Kayla Ilene Pongrác is an architectural designer and artist with a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University, enriched by an Erasmus exchange at the European University of Madrid. She continued her studies in Advanced Architecture at IAAC in Barcelona before launching her design business in 2013. Kayla’s early experience working in family-owned restaurants, followed by roles at upscale establishments in Ottawa, inspired her to merge her architectural expertise with her passion for hospitality. This unique combination led to innovative, narrative-driven designs that redefined Ottawa’s restaurant scene.

In 2016, Kayla partnered with interior designer Rnea Garrah to establish Iron and Ivory. Over the next eight years, the studio developed a diverse portfolio of restaurants, residential projects, commercial spaces, and retail. During this time, she also collaborated with renowned design studios like Tristan Du Plessis and DesignAgency. After years of managing a growing team, Kayla sought a more personalized approach to design, allowing her to draw on her extensive experience to craft individualized solutions.

With her new studio, KPS, Kayla embarks on a creative renaissance ~ a new chapter in her design journey. Here, she focuses on building close, one-on-one relationships with clients to better understand their needs and tell their stories through design. Whether in residential or hospitality projects, she integrates form, function, beauty, and wellness into thoughtful, modern aesthetics. A classical architecture education fosters her commitment to preserving heritage and ensuring both aesthetic and sustainable integrity. Kayla’s passion for the arts and storytelling, rooted in her childhood, remains at the heart of her work, driving her to create uniquely inspired and impactful designs that honour both tradition and innovation.

Let Kayla bring your story to life through art and design!