Kenzie Leon Perry is a dedicated and accomplished FIU Double Panther who pays it forward by playing a pivotal role in shaping the minds and perspectives of future designers. Since graduating in 2006, he has returned as an Interior Architecture adjunct professor teaching a wide range of studios, from foundational courses to advanced classes exploring hospitality, retail, corporate, and healthcare design.
Drawing from his rich professional background, Kenzie especially enjoys teaching Design 3, where students transition from architectural foundations to exploring specialized interior spaces—a critical step in their education. His hospitality design expertise, honed through work on hotels and other projects in Miami and the Caribbean, deeply informs his teaching approach.
Outside of FIU, Kenzie is the principal of his own multidisciplinary design practice, Ze Haus, founded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm’s diverse portfolio includes residential and commercial projects ranging from hair salons to a unique multiuse food hall and cultural arts space in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. His work often celebrates Miami’s Black diaspora and Afro-Latinx cultures, with design products such as wallpaper collections inspired by Little Haiti and Little Havana.
As Kenzie shares, “A lot of my work is inspired by Miami’s Black diaspora and Afro-Latinx cultures. I tell stories through design — like my wallpaper collection inspired by Little Haiti and Little Havana.” He is also a visual artist who creates complementary art collections to accompany his interior design projects.
Reflecting on his education at FIU, Kenzie highlights the practical and hands-on approach he experienced:
“The education I received at FIU was hands-on and practical. We started from scratch — sketching and documenting ideas on paper — which prepared me well for the field.”
While technology has transformed design education, he emphasizes that foundational skills remain essential:
“I encourage students to be well-rounded and experience all kinds of art. Architecture is connected to every other art form.”
Beyond design, Kenzie pursues creative interests in music, Black history, and performing arts, encouraging students to cultivate broad cultural experiences that enrich their creativity.
Kenzie has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to community engagement. For over a decade, he has served on the FIU Festival of the Trees Committee, contributing his creativity, leadership, and design insight to one of FIU School of Architecture’s most celebrated events. His continued involvement reflects a dedication to collaboration, cultural stewardship, and the power of design to bring communities together.
Offering advice to current students balancing academic and professional work, Kenzie says, “My advice to students is to advocate for yourself, explore different firms, and take calculated risks early — start researching and networking as soon as possible.” Looking back, he wishes he had asked for more help and taken more research-driven risks during his studies.
In addition to teaching and practicing design, Kenzie contributes to the community through the “Design Your World” educational pipeline program at FIU, which introduces minority youth to commercial interior design and has inspired many participants to pursue design careers.
Kenzie Leon Perry exemplifies the FIU spirit by combining professional success, passionate teaching, and cultural storytelling rooted in Miami’s vibrant heritage.
