architecture + design
STORY
A young firm, Basic Workshop is the culmination of decades dreaming, practicing and committing to design excellence.
Founded in 2021, Basic Workshop came to be after years honing skills and experience at esteemed firms across Portland, Atlanta and Athens.
A sparkle in the eye since undergrad, Basic Workshop Founder JD Gutermuth sought to establish a firm that mirrored his core values: a dedication to exceptional design, cultivating meaningful client relationships, and contributing to the community fabric beyond profit margins.
After a two-year solo sprint, JD recognized the need for a dynamic partner to propel Basic Workshop into its next phase. Cue Kally Revels, a kindred-spirit joining the practice with a shared vision for marrying old and new, leading with design-first and prioritized client care.
APPROACH
Rooted in design, ideation, curiosity and research, Basic Workshop is on a mission to create atmospheres that nod to narrative and blend with nature and culture.
With a respect for and understanding of place, light, form, material, and, most importantly, people - as exemplified by earning the Historic Athens Outstanding Revitalization Award and recognition as an AIA Atlanta Design Awards Finalist - Basic Workshop goes beyond simply building a structure to curate distinct environments designed to shape, enrich and be experienced.
Get to know JD and Kally, view our portfolio or break ground with your Design Inquiry today.
JD GUTERMUTH
architect + owner
Meet JD Gutermuth, the visionary and founder behind Basic Workshop.
Born and raised in Atlanta, JD was shaped by the space of his childhood home, a mid-century modern ranch curated with vintage flair. Pursuing higher education at Clemson University, he initially ventured into mechanical engineering before a swift pivot to what proved to be the true creative calling, architecture.
JD's academic journey continued at the University of Oregon where he earned his Masters of Architecture in 2014. After two years with Hacker and five years practicing in the Pacific Northwest, warmer days and sunnier skies down South led him to Lord, Aeck, Sargent in Atlanta.
Securing his architecture license in 2018, he ultimately landed in Athens, where he continued to hone his skills and unique design-first approach at the bespoke Studio BNA.
JD founded Basic Workshop in 2021 - quickly catching attention as an AIA Atlanta Design Awards Finalist and recipient of Historic Athens Outstanding Revitalization Award that same year.
Drawing inspiration from art, architecture, culture, and nature, JD crafts narratives through materials, viewing them as the cornerstone of architectural expression. For him, a structure should be in the most simplified form as possible, while still being special - only including the elements which add to their function, enjoyment, and beauty.
For his clients, JD is the ally. Humility in spades and ego aside, he is here to do what is best for you and yours with wonderful spaces intended to challenge the conventional, push potential for living differently, and, above all else, be enjoyed.
Between shaping spaces, he dabbles in vintage cars, mastering the upright bass, home renovations of his own and managing the chaos of parenting three boys under five alongside his high school sweetheart.
Get in touch with JD or start your Design Inquiry online today.
KALLY REVELS
project designer
Meet Kally Revels, the project management, interior design and operations arm for Basic Workshop.
With an origin story starting on St. Simons Island, GA, Kally brings small-town roots coupled with winding experience weaving its way through historic preservation, coffee culture, and a passion for creating cozy havens to each project.
Armed with a Bachelor's in Religious Studies from the College of Charleston and a Master's in Historic Preservation from UGA, Kally refined her aesthetic eye, passion for historic properties and tested grit through transformative stud-to-ceiling home renovations - ultimately connecting her to and setting the stage for her collaboration with JD at Basic Workshop.
Before pursuing architecture, Kally navigated the intricacies of nonprofits in Chicago before transitioning to the world of estate sales. Her path took a pivotal turn when she found herself immersed in 1000 Faces Coffee from 2018-2020. Simultaneously, Kally embarked on personal projects, including renovating homes and growing her family with two little ones.
A history aficionado and trend connoisseur, Kally orchestrates spaces that marry past and present all while ensuring comfort and a dash of (oft budget-friendly) panache. A self-proclaimed empath with a penchant for project management, Kally is here to create stress-free experiences, drawing from her personal journey and understanding the nuances of building.
Kally's unique talent lies in making spaces both sophisticated and trendy, all while caring deeply about the emotional journey of her clients. Her compassionate approach and empathetic nature centers around preparing you for the inevitable hiccups, offering unwavering support, and ensuring you feel calm and in control throughout the process.
In Kally's world, ideas and inspiration flow from the juxtaposition of old and new, warm postmodern furniture, and the delicate art of blending contemporary choices within your pragmatic parameters.
In the breaks between the constant stream of exciting personal and professional projects, Kally likes to get cozy and cuddle with her family while watching movies and eating snacks - constantly working on the balance between “having it all” and spending the day under an electric blanket.
Get in touch with Kally or view our portfolio.
