wHY Architecture

why design began as wHY Architecture in 2004. Today, why design engages in projects involving buildings, objects, grounds, and ideas with a team of more than 30 architects, landscape architects, and creative thinkers in Los Angeles, New York and Louisville. why design? This is a question we ask ourselves with every new project, with every design decision made. Our methodology provides prompt and inspiring answers to create delightful outcomes for cultural, educational, real estate, commercial and private clients worldwide. Finding new perspectives, challenging assumptions, discovering new efficiencies, understanding relationships, bringing people together, and giving them room to grow characterizes our work. Each project engages a broad range of consultants, from engineers and botanists, to curators and economists, to execute with the highest degree of innovation, quality and intelligence. In less than ten years, we have built the first new green art museum in the world; expanded with the international art market by designing outposts for prominent galleries; explored the intersection of climate, landscape and architecture via an arts education facility for one of the nation’s top colleges; conceptualized and constructed several private residences; and are currently envisioning a new master plan for an historic park where the 1893 World’s Fair took place. why design is led by founding Principals Kulapat Yantrasast and Yo-ichiro Hakomori, AIA. In 2012, Yantrasast was recognized as one of the art world’s top influencers and was the first architect to receive Silpathorn Award for Design from Thailand’s Ministry of Culture in 2009. Hakomori has taught at the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture since 1997 and regularly serves as a guest lecturer at schools nationally.