Kalos Eidos is an interdisciplinary design studio that draws upon expertise in numerous branches of design including architecture and interiors, installations and exhibition design, creative strategy and cultural research, to create innovative, concept-driven spaces and experiences for residential, commercial and institutional clients.  Our holistic approach identifies the functional, performative, contextual and aesthetic opportunities of each project to craft environments that are meaningful, impactful, and engaging.

ABOUT RYAN BROOKE THOMAS

Prior to launching Kalos Eidos in 2017, Ryan held leading roles at several boutique architecture and multidisciplinary design offices in both Los Angeles and New York.  Most recently, she was Director of Architectural Design at the internationally renowned firm 2x4.

Ryan is a founding member of the feminist collective
WIP Collaborative, a design practice engaged in research and built work in the public realm.  She is Co Chair of AIANY New Practices at the Center for Architecture, a committee that recognizes innovative new design firms and develops critical dialogue around the nature of design practice in the city.

In addition to practice, Ryan frequently teaches design studio courses, most recently as Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Cooper Union and previously as at Syracuse University and Pratt Institute.

Ryan holds a B.A. from Stanford University, where she graduated with Honors in Modern Thought & Literature, and a M.Arch. degree from UCLA School of Architecture & Urban Design. While at UCLA, she was selected to exhibit work at the Venice Biennale of Architecture’s U.S. Pavilion; she was also awarded a Graduate Fellowship in Architecture as well as the honor for “Best Thesis Project” in her final year.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN HOKKLO

PRACTICE APPROACH

Overlapping a foundation in architecture with other modes of design, creative practice and cultural research, the work
of the office takes an expanded approach to architecture practice that looks beyond the building envelope. 

Rather than center on a specific project type or scale, the office pursues a broad range—from objects, installations and interiors, to buildings and urban spaces.

The name Kalos Eidos takes inspiration from the Greek roots of the word kaleidoscope: kalos translates to beauty, as an outer reflection of inner integrity; eidos refers to shape or observable likeness as indicative of an essential idea. Together they assert the idea that content and form are fundamentally interrelated in shaping experience and meaning, a position which informs our process and underlies our valuation of design more broadly.

CAPABILITIES

Our office is based in New York, yet we work regularly with clients and projects located across the country. We work both independently with clients and also in collaborative partnership with other designers, architects, creative agencies and developers.

Given the diverse range and multidisciplinary quality of our professional experience, we are uniquely positioned to provide creative and nuanced solutions that synthesize multiple branches of design expertise.

We offer design services for residential, commercial and institutional projects within:






Kalos Eidos is a WBE certified Woman-owned Business Enterprise. 

—buildings and interiors
—public spaces and urban environments
—furniture and objects
—installations, events and exhibitions
—spatial brand and concept development

PAST & PRESENT DESIGN TEAM

Helen Davies, Nazli Unsal, Matthew Kennedy, Kai Liao, Kristine Ericson, Shamika Khare, Christina Papalexandri, Susana Chinchilla, Arpitha Cunigal, Sam Velasquez