About

Kenny Endo Design Ideas (KEDI) is a collection of personal and professional design explorations spanning architecture, urban design and other creative mediums. Rooted in the belief that design is the thoughtful synthesis of function and aesthetics, where beauty lies in elegant problem-solving, this platform reflects Kenny Endo’s views and aspirations.

Kenny Koichi Endo is a designer and architect based in the San Francisco Bay Area, drawn to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. Born in New York City and raised across the Hudson River in Northern New Jersey, his early experiences amid the metropolitan area’s turbulent transformation in the 1980s and ’90s sparked a lifelong drive to improve the built environment. Blurring the lines between dreams and reality as a child, Kenny was inspired by creative mediums including Japanese animation, classical music, and modern art. His architectural career has focused on civic and institutional work around the world, spaces that engage the public realm and aim for sustainable systems. He welcomes new ideas and perspectives, always curious about the world.

Professional Resume
Kenny K. Endo

California Registered Architect #C32882
LEED Accredited Professional

Profile

Insightful and creative Architect with over twenty years of experience in architectural design, project management and leadership, Kenny is dedicated to thoughtfully enhancing the built environment, focused on spaces where people come together. He integrates sustainability and functionality, guided by the objectives of users, stakeholders and the client, through a collaborative design process that yields holistic, context resonant solutions. Highly skilled in strategic ideation, site and space planning, facade design, architectural detailing and visualization, Kenny brings a versatile approach adapting to evolving needs.

Experience

Senior Project Architect at William Duff Architects

Apr.2024 to Present in San Francisco, CA

Leads a range of local architectural projects, guiding the project team through various project phases from concept to construction administration.
Key Projects include local municipal utilities facilities, a private secondary school, and tenant improvement for public agencies.
Business Development for the Community Practice, resulting in several contract awards.
Co-Lead Sustainable Design efforts, instituting project accountability and developing the firm’s Sustainability Action Plan.

Associate Principal, Studio Head at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Oct.2018 to Mar.2024 in San Francisco, CA

Lead large-scale architectural projects by guiding the design team, managing comprehensive documentation, and coordinating with clients to ensure tailored solutions.
Key Projects include a university research laboratory and workplace in Houston, office buildings in China, and U.S. embassy compound in Southern Africa.
Promoted sustainability with analysis-driven design targeting energy efficiency, embodied carbon reduction and creating attractive, comfortable and healthy spaces.
Collaborated with consultants and clients to develop integrated design solutions, yielding a well-coordinated set of drawings and documents meeting client needs, schedule and budget.
Encouraged an inclusive studio culture through open dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Associate at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Dec.2010 to Sep.2018 in San Francisco, CA

Lead architectural design for large-scale projects from conceptual design through construction documents, yielding successfully completed buildings in California and abroad.
Key Projects include a high-rise county courthouse, an urban-infill university annex, U.S. consulate compound in the Middle East, and a lobby renovation in downtown San Francisco.
Developed internal graphic standards for Revit and promoted office standards for improved workflow.

Designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Oct.2004 to Dec.2010 in San Francisco, CA

Effectively convinced clients with design ideas and visualization leading to successful built work.
Crafted physical models and visualizations through design iterations that lead to clear, compelling architectural ideas.
Key Projects included a large mixed-use development in Hangzhou, China, master plans for Treasure Island and Park Merced, and Rice University Biosciences Research Center

Summer Intern at NBBJ

Summer 2003 in San Francisco, CA

Designer at Phillip Parker Architect

Mar.2002 to May.2003 in New York, NY

Designer at Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum

Aug.2000 to Aug.2001 in Nagoya, Japan

Design and documentation for the DD phase of the Central Japan International Airport Terminal building.

Designer at Archi-Tectonics

Sep.1999 to Jan.2000 in New York, NY

Skills

Well-versed in crafting comprehensive architectural presentations, reports, and working documents.
Experienced with client engagement, project management, staff mentorship and business development.
Proficient in Revit, Rhino, Enscape, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Fluent in conversational Japanese

Education

Master of Architecture Columbia University Graduate School of Planning and Preservation, New York, NY