Kenneth Ken-Sin Martin Kao

Dear Family Kao,
I am just learning that Ken passed away
last year. I am shocked and infinitely sad.
and my condoleances and prayers goes to you.
I met Ken in 1997 with my now deceased husband and we worked together for 2 years planning our house
on Isle au Haut, Maine.
My husband had often said it was the happiest
time of his life.
We admired the talent and sensitivity of Ken,
his kindness and generosity.
We enjoyed for the last 20 years this beautiful house designed by Ken
on Isle au Haut.
Marie Noelle
July 29,2018

My heartfelt condolences to Ken's loved ones; I met Ken on a flight from the Virgin Islands back to Boston and although I only knew him for a short time, he impacted my life for the better and forever. We were sitting next to each other and when I discovered that he was an architect, I told him that I was an interior designer and that I was interested in the environment and sustainable design. Well, the conversation lasted the entire flight and Ken inspired me to get LEED certified and become a member of the USGBC. We discussed how wonderful our spouses and families were and grateful for the love around us as well as for the planet. I always wanted to tell him how he had inspired me and that he is a kind, kindred spirit and I will try to continue to help the planet and his work. It was an honor to know Ken, he is still a light for many.

Ken's untimely death is a great loss for all who knew him. His architectural design was beautiful, serene, and uplifting - and his smile was the greatest ever! Our heartfelt condolences to Debi, Hannah, and Louise from Blake and Lindsay Allison

We miss Ken and are sad for his family's and our loss. Early talk began today with PennChamps and PennVolleyball. Our plans are to hold an event this summer, likely on Penn Campus, and establish a Ken Kao Inspirational Award to a deserving player and raise funds to support the program in Ken's memory and honor. Ken was a talented player and wonderful teammate. The adventures and experiences remain indelible, and his own last souvenir are the malformed/misshapen fingers, while blocking spikes, on Ken's oh so talented sketching hand.

I would like to pay tribute and respect to Ken Kao - a brilliant architect and friend who I had the pleasure working with at Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island. Prayers and blessings to his family.

It is with a heavy heart that we farewell our great friend. I am truly blessed to have been able to work alongside you and see your vision and passion for the built environment. Rest in peace my friend and we will keep the sustainability legacy alive. Lots of Love, Ben and Georgia

I truly enjoyed working with Ken on the Human Needs Project and will miss him. As many other have said--he was a kind and gentle soul that touched many lives.

Debi, As I was trying to reconnect, I learned the shocking news. Although I hadn't seen Ken for many years, my memories of him, his gentle kindness and keen intelligence, are vivid. He was an extraordinary man and a compassionate visionary. My heart goes out to you and the girls, and to all of Ken's family, at this time of tragic loss.

Although a brief working relationship at Jung /Brannen Arch, joy was found in his inspiration/enthusiasm openly shared for excellence in design and technical execution. The time with Ken was special. He was quite remarkable.


I was sorry to hear of the loss and pray time will serve as a counselor for the family and the dear friends.

Ken was such a force in our lives in Bali. His quiet faith in us allowed us to fly. There are many friends here that are saddened by his passing. A truly great man. Our love to his family

Ken was one of the kindest and most gentle spirits I've ever met - and such a generous mentor. My heart aches for his family and the multitude of people who were touched by his life and talents.

Thinking of you and the girls. Such a loss. A truly great human with abundant talent.

Ken was a great business associate and close friend. His boundless energy and enthusiasm was contagious. Whenever we met, I left with renewed optimism. I will never forget our friendship. Rest easy my friend.

Ken was a great mentor and and always a joy to be around. His energy and optimism was contagious. He will be missed.

Dear Debi and extended family-
I am so sorry to hear about Ken's passing. He was such an endearing and treasured friend through graduate school and beyond, an unmatchable design talent, and a unique inspiration to all of us in so many ways. My thoughts and heart are with all of you...

Ken's legacy is important. Lets celebrate his ideas and values and all get on with the job of making them happen. Bill Dunster - London

Debi, Hannah and Louise - I am sending you all of my love and thinking of you constantly. Ken was the most wonderful, positive, hardworking and thoughtful person. He was such an inspiration for pursuing what you are most passionate about, and for remembering to smile and laugh every day. I cherish the wonderful memories of my childhood where Ken would stay with us and have a meal around our kitchen table in CA, and when I went off to college in Boston we shared so many more nights of laughs with Debi and the girls. Ken has always been a bright constant in my life, as I know he has been for all of my family, and he remains very close to my heart. Love you all very much.

Dear Deb,
I just heard. Im very very sorry. You and Kenny were more than great neighbors to us, my mom especialy.

Ken was an extraordinary human being, a thoughtful and brilliant architect and teacher and someone who truly cared about others. He will be sorely missed!

Dear Debi -- Ellie and I were saddened indeed to hear of Ken's death; we perceived a kind and gentle man. You and your daughters are in our thoughts.

Dear Debi, Hanna & Louise, Randy and I are saddened by Ken's passing. We will be donating to one of his favorites The Human Needs Project, Kibera Town Center, Nairobi, Kenya. He was taken away from us while still in his prime. Call on us. You are in our prayers.

