--- title: "Rock Paper Hammer — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rock-paper-hammer-pfvwus-pf~58847118 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~58847118.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Rock Paper Hammer" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0973a1cf0ef0218e_3587-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "contact for appointment, Louisville, Kentucky 40206, United States" latitude: 38.2503 longitude: -85.7034 phone: "(502) 235-8086" website: http://www.rockpaperhammer.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 25 best_of_houzz_awards: 18 followers: 810 last_updated: 2026-09-04 --- # Rock Paper Hammer Original Houzz profile: [Rock Paper Hammer](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rock-paper-hammer-pfvwus-pf~58847118) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Louisville, KY - **Serves:** Louisville, Prospect, Indian Hills, Anchorage, Rolling Hills, Seneca Gardens, Riverwood, Rolling Fields, Glenview Hills, Glenview Manor, Mockingbird Valley - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (25 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2013–2026), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Published nationally - 18 years in business Rock Paper Hammer began in Louisville in 2008 as an architecture and construction firm specializing in high quality custom residential work. The partners are Emily Paprocki, Architect, and Derek Paprocki, General Contractor. While we do provide both architecture and construction services, they are treated as separate processes and we frequently collaborate with many other designers and builders. Please see our website for more information. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Home Restoration ### Areas Served - Louisville - Prospect - Indian Hills - Anchorage - Rolling Hills - Seneca Gardens - Riverwood - Rolling Fields - Glenview Hills - Glenview Manor - Mockingbird Valley ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 500,000+ ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Rock Paper Hammer | | Address | contact for appointment, Louisville, Kentucky 40206, United States | | Phone | (502) 235-8086 | | Website | http://www.rockpaperhammer.com | | License Number | KY 6387, CA 28311 | | Followers on Houzz | 810 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Rock Paper Hammer](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rock-paper-hammer-pfvwus-pf~58847118) - **Website:** http://www.rockpaperhammer.com - **Phone:** (502) 235-8086 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA, NCARB, LEED AP - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2013–2026), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [AIA Kentucky](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-kentucky-pfvwus-pf~1670683370) - [LEED AP](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/leed-ap-pfvwus-pf~1386238498) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 25 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Katie Spencer, Oct. 2023** > Jessie designed an AMAZING primary suite for our home. She took a challenging space and made it beautiful, open, calming, and inviting. Her vision and attention to small details transformed our bedroom/bathroom into something we could have never imagined. She stayed true to the character of our old home but turned it into the modern clean space we always hoped for. 10/10 Amazing! **Comment from Rock Paper Hammer:** > Thank you Katie! We are so happy with how the space turned out. It was such a pleasure working with you and Matt! **★★★★★ — Door Store and Windows, March 2021** > Emily helped us design a complete remodel of our living and kitchen spaces, and exterior face lift! Five different interior spaces are better connected with wider entry points. The kitchen is now part of the entertaining and living space. The living space is now bigger and lighter. with new skylights, raised flooring for one cohesive space and 16 ft. scenic sliding door. We used to live in just two rooms. Now we enjoy the entire space. Thanks to Emily and our fabulous remodeling contracts @Amlung Construction. Highly recommend! **★★★★★ — Dace Brown, Dec. 2016** > Emily is an amazingly talented Architecht. She helped me design my house from the bottom up and it turned out simply perfect. She has an excellent eye for detail and her style is unique and classy. She is extremely organized, efficient and always seemed to be one step ahead of me, which helped my project stay on track so the finer aspects building my house came together seamlessly. I have a great amount of respect for her and loved working together. **★★★★★ — krisabeln, Dec. 2015** > My wife and I can not recommend Rock Paper Hammer enough. Our remodel presented numerous difficult design and construction issues, and their team met each one successfully. The final results were our dream home and we could not he happier! **★★★★★ — eradski, Sept. 2015** > Rock Paper Hammer did both the design and construction of a new powder room, remodeled kitchen, new deck and patio on my 1920's era house. Emily created a design that I not only loved, but that also enhanced and incorporated features of my house that I had overlooked. During construction, Derek, Jovan, and their team treated my home better than I do. I appreciated how they cleaned up after themselves, how they took great care to recycle what they could, and how each member of the team seemed to take such pride in his work. They all are true professionals. Derek and Emily have incredible vision. I have a kitchen that is so much more beautiful than I had imagined. The island