---
title: "Klee Design Collaborative — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/klee-design-collaborative-pfvwus-pf~437087950
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~437087950.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Klee Design Collaborative"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/f783fb8d0f17717e_9470-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "15010 N. 78th Way, Ste. 240, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, United States"
latitude: 33.6013
longitude: -111.8867
phone: "(602) 806-8886"
website: https://kleedesigncollaborative.com
rating: 4.3
review_count: 6
years_in_business: 40
best_of_houzz_awards: 1
followers: 1
last_updated: 2026-08-18
---

# Klee Design Collaborative

> Premier Building & Custom Home Designer in Scottsdale & Santa Fe

Original Houzz profile: [Klee Design Collaborative](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/klee-design-collaborative-pfvwus-pf~437087950)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Scottsdale, AZ
- **Serves:** Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Rio Verde, Entire Phoenix Area, Santa Fe
- **Houzz rating:** 4.3 out of 5 (6 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2024), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Pro Software User
- Recommended on Houzz
- 25 Ideabook Saves
- High-end
- Offers Custom Work
- 40 years in business

### Business highlights

- 40 years in business
- Offers Custom Work
- High-end

Klee Design Collaborative is a premier residential architectural design firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Led by John Klee, a designer with over 40 years of industry experience and a former Professor at The University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning, the firm specializes in high-end custom homes, sustainable architecture, and energy-efficient building design.

Core Services & Specialties

Custom Architectural Design: Comprehensive house plans, 3D renderings, and drafting for high-end custom homes and guest houses.

Sustainable & Green Building: Expertise in energy-efficient homes, passive solar heating and cooling, and environmentally conscious site planning.

Remodeling & Conservation: High-end home additions, extensions, historical building conservation, and home restoration.

Universal & Accessible Design: Handicap-accessible planning and universal space design.

Design Philosophy & Differentiators
Klee Design Collaborative is renowned for creating dynamic, timeless spaces that harmonize seamlessly with natural site forces. By prioritizing natural daylight and advanced natural climate control, John Klee’s designs drastically reduce energy consumption—often allowing homes to remain comfortably cool in extreme desert heat without heavy reliance on mechanical systems. The firm’s process relies on a highly collaborative exchange of ideas between the architect and the client to ensure the final residence is a perfect balance of function, subtlety, and authoritative design.

Service Areas
Primary operations are located in Scottsdale, AZ, and Santa Fe, NM, serving the broader regions of Phoenix, Mesa, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Rio Verde, and the surrounding areas.

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Home Remodeling
- Architectural Drawings
- Custom Homes
- House Plans
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Floor Plans
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Drafting
- Custom Home

### Areas Served

- Phoenix
- Mesa
- Scottsdale
- Fountain Hills
- Paradise Valley
- Rio Verde
- Entire Phoenix Area
- Santa Fe

### Typical Job Cost

$30,000 - 95,000

$30,000 - 95,000

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Klee Design Collaborative |
| Address | 15010 N. 78th Way, Ste. 240, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260, United States |
| Phone | (602) 806-8886 |
| Website | https://kleedesigncollaborative.com |
| Years in business | 40 |
| Followers on Houzz | 1 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563891321166
- Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/kleedesign.collaborative/

## Offers

Free Design Consultation. _Restrictions & Exclusions Apply._ (valid through July 2021)

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Klee Design Collaborative](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/klee-design-collaborative-pfvwus-pf~437087950)
- **Website:** https://kleedesigncollaborative.com
- **Phone:** (602) 806-8886

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Published Globally by Dream Homes

- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2024), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5 — 6 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 40.0
- Communication: 40.0
- Value: 40.0

### Featured Review

**★★★★★ — Laura Kennedy, Oct. 2023**

> We are so happy we selected John to be the architect of our dream home. We felt on the “same page” throughout the entire process. John truly listened to our thoughts and ideas and how we want to live in our space. He then applied his creative genius to give life to a home we can’t wait to build.

