When working on the Compartés flagship store for Los Angeles in collaboration with Kelly Wearstler’s Interior Design Team, we were inspired by old chocolate shops of the early 20th century with their industrial and Art Deco details. We initially looked at using copper for the facade, including for the window framing and doors. We wanted the exterior to have the emerald green patina that copper takes on over time, but the cost of the material was prohibitive, so we instead decided to use steel.
When you not only design homes but are also the builder, you are constantly innovating and seeking new and better ways to ensure that what you design for your clients can be built. There is a symbiosis between the two disciplines when you are Design-Build and it is the client who gets the direct benefit of this connectivity. Case in point, at the Ocean Front Walk project we had an expansive rooftop area that had the potential to be a beautiful space. We envisioned a firepit, outdoor seating, a barbeque, outdoor dining, and flexible shading.
Part 2 of our 2-part series on Natural Disasters in Southern California and what can be done to protect your home. See part 1 of our series on how to protect yourself against wildfires.
Starting in December 2017 and continuing into 2018, the largest fire in modern California history spread through Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties–destroying more than a thousand structures located on 281,000+ acres. The threat of wildfires is scary. Concern for your family, friends, and neighbors. Concern for pets and wildlife. Concern for your home and your material possessions and all of the memories and irreplaceable items can be overwhelming. I wanted to write this blog post to pass along information for people about architectural design choices that could help to minimize fire risk.
As a design-build firm, we are constantly focused on the integrity of the materials we use as well as the sustainability and the longevity of those materials when determining what to use to achieve our design objectives because we know we have to be able to build what we’ve designed.
When your front yard is made of sand, you wake up each day to the sounds of waves crashing and you toast each night to the beautiful colors of the sunset over the water. Beach living is about the lifestyle and principal to that is relaxation and entertaining with family and friends.
This week we are featuring some design elements of the recently completed Sunset, Pacific Palisades Project. The homeowners wanted a modern style home, but wanted it to feel warm and inviting, will using premium materials to create a sophisticated space perfect for their lifestyle.
Converting an attic to usable space requires two things. First, you need the proper ceiling height to make the space usable and second you need a way to access the space.
After a recent client meeting in Rancho Palos Verdes, I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places, the Wayfarers Chapel. A creation of renowned architect Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Chapel is considered one of the most notable examples of organic architecture. Situated on a bluff, much like the future home of our clients, the structure emerges from the hilltop and is barely differentiated from the now mature landscaping of trees, rose bushes, and other greenery. Perched above the Pacific with views of Catalina Island, the blue sky backdrop to the nearly all glass chapel, blurs the distinction between inside and out—the defining trait of organic architecture.
As architects and builders, we deliberate over every aspect of a home. From the overall size, proportion, and feel of the space, we try to think through every scenario for the people for whom we are building the project. We proceed from design through construction using a rigorous process that takes into account even the smallest of details. While we often consider spaces and materials for pet use and durability, it’s a true pleasure when a detail we’ve considered for the two-legged members of the family also becomes a favorite spot for the four-legged ones.
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