3500 sq ft residence comprised of two distinct volumes. The lower portion of the home dictates the entry sequence and circulation throughout all the rooms. It becomes an organizing element anchoring the building to the site

INSPIRATION: local settlements in northern Iran formed by a simple adaptation of the nature, geography and climate of that region. The local architecture of this place is so intertwined with nature and in harmony with the climate that it can be called naturalistic architecture. We are looking to redefining the region's former architecture, which needs protection, into today's language. Unique properties: Extroverted architecture is a solution that is necessary to respond to the hot and humid climate of the location of this project. But in Iranian culture, introverted architecture is unavoidable therefore, in this residential apartment where several families live together and also have common spaces, providing a response to introversion and extroversion at the same time has been considered. Description: Extreme use of the porch refers to the deep structures of the Iranian Architecture The "primitive cottage", which is a favorite of the residents of this small town, when converted into a contemporary apartment, must include several basic spaces to implement the residential scenario. Private and semi-private balconies are the most important of those spaces. Extensive vista is the potential of this project. because in addition to the forest view from the south and the beach view on the north side, the other two sides of the project have a unique view due to their height from the city. Therefore, the location and type of openings affect the quality of the space. Each space has a pleasant view, light and proper air circulation. Roofed and non-roofed yards equally divided at different levels. These independent courtyards in the vertical surfaces seen as a vertical and integrated garden in the urban context. CHALENGE: The value that the project pursues is to answer: How contemporary architecture can be faithful to culture, nature and context? How architecture can affect the audience without showing off? this challenge arose for us when we noticed that the surrounding new buildings had nothing to do with local architecture except for adhering to a form such as a sloping roof. Audience tastes have also gone in a direction that is not compatible with contextual factors. So having a few touches of culture and context can be a turning point in the contemporary architecture of this Small scale area.

The Evening Sky Residence is a vineyard home in the foothills of McMinnville, Oregon. The house is placed in a natural clearing at the vineyard’s highest point, sited to overlook the Willamette Valley to the East and the Coastal Mountain Range to the West. The architecture’s linearity, contextualized materials, and indoor-outdoor living create a place that is inviting and timeless. Interiors promote a warm minimalism, with elevated finishes and tailored moments responding to the clients’ vision. Views from the residence connect those who reside here with their vines and the surrounding landscape, composing a daily life that is deeply intertwined with the working vineyard and Oregon wine country.

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.

Mid-sized trendy gray two-story concrete fiberboard house exterior photo in Ottawa with a shed roof and a metal roof

AFTER - Side of house. New wrap-around porch. New stairs to side yard. New bay window addition on second floor for master bedroom.. Photo by Costas Picadas

Located in historic Brooklyn, these carriage houses are thoughtfully designed to be contextually appropriate among century old brick townhouses. A large open floor plan living, dining and kitchen open directly to a private garden with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, and the ultimate New York City luxury, an adjacent parking space. With an eye to both the present and the past, in the kitchen top of the line stainless steel Liebherr, Bertazzoni, and Bosch kitchen appliances meet solid marble slab counters and backsplash, natural finish white oak floors, Blanco Cerana apron fireclay sink, custom shaker style gray lacquered and glass front cabinetry.

The approach to Edge House, a walk through verdant woodland abundant with ferns and moss, is a lesson in arrival. What appears is a woodsy yet contemporary dwelling divided into two volumes, framing an ocean view. Located on an island off Midcoast, Maine, Edge House is a low-slung cabin that hugs the rocky coast. The client commissioned Charles Rose Architects to design a simple cottage retreat that could take full advantage of the view, while also remaining inconspicuously nestled in the trees. The solution was a simple wood-shingled structure that features large glass windows, connecting both structure and inhabitant to the site. From the water’s edge, only a few hundred meters away, the house is barely visible. The selection of contextual materials, specifically cedar shingles, was meant to embed the structure in the landscape. For the interior, bedrooms are purposefully small, and beds were positioned close to the full-height windows, allowing occupants to immerse themselves in the view. Clerestory windows under the roof further amplify the quality of natural light and create a weightless effect on the roof from the outside. The stone fireplace, located in the living room, was crafted with stones gathered from the site as another way to bring the outdoors in.

This 5,000 SF design/build landmark townhouse includes a rarely approved 4 story rear addition in a Landmark Preservation district. The carefully designed rear façade complements the original Italianate style of this Clinton Hill Historic District townhouse by using true brick arches, black framed windows, and historic brick. Large, contextual openings grace the rear of this townhouse, creating an opportunity for an abundance of light and connection between the expansive kitchen/dining room and the well appointed garden. The 55’ deep parlor floor provides plenty of room for entertaining and while leaving plenty of room for 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms throughout. Extensive underpinning created even more living space in a full height cellar.

3500 sq ft residence comprised of two distinct volumes. The lower portion of the home dictates the entry sequence and circulation throughout all the rooms. It becomes an organizing element anchoring the building to the site

This 5,000 SF design/build landmark townhouse includes a rarely approved 4 story rear addition in a Landmark Preservation district. The carefully designed rear façade complements the original Italianate style of this Clinton Hill Historic District townhouse by using true brick arches, black framed windows, and historic brick. Large, contextual openings grace the rear of this townhouse, creating an opportunity for an abundance of light and connection between the expansive kitchen/dining room and the well appointed garden. The 55’ deep parlor floor provides plenty of room for entertaining and while leaving plenty of room for 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms throughout. Extensive underpinning created even more living space in a full height cellar.

