Meet Principal
Aris Keshishian, AIA - Principal
As the founder and principal of AKDA Architects, Aris Keshishian, AIA oversees projects with a hands-on approach centered on organization, technical understanding, and architectural continuity from early planning through construction coordination. Licensed in both California and Florida, Aris works closely with homeowners, property owners, consultants, and contractors to guide projects through complex planning, design, permitting, and documentation requirements while maintaining a cohesive architectural direction.
With professional experience across custom residences, multi-family properties, remodels, additions, tenant improvements, mixed-use developments, and architecturally sensitive projects, his background supports a broad range of project types requiring careful coordination, zoning analysis, and buildable design solutions. This includes projects involving hillside conditions, challenging site constraints, existing structure integration, and detailed planning considerations throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.
Architectural leadership grounded in experience, precision, and direct involvement.
Clients work directly with Aris throughout key phases of the architectural process. This principal-led structure allows for stronger communication, clearer project organization, and greater consistency from initial planning through construction support.
Balancing Design and Buildability
Architecture must work beyond the visual concept alone. Every project requires coordination between aesthetics, planning requirements, construction realities, spatial organization, and long-term usability.
Aris approaches projects with careful attention to proportion, circulation, material relationships, constructability, and permitting considerations while helping maintain alignment between the architectural vision and the practical realities of development and construction.
A Hands-On Architectural Approach
Experience Across Residential & Commercial Projects
Professional experience includes work across a range of architectural project types, including:
• Custom Homes
• Residential Additions & Remodels
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Tenant Improvements
• Mixed-Use Developments
• Multi-Family Residential Projects
• Commercial Interior Improvements
• Hillside & Complex Property Conditions
• Contextually Sensitive Properties
• Planning & Permit Coordination
Successful projects depend on more than drawings alone. Organized communication, responsiveness, technical coordination, and consistent oversight all play an important role in helping projects move forward efficiently.
AKDA Architects approaches each project with a strong focus on collaboration between clients, consultants, contractors, and jurisdictional agencies to help maintain project continuity from early planning through construction support.
Architecture Built Around Communication and Coordination
Outside the Studio
Outside of architectural practice, Aris enjoys mountain biking, camping, and spending time with family.