rewarding: It’s important to understand how certain things were constructed, and why. The past can provide us with knowledge on improving how the future is built.”

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Adam join the team in 2018. Carnegie Mellon University is his alma mater.

"Traveling and spending time in nature can enrich architecture and our perspective of it. By understanding and observing architecture in other geographies, we can better create a more relevant and purposeful built environment, regardless of destination."

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Darian joined DKA in 2018. She is a graduate of University of Houston.

"Spending time away from architecture keeps me grounded and enables me to approach design with a fresh, more broad perspective."

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NIck joined DKA in 2018. He is a graduate of Rice University.

"Our world is filled with rich cultures and vast landscapes to explore. Travel provides a means to understand them. I love exploring new cultures with unique contexts and perspectives. As architects, we need to consider and question numerous factors that inform every project. I look to my travel experiences to help elevate myself as a designer using the many examples of aesthetic and functional inspiration I have encountered. Reading presents a more frequent and accessible means to explore many of these other perspectives from the couch with my feet up. Cooking and playing piano are my stress relievers. In the kitchen everything else fades away. Piano provides a brief moment of solace and meditation from an otherwise busy day."

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Caitlin joined the team in 2018. She is an alumna of Rice University.

"My advocacy work is a direct result of my passion for architecture. I believe good design must address inequity and is best served by a diversity of thought and experience from the designer(s). My ceramic works consist of homewares and architectural features, including handmade decorative tile. My performance work is another way that I practice critical cultural engagement and place making."

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Lizzie joined the team in 2018. She is a graduate of University of Virginia and Rice University.

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Garrett joined DKA in 2018. The University of Houston is his alma mater.

"Most people experience famous architecture through photography. Photography has the ability to capture a building at a point in time, demonstrate how a building looks under different conditions, and catch a viewer’s attention. In my opinion photography and other forms of architectural visualization are vital in conveying the ideas of architect to a larger audience."

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Christine joined the team in 2018. She is a graduate of University of Houston and Yale University.

"Traveling allows me to understand that design is universal and understood everywhere, no matter the location. I’ve found there are things that your hands see that your eyes cannot. So, whenever I visit a place that I want to remember, I draw it. The labor of looking at a space over and over again to get it down on paper engrains it into my memory for future study."

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Zach joined DKA in 2018. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and Dessau International Architecture School.

"Be inter-disciplinary, pragmatic, and contextual. People are asking more from architects than ever before. We should be more than just designers; We should be part system builder, and scenario planner. We should be more than just draftsman; we should be part photographer, cinematographer, and digital artists. We should be more than architects; we should be part scientist, anthropologist, historian, and psychologist."

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Katherine joined the team in 2019. She is an alumna of University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.

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Elizabeth began working at the office in 1999. She is a graduate of the Art Institute of Houston.

“I’m a devout ailurophile, and my husband is a chef. Away from work, I love to follow SEC football, as well as pro football and basketball.”

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An alumna of Lane Community College, Catherine joined the firm in 2015.

"I’ve learned a lot working with architects over the years. Since they are continually tasked with creating something new, there’s a real sense of an innovative and collaborative atmosphere in the office. The need to improve upon what’s been done before leads to new challenges that require new solutions. Basically, never a dull moment. Plus, an office dog is a huge perk!"

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An alumna of San Diego State University, Jamie joined the firm in 2017.

"The majestic architecture and history of the Roman Colosseum gives me chills every time. I’m pretty sure I was a gladiator in a past life"

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An alumna of Texas State University, Audrey joined the firm in 2018.

"From the Creole Townhouse styles, to the Greek-Revival, Antebellum plantation homes – I regard New Orleans, LA as one of the most architecturally intriguing cities in the country. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, I’ve always been fascinated by the buildings’ deep-rooted history, and (potential) hauntedness."

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I spent a lot of time touring historic homes and buildings along the east coast growing up in Connecticut. Working in an environment where I get to witness the creative process of home design in its entirety, gives me a greater appreciation for the architectural process from so long ago. I am most moved when modern elements are worked into old architecture.

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Jacqueline O’Dogwin joined the staff of Dillon Kyle Architects in 2017 as Senior Barkitect and Chief Inspirational Officer. She has a number of key duties at the firm including staff morale, design studio security and oversight of all canine projects.

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