that Derek made is simply a work of art, and I'm still not sure how he let it go to reside in my house. Overall, the quality of work and the attention to detail is impressive and definitely not something you can find just anywhere. The only negative thing is that the rest of my house now looks in need of a makeover. I was actually sad to see them leave and move on to another project. You absolutely cannot go wrong by hiring RPH for your design/construction needs. **Comment from Rock Paper Hammer:** > Thank you so much for the kind words... we LOVED working on your project! **★★★★★ — annesmith2, June 2015** > Emily is a rock star! She took a dump of a property which had stood vacant for 5 years, listened to our dreams for it and did her magic. She took our ideas, hopes and desires and worked the plan until it was EXACTLY what we needed and wanted for our impending retirement years.. She went with us to the ARC committee meeting \[we live in a landmarks community\] and pled the case for us so we could move forward in replacing original but broken and decayed windows and doors. She worked within a small footprint and got into that small space everything that were our "must haves". She was always on time and ALWAYS respectful of our budget. She seemed to never tire hearing me say "I've got an idea." or worse yet "Could we maybe change this or that !" She's really quite abnormal - her creativity and patience are beyond human standard!! > > Anne Smith > Jean Russell > Clifton bungalow dwellers. **★★★★★ — joostwho, Jan. 2015** > We contacted Emily Fisher for remodeling work at our house simply because we liked the company name. It turned out to be a great decision, she has been very understanding, creative, helpful and when needed had no problems in telling us "no" to ideas we had. She did a fabulous job in designing our new kitchen which was to replace a '70-s small space, recommending appliances, companies to work with etc. and we're very happy with the result. Although RPH could also have done the execution, Emily recommended we work with someone else as there would be time constraints. The kitchen is "designer quality" for sure and we enjoy every day in it. Emily is more than "just" a professional acrhitect, she really wants to understand how we think and feel and works with that in her designs. We are already talking to her about other projects. **★★★★★ — ecline1, Oct. 2014** > In July of 2013 our family purchased what we hoped could become our "no need to ever move again" home. The home had so much of what we desired, but lacked one key element that we had coveted throughout our search, a home with an open floor-plan within 40207. > > We knew a renovation was in store, but had no idea of where to begin. After speaking with several professionals, it was suggested that the first and most important step for us was to meet with an architect. We met/interviewed 4 of the most highly recommended architects in Louisville, including Emily Fisher of Rock Paper Hammer. Emily's professionalism, creativeness, attention to detail, and understanding of exactly what we wanted separated her from the others. As a result, we hired her to draw up the plans for the project. > > Simply put, Emily was amazing to work with and looking back, we can't imagine doing this project without her. She was incredibly thorough and thought of the "little things" that the other architects never even considered. Most importantly, she was INCREDIBLY patient with us. A project of this scale can require many decisions to be made by the customer. Emily walked us through each decision, but let us decide only after we felt 100% comfortable with each idea. She never rushed us because she wanted us to LOVE each decision, not just skip to the next step. Emily met with us at our home when it was convenient for us, even at night after work. She was always available by phone, email, or text. Always. > > After the plans were complete, it was time for the next phase of the project, hiring a contractor to lead the construction. > > Again, we met with multiple professionals in the area to get a list of whom they considered the "best of the best" in Louisville. These were construction vendors that work with contractors each and every day. They often see the beginning, middle, and final product of many of these projects. They absolutely know who does "good work" and who does "bad work". We were told at each stop, "be careful, there's more contractors that do bad work than good". > > However, at each and every stop we made, a few names kept popping up as the people that do "great work" in Louisville. One consistent name mentioned was Derek Paprocki and his company "Rock Paper Hammer". Multiple remodeling experts stated "they're the company I'd use if I were having my own home renovated." > > We next met with our 3 most recommended contractors, including Derek, to get a bid on the project. From early on in that part of the process, it was evident we wanted to work Derek and his team. He was the first guy back with the bid and descriptive down to the dollar on explaining the true cost of this project. He didn't present us with the wide gaps of what things "could cost" like the others. Just as importantly, hiring Derek meant we would be able to have Emily on site as well. At the time, we didn't realize how valuable having both the contractor and architect working on the same project together for it's entirety could be. Looking back, it was undoubtedly the best part of the deal and saved us a TON of time and stress. We agreed to a contract price and proceeded to the actual construction phase. > > We could write many pages on the actual construction