Serena Abouchar, Margit Applegate, Liz Chrisco, Justin Cua, Ameya Dalal, Ciro Dimson, Holly Dufek, Rebecca Elroy, Michael Gastineau, Mike Gregg, Jen Endozo, Cami Kamigaki, Sihan lai, Asiyih Lawrence, Long Lau, Connor Katalbas, Erik Larson, Brittany Menear, Sam Sherman, Summer Stephens, Keely O’Brien, Jiayue Peng, Jared Younger, W. Addison Mullins.

Past Team

Practice

Our research and design process prioritizes listening and clear communication to translate ambitious strategic concepts into impactful architectural solutions. We explore design ideas through project-directed research that integrates craft, materials, form, and proven best-building practices within a collaborative, stakeholder-driven approach. This work draws from the unique conditions around each project to create meaningful places for people to live, work, and play.

Studio

Work

We collaborate with pioneering people and organizations to develop environmentally and socially responsive buildings and communities. Our endeavors interweave innovation and craft and include new models of housing, retail environments, creative workplaces, and experimental urban infill structures.  Founded in 2014 by Jai Kumaran and Clayton Taylor, West of West is an award-winning practice with completed projects in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, and Portland. 

Clayton Taylor is an architect and founding partner of West of West. He is a design leader known for skillfully balancing architectural ingenuity and sustainability to create innovative buildings at all scales. His drive to develop exceptional design is rooted in a commitment to weaving together program, context, history, and culture to craft signature architecture.

Clayton leads diverse client and consultant teams to deliver design excellence while solving complex site and program challenges. His expertise is evident in projects such as Eastbound in Austin, Texas and Terminal 1, Block 1 & 2 along the Vancouver waterfront. Clayton currently leads several of the studio’s housing projects including Echo Park Co-Living, a new model for residential development that uniquely integrates intimate private zones and shared community spaces on urban infill sites.

Clayton holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Prior to founding West of West, he worked in high-profile design studios including Coop Himmelblau, Morphosis Architects and RIOS. Clayton is an NCARB certified architect and licensed architect in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Georgia, and Texas. He is also a long-standing member of the AIA and IIDA. Clayton’s dedication to design education includes his current role as professor and guest critic at the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture & Environment where he is leading a studio course on infill multifamily housing and new concepts of living and working in the Portland area.

Clayton Taylor

 Jai Kumaran is an architect and founding partner of West of West. He is a dynamic collaborator recognized for his design expertise and commitment to working closely with clients to develop innovative architecture. His goal is to elevate everyday architecture where we live and work by seamlessly integrating art, design, and technology to create buildings that are beautiful, functional, and sustainable.

Jai is a design leader who quickly deduces challenges and opportunities while simultaneously communicating innovative architectural solutions to build consensus. His creative direction throughout the design process has resulted in exceptional buildings at every scale from custom retail environments for emerging brands to urban campus master plans. Jai is currently leading several of West of West’s creative office endeavors in Southern California including Washington Adams, Media Blocks, and 6344 Fountain, a creative office building that combines adaptive reuse and sustainable hybrid-CLT construction.

Jai holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is a licensed architect in Oregon and a member of the AIA. Prior to founding West of West, Jai worked at international design practices including Morphosis Architects where he was a key member on several large-scale urban developments and institutional buildings around the world.

Jai Kumaran

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Steph Conlan

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Brandon Hansen

Jonathan Rieke

Mayola Tikaka

Tom Adamson

Caitlin Senne

Jess Smith

Garrett Leight Dallas

Harrison Lobby

Block Party

Flats House

High, How Are You?

Sunset Las Palmas

House in the Forest

Court Corner

Highlands Housing

Washington Adams

Wells Fargo Tower

Eastbound

ODOT Blocks

Ojai Cabin

Media Block

Office Park

Terminal 1

Williams

DTLA Office

Garrett Leight New York

AERO

Backyard Thing

9300 Wilshire

Stashed

9th & Daniels

Pac West

House in Four Parts

Las Palmas

Block 1

Fenty Concept Store

Office for Media Production

Blue Ox

Quail State

Vineyard Pavilion

Center 21

El Segundo Hotel

Dupont

Hill House

Next Workplace

Sunset Glen Oaks

Fifth Street Market

Samo

Circuit

Garrett Leight San Francisco

Montana

Work Cabin

No One

Departamento

Garden House

Kenton

Union Food and Beverage Co

Garrett Leight Manhattan

Banks Journal

6344 Fountain

House 02

Echo Park Co-Living

Pendleton Hotel

Beach House

House 01

Sunset Steps

7 For All Mankind

Skyline

Roadside Hotel

Garrett Leight Los Angeles

Block 2

Skidmore Double

Garrett Leight Brooklyn

Undefeated Tokyo

Tall Twins

Bang & Olufsen

1200 Cahuenga

Uppababy

Garrett Leight Venice

Agenda

Carpenter Building

Portland Twenty

West of West is an architecture and research practice that engages the worlds of design, art, culture, and technology to shape contemporary life and the built environment at all scales.

West of West is a process-driven design practice that creates value through vision. The studio balances the social, cultural, economic, and environmental conditions of each project with function, beauty, and opportunity.