ABOUT | HKLA

HKLA is based in Los Angeles, California, where a highly urbanized metropolitan culture and a complicated urban nature coexist. Through the collaborative process of design, contextual exploration of landscape art, and innovative techniques of urban ecology, the firm intends to harmonize humans and nature. We believe the urban open space is the pinnacle of democratic practice in human culture where everyone, regardless of their origin, color, religion and interest, can be together to share their thoughts and experience.

Meet Our Team

Designing Life Better Environment

Hongjoo Kim, principal architect leading an internal meeting

Rex Cayabyab holding up a sample of fake grass

Hongjoo Kim, principal architect drawing diagrams

Our Process Oriented Design

Advancing through an array of creative methods, we infuse innovation into every aspect, enriched by dialogues with the community, proprietors, and our collaborative design and engineering team. From conceptual sketches to the project's construction, our unwavering commitment resonates through Process Oriented Design (POD), where we unveil hidden messages and craft purposeful designs for both people and the environment.

Designing and building with craftmanship are our team's biggest asset and passion.

Working closely with diverse sectors simultaneously, such as community, the government, architects, engineers, stakeholders, and private developers, through daily practice enables us to approach each project with a multi-angled perspective, bringing a high level of creativity and therefore innovative solutions to every project.

HKLA is a certified Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE), Community Business Enterprise (CBE), LBE (Local Business Enterprise), SLB (Small Local Business), Micro SB (Micro Small Business) with various California government entities.