At the end of 2020, Abel Design Group Principal Ken Harry began the transition from the role of Abel Design Group Principal to Advisor and Consultant. Moving forward, Ken will strategically serve select Abel Design Group clients and pursue other interests. A practicing Architect for 48 years, Ken spent 43 years as founder and president of Ken R. Harry and Associates, followed by five years as a Principal at Abel Design Group. Ken R. Harry Associates was acquired by Abel Design Group in 2015.
“Ken Harry is the gold standard of architects in the Houston area and beyond. Abel Design Group was fortunate enough to learn from him, grow with him, and even teach him a couple things over the half decade he spent with us. We are so proud to have called him a mentor and our teammate,” stated Jeffrey Abel, Abel Design Group Managing Principal. “We look forward to our continued collaboration in Ken’s new role as advisor and consultant.”
In his tenure at Abel Design Group, Ken has led several notable projects for clients including Hines, First Service Credit Union, Chamberlain Hrdlicka, Brittmark Ventures, and WEDGE Group. Two of Harry’s recent projects are highlighted below.
The Cannon, a multi-award winning project that spans both architecture and interiors, involved transforming a former 1950s manufacturing building into a modern facility that can house many tenants, including the main tenant and namesake of the building, The Cannon, a coworking facility and startup incubator.
An epic project, the downtown highrise 1415 Louisiana, is a project that involved the renovation of all public-facing areas. The initial project included the processional from the garage, the tunnel, the main entry, the five-story lobby, and the elevator lobby. The project went on to include the addition of Strato 550, a restaurant and conference center; Terra coffee kiosk, and the 1415 Louisiana Fitness Center for building tenants.
“I had the privilege of designing facilities for a wide diversity of discriminating clientele under the firm name of Ken R. Associates for over 40 years and subsequently five-plus additional years with Abel Design Group. I truly believe that being an Architect is a calling and I feel honored to have been able to serve so many wonderful and trusting clients. In addition, I hold the highest regard and say thanks to the many dedicated craftsmen that made my job easy,” stated Ken R. Harry, now Abel Design Group Advisor and Consultant. “My agreement with Jeffrey was based on a three-year transition. However, I have enjoyed working at Abel Design Group so much that three years have turned into five and I will continue as a consultant. Thanks to Abel Design Group for allowing me the freedom to do what I love.”
About Abel Design Group: With offices in Houston (HQ), Austin, Denver, and Dallas, Abel Design Group (ADG) is an award-winning, mid-size commercial architecture and interior design firm, licensed in several states. Services include architecture, corporate office design, hotel design, restaurant design, and retail design.