Marianne Kwok AIA

Principal

Marianne is driven by a passionate belief in the power of architectural design to affect positive change and benefit people in an increasingly complex world. At scales both large and small, from urban skylines to focused user experiences, her holistic, collaborative process yields projects that meaningfully connect people to each other and their built environments through the thoughtful examination of program, specificity of place, an improved environment, and refined materiality.

Cultivating Innovation and Collaboration

Propelling KPF’s portfolio of mixed-use projects, particularly headquarters and residential typologies, Marianne’s approach is guided by a commitment to understanding and interpreting the intentions of the client, examining the program, connecting the project to the character of its place, collaborating with experts and addressing sustainability to create unique built form. She has maintained enduring relationships with repeat clients such as TP-Link, a major technology firm based in Shenzhen, and residential/mixed-use/office developer clients resulting in robust multi-project portfolios that explore the client’s mission through innovative strategies in program-driven design. Having been recognized with awards from AIAHK, CTBUH, and other organizations, these projects prompt agency, forge a multiplicity of connections, and inspire delight.

Lianzhou Building

Shenzhen, China

Guangzhou One Pengrui

Guangzhou, China

10 & 30 Hudson Yards

New York, NY, USA

Designing for Wellness

Whether at the scale of a small building or an entire district, Marianne designs spaces and buildings to foster a sense of holistic wellness within the urban landscape. By complementing initial planning ideas with the strategic incorporation of natural light, ventilation, greenery, and considered connections between indoor and outdoor space, her projects apply hospitality-inflected design moves across typologies to create memorable environments tailored for people to use. At Burrard Exchange, a hybrid mass-timber workplace in Vancouver, Canada, exposed timber elements and open loggias contribute to a wellness-centered office experience.

Burrard Exchange

Vancouver, Canada

One Shenzhen Bay

Shenzhen, China

TP-LINK LXD

Shenzhen, China

Industry Leadership

Complementing her professional work, Marianne has taught studios at Cornell and has been a guest critic at Yale, Pratt, NJIT, and the GSD. She has participated in symposia and lectures on the regenerative city for CTBUH, building community through design at the British Council for Offices, and quality urban development at the Creating Communities Conference in Sydney. She is currently on the height and data advisory committee for CTBUH and on the Cornell AAP Advisory Council.