We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katya Pikhoya a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Katya, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.
Daniel and I collaborate closely at Bureau Namas, where Daniel brings his vast architectural expertise, and I manage the operations to ensure everything runs smoothly. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey, blending our strengths to create exceptional homes.
Our ability to communicate effectively has evolved through years of hands-on experience and intentional learning. At Bureau Namas, we recognized early on that designing custom homes requires not only a keen design sense but also a deep understanding of each client’s unique vision. Over time, we’ve honed our communication skills by prioritizing active listening, encouraging open dialogue, and tailoring our approach to each individual’s needs. With every project, we encounter new ideas, requirements, and challenges, which have taught us to adapt our communication style to ensure clarity and mutual understanding. By combining our visual storytelling skills with straightforward, transparent conversations, we create a shared language that bridges our expertise with the client’s desires, ensuring every project feels true to their vision.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At Bureau Namas, we specialize in designing unique custom homes that embody the artistry and vision of our clients. Our work is deeply rooted in a commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship, where every project strikes a perfect balance between timeless elegance and contemporary design sensibilities. We approach each design with meticulous attention to proportions, materiality, and the harmonious blend of historical and modern elements, ensuring our homes are not only functional but enduring in beauty.
We believe that designing homes transcends mere physical spaces; it’s about crafting environments where life unfolds and memories are made. Inspired by the idea of home as a safe and sacred place, we intertwine comfort and beauty to create a foundation for happiness—a sanctuary where families can thrive and cherish the moments that matter most.
What excites us most is the opportunity to create spaces that transcend the ordinary. Each home we design is a reflection of its owners—unique, personal, and tailored to their lifestyle while leaving a lasting impact. The true essence of our brand lies in our unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, where every project becomes a canvas for creative expression. The final result is always more than just a structure; it’s a space that tells a story and enriches the lives of those who inhabit it.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
For those just starting their journey, our advice would be to embrace the value of listening, as it forms the foundation of great design. Travel widely to expose yourself to various cultures and architectural styles, as it broadens your creative perspective. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of manual skills, whether it’s drawing or model-making—these hands-on practices can be transformative in honing your eye for detail and design.
One of the most crucial skills we developed during our time at university was learning to listen—particularly in studio design discussions and receiving feedback. It’s essential to know when to listen carefully instead of offering immediate opinions, especially during the early stages of a project. This skill has been invaluable during client meetings, as understanding their needs, vision, and preferences is paramount. We can’t stress enough how important it is to focus on listening in order to gain insights and form a true understanding of what’s required.
Our travels have also significantly expanded our design sensibilities. Living in the UK and experiencing architecture firsthand—from the Celtic to Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance—and seeing how these styles have been preserved and integrated into modern environments has deeply influenced our approach to design. It’s one thing to study architecture from books, but interacting with these structures and understanding how they evolve over time has shaped how we think about preservation and adaptation in design.
From an early age, Daniel’s exposure to manual drafting at art school instilled a keen attention to detail that continues to influence our approach to design. The ability to carefully map out and visualize spaces before technology took over helped us develop a deep appreciation for craftsmanship. This hands-on approach teaches patience and precision—critical qualities when considering all the design elements, such as the tactile qualities of materials or how the smallest sample can drastically influence the feel of an exterior.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
At Bureau Namas, we are always open to collaborating with individuals and organizations who share our values and passion for design. We believe that finding and fostering a design community is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work. If you feel that there are any projects we could work on together, we would love to connect. Feel free to reach out to us through our website or via our social media channels. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and creating meaningful, impactful design together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bureaunamas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau_namas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bureaunamas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buronamas
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bureau-namas-los-angeles
Image Credits
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
