The Firm

About KPa+d

Karin Payson architecture and design (KPa+d) was established in 1992 to pursue a diverse practice of both private and publicly funded work. We work closely with clients to expand, remodel and build new facilities. We believe that all superior design stems from disciplined architectural inquiry. The situation, site, and unique wants and needs of each individual client drive the solution rather than stylistic preferences. Whether a project is urban or rural, whether it involves a complete building or simply an interior, we seek to integrate a love of landscape and natural light with straightforward principles of spatial organization to make a design that is as elegant as it is sensible. Ultimately we hope that our clients see themselves and their dreams reflected in the work. KPa+d is certified by the City and County of San Francisco HRC as a Local Business Enterprise, and by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency as a Woman-Owned Business.

KPa+d and Sustainability

The work we do as architects has inevitable consequences for local and global environments as well as personal comfort. KPa+d has a long history of engaging the spaces we design with the site, capturing every possible opportunity to bring the outdoors inside with natural light, views, and outdoor rooms. We guide clients toward smart choices about materials and mechanical systems that will meet their needs and enhance the physical and aesthetic experience of place. The firm has completed two projects for the San Francisco Public Library that were designed to comply with LEED guidelines. The Parkside Branch is a certified LEED Silver building; the Bayview Branch is a certified LEED Gold building.

Work by KPa+d

Whether a project is urban or rural, whether it involves a complete building or simply an interior, we seek to integrate a love of landscape and natural light with straightforward principles of spatial organization to make a design that is as elegant as it is sensible. Ultimately we hope that our clients see themselves and their dreams reflected in the work.