Brian Pinkett is the Principal of Landry Design Group (LDG), a Los Angeles-based architecture practice renowned worldwide for the design of luxury residences. A Maryland native who earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell, Pinkett worked for renowned postmodernist Michael Graves before arriving at LDG in 1994 as the firm’s fifth architect on staff. In his nearly 30 years with LDG, Pinkett has worked alongside Founder and President Richard Landry, shepherding the firm’s rapid growth. His love of travel has also contributed to the evolution of LDG into an influential international firm with projects in 17 countries. Pinkett serves on the Board of Directors at the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Southern California Chapter (ICAA-SoCal); and is a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy and National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more about Brain and his design philosophy in today’s Designer Friday.
Andrew Joseph: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
Brian Pinkett: The beauty about design is that, for me, it is created in my mind’s eye, where it is more about feeling than seeing. To describe an LDG home, I would say that the homes we design have soul – and that soul comes from not only the clients’ collaboration and participation, but from the entire team of people that help build it – and they transcend defined design styles. Our homes offer grand yet intimate spaces, and exceptional quality that reflects our meticulous attention to detail.
AJ: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
BP: What I would like to see in the future is creative architecture, no matter the style. With respect to classical styles, we view historic precedent through a contemporary lens, to adapt our projects to today’s contemporary lifestyle. Our “hybrid” style of architecture integrates traditional elements with the sleek, clean lines of modern design. As a variation of a “transitional” style, this concept helps bridge the gap between modern and traditional architecture and has become popular among our clients.
AJ: What’s the best thing that happened to you this month?
BP: I was invited by Hands of Mercy and YUGO Ministries to participate in a volunteer trip in Ensenada, Mexico. My daughter and I were part of a group of 30 people; each team of 15 built a loft house for a homeless family in one day. The homes were pre-fabricated in Texas, and we assembled and painted them in Mexico. The families were so grateful to be gifted these homes. It was amazing to be able to give back and enrich lives, and to share this powerful experience with my daughter.
AJ: What are you most proud of?
BP: Professionally, I am most proud of our commitment to our team. We have a positive culture of collaboration at LDG, which promotes the growth and development of our dedicated professionals, and the firm. Our successful mentorship program and committee system involves staff in every aspect of decision-making. Because of the work ethic instilled at LDG, our team has been instrumental in the firm’s global expansion, with hundreds of homes and clients in 17 different countries. That kind of growth takes a lot of time, effort, hard work, and the support of a great team.
AJ: How would you define your work in three words?
BP: Quality, thoughtful, timeless.
About Landry Design Group | Founded by Richard Landry, AIA, Landry Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning residential architecture firm, internationally acclaimed for its meticulous interpretations of traditional European styles, bold expressions of Modernism, and a unique transitional style that harmonizes disparate themes. The firm’s talented team is committed to the integrity of their craft and to bringing the visions of their clients to life. Each home is viewed as a personal statement, a direct reflection of the residents’ taste and sensibility, and LDG infuses warmth and intimacy into high-end homes even when realized at a formidable scale. Highly respected for its attention to form, proportion, and detail, the firm is a recipient of a profusion of coveted national and international design awards, among them over 85 Gold Nugget Awards from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.
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