Personal Background
Earl Kaplan grew up in an age where he loved to build with tools and work with his hands. This started at the early age of 3 when he was caught by his mother removing wood baseboards with a hammer. Whether it was home remodeling and repairs or designing and building furniture as a teenager, Kaplan enjoyed the feeling of bringing happiness to others through his creations.
After receiving his Bachelors in Business in the field of accounting at the University of Miami (BBA-1975), he realized there was something missing and decided to go back to school to become an Architect and fulfill his life’s dream. While pursuing his degree, he worked under the careful tutelage of renowned Architect Alfred Browning Parker, FAIA, a protégé and friend of the late Frank Lloyd Wright. A modernist, Parker is one of the best known post WWII residential Architects. Knowing that Parker was influenced and successfully emulated the style of Wright in his award winning projects, Kaplan eagerly embraced this once in a lifetime opportunity. Kaplan excelled from 1979-1983 at Parker’s office working on custom residential estates, commercial banks, space planning and religious buildings. Architectural interiors were usually an integral part of these projects. Within a few years time, Parker entrusted him with the privilege of designing complete projects from conception to completion.
Kaplan received his BA in Architecture from the University of Miami in 1980 and subsequent to his tenure with Parker passed the State Board exam in 1983. Taking what he learned Kaplan set out on his own that same year. The finest example of appreciation occurred when Alfred Browning Parker recommended numerous clients that commissioned Kaplan for their projects. These included custom homes, major home renovations, and branch banks. To receive this confidence and appreciation from your former boss and now peer was an honor. Kaplan set out with increased self-assurance and passion to provide the finest designs and services to his clients. Client relationships and personal reputation continued to grow through his philosophy that the needs of the client come first. Over 90 percent of business came from the referral of past and present clientele. Kaplan believes that a firm must work with a principle that tomorrow's projects are a function of yesterday's successes and that quality designed buildings are not built from good ideas alone, but through complete detailed drawings and specifications. Designs which respect the clients programming and budget needs, are punctual in performance and are built rather than placed on a shelf, are essential to a firm's reputation and growth
Earl Mark Kaplan has been serving satisfied clients with design excellence for over 24 years. Services include but are not limited to Residential Architecture, select Commercial projects, Interior Architecture, Furniture design, Lighting design, Space Planning and Consultation.
Knight Residence in Ocala Florida - 1981
88 Acres- 12,000 s.f. main residence
Featured in Florida Architecture
In Association with Alfred Browning Parker, FAIA
Photo by Bo Parker
