Since its founding in 2021, Newport Beach-based Kober Design Group has harnessed a unique design sensibility to bring high-profile landscapes to life — from personal residences to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. As Founding Principal, Adam Kober has led the firm to quick success in a variety of markets across the United States and internationally.
On a recent trip to Vicenza, Italy, Adam had the opportunity to witness the artisan craftsmanship in person at both Garden Ornaments Stone and Bisazza.
Destination: Vicenza, Italy
Month traveled: June
Duration of trip: 12 days in Europe
Temperature range: 65-80 degrees F (19-26 C)
Solo trip or vacation with family/friends? Business/family vacation
First visit or repeat destination? First time visiting this carver in Vicenza, but Italy is a repeat destination.
What drew you to this locale?
We had previously worked with Garden Ornaments Stone on some of our Las Vegas casino projects when we required many large, carved limestone landscape elements. I knew they’d be the perfect stone carver for a 12-foot tall limestone fountain I had designed for one of our large private estate projects. Coincidentally, we had also worked with Bisazza in the past and had selected them to manufacture the custom glass mosaic pool tile for this same estate project. It was decided that I should visit both Garden Ornaments Stone and Bisazza midway through production to do an in-person review as well as help explain anything that might need further clarification in the designs. For this reason, Vicenza became a destination during our family vacation through France, Italy, Switzerland and England.
Must-sees for design and architecture enthusiasts…
Vicenza is one of Italy’s leading production hubs for textiles and steel, the country’s gold and jewelry production, and workshop location for luxury brands like Hermes, Gucci, and Tiffany. While Vicenza is known for its grand palaces and piazzas, there is a vibrant contemporary city that is also fascinating. We were on a fairly tight travel schedule but would love to go back with more time to explore the local artisans’ work.
Postcard moment…
Before making our way to Vicenza, we were in Paris for four days. I had spent time in Paris on previous trips but had never been to Versailles. Being a landscape architect with a fondness for extremely formal classic design, Versailles was wildly impactful. The combination of grand plazas and small, tucked away gardens reinforced the importance of expansion and contraction of spaces within a landscape design. Similar to the dynamics in making music, it’s a great way to infuse drama into the design.
Greatest takeaway…
One evening, while strolling down a cobbled pathway in Bellagio and eating the most delicious gelato of my life, I started to notice the size and patterning of the actual cobbles in the street. They were slightly smaller and more refined than the typical cobbles we see stateside. This more elegant, compact iteration allowed for a more sophisticated look – and smoother surface – while still possessing the cobble character. I now only use these finer modules when designing a cobbled surface for vehicular or pedestrian use.
Lasting influence…
So much of American design has European roots. Layout styles, hardscape materials, artisanal flourishes and nursery growing methods – when observed in person – can leave a lasting impact. Traveling is the best way to internalize that design language. At this point, it’s hard to find something that hasn’t already been done. However, I find it invaluable to have an openness to being inspired unexpectedly, and to incorporating those influences into something that translates to your project and to your overall aesthetic sensibilities.
Read more of our Designer Travels series here.
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