### All 6 reviews

**★ — HU-169120657, Sept. 2025**

> Can I give 0 stars? I wish it were possible.
> John and his wife, Catherine, are great at telling you how wonderful you and give you a hug, as they lift your wallet out of your back pocket and give you nothing in return.
> John was hired for a bathroom remodel that was supposed to take a couple of weeks and gave us a cost estimate of $15,000...by the end of the project, it had been 5 months, $30,000 and we told him to never set foot in our home again - we had the subs complete the job. In addition, the subs told us that he was charging things to our remodel and taking the materials to a house he and his wife were remodeling - which explains the extreme cost overrun.
> When we contacted the Registrar of Contractors to file a complaint, they informed us that he was not a licensed contractor in the state of Arizona and that he never had been.
> I would not have John involved in the design and construction of a bird house.

**★★★★★ — Deborah Berndt, Sept. 2023**

> We are so fortunate to live in a house that John Klee designed in the early 1980's. It continues to inspire us and others who visit our home with its curved, open interior spaces and integration with the outdoor setting. John has generously offered his expertise to help with an exterior modification. He is a pleasure to know personally and as a professional collaborator.

**★★★★★ — Paul Blumenthal, Aug. 2023**

> John Klee designed our house in Santa Fe., NM. It was built in the late 1980s and has several design features that make it really unusual and ahead of its time.  The living and public spaces are sensibly separated and the variety of angles, overall flow and view-scapes are unique. When we wanted to create an addition for our house, we contacted John to see if he was available, and fortunately for us, he was.  Working with John and his team was a pleasure.  First, he was very engaged in the project (even though it wasn’t really a very big one) and was both sensitive to our needs and patient as our vision evolved.  Second, updates and drawings were always timely and our contractor very much appreciated the attention to detail.  In the end, we have a truly lovely new addition that is consistent with the overall character of the house and is now our most used room.  We get a lot of compliments on the space, and we have John to thank for it.

**★★★★★ — Nancy King, Aug. 2023**

> I live in a house Mr. Klee designed in 1986. I've been living in it since 2001. Given the current heat wave, I'm very impressed as to how comfortably I am with no cooling devices or fans except for an exhaust fan in my study. With judicious opening and closing of windows and curtains, upstairs the temperature has never gotten above 80; When it was 94 outside, it was 74 in my bedroom, which is downstairs. I think this is because I have very good cross ventilation as well as vertical ventilation. There is a lot of open space between the upstairs and downstairs, allowing the heat to rise and the downstairs to stay cool. I'm told I've used 32% less energy than owners of homes comprable to mine in size.

**★★★★★ — Matthew Mansour, April 2021**

> I recently had the pleasure of working with John. I had a such wonderful experience I would like to share: After hitting a dead end with how to design a functional and well designed master suite for my new house, John spent an hour with me workshopping plans and sharing incredible ideas! His very first question to me was “how long do you envision yourself living here,” which is something I hadn’t really considered. His insight helped guide me through different ideas for the layout. John presented a wide number of ideas and left it up to me to decide which direction I’d like to take. Had it not been for John, I would have built a suite I regretted. His thinking saved me time and likely money in the long run. I couldn’t recommend John enough! Thank you again and I look forward to working together in the future.