phase, but the takeaways are the following: > > Derek, his brother Jovan, Vince, and Leonard were the greatest group of guys to work with that we could ever imagine. They were incredibly professional and respectful of the fact that we were going be living in the house during the remodel. They meticulously cleaned up every single day and even went out of their way to make sure nothing was left on the floor that our dog might try to eat/swallow. They truly became like part of the family. > > From a quality perspective, it was simply remarkable to see the level of detail they provided in every single aspect of the job. Derek and his team also completed the project at the budget that he walked us through months prior, thus no surprises! The result was fantastic. They gave us the updated, open floor plan "no need to ever move again" home that we were hoping for. > > We have several projects that we'd like to do in the years to come. Rock Paper Hammer will absolutely be the first company that we call. **Comment from Rock Paper Hammer:** > Thanks guys... if we could review clients you would get five stars as well! Photos coming soon... **★★★★★ — cgoldstein, June 2014** > Rock Paper Hammer helped us create more livable space in our home. We converted a duplex back into a single family home. We had a positive experience and they designed a space that met our needs while staying within a workable budget. Rock Paper Hammer was completely professional and met as well as exceeded all of our expectations. **★★★★★ — B Eades, May 2014** > We have built 6 new homes in the last 20 years. The last home we lived in, I thought was our 'forever home'. It was not. When deciding to build our current home, I was struggling to find a house plan that met our needs today, as well as in the future when our kids have moved on in life. I wanted useful space with good sized rooms. I convinced my husband to hire an architect. Our first architect did not listen to our wants, needs, or ideas. After working with him for a few months we realized he was going to do what he wanted, not what we wanted. My husband at that point was skeptical of hiring another architect. > We met Emily at our site and immediately she was asking the right questions and giving suggestions on placement of our home on the land. Emily met with us several times throughout the design process to discuss options as well as what we liked and a few minor adjustments to the plans, ie square footage of a few rooms. Emily did such a great job of listening to what our needs and wants were and encouraged us to build the home for us. Emily also met with our builder early in the process to discuss the plans and the constructing of our home. She is such a good listener and asks very pertinent questions. As we came to completion of our home, Emily was also very helpful in giving us designs for our daughter's window seat as well as our entertainment built-in for our family room. Words cannot describe how much we love and appreciate Emily's work! **★★★★★ — drj120, Feb. 2014** > We added a full dormer with master bath and walk in closet as well as a screened in porch. We have an older arts and crafts style home and used RPH for the design and all of the construction. Most importantly, I felt very comfortable with them in the home. They were very respectful of the property and very neat. The craftmanship is superb you really can't tell that there has been an addition. They used great sub-contractors. They are not going to be the least expensive bid, but if you care about the integrity of the home and want to maximize the re-sale value I can't imagine that you could find a higher quality group. **★★★★★ — nmc4, Oct. 2013** > I called Rock Paper Hammer because I liked the aesthetic of their work displayed on Houzz. After meeting Emily and talking to her about our space and what we wanted to do, I knew that she would be a great fit for us. > > We had various areas around the house that didn't work for our family for one reason or another (Bathroom/laundry room, pantry and dining room without storage, dark small bedroom and playroom). Emily found creative solutions to each of these unique problems (lack of light, storage, flow, washer/dryer placement in bathroom). Not only did her designs improve the spaces' utility, they also made them more attractive. She was extremely flexible and patient with us, as we didn't really know exactly what our needs were initially -- she was able to listen to us and come up with a design that fit our budget, needs, and timeline. > > RPH also did the construction work on our project. Derek and his team were absolutely wonderful to deal with. We were living in the space while they did the work and he is meticulous about cleanliness and details. His millwork is gorgeous and he has very high standards for the work. I can't say enough Derek's team --Javon and everyone else were top notch. Derek is a great communicator and was very responsive. Like Emily, he was patient with any indecisiveness that we had during the project and gave excellent advice and recommendations. > > Emily's design and Derek's execution of it has changed the way we use our house. I recommend Rock Paper Hammer highly and without any reservation. Using a team that transitions seemlessly from design to construction makes such a difference in the process. ## Selected projects - [Modern Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-kitchen-pj-vj~7871134) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Fluted walnut panels add sleek drama in this fun compact kitchen, while light painted uppers brighten up the space. Architect: Rock Paper Hammer Contractor: Deep Creek