Since 1979 our office has specialized in the design of significant custom homes, remodelings, and additions. Together with selected outside consultants, we are able to provide the design and enable the construction of unique homes, furnishings, light fixtures, and landscaping.
The extent of our participation in any project is tailored to each client’s individual requests. We can dedicate a high degree of service to those concerned with the quality of design and investment in their homes. If desired we are prepared to oversee residential projects from conception to completion, with a minimal time requirement on the part of the owner.
Based in northeast Ohio, we have worked extensively in the Cleveland / Chagrin Valley area and at The Greenbrier Sporting Club in West Virginia. Other projects have been designed for Florida, Hawaii, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. We work in all historic and contemporary styles and prefer to remain a small firm specializing in architecturally significant and challenging residential designs.
Richard C. Kawalek:
Kent State University, Bachelor of Architecture, 1970
The Honors College with Special Distinction in Architecture:
Thesis: “Investigation of Theory in Architectural Design”
Registered Architect, State of Ohio, 1974
Christian J. Kawalek:
Kent State University, Bachelor of Science, 2002
Kent State University, Master of Architecture, 2003
Pepper Pike Architectural Review Board
Village of Gates Mills Architectural Review Board
Hunting Valley Architectural Board of Review
Moreland Hills Architectural Review
Barrington of Aurora Architectural Review
The Greenbrier Sporting Club Approved Architect
American Institute of Architects
Cleveland Restoration Society
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Historic Preservation:
2001 Shaker Heights Landmark Commission Preservation Award – Home Restoration
2003 Shaker Heights Landmark Commission Preservation Award – Conservatory Addition
2003 Shaker Heights Landmark Commission Preservation Award – Family Room Addition
Lighting Design:
Illuminating Engineering Society National Award of Merit
Illuminating Engineering Society, Cleveland Section, First Award
Craftsmanship:
1992 Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Awards for: Stonework, Rough Carpentry, and Roofing
2001 Builders Exchange Craftsmanship Awards for: Metalworking, Carpentry, and Granite Installation
Richard Kawalek is the author of the “Sketchpad” series of home design articles appearing in “Remodeling” magazine, a professional journal published by Hanley Wood, LLC.
“Spectacular Homes of Ohio & Pennsylvania” by Brian Carabet Panache Partners, 2007 (Family Room)
“Garage – Reinventing the Place We Park” by Kira Obolensky The Taunton Press, 2001 (Garage Wing Addition)
“The Kidspace Idea Book” by Wendy Jordan The Taunton Press, 2001 (Children’s Room Addition)
HGTV “Dream Builders” – Guest House at Little Mountain
HGTV “Dream Builders” – Children’s Playroom Suite
Contact Information:
Richard C. ‘Dick’ Kawalek
Address:
35100 Miles Road
Moreland Hills, OH 44022
Seasonal:
Naples, Florida
Hilo, Hawaii
Office Cell Phone:
(440) 666-8979
Email:
KawalekArchitects@gmail.com
Some representative samples of our work
Cru Uncorked expansion to the main building as well as adding on a new adjacent garden site consisting of an outdoor pavilion, seating area, and greenhouse. The new restaurant wing houses the wine tasting pavilion and an outdoor dining patio with covered seating.
Situated between a trout filled stream and a golf course fairway, this home enjoys close proximity to the amenities of The Greenbrier Sporting Club in West Virginia. The rustic materials and forms are meant to evoke the Appalachian mood; a metaphorical homestead grown from a historical core, enlarged and embellished over time. Completed in the…
This home is situated on a steep ridge overlooking the grounds of the historic Greenbrier Hotel. It lies close enough for room service but is discreetly hidden among the trees. For the street facade we attempted to simulate an Appalachian stone cottage perched on a hillside and approached by a stone footbridge. Although this is…
This is a unique guest house hidden in a small sandstone gorge. The rear glass wall and deck overlook a spring-fed pond between the boulders. The building is designed to disappear between the rocks in the ecologically sensitive area.
A Western Reserve style dwelling in a historic district, this new residence is carefully designed to reflect years of care in an estate style setting. A pond and curving driveway were constructed to frame the approach to this home. All stone used was taken from a creek on the site. The kitchen features a two-story…
Cru Uncorked is a high-end French-American restaurant with an emphasis on privacy and fine dining. We designed this building in conjunction with Larsen Architects to represent very high standards in cuisine and wine offerings. The exterior attempts to reflect the ambiance of French country buildings, using natural stone and stucco to suggest a family winery…
A green nurturing space for man and nature. This is a working conservatory built on the grounds of a private institution – a therapeutic farm community for adults with severe mental illness. It will provide working greenhouse space, meeting room, and a tropical garden for year-round meditation. Even more than that, the building serves as…
We remodeled this home substantially over the years, beginning with a 1980s-vintage builder’s house that happened to be in an excellent location. Working in phases, we started with the creation of a family living area that involved the complete makeover of the kitchen and the addition of a family room, breakfast area, and sunroom. The…
A private residence in Gates Mills, OH. Situated on an old estate, the design seeks to replicate the expanded Western Reserve cottages of the historic district. Although this house is new, the exterior seeks to evoke an earlier age; and multiple additions to a vintage home.