ABOUT

Chris Penfold is a Los Angeles based designer and project manager. Chris earned his degree in Architecture from the University of Southern California, where he developed a strong foundation in design through the rigorous and comprehensive 5 year professional program.

Having worked with some of LA’s best architects, Chris has refined his skills and expertise in design and project management. His professional journey includes significant contributions at David Hertz’ Studio of Environmental Architecture, where he further developed an inclination for buildings that exist in a harmonious dialogue with their natural surroundings, an ethos that has become a driving principle of his work.

Throughout his career, Chris has had the privilege of working on a diverse range of projects. His body of work includes explorations in various mediums at wildly different scales, and his clients span a spectrum of backgrounds, ranging from celebrities and artists to first time homeowners seeking to reimagine their family home.

At the heart of Chris' work is a fervent belief in the power of architecture to change people’s lives. Chris started Studio Penfold with the goal of achieving that by creating spaces that maintain architectural integrity, foster a connection to nature, and embrace the beauty of natural materials.

  • Studio Penfold is a full service design and project management firm. We take care of everything while helping to guide our clients through the complicated and often lengthy process of building in Los Angeles. We will be your partner from day 1 until you move in. We strive to do this while upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in order for our clients to feel comfortable and enjoy the process.

    SERVICES:

    -Project feasibility and budgeting

    -Design

    -Project Management

    -Consultant procurement and coordination

    -State and City entitlements

    -3D Visualization

    -Contractor selection and bidding

    -Construction observation

    -Interior Design

    -Landscape Design

  • 01 PREDESIGN

    The Pre-Design phase is where we will determine the project program, feasibility, and budget. We work collaboratively with our clients to determine the desired program for the project—that is, what spaces are needed and how they will be used. We take this opportunity to begin learning about our clients and how they live, which will become very important during the design phase. We will often prepare a pre-design report for properties in complex jurisdictions that will outline the relevant codes and design restrictions.

    02 SCHEMATIC DESIGN

    For us, the schematic design phase is an iterative and collaborative process, where we test many ideas for the project and share a selection of concepts with our clients in order to open a discussion and receive feedback. We never start a project with a stylistic choice, or a preconceived idea of how the building should look. Rather, our approach is more of a discovery process built around a commitment to our core principles and an understanding of our client’s values and lifestyles.

    03 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

    During the design development phase we will turn our conceptual ideas into a more robust and functional design. We do this by designing and documenting the project in more detail, paying close attention to form, function, and materiality. We will collaborate with a series of project consultants who will help to design some of the more technical elements of the building such as the structural and mechanical elements. Typically, once all of this documentation is finalized, we will submit the project to the requisite building agencies for approvals.

    04 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

    The Construction Document phase involves finalizing a more detailed version of the plans and consultant documents that will be submitted to contractors for bidding. This typically involves designing the interiors in more detail and making product and fixture selections. Our clients can choose to be as involved or hands-off as they like during this phase. This process may also include refining things like material selections, landscape design, window and door specifications, etc. We will assist you in finding contractors, reviewing and qualifying bids, and negotiating your contract. We will also accompany you for project visits and interviews, and ultimately assist you in making the final decision on a contractor to build your project.

    05 CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION

    We view our relationships with our contractors as a partnership. We succeed and fail together. As such, we deeply value those relationships. It is ultimately the contractor who is tasked with implementing the design on site, but our involvement during this phase is critical in facilitating the delivery of a successful and beautiful project. We typically will make weekly site visits during construction to review progress and address issues identified by the GC. We will answer RFIs (Requests for Information), provide sketches and details, coordinate the efforts of the project consultants, and help to make product and material selections.