February 2017

48 BUILD / February 2017 , With his unique approach and luxury design style, it is clear to see why Dean Larkin Design is a roaring success. The man himself speaks to BuildMagazine about his firmand his visions for the future. Design for Life Dean Larkin, AIA, has been described as the quintessential Los Angeles architect. An LA native Dean grew up appreciating Southern California’s unique climate and natural beauty. His projects celebrate the balance between shadow and light, form and function, monument and nature; Dean has designed projects that evoke the unique climate, attitude and lifestyle of Southern California. Since graduating from the University of Southern California’s respected School of Architecture, Dean has been designing high-end residential and luxury destination projects. Leveraging his experience and countless referrals, he established his own firm, Dean Larkin Design, in 1999. Dean Larkin Design focuses on maximizing the intrinsic potential of the setting while meeting the client’s lifestyle, business or institutional needs. “Great architecture,” notes Dean, “does more than just work… It transcends itself, its occupants and its environment.” Dean gives us an overview of the company and the services it provides. “We specialise in high-end luxury lifestyle project focusing mainly on estates; but also, including multi-family and hospitality. Our full-service design celebrates the balance between shadow and light, form and function, monument and nature; and constantly blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living.” When undertaking a new client or project, Dean’s hands-on approach speaks for itself. “In addition to extensively interviewing the client and their needs, the site and surrounding neighbourhood are taken into careful consideration to maximize the design potential,” he says. It is this which sets the company apart from others in the industry and marks Dean Larkin Design as the best option for clients. “Our unique approach is not designed for everybody, but for those who desire to set themselves apart from the crowd for a project as unique and one- of-a-kind as they are.” Dean is an expert in his field of work and he is often invited to guest blog on numerous sites, including the popular Gold Notes, as well as featuring as a guest speaker at conferences such as KBIS. In addition, Dean is a member of select design councils, including Perlick and the Board for the new Centre for Architecture, Los Angeles. Dean ensures he is always ahead of the game in the industry, which proves vital in helping him create innovative solutions to maintain the firm’s success. “By staying involved in my profession (serving as a board member, speaking at and attending various conferences) I am exposed to what is hot in the sector right now. Then of course I balance that by doing what is right for the project and the client, despite what is trendy or not. “We always keep a careful watch on trends as many of our projects will not be completed for two or three years, so it’s important to be ahead of the curve and not on it.” The company’s last three projects that have sold have all set records in their sales, including being the third largest sale nationwide in 2015. It is easy to see why Dean is excited for the future of his company, and indeed, the industry as a whole. “I see our market and our clients’ growing evermore knowledgeable, savvy to put it another way, making it more of challenge to bring something new, exciting and unexpected to the design and the process. However, we are continuing to take on larger and larger projects, including a new 30,000 square foot (2,780 square meter) home, our first sub-division and several luxury multi-family projects.” K Company: Dean Larkin Design Name: Dean Larkin Principal Architect Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.deanlarkindesign.com Address: 7494 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite #303, West Hollywood, CA USA 90046 Telephone: 1-323-654-7500 1702BU07 Architecture & Design