“Strong Foundations, Timeless Design”

Ho’okipa’s Team maintains high energy, with an ability to inspire those involved in every aspect of their work. The Team is driven and determined to exceed expectations of mastery within their field.

 

OUR TEAM

Black and white portrait of a man with short dark hair, wearing a button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves and a watch on his left wrist, standing indoors with a neutral expression.

J SCOTT QUITTNER Lic. 1063564

HEAD OF CONSTRUCTION

  • Co-Founder and owner of Ho’okipa Design & Construction, J Scott Quittner plans and executes with precision, knowledge, and consideration. Quittner, a born and raised Santa Barbara local, has worked in construction for 33 years. At a young age, Quittner found a compelling interest in “building” and “fixing,” which soon translated into a multitude of independent construction projects. This led him to work at a local tile company for two years, where he honed in on his craft in construction. Soon after, his ambitious nature led him to start his own company, T2 Tile Techniques, in 1989.

    Quittner went on to receive his General Construction license and has since been serving the local Santa Barbara community and exceeding client expectations through a rich experience and a reputable work ethic. With an undeniable passion for his job, extreme care for detail, and ability to produce impeccable finishes, Quittner continues to excel in his mission and craftsmanship.

A young man in a suit and white shirt smiling outdoors, black and white photograph.

DANIEL RAMOS

CONSTRUCTION COORDINATOR

  • Daniel is Ho'okipa's newest Construction Coordinator assisting the firm in the coordination of resources, monitoring project plans, daily construction scheduling, budgets, and cross-communication between the Design and the Construction team. With the help of his team, Daniel strives for success by organizing projects with the goal of completing them on time and within budget.

    Daniel is a University of California, Irvine graduate, and a Santa Barbara local whose involved in his community and always looking for opportunities to spread awareness. He has specialized in coordinating, and analytical research. Daniel is excited to improve quality, productivity, and efficiency for upcoming projects.

Black and white photo of a smiling young woman with short hair, wearing a sleeveless top and layered necklaces, outdoors with blurred foliage in the background.

ISABEL LARRIBA Assoc. AIA

PRINCIPAL DESIGNER

  • Co-Founder and owner of Ho’okipa Design & Construction, Isabel goes above and beyond in her design field, demonstrating a reliable and unwavering craft dedicated to the cohesive, functional, and inventive manipulation of space. Her thoughtfulness, distinctive Spanish flair, and aesthetic eye bring life to any interior setting, consistently producing beautifully calibrated work. While in Law School back home in Galicia, Spain, her clear draw to alternative disciplines, engineering, and architecture, laid the path to success and fulfillment in design and construction.

    Ms. Larriba received her Master’s in Interior Design and graduated at the top of her class, Magna Cum Laude. Alongside her impressive and professional application of interior architecture fundamentals, she has also curated a distinctive design style accrued through her experience working internationally. While her perspective is predominantly characterized by clean, simple, and timeless designs, she is confident working in a variety of styles. Isabel’s innate creativity and clever approach have allowed her to push the boundaries of many mediums and functions, resulting in a rich collection of work that can accommodate a diverse clientele.

Black and white photo of a smiling woman with long hair, wearing a patterned blazer and a white blouse, in an office setting.

KATIE KINSLEY

DESIGNER

  • Katie grew up in San Diego, California, and received her Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design with a minor in art history from San Diego State University. Following her academic endeavors, Katie sought additional knowledge in the field by traveling to China and designing model homes alongside Chinese architects. She is an incredibly versatile and reliable designer, demonstrating her skillset through 13 years of excellence in residential and commercial design. At Ho’okipa Design Studio, Katie manages various interior design and decor projects. She facilitates and contributes to a harmonious work environment through her thoughtfulness, communication skills, attention to detail, and unique ability to incorporate multicultural aesthetics and the preferences of clientele. In addition to her knack for interior design, she is also equipped in landscape and pool design.

Black and white portrait of a woman with curly hair, wearing a blazer, sitting at a desk in an office environment.

KYLIE MERKOVICH

PROJECT MANAGER

  • Kylie is Ho’okipa’s Design Project Manager and offers excellence in managing all aspects of interior design projects to ensure success for the construction team.

    She has specialized in construction management, but her passion for developing a design career guided her to a new path. As a Southern California native, she knows the roots and vision for a brighter and more beautiful California well. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and drive to create beautiful spaces make her a tremendous asset at HDC. She ensures remodeling projects are beautifully done to quality design, on schedule, and within company standards, through cross-communication between the Design and the Construction Teams.

    Kylie is always excited to create personalized Designs for our clients and provide an enhanced experience throughout the project.

    Outside her designer and project manager role, she is a published author and contributing editor for a globally acclaimed prescriptive memoir rated five stars on Amazon.

CONSTRUCTION ATELIER
Design Studio