## Selected projects

- [KENNEDY RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kennedy-residence-pj-vj~7285486)
  - Location: Phoenix, AZ
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION. SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- [CASA AVION](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-avion-pj-vj~7285483)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 13
  - Description: Casa Avion: Modern Desert Concept Design in Santa Fe, NM Casa Avion is a contemporary residential concept design located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Developed in 2023, this modern desert home seamlessly integrates striking architectural angles with the natural southwestern landscape, offering a minimalist yet highly functional approach to high-desert living. Key Project Details: Project Name: Casa Avion Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico (NM) Year: 2023 Project Type: Residential Concept Design Architec…
- [CASA MUSICA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-musica-pj-vj~7285484)
  - Location: Phoenix, AZ
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: CONCEPT DESIGN
- [WIND WING](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wind-wing-pj-vj~7285492)
  - Location: Phoenix, AZ
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: CONCEPT DESIGN
- [DESERT MOUNTAIN](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/desert-mountain-pj-vj~6314996)
  - Location: Scottsdale, AZ
  - Photos: 24
- [SANTA FE RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-fe-residence-pj-vj~6314909)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 17
- [HILLSIDE PHOENIX](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillside-phoenix-pj-vj~6784910)
  - Location: Phoenix, AZ
  - Photos: 52
- [LOS CAMINITOS](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-caminitos-pj-vj~6323255)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 14
- [ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/albuquerque-residence-pj-vj~6329906)
  - Location: Albuquerque, NM
  - Photos: 4
- [EQUILATERAL HOUSE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/equilateral-house-pj-vj~6318406)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 7
- [PINNACLE PEAK RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pinnacle-peak-residence-pj-vj~6318431)
  - Location: Scottsdale, AZ
  - Photos: 7
- [DESERT COVE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/desert-cove-pj-vj~6305017)
  - Location: Phoenix, AZ
  - Photos: 17
  - Description: Modern Home
- [DOVE HOUSE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dove-house-pj-vj~6323985)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: Dove House, Vallecita Drive, Santa Fe
- [LA MARIPOSA RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/la-mariposa-residence-pj-vj~6323984)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [LAS CAMPANAS RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/las-campanas-residence-pj-vj~6399621)
  - Location: Santa Fe, NM
  - Photos: 6
- [EARNEST RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/earnest-residence-pj-vj~7578215)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
- [WATER BARN](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-barn-pj-vj~6408275)
  - Location: Cave Creek, AZ
  - Photos: 3
- [LAS CAMPANAS STUDIO](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/las-campanas-studio-pj-vj~6420185)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3
- [CINNABAR CANYON RESIDENCE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cinnabar-canyon-residence-pj-vj~7128140)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [KARL'S STUDIO](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/karl-s-studio-pj-vj~6420186)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4

[See all 38 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/klee-design-collaborative-pfvwus-pf~437087950)

## Video

- [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/1212018004.m3u8?s=c3d2d05072389a03c16db05cf66b4fead693f48c&oauth2_token_id=1384357804)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What types of projects do you specialize in (custom homes, remodels, additions)?**
We specialize in a range of high-end residential projects. Our core expertise lies in designing custom homes and guest houses, creating distinct, one-of-a-kind residences. We also have extensive experience with high-end home additions, extensions, and comprehensive home restorations, ensuring seamless integration with existing structures.

**How do you help clients design within their construction budget?**
We believe thoughtful design should also be economically efficient. Our collaborative process focuses on understanding your vision and budget from the start. We strive to deliver sustainable and economically efficient designs, balancing function and beauty. As one client noted, our thinking can save you time and money by guiding you toward the best solutions for your investment.

**Do you provide full-service architectural services through construction?**
Yes, we offer comprehensive architectural services that extend through the construction phase. Our process ensures that we provide requisite design services at each stage of your project. We aim to guide your project from concept to completion, offering project management to ensure the design vision is realized with precision and care.

**Do you design fully custom homes?**
Absolutely. Designing fully custom homes is our specialty and passion. We create distinct, one-of-a-kind residences tailored precisely to your vision and the unique characteristics of your site. Our collaborative approach ensures your home is a perfect balance of function, subtlety, and authoritative design, truly reflecting your lifestyle.

**Can you work with the builder I select, or do you recommend specific builders?**
We are happy to collaborate with the builder you select for your project. Our goal is a smooth construction process, and we'll work closely with your chosen contractor to ensure the design is executed precisely. While we don't typically provide specific recommendations, we value strong teamwork with experienced professionals.

*FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.*

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-18.*