Who We Are

“I don’t know if we could have found a more cooperative partner than KG+D. There was a great sense of pride in the work that they were doing, and the outcome really was important. It felt to me as though it was personal to them.”

— Colm MacMahon,
Head of School, Rippowam Cisqua School

KG+D’s principal interest is creating places that people go to when they leave their homes to learn, work, play, govern, worship and socialize. This is the “social infrastructure” of our communities and KG+D is committed to its improvement by creating sustainable, flexible and lasting structures and environments.

KG+D’s primary differentiator is our ability to actively listen, test ideas with imaginative design and to always view the solution through the lens of how it is best realized or built. This manifestation of our firm’s adage, ‘Listen. Imagine. Build.’ is what guides our projects and allows us to develop dynamic built environments that reflect the needs of the communities they serve.

KG+D’s greatest collaborators are groups and individuals who seek to achieve a greater good for our communities. During the process of design, we value each voice that will be impacted by and participate in what is being developed and we ultimately seek to work with clients who maintain the same regard for collaboration.

Listen, Imagine, Build.

Our integrated approach to planning new and renovated buildings is unique. We listen actively to the owner’s vision and needs, closely evaluate existing spaces and programs, and look at the unique context of every project. We then help to reveal the full potential of a new or renovated building through a creative and imaginative process of testing good ideas with design. Once the right plan is uncovered, we work with the owner and other vested agencies to meet municipal requirements and gain project approvals. KG+D then implements a quality building project that satisfies the owner’s needs and surpasses expectations.

While we bring expertise to every project, KG+D relies on the active participation of owners, boards, and committees to ensure that we deliver the best possible product. We firmly believe that listening is critical to the success of all projects.

Firm History

The firm originated as Ed Fleagle, Architect in 1934. In 1971, Richard (Dick) Kaeyer, FAIA became a partner, and the firm was reorganized as a team of professionals dedicated to serving its clients and improving the quality of the built environment in which we live. In 1977, Dick Kaeyer was joined by Richard Parker, AIA and John Garment, AIA and the firm became known as Kaeyer, Parker & Garment. KPG organized itself around three Principals, each of whom brought a special expertise to the firm, and all were committed to working together to maximize the success in all phases of the design/construction process. Russell Davidson, FAIA joined the firm in 1986. Following the retirement of John Parker, Russ joined Dick Kaeyer and John Garment as a Principal of the firm in December 1994 and the firm became known as Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson.

In 2000, John Garment and Dick Kaeyer retired. Erik Kaeyer, AIA came to the firm in 1998 and was appointed Associate in 1999. Calvin Black, PE, a Professional Engineer, joined the firm in 2000. In 2001, a new corporate relationship was formed with Russ as President, Erik as Vice President and Calvin as Principal. The firm became known as Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson Architects and Engineers, PC. Upon Calvin’s departure from the firm in April of 2013, the firm continued with the name Kaeyer, Garment + Davidson and in recent years has become widely recognized as KG+D. In 2015 Walter Hauser, AIA, who joined the firm in 2004 as a Project Architect, was made a Principal of the firm.

In 2021 the firm promoted three new principals—Sarah Dirsa, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, Brian Mangan, AIA, Travis Schnell, AIA. The promotion of Sarah marks an important milestone as she is named the first female Principal of KG+D.

The accomplishments of the firm are not the product of this group alone, but the result of all members of our dedicated and motivated staff working together.

Team

The KG+D team is comprised of highly qualified professionals with diverse experience and the refined technical expertise to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. The firm is led by firm principals and owners, associate principal and interior designer and associates:

Leadership Russ Davidson