Design Philosophy

“Good design is both inspired and practical”

Green Design

• Green design principles rather than just green materials.
• Adaptive reuse. Renovate and possibly add onto, rather than knock down, put in a landfill and replace with new. (This of course assumes that the original structure was well built and has “good bones”. Sometimes a structurally deficient structure should be removed rather than remediated.) Updating an old house to current living standards makes it less likely to be torn down in the future.
• Natural ventilation. Use of venting skylights or high clerestory windows, in conjunction with ceiling fans, reduces the need for air conditioning. Also allows air conditioning to be set at higher temperatures while maintaining same comfort level.
• Natural daylighting. Both window location & configuration, and roof overhangs need to be carefully considered, based on many factors including sun orientation and desired light levels in each space at various times of day & for different seasons.
• New construction sited to take advantage of all the natural features of the site…view, need for privacy, southern exposure, slope of the land, neighborhood context.
• Renovation work also considers these issues, but often has the added challenge of a poorly sited original house.

Great design isn’t necessarily about size. It’s about smart use of space as well as the right products to do the job. We all need to live smarter without necessarily living larger.

Wow Factor

• Light filled spaces. Play of light on the surfaces.
• Sense of the house, its personality, upon entering, but still reveals itself as you proceed. Surprises. Gems.
• Sculptural elements, viewed from various vantage points both inside & outside the house. Focal points within larger context.
• Interior/exterior interplay.
• Interesting massing, but not just random forms. Repeated elements (sometimes modified), both interior and exterior to unify the project. The repetition of elements used to marry the interior and exterior.
• Interconnections (both visual and physical) between the various functions and spaces. Varying degrees of separation and connection. Separate and connect simultaneously.
• Smaller, more intimate private places within larger public spaces. Soaring spaces & intimate places. Comfortable “people places”.
• Practical yet fanciful.
• Craftsmanship and detailing.