Builders Custom Cabinets: Rock Paper Hammer Photographer: Andrew Hyslop - [Urban Treehouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-treehouse-pj-vj~7748715) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: This new home is carefully situated within Louisville’s historic Irish Hill neighborhood and was positioned to capture views of the downtown skyline. The owners had requested a modern, functional home for their blended family, utilizing a clean style, natural materials, and Japanese site design elements. The floor plan wraps around an existing mature White Oak tree, and the bend provides separation between the children’s bedrooms and the shared living and kitchen areas. The primary suite on the… - [Poolside Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/poolside-oasis-pj-vj~7730042) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: This bright and inviting sunroom addition seamlessly connects the home’s interior to the outdoor pool area, creating the perfect transition between indoor comfort and outdoor living. Expansive 8-foot sliding glass doors open the space entirely on two sides, offering an open pavilion feel when the weather allows. The design is intentionally a few degrees more contemporary than the existing home, yet the use of natural stone and transitional detailing allows it to blend in beautifully. Architect:… - [Harrods Glen Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/harrods-glen-kitchen-pj-vj~7560021) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Kitchen Renovation — Louisville, KY This extensive interior renovation gave a much-needed style update and expanded the kitchen into existing laundry and mudroom areas. The custom cabinets are a mix of walnut and painted with brass inlay details, and backlit Cristallo quartzite countertops and backsplashes add a dramatic touch. A hidden Butler’s Pantry, concealed behind cabinet doors, features abundant storage and a ladder for access to high shelves. Architect: Rock Paper Hammer Contractor: Amlu… - [Mockingbird](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mockingbird-pj-vj~7030813) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 33 - Description: This a whole-house renovation and addition completed in 2022. Credits: - Design by Lindsay Habeeb - Architecture by Doug Schmidt - Construction and cabinets by Rock Paper Hammer - Photography by Andrew Hyslop - [Parkside Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/parkside-kitchen-pj-vj~6993119) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: The kitchen in this stately Tudor home was dark and did not function well for its current family. By making some careful surgical changes we were able to transform the space into a light and bright kitchen with a large island and table. Two interior walls were removed to expand the kitchen into what was a mudroom, and we added a very small (100sf) addition that is filled with windows and is where the current table sits. It's amazing the difference that even a small addition can make! Design by R… - [More Than A Garage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/more-than-a-garage-pj-vj~7560024) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: New Garage – Louisville, KY The location of this garage was an important initial consideration of the project as the owners wanted to have a view to the back of the lot, keep a mature tree, and also create a new outdoor living area. We aligned the garage with an existing extension on the house, which created a direct path to the new structure and also helped enclose an outdoor room in between. The extra-large two car garage features a half bath and a kitchenette with a sliding serving window, al… - [Elfin Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/elfin-bathroom-pj-vj~7601530) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 7 - Description: This homeowner was looking for an update of a small second floor bathroom that had been a jack-and-jill layout. We ended up taking over the smaller bedroom to expand the bathroom and add a walk-in closet, creating a spacious and private primary suite. The custom white oak vanity cabinet and subtle gray tile wainscoting add luxurious depth to the bathroom, and the closet features a convenient compact washer and dryer. Architect: Rock Paper Hammer Contractor: Karzen Langan + James Cabinetry: Four… - [Wiltshire Primary Suite](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wiltshire-primary-suite-pj-vj~7325437) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: The existing second floor Primary Suite of this home was compartmentalized and cramped. The owner came to us wanting to update and open up the space. By reconfiguring the floor plan and opening up the vaulted ceiling space, we were able to create the airy, modern and inviting Primary Suite that our client was looking for. - Design by RPH Studio - Construction by Redsmith Construction - [Home With A View](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-with-a-view-pj-vj~6962044) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 28 - Description: Complete interior and exterior renovation, and second floor addition, of an existing home for a family with five young children. Colorful tile and accents selected by the homeowner were used throughout. The project also included a new pool house. Architecture & Design: RPH Studio Construction: Naville Construction Custom Reclaimed Cabinets: Rock Paper Hammer Photography: Andrew Hyslop - [Bright and Sunny Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bright-and-sunny-remodel-pj-vj~6534007) - Location: Saint Matthews, KY - Photos: 17 - Description: The owners of this