Meet Ben Warwas | Architectural Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Warwas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had always seen myself as someone who would be a business owner, and when the opportunity presented itself I went for it. I was working for a Hillside Architecture firm, and was moonlighting on a few small projects. I even designed a hair Salon in NYC that got published during this time.
But it was not until a friend referred me to a large home renovation that the client wanted more over sight that I decided to go completely on my own. This project also included designing and building all the furniture in the house, so it was also an exciting project. I had started to teach architecture at Pasadena City College a few years prior so this helped with the decision. You do have to take a leap of faith, but as soon as I did, new projects started to come my way .

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have really accomplished what success I presently have by putting myself out there, networking, taking professional photographs of my work and sending them to the proper press entities. Having amazing photographs can do wonders for your work. I have learned that there is always more than one way to solve problems, and the process of solving problems is ever evolving. My work is about the amalgamation of all aspects of design that I love, combined into a very functional space, that allows the client to add their own flair when they move in. My work also looks closely at the vernacular architecture of Los Angeles and amalgamates those styles into a new style.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start them on a hike up above The Observatory, so they could see the lay of the land and get a grasp on how the city is laid out. Then I would take the Dash down to Los Feliz and check out Skylight books and maybe grab lunch at Figuroa. You could also go over to thai town and check out Sapp Coffee, they have great food. Then I would take the subway into DTLA and check out the Broad and MOCA. Some of the sites I would suggest would be The Huntington Library, Point Dume Beach, LACMA and the new Motion Picture Museum, The swan boats on echo park lake area amazing after dark, or even just walking about the lake at any time is a pleasure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say Casey Hughes, He is a friend and a colleague, he has always been very encouraging about me doing my own thing. And he has referred me to clients which is very kind. And he continues to encourage me. 🙂

Website: https://byben.com/work/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_warwas/

Image Credits
Taiyo Watanabe, Brett Beyer