Architecture is the result of client desires and site forces, with each project requiring a tactical design response in order to create a place of greater consequence. It is a negotiation between found and given parameters—a collaboration of pragmatic and aesthetic ambitions.
With each new design proposition, PLACE endeavors to synchronize the aspects of individuality and community, program and context, scale, proportion, light, and materials.
PLACE is driven by a poetic pragmatism with a view toward ultimate utility. Each project engenders a sense of graceful minimalism, pushed to the edge, often beyond by creative experimentation, resulting in a sense of restrained opulence.
PLACE continually researches and evolves best practices, embracing advances in sustainable building technologies for a higher standard of coexistence between the built and natural environments.
SELECTED PROJECTS
residential
Chelham Way Addition, Montecito, CA 2017
Bonnie Lane Residence, Montecito, CA 2016
Glendessary Lane Residence, Santa Barbara, CA , 2016
Los Olivos Horse Ranch, Santa Ynez, CA, 2014
Marmont Ave. Residence, Hollywood Hills, CA, 2009
Mastromonaco Residence, Malibu, CA, 2003-2004
Pearl S. Mackey Apartments, Los Angeles, CA, 1999, 2002, 2005
La Cuesta Residence, Hollywood Hills, CA, 1998 - 2003
Encanto Drive Residence, Sherman Oaks, CA, 1999
Woodman Canyon Residence, Sherman Oaks, CA, 1998
Shore Residence, Venice CA, 1998
retail
Kitson Melrose, West Hollywood, CA, 2008
Kitson flagship @ the Americana at Brand, Glendale, CA, 2008
Kitson, Los Angeles, CA, 2008
NIKE, Munich, Store renovation concept, 2008
NIKE, LA lounge, Culver City, CA, 2008
NIKE, Women's Global Retail Store Concept, 2008
Kitson Studio, West Hollywood, CA, 2007
Kitson Men, West Hollywood, CA, 2006
Kitson Kids, Beverly Hills, CA, 2003
Jacks, Retail Store Concept, San Francisco, 2004
GUESS Accessory Store Concept, 2004
Kitson XL, Beverly Hills, CA, 2003
Habit, footwear and accessories, Brentwood, CA, 2003
BCBGMaxazria, various locations nationwide, 2001
Japanese Weekend Maternity, locations nationwide, 2000-2002
Kitson, Beverly Hills, CA, 2000
Cynthia Leight Opticians, Beverly Hills, CA, 1999
Misc., Tokyo, Japan, 1999
Collage, Tokyo, Japan, 1999
commercial
Noevir U.S.A., corporate showroom and offices, Irvine, CA, 2002
BEI / Berliner Photography LLC studio/corporate offices, Los Angeles, CA, 2002
SDI Media, production offices, Los Angeles, CA, 2001
VCAT, Venture Catalyst corporate offices, San Diego, CA, 2000
Style 365.com, corporate offices, Los Angeles, CA, 2000
restaurants
Cloudtop, Pasadena, CA, 2008
Nico, Carmel, CA, 1998
La Dolce Vita, Carmel, CA, 1998
Bossa Nova, Hollywood CA, 1998
Poquito Mas, Valencia and Westwood, CA, 1998-1999
Pane Fresco, Los Angeles, CA, 1998
The Asian Kitchen, Los Angeles, CA, 1998
Speedway Cafe, Irvine, CA, 1998
Speedway, Newport Beach, CA, 1997
The Gem, Hollywood, CA, 1996
Library Alehouse, Santa Monica, CA, 1995
Johnny Hirsch, Principal
Johnny received his Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) in 1995. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Shortly after graduate school, several like-minded classmates founded HEDGE Design Collective, a multi-disciplinary design laboratory. The stated goal of HEDGE was to continue a free exchange of ideas, influences, and resources in order to establish a professional yet flexible work environment which would be capable of responding to a rapidly shifting economic marketplace. From the collective, Space International was launched.
Johnny, along with Michael Ferguson, founded Space International, Inc. in 1995 and built the practice into an award winning architectural firm, operating out of their studio in Los Angeles. Johnny is very proud of the work that Space International accomplished in the fifteen years of his association and he is always excited to see the next great design that emerges from the unlimited creativity at the hands of his friends at Space International.
With twenty plus years of architectural experience, Johnny has established PLACE as a productive, full service, detail oriented, and client responsive design firm. We look forward to collaborating on your public, commercial, retail, and residential projects of any size and complexity.
Education:
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, California: Masters of Architecture, 1995
Japan Travelling Studio (SCI-Arc), Tokyo, Kyoto, 1993
University of California Santa Barbara: Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, 1985
Visiting Critic:
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Los Angeles, CA
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
Woodbury University, Burbank, CA
OTIS College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA