News
2024
Reconstruction of Paul Robeson's Princeton Childhood Home Heads to the Finish Line
2023
Princeton Design Guild Runs on Solar Power!
2022
2021
The Paul Robeson House: A community rallies around restoration, memory, and history
Why Kevin Wilkes Is On a Quest to Save Paul Robeson's Birthplace
“The Robeson project is my most significant project – private or public - of my lifetime. ….I have a passion for this project and need to see it to its completion,” Wilkes says.
Best of Houzz 2021
Design Solutions: Dramatic Exposure
Princeton Design Guild restores a Usonian-style house tucked into the hillside and brings it up to contemporary standards.
2020
Princeton Design Guild wins Master Design Award.
Belle Mead, NJ September 17, 2020 – Princeton Design Guild has been named winner of the 42nd Annual Qualified Remodeler Master Design Awards Contest. PDG was awarded gold for an addition and renovation of a mid-Century Modern home on Drakes Corner Road in Princeton, NJ.
2020 is the second year in a row PDG has received a national-level award. In 2019, PDG was selected by Remodeling magazine as one of the top 50 remodeling firms in the country.
35th Anniversary for Princeton Design Guild
DESIGN PLUS BUILD: “We’re an architectural design-build company, and we have on-site product capacity. We fabricate every piece here on-site. All the woodworking and metalwork is done right here.” Kevin Wilkes, AIA, award-winning architect, founder, and managing partner of Princeton Design Guild is shown in his Belle Mead workshop.
“Top 200 Experts in construction” - fixr.com
The home construction industry is reaching new heights as outside influences begin to accelerate change. With environmental concerns, new smart technology, an aging population, scarce housing supply, and a labor shortage, the industry has never seen so many changes in such a short amount of time.
2019
Inducted into the Remodeling Big 50
Since 1986, the REMODELING Big50 annually inducts 50 companies that have set exceptionally high standards for professionalism and integrity through exemplary business practices, craftsmanship, impact in their community, and industry recognition. Big50 remodelers have taken the lead in raising industry standards.
Best of Houzz 2019
Joint Effort Safe Streets Community Discussion
Joint Efforts Safe Streets leads a community discussion on police-community relations, affordable housing, public education, race relations, cannabis, what Princeton will look like in the year 2050 and more. Participants include elected officials from Princeton Municipal Government, County Freeholders, NJ Assembly and Princeton Public Schools, business owners, community advocates, non-profit/community organizations leaders and concerned citizens.
Letting Artist Have Their Say Along the Way
First stop is Dohm Alley on Nassau Street, next to Starbucks. Created by an informal group that includes architect Kevin Wilkes of the Princeton Design Guild, landscape designer and installation artist Peter Soderman; architect and artist Richard Chenoweth; designer Pete Abrams; and others, Dohm has been and continues to be a work in progress.
2018
A Home Away from Home
“In a town with a lot of available real estate, building a new home is feasible,” says Wilkes. “But in built-up towns, there are few available empty lots, so we look for existing structures. We always try to see if we can salvage some element because there are cost and permitting benefits to remodeling rather than building a brand-new building.”
2017
What’s in Store for That Once Vacant Space on Nassau Street?
Peter Soderman and Kevin Wilkes inject some art and drama into the previously unused alley between Starbucks and Landau’s.
Best of Houzz 2017
2016
Kevin Wilkes on Dohm Alley, Architecture and his NYC Pedigree
Master architect, Kevin, has over a (then) 25-year career, with the Princeton Design Guild! His side projects restore Paul Robeson's house, creating the "sensorium" Dome Alley;(off Nassau Street,) Which will give a view, for townie and tourist, of Princeton's rich, eclectic, history.
Transit Pass from 1898 Found in Walls of Paul Robeson House in Princeton
A little piece of history fell from the walls of the 150-year-old Paul Robeson house this weekend - and with it, a reminder. On Saturday workers were just starting a project to renovate the home, which sits off Witherspoon Street and is well known as the birthplace of famous singer and political activist Paul Robeson.
