ABOUT US
Christophe Valvekens, Kimber Hirsch and Amber McQuown met while working at a design firm in Marin County, California. They shared a passion for beautiful, timeless and functional design, as well as a passion for honesty, integrity and respect in the profession of architecture and interior design. They became friends as well as colleagues and talked about one day starting a firm together that was based on those values.
Christophe eventually moved back to his home country of Belgium with his family, and Amber, a native of California, moved to Australia with her partner, while Kimber stayed in California. It was this time of change that spawned the idea to start their firm together as an international collaboration. They had a strong desire to stay connected to each other and continue their work together in California, as well as build their practice in Belgium and Australia. Thus, BAUS Atelier was born... from Belgium, Australia and the United States.
Today, Christophe, Kimber and Amber are collaborating on projects across the globe. They are intimately involved in all aspects of their projects with the ease of virtual communication. Kimber heads up their California office while Christophe is based in Belgium and Amber is based in Australia. They regularly travel to support their projects in California and throughout the United States, as well as working together on their projects in Belgium and Australia.
Together, Christophe, Kimber and Amber bring an international design philosophy to create projects that are lasting in style, function and beauty. Their focus on beautiful design that is sustainable and sensitive to their clients' needs and budget is what sets them apart from the field.
CHRISTOPHE VALVEKENS, PRINCIPAL
Armed with over 20 years of experience in the European architectural business, Christophe Valvekens is conceiving projects in different parts of the world.
In California, he spent 3 years working in two different firms on high-end custom residential projects and wineries, where he met Amber Perry-McQuown and Kimber Hirsch, and co-founded BAUS Atelier. Now based in Belgium, Christophe has expanded our Tiburon, California office to include Brussels. He has acquired a wealth of experience in the imperial and metric systems on both American and international projects.
Skilled in contemporary conception and computer design, he is involved in all aspects of a project. Christophe is very committed to the quality of design for every project. He knows how to define an accurate strategy and how to identify the objectives for an efficient building respecting at the same time his client’s needs and desires.
Christophe is fluent in French, English and Dutch and understands Spanish. He can communicate and relate easily to his clients. He is a man with practical experience and likes to combine his own interests with those of his clients, always aiming to maintain quality and budget.
KIMBER HIRSCH, PRINCIPAL
Kimber Hirsch, co-founder of BAUS Atelier, heads up our Tiburon, California office and specializes in residential interior design. She creates timeless and tasteful environments that embody her clients’ individual style to continually inspire them. Clients love that she listens as effectively as she presents and thrives on developing meaningful relationships with them.
Upon completion of her extensive formal eduction, Kimber designed interiors for multiple award-winning firms as well as working for herself at Kimber Hirsch Interiors, before she co-founded BAUS Atelier. Her considerable experience and depth of knowledge is apparent in every project she selects and her work has been featured in lead industry publications. She finds design inspiration through her passion for and love of sculpture, photography, classical gardens, art, and travel.
AMBER MCQUOWN, PRINCIPAL
Amber McQuown has over 15 years experience designing custom homes in the San Francisco Bay Area, working with notable local architects before co-founding BAUS Atelier. Amber is now based in Australia and has expanded our Tiburon, California office to include Valla Beach, New South Wales.
Amber's style is adaptable and she delights in designing homes that reflect the personal style of her clients. From modern rustic, to a Nantucket-style home, to a sustainable passive solar house, Amber will delve into researching and developing an authentic design that is beautiful, functional and livable.
Her philosophy is that a home is not just about street presence, but how you live in it, every day. The interior is as much a reflection of your life as the welcome you receive at your front door and should reflect your daily practical needs as well as your personal style. As such, Amber's designs are typically all inclusive of the building design as well as the interior spaces, cabinetry, finishes and fixtures.
Trained as both a Project Architect and Project Manager, Amber focuses on quality of design, as well as the technical detailing of a project, and efficiency in budget and schedule. She is involved in all aspects of a project, from initial conceptual design through to construction detailing and site observation.