Tharp Studios

Tharp Studios is a full-service, collaborative firm specializing in custom residential, commercial tenant improvements and furniture design. Principal Ryan Tharp earned his degree in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and has held positions in New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, San Diego and Amsterdam. His passion for modern design is heavily influenced through his travels and ongoing study of mid-century architecture in Southern California. Ryan is a Board Member for the American Institute of Architects California Desert Chapter and a past Board Member for Art Reach San Diego. He has served as a guest juror at College of the Desert, New School of Architecture and Design and regularly volunteers for home tours during Palm Springs Modernism Week. His work has received coverage in local and national publications including: The Desert Sun, Palm Springs Life Magazine, Bon Appetit, San Diego Magazine and Refinery29. We design buildings, renovate space, build furniture and formulate brands for small businesses. Our approach on a project is to discover its 'essence' by telling a story. The story often begins with concepts that manifest and transform into built form. The concepts unfold through careful study of client needs, client rituals, site analysis, context, scale, orientation, views, light, ventilation and material. An important part of this research includes referencing historic examples of similar project types overlaid with today's sustainable mindset. Everything is considered part of the whole and collectively combines to reveal the spirit of each project. From concept through construction, we take the time to ensure the client has a full understanding of the process from start to finish. We collaborate with building departments, sustainability consultants, engineers, contractors, artists and craftsmen whose individual skills are essential to create the final product. We understand the challenges of design and construction and seize the opportunity to work together as a team to deliver clean, timeless solutions. Since this behind-the-scenes collaboration is rarely seen, we use social media as a platform to highlight the stages of the process. We see this collaborative effort as another important component in revealing the project's story. This story gives meaning and value to the project, to our clients, to the design profession and to the greater community.