John Gilmer, AIA

John Gilmer established John Gilmer Architect, Inc. in 2003. Based in Palm Springs, California, the firm’s work encompasses a wide range of retail and residential projects throughout the US and Canada. Providing full architectural services as well as comprehensive and integrated interior design services, John works closely with clients, tailoring each project to its unique context, program and site. Drawing upon the time-honored traditions of classic architecture, with an emphasis on proportion and rigor, John melds the modern, eclectic and classic to provide a contemporary, 21st century environment. His work is timeless and comfortable, exhibiting a fresh, innovative approach with a classical sensibility. Throughout his career, John has worked on a wide range of projects in a variety of scales. His focus is on creating a partnership with clients and consultants to provide a successful resolution to each project.

John’s intense 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.

Recently completed residential projects include residences in California, Nevada and British Columbia; a compound on Martha’s Vineyard, renovations to an historic house in Philadelphia, and apartments in New York, Beverly Hills, Palm Beach and Vancouver, Other recent projects include a luxury retail store in New York for Hickey Freeman, retail stores for the luxury men’s clothing company Bobby Jones in Honolulu, Las Vegas and Atlanta, and the renovation of a boutique hotel and spa in Palm Springs. Current projects include the construction of a 7,000 sq ft house in the mountains of North Carolina, the renovation of a residence in Lenox, Massachusetts, the interiors for a new custom racing sloop, and work on several residential projects in Palm Springs.

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, 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 serves as the chairman 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.