Downward view of the zen pool and front entry. PB Elemental
Inspiration for a contemporary front yard water fountain landscape in Seattle.

We recently completed a fabulous bathroom renovation, drawing inspiration from our client’s serene beachside vacation. They fell in love with the calming blue hues of the ocean, the sky and even seashells they collected. They found a real version that perfectly encapsulated the dreamy blue in the vacation bathroom and brought it home. The Ballard Blue vanity pairs perfectly with the subtle blue hints in the Cambria Quartz top. You will find accents of the same blue in the penny round tiles in the shower niche. The unique starburst floor tiles perfectly complement the natural blue hues found throughout the space. We replaced the outdated 5’ mirror with two elegant mirrors which create a beautiful symmetry above the double sinks. The previously installed snazzy LED lights didn’t quite capture the calm our clients were seeking, so we added softer downward lights instead. This dream bathroom wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible work of Project Manager, Steve Shanholtz, our talented Sarah design duo (Sarah Domery and Sarah McDonald) and our master craftsman, Dave Buran. Our team made walking into this bathroom feel like vacation every day!

Antique Bronze one-light pendant fixture features a nostalgic, yet decidedly modern, design. Outer translucent light umber seeded globe mimic the silhouette of a traditional light bulb but contain a halogen source for bright illumination. Versatile structure can be installed facing upwards or downwards.

1950s patio photo in San Francisco

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

A cantilever deck and an above-ground pool – an enormous feat since this property is on a downward slope!
Inspiration for a contemporary deck remodel in Los Angeles

The clients enjoy entertaining guests in their home. They enjoy sports events, but don't necessarily enjoy the hustle 'n bustle of going to the stadium, finding a place to park, and in the case of football, freezing to death. They much prefer sharing the ambiance of their comfortable home, offering snacks and drinks from the bar, and enjoying a round of pool during intermissions and halftime, or watching halftime shows on a state-of-the-art home theater. These clients were so committed to this enterprise, they dedicated their 3,000 sq’ basement, except those areas already used for utility, storage, and mechanical needs, the renovation.To make sure the clients' every wish was met, a complete entertainment area was designed and constructed with ease of movement, lighting, and safety in mind. The area would include a home theater with totally wireless controls, a pool room, and a social area replete with a commercial-grade wet bar. The home theater consists of a screen within a custom cabinet system that also houses the complete audio-visual equipment center. Speakers are nestled in custom benches with the sound cones discretely hidden behind fabric panels. The motor for the panel that hides the screen when not in use is behind a similar fabric panel.The furniture style cabinet has Shaker style doors with walnut peg inlays and leaded glass panels. There are multiple lighting "scenes" for ambiance; low-voltage lighting inside the crown molding, and recessed can lights are discretely placed so that they can provide an extra level of illumination when required.The pool room was walled with a custom wainscot paneling with clear cherry stiles and rails finished with a clear satin lacquer. The panels are of Madagascar ebony with a light satin stain and a clear lacquer finish. A custom cue rack was constructed from clear cherry and backed with the Madagascar ebony panel.Drink rails were custom fabricated from cherry and custom crown molding was fabricated to match the rest of the house. The space is lit with a combination of recessed lights and a series of hidden lights behind crown molding for dramatic effect. The bar area is topped with a custom crown detail to contain the lighting. The bar is constructed in the same manner and fashion as the theater and pool rooms with Shaker style cabinetry with square walnut peg in the door corners and decorative leaded glass door fronts with more than enough front and back bar space to serve and enjoy drinks and snacks. Entry behind the bar is through custom, bi-directional butler doors. A custom bottle display and storage area takes up the bottom half of the bar's back wall. And, for the sake of convenience, a full size automatic dishwasher is installed under the bar for cleaning glasses and stemware. The bar is also tricked out with an espresso machine, its own flat screen TV and AmX video controller. The bar is lit with puck lights in the upper cabinets that illuminate downward through glass shelves, and low-voltage lighting is used behind the bottle display. The bar itself is lit by a series of earthen tone pendant lights.All three areas complement each other and are in total harmony with the remainder of the house. Moldings were matched, carpeting styles were chosen to complement rather than compromise, and muted, natural colors and textures were chosen that complement the surroundings. There is a seamless transition between the newer areas of the home and those already in everyday use. The entire area is a nebula of electrons operating servos, quietly opening and closing hidden switches, mysteriously dimming and brightening lights, and not only creating an alluring atmosphere, but one that is programmable, available at the touch of a finger to a heat sensitive screen, for an individual, or a group. At a single touch the lights in the theater and bar areas dim as the theater screen lowers into viewing position. Not only does the AMX controller open and close shades and window treatments to facilitate better viewing, but on an entirely different level it controls the very access to the property. It opens and closes entryways, external doors and gates as well.None of this magic came easily. Electrical circuits were at a premium. Over heating plagued the AV rack, and pesky rays of light seemed to creep in where and when they were least welcome. An exhaust fan was installed in the AV cabinet to dissipate the heat. New electrical outlets were scheduled and placed while others were moved. The bar area received custom wire chases hidden within the cabinetry. Exterior roll-a-way shutters, all controlled from the AMX controller, were installed and programmed as the answer to those pesky light rays.

