ABOUT US

ABOUT US

[ STUDIO KHORA ] marks the evolution of Rex Nichols Architects to a selective collaborative group of architects, interior designers, landscape architects, lighting designers, and builders. STUDIO KHORA believes that the right team creates excellence in architectural design with a compelling artistic statement. One that serves as a comforting and enlightened work of contemporary art, an elegant structure that speaks of light and air, asymmetry and reflection, texture and form; a visual experience that seeks to uplift and inspire, with a strong philosophical and artistic point of view. ​ [ We are on a mission to express a new vision for contemporary design with its sculptural geometric forms and playful layouts that continually provoke, challenge, and inspire. ] ​ STUDIO KHORA’s legacy with Rex Nichols Architects includes 11 American Institute of Architects awards. For six years running, it has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Coastal Architects in the United States by the preeminent Ocean Home Magazine, with projects in South Florida, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the Bahamas. ​ “Khora," in our interpretation, is a nonphysical space where architecture is received from the intelligible realm and where we connect our vision to shape architecture into a physical world. Khora is also a term used by French philosopher Jacques Derrida, who has inspired the revolution in contemporary architecture, a cross-fertilization of philosophy and the arts. As an architectural movement, deconstructivism gives the impression of the fragmentation of the constructed building, commonly characterized by the challenge of finding a great architectural composition in the absence of continuity or predictable symmetry. Besides fragmentation, deconstructivism often manipulates the structure's surface skin and deploys non-rectilinear shapes. Other notable contemporary architects whose work is often described as deconstructivist include Zaha Hadid, Peter Eisenman, Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas, Daniel Libeskind, and Herzog & de Meuron. ​ [ Great architecture comes from working with great clients. For our clients, it's an invitation to participate in the contemporary art movement, a fundamental approach combining art, architecture, design, interior design, and nature. ] Our design process starts by identifying the key criteria of a project: What is the greatest challenge? How to combine design elements with taking the best advantage of the setting, exterior, and interior architectural needs? And, importantly, how to achieve maximum return on investment. We design with the philosophy that information-driven design, sustainable technologies, environmentally responsible materials, and contemporary style are key design processes. Equally important, our goal is to achieve a design that visually communicates the public perception of the building in a unique and creative way. At STUDIO KHORA, we purposely keep our team small to maintain direct communication with our clients. We are nimble; we can adapt to the unique requirements of any project, from luxury single-family to medium and high-density residential and mixed-use buildings. We believe this approach of creating a compact, collaborative team of professionals drives loyalty, and loyalty drives success. ​ To achieve our mission of Architecture as Contemporary Art, we broaden our reach into real estate development to maintain the vision that the client and the architect have initiated. We built the KHORA “Architect as Developer” business model to redefine the role of the traditional architect. As a Developer, the architect commands a greater sense of control, faster decision-making, and fewer approval levels, enabling an inherently more efficient process. Our development proposals include detailed financial proformas for each of our projects to ensure optimal returns on investment for the savvy investor. Flexibility regarding design and material details are optional within the parameters of every design we create, making us a proactive partner maximizing investment opportunities for our clients while creating optimal aesthetic results for all projects we undertake. ​ We understand the essence of our brand and what it takes to be successful both creatively and financially. ​ ​ ​ ​ SUMMARY OF CV AND KEY STAFF ​ ​ ALEX PENNA / Principal of STUDIO KHORA M.Arch, LEED AP, NCARB - Design Leader for Contemporary Architecture ​ As a Principal of STUDIO KHORA, and Design Leader for Contemporary Architecture, Alex has changed the portfolio direction of KHORA to contemporary architecture, which has led the firm to be included in the top 50 residential architects in the U.S. since 2015. Alex worked in London for world-renowned architectural firms including Foster+Partners, OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, and Rafael Viñoly architects. He has contributed sustainable design initiatives while working on projects across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. He has expertise in energy-efficiency design and has provided sustainable design leadership, including solar and daylight. He earned a Master's Degree in Sustainable Architecture from Bologna University, Italy. Alex achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) accreditations in the U.S. Alex considers that being an architect is not just a matter of designing a building with an appealing aesthetic but also providing a technically efficient design, ultimately leading to cutting-edge architecture. ​ REX NICHOLS, AIA / Principal of STUDIO KHORA Rex Nichols has over three decades of experience designing award-winning projects. He has earned numerous national awards from renowned organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Interior Designers; his work has appeared in national and international publications. As principal of the firm, Rex manages the design, the construction documents, and the administration of the construction agreement. He received his professional degree in architecture from the University of Florida College of Architecture and Fine Arts and continued his studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He has received the NCARB and Florida Registration in 1977 and the State of Maine in 1984. Rex Nichols is currently a Vice President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). ​ ​ GARY KITTREDGE, Realtor / Director of Real Estate Sales and Marketing Gary is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with advanced degrees in Photographic Science and Business Administration. Gary held various C-level executive positions in Printing and Publishing, with hands-on experience in manufacturing, global outsourcing and acquisitions, sales and marketing. He is a member of the Maine Board of Realtors and has developed a network of affiliated real estate professionals in Maine, Massachusetts, and California. As an advocate of fine living, he specializes in discovering and selling coastal and luxury properties. Gary coordinates custom real estate searches together with Studio KHORA. He is currently a Realtor with Dwelling in Maine Real Estate.