a selection of projects
Each project comes with its own set of joys and challenges. For this hillside home near Santa Barbara, we had the joy of fantastic ocean views and wonderful clients but also the challenges of a high sloping lot with strict limits on height and size.
​
With careful use of rooflines and ceiling heights as well as a creative approach to creating basement space, we maximized the site to meet our clients needs and create a family beach home to enjoy for years.
Every project starts with loose sketches to capture ideas and potential layouts. Over time these sketches are gradually refined as ideas are finalized and eventually translated to construction drawings.
​
This home was located directly on the beach and was imagined as a collage of stone and glass reminiscent of remodeled European farm buildings.
Some projects never come to completion however. In this case the clients decided to sell this property and the home was never built.
This un-realized project is shown here in rendered form. These renderings help clients visualize spaces and ideas and give confidence that the design captures what's needed.
​
Today we do every project as a 3D model which allows our clients and ourselves to easily visualize the project at every step.
​
The goal of this project was to enlarge and reconfigure the primary suite of a historic stone villa. The massive glass arched corner door was designed to capture the mix of traditional and modern in the existing house and to maximize views from the space.
The interior of a home can often be even more fun than designing the exterior. In​ this project, designed in collaboration with BPC Architecture on Nantucket Island, the challenge was to create a new bowling alley underneath a new home already under construction.
We imagined the alley as being built within an existing traditional foundation of brick arches and pillars. Designed with an adjacent sitting area, the alley is a treasured place for rainy-day fun for the family home.
Breakfast
Ideas
Occasionally a project comes along that defies typical expectations. For this hacienda renovation, we worked with a local builder, New York interior designer, and French landscape designer to help transform the property.
​
Our work spanned a variety of elements from a stone garden well-house to interior millwork and a proposed greenhouse.
​
Working with audio and visual consultants to create a new home theater was an especially enjoyable aspect of the project.
Breakfast
Ideas
This modern home overlooking Silver Lake Reservoir was designed to show buyers what was possible on a ​tight sloping lot. ​
​
The multi-level plan incorporated private bedroom suites, an office, and open living areas, all with expansive views of the surrounding area. The top level garage featured doors at both ends to server as both car storage and an outdoor entertaining space.
​
The eventual buyer of the property chose to renovate the existing home on the site but the design process was rewarding in itself.
Sometimes it takes a big move to create an even bigger transformation.
​
In this collaborative project on the East coast with BPC Architecture, we moved the stair from the center of the house to the side, opening up the space to provide the large open plan living areas our client wanted.
​
An oversized window placed in the new three story stairwell is a striking feature of the design and brings light into all three levels as well as the center of the home.
​
Views of the nearby pond were also opened up throughout the house with new banks of windows.
Sometimes projects don't always go quite as expected. In this case, it quickly became apparent that the original plan to remodel an existing house wasn't practical and that new construction was a better approach.
​
The original house continued to serve as inspiration however as we incorporated some of its quirks into the new design. This gives the design the feel or an older home that has grown over time,
Breakfast
Ideas
This dated and dark condo in the Los Angeles area was an enjoyable challenge. The kitchen was transformed from a small space disconnected from living area to a an open and bright space connected to adjacent living and dining areas. ​​​
​
The remainder of the condo was updated including complete renovations of the baths.
For this hillside property, we began with an older somewhat generic Santa Barbara home and developed a design that expanded the plan to better accommodate the family and ​added character and detail.
While the clients were happy with the design, they ultimately decided to look for another home less remote so this one will remain on paper only.
​
Sometimes the biggest challenge is to blend in. ​For this one story craftsman style cottage, the solution was to set the new second floor back from the front of the house and to limit the overall height.
​
This approach had the added advantage of better integrating a previous boxy addition toward the back of the house.
​
On the interior, the living areas are were opened up and a new stair to the added second floor primary suite was created
With strict size and height limits, ADUs can be challenging to design. Designed for multi-generational living and currently nearing completion, it was important that this ADU complement the existing home while accommodating two bedrooms, living area and a small office.
​
Taking advantage of the mild climate, a gazebo with outdoor kitchen and fireplace was designed for additional outdoor living space.
Sometimes the biggest challenge is to blend in. ​For this one story craftsman style cottage, the solution was to set the new second floor back from the front of the house and to limit the overall height.
​
This approach had the added advantage of better integrating a previous boxy addition toward the back of the house.
​
On the interior, the living areas are were opened up and a new stair to the added second floor primary suite was created