Lovers Unite is the architecture and design practice of Alan Koch and Karen Spector. We are a studio creating one-of-a-kind homes and hospitality spaces.
Formally trained in art and architecture and exceptionally hands-on, our services include architecture, interior design, furniture design, creative direction and brand creation.
We live, work, and love Los Angeles.
We live, work, and love Los Angeles.
Our work has won praise from Architectural Digest, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, Dezeen, Eater, and more.
Alan is a licensed architect with extensive experience working on art, cultural and residential projects. His collaborations with artists such as Catherine Opie, Robert Irwin, and Chris Burden have taken many forms and include the creation of homes, artist studios, galleries and large-scale artworks and installations. Previous to Lovers Unite, he founded the design studio Open Office where he executed a range of residential projects across the East Coast and the internationally-renowned art museum Dia: Beacon. As co-founder of architecture practice Taalman-Koch, Alan co-created a prefabricated building system which has been used to create dozens of homes throughout the United States, including an iconic Joshua Tree vacation rental, itHouse. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Dwell and included in exhibitions in prominent institutions including the Vitra Design Museum and MoMA.
Karen Spector
Karen is an artist and designer. She brings a depth of expertise in branding and interior design for retail and hospitality, working on projects for nationally recognized brands including REI, Jack Erwin, Konbi, and Kismet Rotisserie, as well as brand creation for developers of multimillion-dollar mixed-use developments in Southern California. Prior to co-founding Lovers Unite, Karen taught photography and conceptual art at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Her design work has been featured in AD, Dezeen, Metropolis Magazine, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Eater, Los Angeles Times and Sight Unseen.
Karen received her BA from Columbia University and an MFA from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Alan received his BArch from Cornell University, and a BFA from Otis Art Institute at Parsons School of Design.
Selected Awards
AIA New York Design Award Winner, Merit Award, Dia Beacon AIA Los Angeles Design Award Winner, Merit Award, Off-Grid itHouse Emerging Voices Award, Architectural League of NY National Endowment for the Arts Grant, Houses x Artists, MAK Center for Art & Architecture Vertical Garden Competition Winner, MAK Center for Art and Architecture