Name: Design in Detail
Author: Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)

Published on March 10, 2023

Design in Detail takes an in-depth look at achievements in architectural craft, exploring fourteen of the world’s most iconic buildings designed by the global architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). A collection of studies reveals how the overall design concept is realized down to the smallest scale, with elements such as custom-glazed terra cotta tiles, cast bronze art, and carved blocks of stone. These vignettes emphasize the role of the fabricator and highlight the intimate yet complex practice of selecting, manufacturing, and applying materials.

Offering over 200 pages of project inspiration, including detail sketches, diagrams, and photographs. Design in Detail pulls back the curtain on the process that defines KPF’s architectural practice. These case studies include Floral Court in London, a contemporary residential building woven into the existing fabric of a conservation district; the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, which features an undulating steel screen wall inspired by the style and materiality of automotive design; and One Vanderbilt in New York City, where fluted terra cotta spandrels reconcile the scale of the supertall building with its landmark neighbors. The result is a thoughtful demonstration of what it takes to design high quality and contextually sensitive buildings.

Design in Detail celebrates the architect as collaborator, investigator, problem-solver, and maker. KPF has designed buildings of all types and scales and in all geographic regions, including many of the world’s tallest towers, most varied programs, and inventive forms. The firm’s singular approach promotes a collective goal—finding the smartest solution for each project. Its architects challenge one another to be ambitious in their designs while considering every material decision, conscious of a building’s ability to have a lasting and positive impact on the wellbeing of the communities it serves.

Introduction
Casting
Carving
Imprinting
Layering
Composing
Stacking
Molding
Assembling
Resonating
Milling
Framing
Fabricating
Coding
KPF Making Traveling Exhibition