Ken Risley (PE32668, CGC010458) is a premier hangar home designer and licensed professional engineer with five decades of hands-on experience. By integrating simultaneous design and engineering, he ensures that complex aviation-residential visions are not only aesthetically stunning but permit-ready and buildable.
Proven Experience (Current as of February 2026)
Since 1975, my career has been defined by the intersection of structural integrity and aesthetic design. My project history includes:
- 50 Years of Active Practice: Providing architectural and structural engineering services since 1975.
- 825+ Custom Designs: Complete engineered construction drawings produced for residential and commercial clients across the U.S. and internationally.
- 1,000+ Professional Engineering Certifications: Sealed plans, structural evaluations, and professional certifications for diverse projects.
- 60+ Specialized Hangar Homes: A recognized national authority in designing aviation-integrated residential spaces for fly-in communities.
- 25 Years of Hands-On Construction: Prior to focusing solely on design and engineering, I personally designed and built 92 upscale homes and commercial projects.
- Multi-State Authority: Registered Professional Engineer and Certified General Contractor with projects spanning Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and 18 other states.
I am an Engineer, Designer, and Builder who understands how ideas translate to the real world.
My approach is rooted in five decades of practical experience. For 25 years, I was a hands-on builder, physically constructing everything from luxury estates to commercial facilities. This era of my career taught me that a design is only as good as its buildability; I don’t just draw plans—I solve the structural puzzles that allow a vision to stand solid for generations.
Following the events of 9/11, I transitioned my focus entirely to design and engineering. I left the metropolitan bustle of Tampa for the hill country of Central Florida, where my wife Kimberly and I built our own dream home—complete with a specialized hangar for our aircraft. Living in the very environment I design gives me a unique perspective that a typical firm simply cannot offer.
Today, I leverage modern technology to collaborate with clients across the United States and internationally, doing what I love: creating meaningful, realistic, and permit-ready designs.
Design Philosophy The Intersection of Art and Structural Logic
I believe that a great home must be two things: beautiful to look at and logical to build. My philosophy is rooted in the balance between artistic vision and “engineering horse sense”. I am not an engineer who lacks imagination, nor am I an artist who lacks practicality. I strike the balance that ensures a design works as well in the real world as it does on paper.
Why Builders Prefer My Designs My decades in both engineering and construction have made me a better designer because I know how to keep things real. I understand what a subcontractor needs to see on a set of plans, what questions a building official will ask, and how to streamline the permitting process for even the most complex hangar homes or beach estates.
Creating Meaningful Spaces Whether I am designing a custom fly-in home, a coastal residence, or a medical facility, my goal is to turn ideas—mine or my clients’—into something truly special. I’m not interested in simply “drawing up a house”. I am interested in creating a meaningful, realistic structure that is done right the first time. I bring a high level of value to clients who want a home that is both a work of art and a feat of engineering.
Leadership & Professional Contributions
Beyond my private practice, I have dedicated decades to the advancement of the engineering profession through leadership roles in state and national organizations:
- State Chairman, Florida Engineers in Construction
- Chairman, Hillsborough County Code Enforcement Board (6-year tenure)
- State Chairman, Florida Engineering Professional Development Committee
- Member, Florida Engineering Society (FES) and National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- Member, Florida Energy Commission
- Named Outstanding Young Engineer (Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties)
A Life Defined by Precision and Harmony
My passion for design extends beyond the drafting table. As an avid pilot, I don’t just design hangar homes; I live in one. I understand the specific needs of the fly-in community because I share their perspective from the cockpit. Whether I’m flying patients for Angel Flights or introducing children to the sky through the EAA Young Eagles program, aviation is a core part of my identity.
When I’m not in the air or at the drawing board, I’m often immersed in music. As a jazz musician and five-string banjo player, I find that the same discipline required for a complex structural calculation is present in the harmony of a well-played guitar.
My journey began with a full scholarship to the University of Florida and has included everything from rebuilding a 50-foot wooden yawl to exploring caves as a spelunker. These diverse experiences—from the technical rigors of engineering to the creative flow of jazz—allow me to bring a truly unique, multi-dimensional perspective to every project I touch.
Connect with Ken Risley
- Direct Inquiry: Please use the contact form on this website to initiate your request. This is the fastest way to reach me and sends an instant notification to my mobile device.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (352) 821-9975, Extension 101
- Location: Based in Central Florida, serving clients throughout the United States and internationally.
“I don’t just draw plans; I engineer your vision to be buildable, beautiful, and permit-ready.”