John Gilmer Architect, Inc. provides comprehensive and integrated architectural and interior design services throughout the US and Canada. Drawing upon the time-honored traditions of classical architecture, with an emphasis on proportion and rigor, John melds the modern, eclectic and classic to provide a contemporary, 21st century environment. With offices in Palm Springs, California and New York City, John’s work encompasses a wide range of retail and residential projects. John works closely with clients, tailoring each project to its unique context, program and site. His work is timeless and comfortable, exhibiting a fresh, innovative approach with a classical sensibility. His focus is on creating a partnership with clients and consultants to provide a successful resolution to each project.
JGA currently is working on a 16,000 sq ft house in Atherton, CA, the renovation of a historic house in Bronxville, NY, and houses in Palm Springs and Indian Wells, CA and the mountains of Tennessee. Recent projects include a pool house in Philadelphia, a house in Lenox, Massachusetts, apartments in Philadelphia and on Park Avenue, Sutton Place and at 15 Central Park West in New York, residential projects in Palm Springs, and the concept design for a major addition to the Stroke Recovery Center in Palm Springs. JGA has completed a range of residential projects in California, North Carolina, Massachusetts and British Columbia; renovations to an historic house in Philadelphia, and apartments in London, Beverly Hills, New York, Palm Beach and Vancouver, Other recent projects include the renovation of a boutique hotel and spa in Palm Springs, the interiors for a custom racing sloop, and luxury retail stores for Hickey Freeman and Bobby Jones.
John’s avid interest in furniture design and antiques led him to create a separate company, Porter & Plunk, in 2004. Porter & Plunk is an internet based shop specializing in 19th and 20th Century American and European antique and vintage furniture, lighting, glass and ceramics. John searches out unique and memorable pieces that reinforce his curatorial vision and reflect his strong eye for clean sculptural pieces. Porter & Plunk is represented on 1stDibs.com.
Prior to founding his own firm, John was a Senior Associate and Director of Interior Design for Robert A.M. Stern Architects in New York. During his ten years at RAMSA, John led the design of large scale public and private projects, including institutional, corporate, retail, residential and hospitality projects throughout the US and Asia. John also created product designs ranging from tableware for Sasaki to furniture and fabrics for HBF.
A member of the American Institute of Architects, John is a registered architect in California, Nevada, New York, and Georgia. His work has been published in Architectural Digest, Lonny.com, House Beautiful, and Builder Magazine. John graduated from Yale University with a Masters in Architecture and from Davidson College with a degree in Economics. John has served as the Chair of the City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board and as a Director on the Boards of the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Council and the Cabot’s Museum Foundation.