About
Architect, Educator & Children’s Design Advocate
For nearly three decades, Alla has empowered DIYers, parents, and creatives alike—bringing clarity, craftsmanship, and imagination to every home and studio.
“Every time we hit an obstacle, Alla maintained a positive attitude and did everything in her power to help us resolve it. The process was a truly collaborative efforl.”
Since 1992, Alla has built her life around nurturing creativity—first as a mother, then as an architect, educator, and now as a children’s room design consultant.
Who is Alla Kazovsky
Alla Kazovsky, USC/Columbia University trained, has been licensed in California since 1992. At that time, a new mother, she established Kids’ Studio, specializing in design for children. From then on, Kazovsky’s main focus has been on residential environments including furniture and product design. She launched allaDIYally.com in 2014 as an online arm of Alla Kazovsky Architect.
Alla Kazovsky’s work has received accolades in numerous periodicals, including Financial Times of London, The New York Times, InStyle and Elle Décor as well as in books, such as: Graphis Product Design 2 & 3, The New 100 Houses x 100 Architects, 1000 x Architecture of the Americas, Pool Design and others.
Kazovsky’s Easel + Art Cart was sold nationally and won Best Toy of the Year Award from Child Magazine in 2003. Her aluminum A-Desk was produced for and sold exclusively at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Store; it picked up the prestigious Good Design Award in 2009.
A Teacher at Heart
In 1994, Kazovsky sponsored an exhibition of children’s drawings, “Create an Imaginary World of Your Own.” Subsequently, she established Children’s Architecture Workshop at Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Kazovsky led Architecture workshops at ArtCenter College of Design, where she taught her own 11-step method.
PREVIOUS TEACHING VENUES
Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Santa Monica Museum of Art
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
Skirball Cultural Center
Children’s Museum of Los Angeles
Orange County Museum of Art
From Alla
Growing up (in the Soviet Union), no one showed interest in my potential. Thankfully, immigrating to the US at an opportune age of sixteen allowed me to unearth it myself. As a result, I set out to design a life where nurturing creativity — my own and others’ — was the main focus.
While pregnant, I reinvented a traditional nursery, which gave birth to an architectural practice concentrating on kids. In an effort to be a better parent, I started Children’s Architecture Workshop, which subsequently served hundreds. As my two daughters turned teenagers, I became a creativity coach, which led me to join the faculty of ArtCenter College of Design. Building a house for our family meant prototyping a transformational hub, which culminated in its selection as one of the “100 best in the world” by an international architectural publisher.
Having been able to experience the thrill, the satisfaction of forging my own way, I strongly believe in encouraging self-reliance and self-expression in others. As a mother, I strive to acknowledge. As an educator, I gently challenge. And, as architect on demand, I offer advice without strings.
Featured In & Recognized By
Decades of Design Expertise
Licensed in California since 1992, bringing depth and expertise to every project.
Recognized by Leading Publications
Including The New York Times, Financial Times, InStyle, and Elle Décor.
Award-Winning Innovation
Honored with the Good Design Award for the A-Desk and Child Magazine Toy of the Year for the Easel + Art Cart.
Inspiring Audiences Worldwide
Shared her expertise at ArtCenter College of Design, Cooper Hewitt, LACMA, MOCA, Skirball, and more.
Turning Experience into Resources
Alla’s collection of ebooks makes design knowledge accessible to anyone. From her DIY Like an Architect method to practical tips on lighting, storage, and space planning, each guide distills decades of experience into clear, actionable steps. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or reimagining your whole home, these resources offer inspiration and a place to begin.