What We Do
Desai Architects is a full-service design firm focused on creating meaningful architecture. We are mindful of both the formal beauty and the practical planning that informs the spaces that we live and work in everyday. Attention to detail drives our work culture, and experience has shown us how valuable this approach is in every aspect of the design process from initial sketches to the day our clients move in - and beyond.
Architecture
We design with a distinctly modern perspective, with a liveable and artful approach to each project. From the initial concepts and schematic design, through the development of the design and into the final construction of each project, we look for ways to bring a fresh and thoughtful built environment to life for our clients. Southern California has a rich history of forward-looking architecture and offers fertile ground for innovation and exploring new ways of living. We are thankful to be part of that tradition - with projects across the region from San Diego to Santa Monica, Hollywood to Pasadena (and almost everywhere in between).
Interior Design
Where we sleep, how we cook, what we need to work in a productive way - those are design elements that occur inside of the project, for the most part. So we take a holistic approach to our projects, working to make sure that every detail - from the size of the living room fireplace to the type of built-ins in the kids’ room - is taken into consideration and meshes seamlessly with how our clients live. Materiality, scale, natural light and finishes work in tandem to bring a sense of life and joy to the entire project.
Site Planning
At the start of any project there are many questions clients may have, ranging from “How much can I build on this lot?” to “What land use regulations are in play here?” To provide meaningful responses to these questions, we undertake feasibility studies involving in-depth research into local regulations and zoning issues that will govern a particular site and building. Site planning will also touch on massing, placement and relationships of all built structures on the site, drainage patterns, grading and manipulation of land form, giving clients a more reliable picture of what they can expect as their project moves forward.
Design Consulting
We have many working relationships with other architects, developers and interior design firms, and enjoy collaborating on a diverse body of projects. It may be a local team that join up to take on a larger project, or we may work with a design firm that needs architectural insight and professional services to bring a project to fruition. Although our primary practice is our focus, we welcome new working relationships and experiences as the opportunities arise.
Visualization
Studios used to be filled with wood and chipboard scale models, representing the design cycle of projects over time. And while we do still value and use physical models when we can, technology has bridged the gap between the imagined design and realistic digital representations in ways that continue to amaze us. By spending the time building a 3D model of a project, we are able to explore and refine the designs with clients, resulting in projects that often feel like an extension of the digital version brought to life. While we believe nothing replaces the actual built project, visualization is an undeniably powerful tool in bringing it to life.
Construction Services
Construction is the final step in bringing a project to life - and it is a process that we appreciate and understand well based on our experiences on site over the years. We assist clients and contractors in navigating this phase together, working to ensure that the design vision comes to life while minimizing the bumps in the road (as much as can be done - there are always unknowns in building a project).