For the 1928 North Carolina farmhouse, the clients wanted to update kitchen and bath areas to add color, better light and more storage to spaces that felt dated and poorly utilized.
The kitchen serves as the social hub of the house as well as the primary entry. The clients wanted to create a comfortable spot for gatherings with friends. The cooktop sits on the island facing a long bar with stools for easy, relaxed entertaining in this highly social household.
Design goals for the aging kitchen were to update cabinetry, add storage while
maintaining existing appliance and opening locations, and brighten the space with durable, highly functional cabinets.
Color became one of the most important elements of this room. There is a subtle play of light as the upper light and lower dark grey colors change throughout the day. Vivid green tile, blue lacquered display areas for artifacts collected during travel, and crisp white stone countertops are both functional and animate the bright kitchen.
Without expanding the small bathroom beyond its existing walls, the goal was to create a bright, highly functional space for soaking with maximum
storage. To bounce light and add color, we chose iridescent semi-transparent glass tile containing metal flecks. A barn door, along with open and closed
storage excavated from within the wall, and a drawer embedded in the tub
surround maximize storage opportunities.
For an update of the exterior of the house, the clients opted for a palette of lavender and four coordinating colors.
The Virginia Avenue project is an extensive renovation of a vintage 1906 San Francisco single-family house. The original kitchen, bathroom and upper bedrooms were completely remodeled, and a new bathroom was added at the second level. Architectural interventions to the existing Eduardian house were designed to expand the existing small dark spaces with natural light and provide greater connection to the outdoor space. The alterations were enlarged openings by subtraction from the existing envelope and structure of the building rather than extension beyond original walls or roofline. New millwork crafted of mahogany along with the consistency of simple, limited, repetitive materials throughout the project both unify the new elements and offset them from the historic fabric of the house. An integrated finger pull detail as well as recessed doors used in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets reference the original paneling and add a contemporary textural, tactile experience. Another solid wood finger pull variation at the bedroom cabinets seamlessly integrates closet doors into the room as the apparent wall paneling conceals deep storage cabinets.
Odessa Architecture collaborated with a family of five on a full renovation of this Ranch / Courtyard home. Situated among fruit and oak trees, expanded openings and multiple new patios add light and connect the interior spaces to the site.
Washington, D.C.
Fay and Ballard Houses, formerly part of Faculty Row on Gallaudet University’s campus, underwent major renovation to be re-transformed into dwellings after decades of use as University offices. The two houses each provide residence for 12-15 deaf students and one teacher, with a communal lounge, kitchen and study on the lower level and bedrooms on the upper levels. The interior design strategy was to insert modern amenities in obvious and select locations while preserving the historic Victorian houses, and to employ the principles outlined in the DeafSpace Guidelines for color, finish and furniture selections.
STM Department of Science, Technology and Mathematics, Gallaudet University
Washington DC
The STM department at Gallaudet University, located in Hall Memorial Building, underwent a complete renovation and update to all laboratories, classrooms, collaborative spaces and academic offices. The 63,000 sf project reworked the top two floors of the 4 story building including an opened atrium with a communicating stair. Interior design throughout the project was dictated by DeafSpace design principles. Color design, furniture form, scale and arrangement, materiality and surface texture and pattern, as well as vibration are used with careful consideration to enhance and support Deaf ways of well being.
Completed in collaboration with Studio 27
San Francisco California
A complete residential remodel of a single floor Victorian house into a two story spacious home. The redesign developed an uninhabited attic space to add three new bedrooms, a bathroom, a long storage wall, skylights and a stair from the first floor. The main level renovation included a new kitchen, dining room, office and laundry room, as well as complete refinishing of all interior surfaces. The house possesses the rare urban attribute of a fully detached house with natural daylighting at all four sides. The entire long north side of the house was opened with the addition of new windows and skylights to add more natural light. A new hydronic heating system powered by solar panels upgraded the existing, limited heat, while completely new plumbing and electrical systems were added. A new two-bedroom rental unit in addition to an office were developed in the former basement while maintaining the garage at the front side.
MODEL SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Washington D.C.
The Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) at Gallaudet University is a 160 bed dormitory for both boys and girls living together in one building with two separate wings connected by a shared lobby. The interior finishes have been selected and organized to create a homelike atmosphere that supports ease of communication and intuitive navigation for Deaf students that inhabit the spaces.
Completed in collaboration with Dangermond/Keane
The San Francisco Apartment is a 360 sf one bedroom dwelling inserted into the lower level of an existing single family home in what was originally an open basement/ garage. The open living room and kitchen are directly connected to a patio, shared garden and maximum light by large windows and doors. The compact space has all new flooring, walls, and millwork as well as built in storage walls and pocket doors to reduce the need for furniture and keep the space airy and uncluttered. Natural materials meant to last are warm, simple and durable.
Lyons Colorado
A new 1200 sf residence located in a remote Colorado mountain community. The house is constructed with a European pre-engineered modular wood structural/finish system shipped from Austria and designed to accommodate the site. The home is open with a freestanding kitchen, dining room and living area all linked and visually accessible to one another. One bedroom and bathroom are located at each the ground level and the second level loft.
Washington, D.C.
Gallaudet University, the nation's foremost university for the deaf and hard of hearing recently completed a master plan which included building new dormitories as well as upgrading the common spaces of all campus residence halls. Working within the DeafSpace guidelines developed at Gallaudet, we strived to create greater integration for the residences halls both between each other and to the Olmstead-designed campus, as well as expanded connections within the discrete halls for enhanced interaction and connection.
Completed in collaboration with Studio 27
VITRA FURNITURE SHOWROOM
San Francisco California
Located in the north waterfront in an historic building, the showroom is on two levels with an open plan designed to allow maximum flexibility in displaying furniture. A large platform meets the display window allowing pieces to be seen from the sidewalk. A glass wall laminated with mesh screen allows privacy in a meeting room, while allowing views, and light to filter through. The long lit wall slot allows for a miniature furniture display.
Completed in collaboration with Briggs MacDonald
HAL RINEY PUBLICIS AD AGENCY
San Francisco California
The complete interior renovation of a 120,000 sq. ft. corporate office space for a 450 person advertising firm. Services included overseeing all aspects of programming, design, construction documents and construction administration.
The original building was built in the early 70's, with broad views of the San Francisco Bay and North Beach. The three 40,000 sq. ft. floors each had 8' foot high acoustic ceilings with perimeter offices, all of which blocked light to the interior public areas. The renovation turned that order inside out, placing the offices on the core, providing natural light to all public areas. The acoustic ceilings were removed, exposing the concrete ceilings above, adding 3 ft of additional ceiling height in the open areas. Drywall was striped off the columns and perimeter walls.
Careful coordination of the mechanical, data, and lighting systems provide a clean, open workspace. The program included nine conference rooms, a large catering kitchen, media-labs and control rooms for multi-media presentation spaces.
Completed with EHDD Architecture
PRADA RETAIL STORE
Beverly Hills California
The façade on Rodeo Drive is non-existent – without the classical storefront and glass enclosures, the entire width of the store opens up to the street and merges public with commercial space. Climatic separation is achieved through an air-curtain system, invisible security antennas guarantee the control of the store. At night, an aluminium panel rises from the ground and seals the building. The third floor is dominated by the 'scenario space': an open floor plan that is used for changing display arrangements, like an extended idea of a display window, offering ways to present clothes beyond the presence of rails and shelves.
Completed with Brand + Allen Architects
Berkeley Casita is a 270 sf studio reinvented from a former one car garage. In contrast to the smooth white finish at the main house the remodeled cottage takes cues from nearby industrial buildings with a new exterior skin of matte black corrugated metal siding. The complimentary interior is lined with warm wood wall panels, cork flooring and crisp kitchen and bath finishes.
High windows line the long north elevation at edge of the large garden to maximize light while minimizing visual access to and from the adjacent main house. The short ends of the structure have glass doors and windows for physical and visual connection to a private entry and garden as well as to transmit maximum natural light. A built in credenza along with a bed and dining area bench each with storage below make efficient use of minimal space.
