How We Have Changed Our Design Process in the Past 10 Years
When we started Studio BKA ten years ago, we had a vision for the kind of work we wanted to create—but the process behind that work was something we had to build, test, and refine in real time.
A decade in, those systems have not only taken shape—they’ve evolved. And in many ways, they’ve gotten better. This post is a reflection on how our design process has changed—and why those changes matter for our clients.
Interior Architecture: From Add-On to Essential
Integrating interiors into our architectural practice didn’t happen overnight. In the early days, we admittedly pushed it—offering interior guidance whether clients asked for it or not.
But that insistence turned into experience. And that experience turned into expertise.
Today, interior architecture is a core part of our practice, and clients come to us specifically for that layered, fully integrated approach.
Getting Clients in Front of Materials—Early
One of the most impactful shifts we’ve made is bringing clients into showrooms much earlier in the process.
The sooner we can get clients interacting with materials and fixtures across a range of styles, the faster we understand their design instincts—especially their appetite for risk.
A client’s reaction to a bold stone slab, for example, tells us everything:
How far they’re willing to push the design
How they weigh beauty versus maintenance
Where they sit on the spectrum from timeless to expressive
The same goes for wallpaper. We’ve built entire interior schemes from a single sheet.
These early, tactile reactions give us clarity that no questionnaire ever could.
Function First: Appliances & Plumbing
We also prioritize early visits to appliance and plumbing showrooms.
These decisions aren’t just technical—they shape how spaces live and function. By locking in these elements sooner, we can design kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-touch areas with greater intention.
Rethinking Client Presentations
Another major evolution: how we present design work.
We used to walk clients through designs in real time, believing we needed to witness their immediate reactions.
Now, we send presentations in advance.
This shift has been transformative. It allows clients to:
Absorb the design at their own pace
Form more thoughtful, informed feedback
Come to meetings ready for meaningful discussion
Our meeting time is no longer about first impressions—it’s about refinement and decision-making. We leave most of our meetings with feedback to progress the design forward and we’ll often give our clients homework if all of our questions are not addressed in the meeting.
Transparent Conversations About Budget
We’ve also become much more proactive about discussing finances throughout every stage of the process.
Design decisions don’t happen in a vacuum. By addressing budget consistently, we guide our clients toward choices that align not just with their vision—but with what’s realistically achievable.
Always Evolving
Ten years in, we’ve learned more than we could ever fully document.
But taking the time to reflect on those lessons is what allows us to keep improving—not just our designs, but the experience of working with us.
Maybe next year we’ll finally create that client process guide we’ve been talking about.
Until then, we’ll keep sharing what we’re learning.