The Romance of Architecture: the relationship between the land and the structure
September 2005
Ken Ronchetti grew up in Chicago in the ’50’s. As a teenager he worked in construction with his father, a high-rise iron worker. In 1965 Mr. Ronchetti received his Bachelor of Professional Arts at the Art Center School of Los Angeles. With a technical background in art, engineering, and design, Ken then became an industrial designer at Caterpillar. By the early ’70’s, Ronchetti was designing commercial spaces nationwide with his partner in Design Directions of Chicago.
Ronchetti Design opened in North County in mid ’73. The company has introduced many unique ideas in both commercial and residential building and continues to delight clients with innovative and creative ideas. In 1983, concrete construction (pre-cast, cast in place and tilt-up) was used as the building component for the Nissan Design America, Inc. building in La Jolla, California. Distinctive features in Ronchetti’s residential designs include sliding wall systems, outdoor fireplaces and fabric walls. Many of his buildings have curved sculptural lines, high performance glass, metal roofing materials and protected courtyard concepts. He integrates active and passive solar heating systems into his designs as well as other sustainable architectural features.
The romance of Mexico’s traditional and expressive works have influenced Ronchetti’s designs–“a simple and beautiful harmony, incorporating architecture with the existing lay of the land”.
Ken Ronchetti sums up what architectural design means to him……………..
“A New World architecture for our time;
serene, functional, passionate.”