beautiful Riverwood home had been planning their first-floor remodel for many years. The 1960’s Cape Cod had an overabundance of exposed brick, a lack of light (both natural and artificial), and a closed floor plan, making the house feel dark and heavy. The family wanted to create an open, bright, and welcoming living space on their first floor by removing the exposed brick, opening the floor plan, and bringing in more light. Several doors and windows also needed to be replace… - [Highlands Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/highlands-addition-pj-vj~5933330) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: This home was originally a duplex that has been converted into a single family residence. The new two story rear addition shown here accommodates spacious Kitchen and Family Room areas on the first floor and a Master Suite on the second floor, with a large deck across the back. Design by Rock Paper Hammer and construction by Redsmith Construction. - [Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farmhouse-pj-vj~2200230) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 40 - Description: While this home started as an existing house, every inch of it inside and out was redone as part of a massive renovation that began in 2014. The detailing and decor throughout reflect the rustic beauty of the surrounding farm. Heavy timber beams and weathered barn wood siding, harvested from a dismantled barn, are found throughout as well as reclaimed heart pine flooring. Among the many unique features are loft play areas for the children, one accessible only by climbing rope. The result is a gr… - [Highlands Kitchen & Screened Porch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/highlands-kitchen-and-screened-porch-pj-vj~5761221) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 11 - [Midcentury Modern Interior](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/midcentury-modern-interior-pj-vj~5761175) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 10 - [Claremont](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/claremont-pj-vj~5026317) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Whole-house renovation and addition of 1920s home, keeping in mind the original scale and character of the home and using recycled and reclaimed materials throughout. Architecture and construction by Rock Paper Hammer. - [Barn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/barn-pj-vj~2823493) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 19 - [Kennedy Bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kennedy-bungalow-pj-vj~2110760) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 14 - Description: This gracious bungalow got a much-needed makeover of the kitchen and three bathrooms. While there was no addition and the building footprint stayed intact, there was surgery performed to open up the kitchen to the dining, convert an existing bathroom into walk-in closet and powder, and turn what was previously a sunroom into a light-filled master bath. Favorite architectural features include a small window tucked above the range and below the hood, a transom window to allow light into the now-in… - [Camargo Road](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/camargo-road-pj-vj~1995011) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 9 - [Midcentury Modern Exterior Revamp](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/midcentury-modern-exterior-revamp-pj-vj~1990626) - Location: Louisville, KY - Photos: 7 - Description: This home was designed in 1953 by architect Werner Feibes and is a classic example of mid-century modern design. Much of the original redwood interior remains intact and is what attracted the current owners when they were relocating to Louisville from California. The flat roof was covered at some point by a sloping roof structure that addressed insulation and drainage but did not tie in with the aesthetics of the original house. Curb appeal was lacking. The homeowners came to Rock Paper Hammer w… [See all 55 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rock-paper-hammer-pfvwus-pf~58847118) ## Community Q&A **Q: What are the dimensions of the niche?** *(in Photo Questions)* You can provide the total dimensions without shelf heights if easier. A: Hello! This shower niche is 14" wide, 42" high (total), and 8" deep. **Q: Shower wall and floor tile?** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you share the specific tiles you used in the shower? Love! A: Hello and thank you for your question! Unfortunately we no longer have the selection info for this bathroom. The shower floor looks like a 2x2 slate mosaic and the walls look like 4x16 marble-look ceramic. Hopefully that helps! **Q: what’s the Roof Color** *(in Photo Questions)* do you know the color standing seam? A: Hi! Yes, the roof color is Slate Gray by CMG **Q: What is the material and source of the white niche shelves?** *(in Photo Questions)* NIche shelves A: These shelves are a standard white quartz that match what we used on the vanity top... sorry we do not have record of the exact spec or source. **Q: Flooring and tilesin shower** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the flooring in the shower made of, and is it removable for cleaning. And are the wall tiles ceramic ? A: The shower floor is teak and yes it is removable for cleaning. The walls are Fireclay ceramic tile. **Q: what is the kitchen floor?** *(in Photo Questions)* Can I please get information on the kitchen floor? A: This kitchen floor is a wood-look ceramic tile; we do not have the exact specification for it. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-04.*