Ryan’s enthusiasm for design and building began when he was very young, with countless hours spent assembling and re-assembling Legos, Lincoln Logs, and Erector Sets to name a few. Growing up in Colorado, he cleaned construction sites for extra money and later spent summers as a carpenter and architectural intern. Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, Ryan chose to begin his career in Southern California; a region whose unique challenges provide boundless opportunity.

Ryan believes that architects should carefully take cues from a project’s site, listen intently to clients, and conduct thorough research before putting pencil to paper. As a design develops, Ryan emphasizes the need for contractor involvement to provide expertise in how to bridge the gap between ideas and reality. During the construction phase, Ryan believes that the architect’s eye is critical and necessary to ensure the accurate execution of the design. Moreover, sustainable design practices continue to be increasingly essential and even mandatory. Ryan believes that a design and building process that does not consider sustainable practices lacks responsibility and vision.

• Owner and Founder of The Knowlton Group

• Bachelor of Science in Design, Arizona State University, Summa Cum Laude

• Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Degree in Construction Management, University of Illinois

• Master of Architecture, University of Illinois

• Licensed Architect & Contractor in California since 1998

• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional since 2008