2015
Historical Society of Princeton House Tour
Best of Houzz 2015
2013
The Goldberg Lectures in Architecture Series
2010
2008
NICHD Retreat Speaker
Wilkes is active in civic organizations in Princeton and has been recognized by the AIA and the State of New Jersey for his work, which has also been featured in Architectural Digest, Landscape Architecture, and Fine Homebuilding.
Labor of Love: An Interview With Architect Kevin Wilkes
As I gaze upon the wild victory of Quark Park, and shake hands with architect and co-founder, Kevin Wilkes, the steadfast determination of Heracles comes to mind. Even on a blisteringly hot day in July, Wilkes exudes a cool, calm strength.
2006
Outstanding Implementation - Short Term Project
American Planning Association / New Jersey Chapter “Quark Park”, Princeton, NJ
“Blissful Bathrooms”
Design NJ, August/September 2006, page 186
“Art, Science Thrive in Garden”
The Trenton Times, Living Section, September 5, 2006, Front page
Design Merit Award
American Institute of Architects / New Jersey Chapter “Quark Park”, Princeton, NJ
“It’s a Lot of Inspiration”
The Sunday Star-Ledger, Section One, September 17, 2006, page 27
“Science In Bloom”
U.S. 1, August 23, 2006, Cover Story
“Science Come to Life in a Park Full of Surprises”
The New York Times, Sunday, October 22, 2006
“Quark Park Makes its Debut”
The Princeton Packet, September 12, 2006, Front Cover
“Germinating Ideas”
Time Off, August 11-20, 2006, Cover Story
2005
AIA NJ Growth Award, Creative Initiative
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs “Writers Block”, Princeton, NJ
Remembrance Fountain
Time Off – Packet Publications, September 30, 2005
Literary Landscape
Riprap Landscape Architecture, May 2005
2004
Honor Award for Built Project
American Institute of Architects / New Jersey Chapter “Writers Block”, Princeton, NJ
Princeton’s Follies
Time Off - Packet Publications, August 13-22, 2004, Cover Story
Suite Success
Design NJ, June/July 2004, page 163
Writers Block
Planning Magazine, December 2004
Kitchens & Baths
Fine Homebuilding, Winter 2004, back cover
Collections For The Cook
Design NJ, February/March 2004, page 128
Writers Block
Architectural Record, October 2004, page 42
Beautiful Bathrooms
Design NJ, August/September 2004, page 173
2003
Building a Grand Veranda
Best of Fine Homebuilding, compilation book and CD-ROM by Taunton Press
Grown-up Getaways
Design NJ, October/November 2003, page 152
Change of Face
Design NJ, August/September 2003, page 110
2001
For the Love of Art
Design NJ, Spring Issue 2001, pp. 65-70
2000
Best of the Best - excellence award
The Frog and the Peach Restaurant” Downtown New Jersey, Inc.
Building a Grand Veranda
Fine Homebuilding, July 2000, Front Cover and pp. 106-109
1998
Evolution of an Ideal: The Princeton Design Guild
Nouveau, May 1998, Front Cover and pp. 98-103
Kitchen Ideas that Work
Kitchen and Bath Business, June 1998, pp. 65, 70-73
Finishing Touches
Fine Homebuilding Annual Issue on Houses, Summer 1998, p. 120
1997
A New Jersey Tea House
Fine Homebuilding, June-July 1997, pp. 86-89
1995
Finalist, Competition for Architectural Services
Edison National Historic Site, Visitor Center
1989
Kevin Wilkes: Double Life of a Princeton Prefab
Architectural Digest, April 1989, pp. 102-106
1988
Fellowship, Design Arts/Architecture
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Wilkes Awarded Grant to Design Housing
Princeton Packet, 29 July, 1988, Front page
1985
Modest Mansions: Design Ideas for Luxurious Living in Less Space
By Donald Prowler AIA, Rodale Press
Young Architect Turns a Nightmare to a Dream House
Trenton Times, Living Section, 8 October, Front page
1984
Young Architects Competition, Honorable Mention
Architectural League of New York
Third Place Winner
Newport News Cultural Arts Pavilion, Kelbaugh + Lee Architects