Honoree Profile

Kevin Kamien

Position: Principal | AIA
Firm: Eastlake Studio
Tenure at Firm: 12 Years
Nominating Principal: Tom Zurowski, Principal
Age: 34
School: University of Illinois @ Urbana Champaign & IIT
Major: Architecture

Inspired By:

Interactions and conversations with colleagues, changing demographics & challenges in the workplace and new ways of looking at materials & detailing.

Keys to a Successful Project:

Great working relationships with clients, embracing design constraints and respect & communication with all team members.

Interests Outside of Work:

Traveling, working on his house, golfing and spoiling his dog.

Kevin started working for Eastlake as a summer intern after his junior year at UIUC. He’s the only intern we’ve ever hired who was able to do billable work on day one. He’s one of those people who sees a problem and wants to help solve it. And his skills are broad – he’s both technically astute and creatively insightful.

He may come across as harsh when you first meet him, but as you get to know Kevin you realize that he’s that guy who will throw himself in front of a bus for you. Unless you’re not giving it your all… He demands a lot of others, but not less than he demands of himself. Kevin has helped push Eastlake to a higher level and I’m pretty sure he’s not done.

Tom Zurowski Principal

Favorite Haworth Collection Piece:

Cappelini Branch Table

Favorite Thing About It:

The versatility of the product line, including the numerous material options to create different aesthetics, as well as different sizes and heights to use throughout the space. It’s also a simple design that lends itself well to cater to the rest of the space.