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 parametersa 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