Kassandra Semënov-Leiva, AIA

Light filtering through iron feathery vines spiraling left and right along the veranda and a splash of blue azulejo tiles on the floor ...

These images constitute a young Kas’s first architectural impressions. Memories from Cuba, the tropical island where she was born. When Kas was three years old she and her family moved to the United States as political refugees, but the early memories of natural motifs, color, and enclosure would stay with her.

An artist from an early age, Kas chose a career in architecture – perhaps surprisingly – just as much for its limitations as for its opportunities. She sees art as a chance to describe possible worlds, emotions, and ideas. Kas’s art portfolio includes everything from watercolors of buildings, to landscapes, and people. But the human figure remains by far her preferred subject. She claims influence from Bauhaus artist Oskar Schlemmer, surrealist Salvador Dali, and Giorgio de Chirico. It’s not necessarily about the objectivity of the human figure, but rather its relationship with the world it exists within.

“For me, creating is like breathing. It’s something I can’t imagine not doing, but I also love the constraints of real world challenges. When you’re painting, it’s very much a free flowing process. With architecture, you’re fulfilling a greater purpose, and you’re hopefully helping people by creating beautiful functional spaces. The beauty of architecture is how easy it is to share it, and hopefully what you design helps make other people’s memories too.”

That philosophy also very much informed her direction for education. Kas earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Princeton University, a program known for its strong conceptual teachings. To complement her training, Kas sought out a more hands-on and practical advanced degree experience and attained a master’s from the Yale University School of Architecture.

While at Yale, Kas took Kent Bloomer’s course on architectural ornament, and was intrigued to the point where she interned with his studio for a summer. With her background as an artist, Kas was naturally drawn to ornament. It’s as if her early memories of ornate railings were pointing to this moment.

“When you add detail to space, you embed a sense of care. Through ornament you can tell so many stories, which ultimately should complement the larger architectural work.”

After graduating from Yale, Kas decided to stay in Connecticut. It was an easy decision since she has fallen in love with New England.

“I really adore all of the unique histories the towns and cities around here have. I could go around documenting the ornament of Essex alone and who knows when I’d be done. There is an intense sense of place here. And being able to walk, bike, or take the train anywhere is certainly a plus.”

Fluent in Spanish, English and French, Kas joined Centerbrook after graduating from Yale. She resides in Essex, Connecticut, with her partner Misha Semënov-Leiva, another designer at the firm. She enjoys hiking and other outdoor adventures, reading about ancient Rome, hanging out with her pup Daphne, and baking. Above all else, Kas enjoys her free time creating quasi-surrealist paintings.