“My husband and I worked with Kristen on our residential home addition and could not be happier. She was so easy to work with, going above and beyond to walk us through the process, as it was our first large construction project. Kristen was incredibly responsive, organized, and thorough. All of the contactors that we shared the plans with, as we received various bids, noted how impressed they were with her work. Several mentioned how comprehensive and detailed the plans were and one even said “you never see a set of plans as good as these.” In addition to quality, Kristen brought wonderfully creative and beautiful design ideas to our project. She kept in mind the existing house and how the addition would fit most seamlessly, and provided suggestions and expert guidance on layout, style, and features that we never would have thought of. Her ideas were invaluable.”     – Dani D.
Kristen M. Giannattasio
ABOUT
Kristen M. Giannattasio is a former architect, designer, and lifelong student of the relationship between people, place, and nature. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University and a Master of Architecture with distinction from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Over the course of her career, she led and contributed to a wide range of residential and commercial projects through boutique firms, collaborative studios, and as co-owner of Atelier et Alia and founder of KMG Architecture + Design.
Kristen founded KMG Architecture + Design in Massachusetts to provide thoughtful, client-centered architectural services grounded in craftsmanship, sustainability, and respect for context. Throughout her work, she has been guided by a deep belief that the spaces we inhabit profoundly influence our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing—and that thoughtful design has the power to support healing, clarity, and balance in everyday life.
After more than two decades in professional practice, Kristen has stepped away from active licensure and is currently exploring a more reflective and creative chapter of life in North Carolina. This website serves as an archive of her professional work, experience, and design philosophy.
A NEW CHAPTER
In this current chapter, Kristen devotes her time to thoughtfully renovating and reviving homes, and living in closer relationship with the natural world. Drawing on her architectural background, she approaches home renovation as an act of renewal—honoring the history of each space while adapting it for contemporary living in ways that nurture comfort, beauty, and wellbeing.
She is also the author of Houseplants: essential plant care data sheets for the indoor gardener, a self-published book inspired by her lifelong love of plants and their ability to bring vitality, calm, and connection into living spaces.
GUIDING VALUES
Throughout her career and beyond, Kristen’s work has been guided by enduring principles:
- A belief that thoughtfully designed environments support mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Respect for the connection between people and their surroundings
- Appreciation for natural light, honest materials, and craftsmanship
- Sensitivity to landscape, climate, and context
- Commitment to simplicity, intention, and longevity
Whether designing buildings, tending a garden, or restoring a home, her work reflects a deep reverence for the spaces we inhabit and the lives we live within them.Â
AS SEEN IN
