Kevin Hackett

Born in Limerick, Ireland, Kevin Hackett's love affair with architecture and design began at a very early age. At age eight, he found himself lost in Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, mesmerized by the organic language throughout. His youth was spent in both Ireland and France. Inspired by the aesthetic of his grandmother's 18th century home in Burgundy, his design philosophies are deeply rooted in the authentic. His formative years growing up in the Irish landscape fostered his lifelong spiritual bond with nature and his underlying respect for the environment.

Kevin received a degree in architecture from the University of Plymouth, England, and then returned to Ireland to work for Murray O'Laoire, an international architectural firm where he worked on several award-winning projects. While completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Humane Architecture, Kevin was also a founding member of Freeform, a design group that focused on the evolution of ergonomic furniture.

In 2000, Kevin relocated to Paris to work for French modernist architect Pierre Colboc as lead architect for the firm's museum and civic projects. He then went on to work closely with Johnny Grey Studios, where he began to explore residential design processes, sustainable systems and a multi-disciplinary approach to building and design. Based in San Francisco, Kevin is currently West Coast Design Director for Johnny Grey USA.

If you weren't a designer, what would you be?

A philosopher or a cartoonist working for Pixar.

What is your favourite kitchen implement?

Wine opener. I have a penchant for grapes...specifically French.

What was the first thing that you ever designed?

A tree house as a young Huck Finn whippersnapper.