Ken's passing is unthinkable. A deeply beautiful soul whose brilliance, warmth, kindness, humor, vision, care for all, and ability to connect were exemplary. Our hearts are with Debi and their daughters, and their extended family in this impossible time. Much love, Eric Rosenberg and Miriam Stewart

Debi and family,
We were so sad to hear of Ken's passing. He was a truly exceptional friend and community member. We are so grateful for the time he had here. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Debi, Hannah and Louise,

Words cannot describe how personally sadden I am with the loss of my friend Ken. Not only was he a genius in design and architecture and we shared a common bond in our love for Frank Lloyd Wright, but Ken was a great individual that was kind and gentle. He had no ego, which is so rare that would get in the way of creating greatness. We are the same with the goal of always striving to do better, to create original, unique, on-of-a-kind spaces and places that would live forever in harmony with the land. I loved every minute we spent together. I know how much each of you meant to him. You also came first beyond everything. You should know that your husband and father was a GREAT man and where most people would never know it, he truly left a legacy of original structures and influence on people and places that is timeless and everlasting. I will miss him as I know you do. I consider myself blessed to have had him in my life and a part of our original creation of Oil Nut Bay.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Warmest Regards,

Ken was a fantastic teacher. I very much enjoyed his lectures at the GSD. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. You have my sincere condolences.

I still cannot comprehend that Ken has been taken away from his and Debi's family, and from us, his extended family. Maybe there's a way and solace to connect with him in the few, imaginative ways open to us - memories of the profound ways he reached us close personally with his loving wisdom & friendship, and appreciation for his professional accomplishments far and wide, as teacher and creator. He will forever have a unique, treasured presence with me, the guys, my parents and siblings.

Our condolences and love are expressed special to Debi, Hannah and Louise and the Martin and Kao families.

Debi,
It was with great shock that I happened upon Ken's obituary this weekwhat a tragic loss for you and the girls, for the community, and for his professional associates.

My memories of him revolve solely around The Driftwood. I would often be sitting with Margie and Bob when the two of you would stroll in with your two little ones.

Thinking of you.

Margo Steiner

"A kind and gentle spirit" indeed. He inspired me.

As I have corresponded with people all over the world in the last two weeks, the resounding response I hear is about the community of kindness Ken built around him, as one engineer eloquently put it. Collaborators speak of his ability to understand a site, be it an island or a city, and to design a building that is of that place. For the people who use his buildings and the communities in which they are set, his designs reveal the natural world. His concern for the effects of climate change, and his creative solutions for unique places, are a legacy we will strive to live into. To design buildings that make people appreciate nature- what a gift.
I have learned so much working with Ken, first as a teaching and research assistant, with him as a faculty advisor to Harvard Green Campus Initiative, then as part of Kao Design Group these past 11 years. As so many people say, he was creative, insightful, a powerhouse thinker, and a gifted architect and artist. We will miss his bright light and spirit. He has inspired and mentored many, and I appreciate being one of those fortunate people.

Debi,

We were shocked and saddened to see Ken's obituary in last Sunday's Globe. His was a life well-lived, and it ended far too soon. Our sincerest condolences to you, Hannah and Louise.

Ken Kao family and friends-
My sincerest condolences. I was fortunate enough to share a Cambridge apartment with Ken. He was a real sweetheart of a person, unfailingly gentle, kind and considerate, a compelling role model for younger Asian American architect. Thank you Ken (and family).

My sincere condolences to the Martin family. Bea Paul

We are deeply saddened to hear of Ken's passing. What started out as a professional relationship developed into a friendship due to Ken's kind mentorship and accommodating ways. His visionary designs will stand as tributes to a kind, extremely talented and wonderful man. Our deepest sympathy to all of those that will be missing him, including our team members at Aquatic Consultants, Inc.

Kao Family and Friends,

I remember his good gentle humor and the care he brought with his design way to people living in the most dense slum of Africa, Kibera of Nairobi, Kenya. He didn't know these people, but designed for their comfort, dignity, and smart use of our water and sanitary system. I am so sorry for your loss, and deeply saddened at Ken's passing.

Matt Woll,
Questa Engineering
Pt. Richmond, California

When I began working with Ken in 2011, I didn't know what I was getting into. It turned out to be a unique and adventurous professional and personal experience with a man who was kind, creative, caring, talented, and extraordinarily human. I am thankful to have had the experience to know Ken, and to call him a friend & colleague, mentor.

He will be in my heart always -

So sad to read this... Kenny ( as we knew him then) was my first teaching assistant when i started studying Architecture in 1984, 35 years ago at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. I was just googling him to find out what he was up to... What a sad surprise. He was such a polite and always smiling person. He's the only teaching assistant i've ever remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and I hope he had a wonderful life... Eric

Debi and Family,
We are saddened by the news of Ken's passing.
May the love of friends and family carry you through this most difficult time.

You brought wisdom and love to this world Ken. Your presence remains with so many whom you touched in your time.

Kelly and I are so saddened by this. Though we have not seen each other for quite a while, Ken's intellect, generous spirit, and positive nature left such a beautiful impact. Our deepest condolences to Debi and all of Ken's family and friends.

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with your family at such a difficult time. Ken, will be Greatly Missed.
Deeply Saddened,
Your Friends at Groom Construction.

I just learned of Ken's passing today and am completely crushed. I have such wonderful heartfelt memories of growing up with him as a big brother figure and taking such great care of Steve and me, his younger cousins. I fondly remember the summer he spent with us and how he would dance with me as a young girl stepping on top of his feet. Every year, we would so look forward to receiving his birthday cards with his unique beautiful handwritten notes -- and he never disappointed, always making sure he remembered to send those special well wishes. Over the years, he has always remained a constant loving presence in our lives and someone on whom we could always rely whenever we needed his help. He went on to be such an incredibly accomplished and successful contributor to the world, and it is just devastating that he was taken way too soon before his time. We are so saddened by his loss and wish we could have had the opportunity to tell him how much we loved him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Debbie, Hannah and Louise, Apeh and A-mm and the rest of the family in this time of deep sorrow. He was a truly amazing man.