In his sixth-grade yearbook, Jeff Klatt wrote that he wanted to be an architect.
Mission accomplished.
Klatt and Jason Krieger are co-owners and principal architects of Krieger Klatt Architects (kriegerklatt.com) in Royal Oak, a full-service firm offering commercial and residential architecture, interior design and master planning services.
Developing a strong friendship after meeting as architectural students, Krieger and Klatt both worked for a design-build contractor before Krieger struck out on his own.
“After the 2008-2009 recession, as the economy began to recover and his business began to expand, Jason and I decided to partner,” Klatt says. “Our shared values of hard work and like-minded vision made the partnership a natural fit.” They launched Krieger Klatt Architects in 2011.
Evolving from small-home additions to large-scale developments and everything in between — including the Royal Oak City Center and a major mixed-use development at Big Beaver and I-75 — the firm specializes in mixed-use developments, multi-family and custom homes. With their team of 25 employees, Krieger Klatt recently created a dedicated department focused on national brand work; the office is organized by teams that specialize in design, construction documents and interior design, placing a strong emphasis on developing and growing their team from within, encouraging continuous learning and improvement.
“We are committed to continuous improvement and innovation, always seeking ways to streamline our processes while ensuring we bring our clients' visions to life,” Klatt says. “From the outset, we invested heavily in technology, incorporating 3D modeling, computer-generated imagery and virtual reality to better serve our clients and enhance their experience.” While Klatt notes that initially, everything is sketched on paper, they rapidly transition to three-dimensional design to help the client better visualize their ideas and how they'll appear in the finished home.
“We bring 3D into the process early,” he says. “It's one thing to see the design on paper, but when you put on the VR headset and walk through the house, you can see everything in real-time from the correct vantage point. So, if there's a flaw or something that's not right, we can adjust before we get too far down the road.”
To that end, the team can help guide homeowners from the very beginning. They will even advise on whether a prospective building site suits the desired house size from a zoning standpoint. Then, before the first design meeting, Krieger Klatt sends the client a questionnaire to help homeowners organize their own ideas, needs and dreams — the team welcomes Pinterest boards or any other design suggestions the client has gathered to help understand their goals. The group encourages the assembly of the project team (interior designer, landscape designer, even the general contractor) early in the design process to ensure that the actual home build goes smoothly.
“Our philosophy is straightforward,” Klatt says. “We draw inspiration from both our clients' needs and the unique characteristics of the site where the project will be built. For residential projects, particularly single-family homes, we prioritize getting to know our clients on a personal level — understanding how they live, their habits and their specific desires. This allows us to design homes that truly reflect their lifestyle, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully considered. Our meetings with homeowners are comprehensive, ensuring that every aspect of the design is discussed and tailored to their needs.
“For commercial projects, we not only focus on design but also take into account budgetary constraints and local zoning requirements,” Klatt says. “We recognize that we are in the service industry, and we tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each project. Our design philosophy is to create beautiful, functional spaces that are not only visually appealing but also align with our clients' goals and budgets. We work diligently to explore all possibilities and refine the design until it exceeds expectations — delivered on time and within budget.”
One of the aspects of their work that they truly love, Klatt says, is “helping people visualize their dream homes. Every detail is thoughtfully considered to enhance how they live, work, and interact with their home, and it’s fulfilling to know that our work contributes to their happiness.You really see the impact on the homeowner and their family for years to come. Our goal is to make the architectural experience enjoyable, informative and engaging. There’s something incredibly rewarding about not just meeting, but exceeding, our clients' expectations while ensuring their new space is both beautiful and highly functional. At the end of the day, we understand that designing and building a new home can be an overwhelming process due to the significant financial and time investments involved.
“What we truly love about what we do is the opportunity to work with incredible clients who trust us to bring their visions to life. Building strong relationships with clients and understanding their needs is at the heart of our work, and it’s an experience that brings us immense satisfaction,” Klatt says. “Each project is unique, and with every client, we learn something new, whether it’s about their lifestyle, preferences or the specific challenges of the space. This makes the work constantly engaging and rewarding.”
Ultimately, of course, “the most rewarding part of the job is seeing the finished product come to life and hearing our clients express their genuine excitement,” he says. “It’s a reminder that all the hard work, the problem-solving and the creativity have come together to make a real difference in someone’s life. That moment of satisfaction and pride is what makes everything we do worth it.