Authentic Modern Architecture
Kendle Design Collaborative is dedicated to crafting designs that exude timelessness while authentically capturing the essence of their unique surroundings. The firm’s philosophy revolves around creating homes that seamlessly blend practicality and poetic beauty. By establishing a harmonious connection between inhabitants and the natural environment, they offer a multitude of distinct experiences that evolve with the sun’s passage and the shifting seasons.
The heart of Kendle Design Collaborative’s approach lies in a deep understanding of each client’s priorities, values, and aspirations. This fundamental comprehension is pivotal to discovering the sources of joy that resonate with the client. With this insight in hand, the firm meticulously shapes residences that transcend mere shelter. These homes elevate daily living, kindling happiness in the most intimate moments and fostering a sense of delight during gatherings and celebrations.
Founded by Brent Kendle in 2002, Kendle Design Collaborative has diligently cultivated a portfolio that exemplifies unwavering dedication to innovative, regionally inspired modern design. Their thoughtful designs are renowned for being as livable as they are beautiful. Each detail is meticulously tailored to the homeowner, resulting in a truly unique environment that enhances the daily lives of its inhabitants.
Cultivating an Inspiring Workplace
At Kendle Design Collaborative, we “live” our core values to create a meaningful and fulfilling work culture. Our team’s three core values include: striving for exceptional design, creating a fulfilling, positive client experience, and promoting an inspiring workplace lifestyle.
Best idea wins—no matter whose it is. During our design process, this idea rings true where the team explores many iterations and objectively evaluates them. To further drive our motivation for designing exceptional residences, we are constantly refining details and sharing different sources of inspiration to lead to continuous innovation.
A key aspect of fostering a fulfilling, positive client experience is that one team member is involved from start to finish for each project which not only allows our clients to have a key point of contact, but also he or she ensures the key aspects of the projects are carried throughout the design process and ultimately constructed.
As a small boutique firm, each employee is provided many opportunities for leadership and growth. We are each supportive and provide mentorship opportunities to learn from one another. Our enthusiastic and driven culture allows us to collectively “Do Great Work” to “Get Great Work.” A variety of extracurricular experiences are offered including field trips to our project construction sites, trips to other noteworthy architectural sites, team lunches, and KDC hosted events.
Our Studio Space
Kendle Design Collaborative is proud to office at the Cattletrack Arts Compound on Cattletrack Road. Far from the typical office environment, the Cattletrack Arts Compound is an artist’s sanctuary hidden among the trees in Scottsdale. It is a true Arizona gem, immersed in art, craft, history and innovation. We office in a 1941 adobe ranch home, designed and built by George Ellis—who notably built for Frank Lloyd Wright and taught him about desert masonry construction which is prevalent in his Arizona designs, most famously at Taliesin West.
Originally constructed by George and Rachael Ellis in the 30’s, the Cattletrack Arts Compound is a serene refuge rich with hand-built homes and studios, three of which are now on the national historic registry. The entire property is full of history and art. Philip Curtis (co-founder of the Phoenix Art Museum) produced every major painting of his career here at the Cattletrack Arts Compound. Visiting foreign dignitaries and artists frequently stayed here to be connected to the Phoenix art scene.
Brent Kendle, Founder
Raised in the Chicago area, under the shadow of works by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van de Rohe and other modernist greats, I found my love for architecture, art and design at an early age. Drawn to director John Ford’s depictions of the desert southwest, a land of striking beauty and endless skies, I pursued my passion for passive solar design and modernist principles at Arizona State University, designing my first built passive-solar luxury home while still a student. After a 20-year career of commercial, corporate and hospitality design as a partner in the acclaimed multi-disciplined design firm of Cornoyer-Hedrick, I returned to my passion for modern design for luxury living, founding Kendle Design Collaborative in 2002. Beyond my passion for design and problem solving, my personal passions include mentoring the next generation of architects to ensure a tradition of excellence continues, spending quality time with family, travel and the exploration of different cultures, enjoying great food and wine with friends, marveling at virtuoso musicians playing live, and experiencing the many wonders of nature as often as possible.
Jeff Martin
Jeff, as a 10-year-old boy, first gained his appreciation for architecture by helping his father to renovate their 150-year-old brick farm home. Working with the hand-hewn beams and wood joinery taught him to appreciate the “craft” of architecture. The childhood memory of looking up through the rough framing and dusty spaces of a half-built home to the slate roof soaring two stories above made a lifelong impression. It’s the same understanding and hands-on experience with those humble materials that he translates into thoughtfully crafting the modern spaces and details in his current projects.
Richard van Horne
A Scottsdale native, Richard van Horne has been a part of Kendle Design Collaborative for over a decade. He first discovered the firm in a magazine, walked in to apply, and was hired on the spot—a moment that set the course for his entire professional career. While earning both his Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees at Arizona State University, he balanced his studies with hands-on experience at Kendle, refining his passion for crafting spaces that are as intentional as they are inspiring. Richard believes that a home should be a celebration of both its place and its people. Thoughtfully blending context with personal expression, he designs environments that not only respond to their surroundings but also enrich the lives of those who inhabit them. The opportunity to shape meaningful experiences through architecture is what continues to drive his work. Outside of design, Richard finds his greatest joy in spending time with his wife, Kaileigh, and their three children—Brooks, Sloane, and Ivy—whether creating new adventures, playing games, or simply enjoying the everyday moments that make family life so meaningful.
Cathleen Kebert
Native to Arizona, Cathleen is one of the few individuals who enjoys the summer heat! Completing both her Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees at Arizona State University, she focused on sustainable design strategies in the Sonoran Desert. Translating our clients’ dreams through meticulous 3D modeling and detailed drawings followed by collaboration during the construction phase is the most rewarding aspect of her role. Her passion for architecture extends beyond the Southwest, as her travels have deepened her appreciation for historic and regional designs like the Acropolis in Athens, Morocco’s rich landscapes, and Scotland’s greenery. On weekends, she creates colorful stained glass pieces, cooks alongside her fiancé, and keeps up with her playful fur babies
Stephen Adrian
Originally from Massachusetts, Stephen traded snow for desert warmth and earned a Master’s degree in Architecture from Arizona State University, focusing on modern and contemporary design. His expertise lies in architectural renderings, where he brings ideas to life through precise 3D modeling and a keen eye for photography. Outside of his professional work, his passion for woodworking and furniture making drives his exploration of new ways to blend craftsmanship with architecture. This unique combination of skills fuels an innovative approach to creating thoughtful, functional spaces.”