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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

WE MAKE LIFE BETTER THROUGH DESIGN — KEM STUDIO is an award winning design firm that fuses architecture + industrial design. This fusion is a natural extension of our underlying design philosophy – Better Design Better Living™ – making design more approachable, livable and necessary in our lives.

We are united by our belief that people interact with three different scales of objects as part of their daily life. The first are the things we manipulate (phones, microscopes, etc). Second are things we are equal with (chairs, benches, etc). And third are things that manipulate us (buildings, playgrounds, etc).

It is through our interdisciplinary approach and shared knowledge, as architects + industrial designers, that allows us to coalesce these scales into holistic design solutions and authentic experiences.

BETTER DESIGN BETTER LIVING

We believe that a wide range of experience is beneficial for all our projects and clients. It gives us an understanding of how people live, work and play in all aspects of life. That’s why we don’t have a specific style. Every one of our solutions is response to a specific client, market and user — making it something truly distinct and personal.

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Through these initial prototypes for Hedge, we unlocked new possibilities for innovation. They proved our theory, showing us we could transform a non-structural acoustic material into something structural.

KEM STUDIO IS 20! Thank you for being part of our journey and joining us as we celebrate 20 years of making life better through design! 🖤 KEM STUDIO

In this fourth #Throwback, we revisit the years from 2020 to today, our "even better together" period. These were challenging times marked by a global pandemic, bringing uncertainty and new obstacles. Yet, fueled by our nimble and close-knit studio, we emerged more connected and collaborative than ever.

The skylight details are coming together at one of our projects currently under construction. This stunning feature transforms a warehouse into something beautiful, flooding the space with natural light and showcasing the full 27’ existing volume.

Welcoming, secure, and distinctly familiar… with a modern fiduciary touch. We’re thrilled to unveil our recent renovation for @enterprisebanktrust KC! This reimagined space merges the timeless elegance of fluted columns with the playful nostalgia of a mid-century drive-through bank. Thoughtfully designed, intimate, and versatile, the new layout offers clients and the community a uniquely branded experience in every corner.

As KEM STUDIO gears up for its 20th Anniversary on 11/11/24, we’re taking a few moments to celebrate our journey. Our third #throwback takes us back to 2015-2019, a breakout period for us.

We started collaborating with some amazing clients like Landscape Forms, Herman Miller, Airstream, and Martin Logan, among others. Simultaneously, our projects grew in scale and diversity - all by design.

Enjoy a look back at some of our projects in the years leading up to our first decade as KEM STUDIO.

KEM STUDIO is happy to announce Test Fit #1, a group exhibition. Join us Friday, October 11, 5pm-8pm at our studio on 1515 Genessee St. for an artist reception showcasing the work of 6 local artists (including our very own @jaasielduarte).
Test Fit #1 is a continuation of our studios commitment to Kansas City art while acknowledging the growing discourse between art and architecture.

Introducing Hedge, our newest product designed in collaboration with Loftwall. Hedge is a pioneering space creator that combines sustainability with versatility. It is the first education and workplace furniture system to use Acoustic PET (made from recycled post-consumer plastics) as its core structural material – demonstrating that eco-friendly materials can offer the durability required for modern, dynamic spaces. Hedge not only redefines space planning but also addresses the growing need for acoustic control in modern environments.

As KEM STUDIO gears up for its 20th Anniversary on 11/11/24, we’re taking a few moments to celebrate our journey. Our second #throwback takes us back to 2010-2014, our collaborative years.

Collaboration has always been in our DNA, but this period marked a turning point. During this time we taught a multidisciplinary workshop at Virginia Tech on how to collaborate, and we developed our research framework that embraces collaboration and fosters innovation… a framework that we still use today. Enjoy a look back at some of our projects in the years leading up to our first decade as KEM STUDIO.

Life’s a party, and I’m there... the mantra at the heart of Fern Bar and its founder and operator, Bryan Arri. Fern Bar’s aesthetic leverages pre-existing features, like a central brick arch, terrazzo floors, and a unifying tin ceiling tile. The use of terracotta tiles, nature-inspired design elements, and gentle textiles foster a natural connection. The old and new harmoniously blend through floor tile accents extending into the wall and bar trim. The bar’s design promotes conversation and inclusivity, and the changing LED lighting enhances the lively ambiance.
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Visit our site for more behind the design and for excellent atmosphere, people, and cocktails go check out Fern Bar for yourself!

We have some exciting news! Please join us in congratulating Annie Ringhofer on her elevation to Associate at KEM STUDIO. As an Associate, Annie joins our leadership team in our pursuit of Better Design Better Living™. Her role as a diligent, dedicated, and dialed-in studio member makes her a power player in and out of the office. Annie recently completed the AIA Pillars Leadership program and is involved as an active member of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, KC Design Week, and KC Fashion Week - all of which she gracefully balances in addition to being a valued teammate here. Cheers to you, Annie!

As KEM STUDIO gears up for its 20th Anniversary on 11/11, we’re taking a moment to celebrate our journey. Today’s #throwback takes us back to our early years (2004-2009). We were just a startup, with our first big purchase being a pool table. We had 5,000 square feet in an up-and-coming part of town, where space heaters and fingerless gloves were our winter essentials. It was all about testing if our philosophy and design work had legs during this time. Our philosophy has been rooted in the fusion of Architecture + Industrial Design from day one, believing that this fusion can improve lives through design. Our guiding principle, Better Design Better Living™, still drives us today. Enjoy a look back at some of our projects making life better through design in our first 5 years at KEM STUDIO.

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