Throughout each typology he consistently honors materiality, the ability to infuse ethereal natural light and a tactful hiding of mechanics. Complementing this, Brunn’s portfolio includes furniture design in a variety of sleek and highly functional pieces offering streamlined solutions for the living room, bedroom and bath.
Born in Israel, Brunn was raised in Los Angeles from the age of seven. This international upbringing, surrounded by Bauhaus-style architecture in Tel Aviv, and the myriad styles of LA, has led his style and approach to design incorporating both experimental and international elements. “The restraint of these buildings taught me that space and how we experience that space are of paramount importance,” he says.
Before launching his firm in 2005, Brunn designed at John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects, where he was part of the team that created the design for the Los Angeles Design Center, winner of a National AIA award. Past educational work includes teaching a Masters studio at the Boston Architectural Center, and serving as design studio instructor at the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Design and the USC School of Architecture.
Since establishing Dan Brunn Architecture, Brunn has developed commercial and residential projects worldwide. He believes an architect’s role is to craft spaces that respect the site, provoke sensuous interaction, and heighten the user’s connection with the space. During his travels, Brunn has admired the work of Peter Zumthor’s Kolumba Museum in Cologne, Germany. “The way that building weaves into the city and compliments the existing buildings and ruins is like none other; it’s truly ephemeral. There are portions from medieval periods, gothic and mid-century, all tied together by a common architectural language.”
Brunn is currently working on an Art Deco historic renovation and rehabilitation project in Beverly Hills. “Through the experience, I have seen how much we’ve all had to invest in order to keep the existing building. There’s immense coordination and planning that goes into it, but in the end, you’re really doing something nice for the community and our planet.”