‘Dillon Kyle Architects’ is a privately held, architecture and design firm headed by architect Dillon Kyle along with architects Parrish Kyle and Peter Klein. For the past 25 years, this Houston, Texas-based firm has been involved in a variety of projects, ranging from spatially rich residential homes to office remodels and art galleries.
Their designs are creatively fuelled and extremely distinct from one another. The firm has a minimalistic brand identity and aesthetic that is often reflected in their design approach. In 2017, the firm won the AIA Houston Design Award for the design of their own studio, a one-of-a-kind office space.
Here is the list of 15 Projects by Dillon Kyle Architects:
1. DKA Studio
Completed in 2016, DKA’s new office and the studio is a three-storey inverted L structure. As a reference to the oak trees in their area, they carved out oak-leaves on a wooden screen which encircles the entire building. Their project was an AIA award-winning design.
2. Troon Residence
Unlike regular Houston landscapes, this project was on a sloped site which was a big challenge for the firm. And since the site was small, a lot of the spaces like the utility room, wine cellar, and storage had to be accommodated in the basement. Accoya softwood was majorly used for this project as it is impervious to decay which was required to tackle Houston’s humidity.
3. Oak Lane Residence
More laterally spread out than vertically, the Oak Lane residence is one of DKA’s most unique residential projects. With a mid-century style brick façade and large floor to ceiling windows, the residence is filled with ample daylight that accentuates the minimalist interiors.
4. Little John Residence
To create an ambiance of traditional mid-century American homes, reclaimed oak wood has been used in this project to give it a sense of warmth and old-world charm. Completely clad in stone and red tile, the house is as luxurious in its interiors as it is modest in its exteriors.
5. Southampton Residence
Most definitely my favorite project by DKA, the Southampton residence was a renovation project which added elements of modern architecture to a historical 1930s property. Keeping a consistent aquamarine blue and white color palette throughout the house, the interiors have been handpicked to create an eclectic atmosphere.
6. Sunset Residence
While on the outside the house has neutral hues, the interiors have pops of color that create a cheerful ambiance. The materials used in the exteriors are traditional to Houston houses – stone cladding and slate roofs. The L-shape of the house creates a lot of green space and play area for the family.
7. Sycamore Crossing
Designed as a weekend getaway home, the Sycamore Crossing residence has a neutral gray-brown color palette. As this was meant to be a weekend home, a lot of open spaces have been provided while maintaining the privacy of the property. The tall glass windows make the users feel connected with nature and give a spectacular view of the outdoor green space.
8. Tupper Lake Residence
A combination of plank siding and recycled bricks on the façade of this residential home gives it a unique character. In true DKA style, floor to ceiling French windows allow ample light into the house. A neutral color palette has been maintained for the interiors.
9. West 11th Place Residence
From the outside, this looks like a regular family home, but on the inside, vibrant green plank sidings have been used to brighten up the place. The windows give a fabulous view of the gardens and the design has a modern touch to it in contrast to its historical neighborhood.
10. Canopy Restaurant
The use of walnut wood and green furnishings in the interiors of this restaurant gives it a warm and fresh appearance but the main attraction is a ceiling installation resembling that of a bird’s nest or twigs of a tree. A canopy theme has been maintained in the restaurant’s design by using blown-up photographs of actual oak trees.
11. Koelsch Gallery
This art and fashion gallery has the exterior of the warehouse but on the inside, it is a bright and exciting space. Glass slits allow limited light to enter the exhibition space which brightens up the plywood and white interiors.
12. Seward Plantation Residence
One of the older projects by Dillon Kyle Architects, the Seward Plantation residence is a family farmhouse in Brenham, Texas. The main house is placed away from the garage and is connected via a curved breezeway along with the swimming pool. The ceilings inside the house are painted in a ‘Magritte’ blue to represent the bright blue color of the sky. The house is surrounded by beautiful views of the vast property and has a serene and soothing ambiance.
13. Pine Forest Residence
The Pine Forest residence’s character is defined by its pre-war construction style. With cedar shingles and exposed brickwork, this traditional Houston home is perfectly suited for the modern family lifestyle.
14. Pine Hill Addition
Dillon Kyle Architects designed the extension to an existing 1973 house which was originally designed by Frank Welch. The new design integrates the style of the existing structure while adding new elements to it and a distinct DKA style. The chimney’s material was chosen specifically to match the existing building.
15. Meredith Long Gallery
The Meredith Long Gallery project is a TSA and AIA award-winning project by Dillon Kyle Architects. The attractive aspect of this design is its unique carport installation, covered in foliage-patterned wallpaper.
