Business Details
29 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Design Services
At 3 Six O, architecture is practiced as an art form rooted in ethical responsibility and creative exploration. Our firm combines contemporary materials with traditional craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from disciplines ranging from music to scientific research. Founded in 1997, we have earned 15 major awards from the AIA Rhode Island and Boston Society of Architects, with our work featured in Architectural Record, Dwell, and international design publications. Our portfolio spans institutional, commercial, residential, and competition projects, including the Community MusicWorks Education Center honored by the International Architecture Awards.Principals Kyna Leski and Chris Bardt lead a team that integrates academic rigor with practical innovation, having completed transformative projects like the Four Seasons One Dalton wellness floor and the STIX Restaurant recognized as a Record Interior. We maintain offices in Providence and New York while serving clients globally through digital collaboration and on-site supervision. Our design philosophy prioritizes holistic solutions that address each project's unique context, materials, and human experience.
Services
Institutional Architecture
Commercial Design
Residential Projects
Furniture Design
Competition Entries
Monument Design
Light Manipulation
Urban Planning
Exhibit Design
Historic Preservation
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We have completed 25+ award-winning projects recognized by AIA and international architecture awards
- Our principals combine 40+ years of academic teaching with practical design experience
- We maintain direct principal oversight on every project from concept to completion
- Our work has been featured in 12+ architectural publications including Architectural Record
- We offer global project delivery with local construction supervision capabilities
Services
Institutional Architecture
We create inspiring institutional spaces that balance functionality with artistic expression. Our approach integrates contextual sensitivity and innovative material use while maintaining strict budget controls. Projects include educational facilities, cultural centers, and public monuments.
Commercial Design
Our commercial projects combine brand identity with user experience through spatial innovation. From luxury salons to hospitality venues, we craft environments that enhance business operations while creating memorable customer experiences through material and lighting design.
Residential Projects
We transform living spaces through thoughtful integration of form and function. Our residential work ranges from modern renovations to custom homes, emphasizing natural light manipulation, material authenticity, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections.
Furniture Design
Our furniture designs extend architectural principles into functional art. Using innovative materials and ergonomic considerations, we create pieces that complement spatial environments while maintaining standalone aesthetic value through form experimentation.
Competition Entries
We develop visionary competition proposals that push architectural boundaries. Our entries demonstrate rigorous conceptual thinking combined with technical feasibility analysis, resulting in award-winning concepts for memorials, pavilions, and urban interventions.
People
Kyna Leski
Principal, Professor
Founding principal and RISD professor specializing in creative process research. Recipient of Japan Architects Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition awards, author of 'The Storm of Creativity' exploring design ideation.
Chris Bardt
Principal, Professor
Co-founding principal with 25+ years of architectural practice. RISD professor and author of 'Material & Mind' examining material influence on creativity. His work appears in AA Files and ViA arquitectura journals.
Katelyn Mayfield
Project Architect
Project Architect with experience in museum exhibits and high-rise wellness design. Graduated from RISD in 2009, specializes in human-scale design and storytelling through spatial experiences.
Aaron Brode
Project Manager
20+ years of design/build expertise, former owner of 2Story Design Build. Specializes in historic preservation and hospitality projects, combining artistic vision with construction pragmatism.
Jon Kletzien
Architectural Illustrator
Former StudioAMD partner with 27 years of architectural visualization experience. Recipient of Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize, specializes in creating compelling visual narratives for complex architectural projects.
Questions
Why are you called 3SIX?
Our name represents our comprehensive approach, symbolizing a full circle of expertise integrating all project aspects into cohesive experiences.
Can you work on non-local projects?
Yes, we successfully manage remote projects using digital collaboration tools and provide on-site supervision regardless of location.
What services do you provide?
We offer full-service architecture from concept through construction, ensuring design integrity and budget compliance.
Do you specialize in specific architectural styles?
We prioritize context-specific design over style, respecting existing environments while creating innovative solutions.
Are you committed to sustainable design?
Yes, we integrate environmentally conscious practices and stay informed about the latest green technologies.
Who will manage my project?
A dedicated project architect will handle daily communication, with principals overseeing the entire process.
Videos