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.

Believed to be the oldest building in Excelsior Minnesota, this humble brick structure has transformed, been moved, and housed countless people over its 162 years. Affectionately known as ‘The Beehive’, it was built in 1857 and began as the original Excelsior schoolhouse. It was moved to its’ current location in the 1880’s and became a 23-room dormitory for Northwestern Christian College, followed by a boarding house, and finally apartments (in addition to the rumors of more sordid activities in the early 20th century!). After being in the same family for several decades, the owner wanted to transform the building one more time to make it her own home. Citydeskstudio worked closely with her and the Excelsior Historic Preservation Commission on the design. She now occupies the main floor, with additional units above and below for rental and for family. The design celebrates the stout and blocky character of the building with a new modern expansion off the back. There, the building steps and expands outwards in glassy boxes of charred cedar. Inside, the original structure was repaired and uncovered where possible, and previous poorly done modifications were corrected. The center piece of this more open and light-filled home is a rich modern kitchen in walnut, travertine, and steel. The old character remains ever present and is essential to the spirit of The Beehive’s latest transformation. This multigenerational home’s design honors the legacy of the property, marrying the original Excelsior schoolhouse with a beautiful, modern, contextually-sensitive remodel and addition. Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge Chris Bach Nate Dodge

INSPIRATION: local settlements in northern Iran formed by a simple adaptation of the nature, geography and climate of that region. The local architecture of this place is so intertwined with nature and in harmony with the climate that it can be called naturalistic architecture. We are looking to redefining the region's former architecture, which needs protection, into today's language. Unique properties: Extroverted architecture is a solution that is necessary to respond to the hot and humid climate of the location of this project. But in Iranian culture, introverted architecture is unavoidable therefore, in this residential apartment where several families live together and also have common spaces, providing a response to introversion and extroversion at the same time has been considered. Description: Extreme use of the porch refers to the deep structures of the Iranian Architecture The "primitive cottage", which is a favorite of the residents of this small town, when converted into a contemporary apartment, must include several basic spaces to implement the residential scenario. Private and semi-private balconies are the most important of those spaces. Extensive vista is the potential of this project. because in addition to the forest view from the south and the beach view on the north side, the other two sides of the project have a unique view due to their height from the city. Therefore, the location and type of openings affect the quality of the space. Each space has a pleasant view, light and proper air circulation. Roofed and non-roofed yards equally divided at different levels. These independent courtyards in the vertical surfaces seen as a vertical and integrated garden in the urban context. CHALENGE: The value that the project pursues is to answer: How contemporary architecture can be faithful to culture, nature and context? How architecture can affect the audience without showing off? this challenge arose for us when we noticed that the surrounding new buildings had nothing to do with local architecture except for adhering to a form such as a sloping roof. Audience tastes have also gone in a direction that is not compatible with contextual factors. So having a few touches of culture and context can be a turning point in the contemporary architecture of this Small scale area.

Inspiration for a modern living room remodel in Delhi

Believed to be the oldest building in Excelsior Minnesota, this humble brick structure has transformed, been moved, and housed countless people over its 162 years. Affectionately known as ‘The Beehive’, it was built in 1857 and began as the original Excelsior schoolhouse. It was moved to its’ current location in the 1880’s and became a 23-room dormitory for Northwestern Christian College, followed by a boarding house, and finally apartments (in addition to the rumors of more sordid activities in the early 20th century!). After being in the same family for several decades, the owner wanted to transform the building one more time to make it her own home. Citydeskstudio worked closely with her and the Excelsior Historic Preservation Commission on the design. She now occupies the main floor, with additional units above and below for rental and for family. The design celebrates the stout and blocky character of the building with a new modern expansion off the back. There, the building steps and expands outwards in glassy boxes of charred cedar. Inside, the original structure was repaired and uncovered where possible, and previous poorly done modifications were corrected. The center piece of this more open and light-filled home is a rich modern kitchen in walnut, travertine, and steel. The old character remains ever present and is essential to the spirit of The Beehive’s latest transformation. This multigenerational home’s design honors the legacy of the property, marrying the original Excelsior schoolhouse with a beautiful, modern, contextually-sensitive remodel and addition. Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge Chris Bach Nate Dodge

AFTER - Back and side of house. New mudroom entry entries. New bay for breakfast table.
Inspiration for a victorian home design remodel in New York

Contemporary, recessive and sustainable extension to an existing historic cottage located in the beautiful North Norfolk Countryside.
Mid-sized contemporary brown one-story wood and board and batten house exterior idea in Other with a clipped gable roof, a metal roof and a gray roof

Located six feet from the sand, this residence seeks to reframe the contextual reference of its inhabitants in order to mitigate its highly trafficked location and create a private beach retreat. In parallel to its unobstructed ocean view, the design carves out infinite pockets of nature within the architecture. From the dining room’s bamboo garden to the expansive skylight above the stairwell, moments of serenity have been carefully composed throughout the home in order to make each frame as infinite as the horizon line of the Pacific Ocean.