Why Parabola A+D?

Our Story

Over twenty years ago, I started Dean Kahremanis Architects (DKA), serving in the role of lead design architect on all local, national, and International architecture projects. While working-through many different project types, I learned a lot about the relationships between client, architect and contractor. I acquired curiosity about specific client personality types that could positively or negatively impact the outcome of a project, and wondered why architects and contractors could not work together in harmony. Although we created many successful client projects, I recognized many flaws and obstacles within the traditional design-bid-build construction delivery model that needed to be fixed.

The Evolution Of Parabola A+D

A quest to understand and overcome design-bid-build obstacles led me to explore beyond architecture, and study real estate development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. As a result, I created Parabola A+D as a strategic response to challenge the status quo, by introducing a new design and construction delivery model. The heart of our mission is very simple - to advance quality of life within the built environment. The name Parabola is derived from the Greek word parabolē, defined as “placing side-by-side, application” from para- beside + bolē - a throw. Parabola, places architecture side-by-side with real estate development.

Parabola A+D Offers Three Integrative Services:

Parabola A+D sets a bold new path, offering the following three integrative services that redefine how architecture integrates with neuroscience, real estate development, and construction delivery:

• Neuroscience For Architecture - Creative design infuses imagination with critical analysis, and this processing power requires full capacity of the conscious and unconscious mind (whole brain thinking). Architecture and Neuroscience (how the brain works) are deeply interconnected, and impacts the changing role of the architect. Understanding neuroscience provides a skillset to work more effectively with our clients to exceed their highest aspirations.

• Architecture + Development Advisory - Leading a development project through the entitlement/site plan approval process can be a very challenging, time-consuming, and costly experience. Parabola provides expertise to coordinate all six phases of the development process.

• Architecture + Construction Delivery - The traditional design-bid-build project delivery model often results in adversarial relationships between Owner, Architect, and Contractor. To overcome this obstacle, Parabola A+D utilizes an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model, that maintains focus on one clear vision: To deliver the highest level of uncompromised design and construction quality solutions for owners and building occupants, combined with the highest financial investment return.

Why Our Three Integrative Services Work

Our services and strategies are forged out of insight, vision, and opportunity discovered within very common obstacles. A select number of projects are showcased to demonstrate why our design and construction delivery model works, and benefits derived for our clients. As an interdisciplinary team, we embrace diversity as a driving force for creating innovative ideas. We integrate three core values: optimism, imagination, and courage, into our design process to nurture each vision from concept to reality. Ingrained with depth of knowledge, experience and integrity, we carefully analyze patterns within the built environment to understand and eliminate what is not working. We continuously create, test-out, and refine our strategic model to offer services and strategies far beyond limitations experienced within the traditional practice of architecture.