Graham Still

Graham brings a lifetime of creativity, a deep commitment to sustainability, and a desire to make the world a better place to his role as Principal Designer at Kala. As a native of Kansas City, Graham was raised in Brookside with his parents and two siblings. From an early age, he knew he wanted to become an architect, which is no surprise given his family background. His mother devoted 45 years to Hallmark, while his father successfully managed his own interior design firm for many years.

Graham fondly recalls his fourth-grade Earth Day experience, where his teachers emphasized the fundamental principles of "reduce, reuse, and recycle." Even at that young age, he recognized the paramount importance of reducing over the other two principles.

After completing high school, Graham spent a year at the University of Kansas before transferring to the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he earned his Master's Degree in Architecture. During his time at SCAD, Graham actively served on the Students for a Better Environment committee, an involvement that led to him being honored with the Volunteer of the Year award in 2000. He claims his volunteer work was just an excuse to spend time at the beach, but we think he’s just being modest. 

Graham and his then-girlfriend, now wife, relocated to Washington, D.C. after finishing college. There, he launched his career as an intern at an architecture firm that focused on sustainability, primarily contributing to interior aspects of large commercial projects and hotels. Their desire to establish roots and be closer to family led them back to Kansas City in 2011. For nearly a decade, Graham worked at Draw Architecture + Urban Design, where he spent the last few years overseeing construction management for the new Kansas City airport.

Revisiting that idea that’s stuck with him since fourth grade, Graham is enthusiastic about joining a team that emphasizes the "reduce" aspect of "reduce, reuse, recycle." His lifelong creativity and unwavering dedication to sustainability will make a tangible difference in Kansas City.

Outside of work, Graham enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also actively participates on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for the Children's Place, a local organization dedicated to helping children who have experienced trauma.