Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Cusimano.
Kelly, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I entered college uncertain of my career path. I had always been involved in art and loved to build things. You think it would be obvious how to apply my skills, but at the time, I could not tell you the difference between an architect and an engineer. After two years of college basics, it was time to commit. I visited the University of Houston’s School of Architecture. And I feel in love. Still uncertain of exactly what was an architect, I was excited to see the studio spaces scattered with models and drawings of what was obviously works in progress. It was the creativity that hooked me – to design, then build.
During school, I landed a job at Jay Baker Architects building models for new houses. And shortly after, I was woven into their design process. We worked on great projects with the opportunity to reinvent the wheel (when it mattered). I was privileged to work in an environment that fostered the creativity that was in me and to put it to practical use. In 2010 I started my on residential architectural firm, Cusimano Architect, building upon the practices learned at Jay’s office. Today, we are a team of 7 working on a variety of projects building a portfolio of notable projects reflecting our craft.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
An architect, like a musician, is unable to turn off, there is no switch. An architect is gifted with vision to imagine, develop and create. An architect is an artist of space understanding its impact on the user. An architect is a problem solver exploring and discovering solutions that promotes satisfying experiences. Cusimano Architect focuses on these gifts sharing in an adventure to create what is dear and special to us all – home.
The art we create is a collaboration between the homeowner and our team. We interpret and shape homeowners’ goals, needs, and desires into tangible design solutions that both resonates and commands a way of living that enables a homeowner’s lifestyle. And the journey continues. Cusimano Architect’s hands-on approach during construction provides insurance that design intents are met with uncompromising effort. It’s the close working relationships with contractors, trades, and designers that allow us to dovetail all design elements and to streamline the construction processes. Ultimately, a complete understanding of one’s needs, goals and desires are realized, and a one-of-a-kind design solution is unveiled… this is our art.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Seek wisdom. Life’s experiences make you wise. Take the time to listen, put yourself in other’s shoes. We’ve worked on several projects that put us outside our comfort level. But these projects are the ones we’ve grown from. There is something to learn in all tasks. This growth and wisdom is the value you bring to the table.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can see our work throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. Some of our distant projects are in Brenham and Chapel Hill, Tx. And if you would like to avoid the commute, check out our work on social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Houzz!
Contact Info:
- Address: Cusimano Architect
4511 Nett St
Houston, TX 77007 - Website: www.cusimano-architect.com
- Phone: 8324650419
- Email: kelly@cusimano-architect.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cusimanoarchitect/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CusimanoArchitect/
- Other: www.houzz.com/pro/cusimanoarchitect/cusimano-architect
Image Credit:
Keith Huckabay and Zac Seewald
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