Earlier this year, Violet and I visited Singapore. For me, it was a first-time visit, for Violet it was a return home to the place she grew up. I had heard many things about Singapore from Violet and her family and had a professional curiosity about the densely populated urban city that is city and state all wrapped up in one. Would there be takaways from our trip about urban development to inform our work in Southern California?
Inaugural article in the newly revived Tolucan Times newspaper representing the storied community of Toluca Lake, CA featuring regular articles by Kurt Krueger and Marcella Tyler Ketelhut. Below is an excerpt about the Lankershim-Toluca Adobe built in 1847. While the structure no longer stands, it’s a reminder of the communities history and the significant events of the mid-19th century in California history.
Matching key details is an important part of an authentic, historic restoration project, but when the 100-year old original still works, let’s keep it! Recently on the job site for the Sunset Steel project, we meet with our clients to show them the existing wrought iron cover for the decorative stained glass in the living room. This sturdy work of wrought iron had stoically protected the original stained glass window on the street-front facade on Sunset Boulevard. The condition was excellent, so we decided to keep it. The hand-hammered detail of the wrought iron also became the jumping off point for inspiration for the new railings for the two new balconies and the inside stair railing to the second floor.
Summer means we’re back in the RV exploring. On this trip, we visited the Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California. The first thing that struck us, as I’m sure many other visitors, is the scale. You know that the trees are large, but I’m not sure you’re truly prepared until you are standing at the foot of a giant redwood. For the trees to grow so large, you realize just how long this takes and for me, it made me reflect on our current moment as just a ‘blip’ on the timeline.
The Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance on December 7th requiring that all new buildings within the city limits be constructed as ‘all-electric.’ This means no more gas-powered heaters, stoves, or gas hookups for new construction. The requirement applies to all new buildings approved after April 1 and affordable housing projects approved after June 1, 2023. The Council stated that this action is creating the framework to decarbonize buildings, one of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide. This move is intended to put an end to the expansion of local natural gas infrastructure and is believed to help Los Angeles reach its target of becoming carbon-free by 2035. A similar, but separate ordinance, is being drafted to retrofit existing buildings for electrification.
Big Changes are underway for the zoning for single family homes in California. Resulting from the passage fo SB9, the Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (“HOME”) Act, which was signed into law on September 16, 2021 and took effect statewide on January 1, 2022. Kurt Krueger details the impacts and what to know about SB9 in this latest article in Santa Monica Spotlight.
Senate Bill 9 (SB9), also called the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (“HOME”) Act was signed into law on September 16, 2021, and went into effect statewide on January 1, 2022.
Every year natural disasters and extreme weather take a devastating toll on homes, land, and people around the world. Heatwaves, wildfires, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, and tsunamis are a particular threat to Southern California. The aftermath can be devastating. Buildings and homes can be easily toppled or destroyed; lives ruined or worst, lost.
Designing a custom home is as much about artistry and the technical know-how of architecture as it is about insights into people’s personalities and what will make them be content and feel happy in the home you’ve design for them. Kurt recently shared his design philosophy about how good design can promote wellness for the occupants of a home. The article appears in the Santa Monica Spotlight magazine in the July issue. Kurt Krueger, Principal Architect and Owner of Kurt Krueger Architects, is an Expert Contributor for the local magazine.
Infratech, makers of infrared heaters for outdoor applications, recently profiled Kurt as a part of their Visionaries series. The series highlights innovative ways that architects and designers are using the product to bring “indoor comfort for every outdoor living space,” as their motto goes. Kurt discussed three projects where he used the low-profile, inset heaters.
Custom design, residential architecture for homes in Southern California and boutique commercial projects. We offer architectural design services for new construction and restoration-renovation of historic and mid-century homes; construction management services; and architect-led, design-build services.
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Urban Planning and Our Visit to Singapore May 13,2024
"Let's Get Real" March 26,2024
Restoration Details November 1,2023