Hunter Kerhart
Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Los Angeles

Aurora Round Edge RGB 3.3 inch trim and housing is a specification grade, adjustable accent fixture for plaster or drywall construction. The flush mounted rigid plaster plate, which is finished into the ceiling, maintains a flat finish and defines the Truly Trimless Pure edge (knife edge) 3.3 inch aperture. Uplighting the RGB (red, blue, green) LEDs within the Aurora dome creates color at the ceiling plane while a halogen white light projects downward resulting in an optical illusion. Combined with the Pure edge aperture and the hidden gear behind the lamp further enhances the illusion and creates a clean internal look. Dome is made of spun aluminum, painted to a diffuse highly reflective white finish. Features hot aiming with Philips screwdriver offering 0 to 45 degree vertical adjustment and 362 degree horizontal rotation without beam clipping. Includes standard 120 volt magnetic transformer, IC and air-tight, suitable for remodel or new construction. Secondary output voltage is 11.8 volts. LED driver/power data supply (PDS) and RGB LED modules are integral, accessible and serviceable through the aperture. Includes RGB high output LEDs totaling 24 watts and may be programmed as desired using a DMX signal. LEDs can be controlled to be static color, cross-faded, or can be set to the beat of the music. Compatible with Edge Lighting CDP or CTP controller, sold separately. Includes 12 volt 35 watt 35 degree beam spread Sylvania Tru-Aim Brilliant lamp. Halogen light source compatible with low voltage magnetic dimmer, sold separately. Includes snoot and soft focus lens, with room for lamp and two additional accessories, sold separately. UL listed for damp locations.

Design: Verner Panton Concept: The fixture emits a soft and comfortable illumination. The hemispherical shade reflects the light downwards, and the material used ensures that the majority of the light is spread diffusely in the room from the surface of the shade. Finish: White, opal acrylic. Material: Base: White, injection molded ABS. Shade: Injection molded white opal acrylic. Housing: White, injection molded ABS. Stem: White, steel. Mounting: Cord type: White. Cord length: 11’. Switch: In-line on/off foot switch provided. Weight: Max. 11 lbs. Label: cULus, Dry location. IBEW.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER Baby boomers residing in this single-family colonial in Mclean, Virginia, wanted to make big changes indoors and out. First, they were tired of their back yard and old wooden deck. The neighboring lot sloped steeply downward, creating significant run-off that prevented any semblance of a lawn or landscaping from taking hold. Worse, it prevented the couple from letting their grandchildren or dog out to play. To address the issue, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes excavated their entire yard so it was level. Then they designed and built a 5’ x 40’ retaining wall covered with ledger stone to separate the lots, installing an underground drainage system to keep runoff away from a new flagstone patio and surrounding plants and shrubs. Above the stone patio is a large no-maintenance deck reached via a wide stairway with matching railing. A 12’ x 18’ screened in porch sits to one side featuring cedar beaded ceiling panels and French doors that lead into the home’s dining room. Highlighting the interior renovations is a new gourmet kitchen with a custom-made wood cabinets and exotic granite countertops. The room’s focal point is a large island with a two-tier countertop and bar seating. Professional-grade stainless steel appliances include a gas cooktop, double-wall ovens, built-in microwave and dishwasher and large refrigerator. Other features include a porcelain tile floor, tile backsplash and a tray ceiling. A new master bathroom features floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a dark marble countertop and his and hers sinks. Contrasting light-colored marble floor and wall tile leads to a glass-enclosed shower. An adjoining walk-in closet completes the design.

The project was a renovation of a 1974 two-story house designed by prominent San Francisco architect Albert Lanier (husband of Ruth Asawa). Each level is framed by exterior courtyards which provide both sheltered intimacy with nature and visual connection to the city beyond. The owners were interested in increasing the volume of the house while maintaining its original DNA as defined by angular geometries, redwood interiors and exterior courtyards. Our approach was to expand and surgically modify the house in an architecturally non-aggressive manner. Spaces were opened up and flow and views were maximized. Color, texture, light and vegetation were used to harmonize with the vintage redwood tonalities and the owners’ eclecticism. Dark-knotted douglas fir flooring, fabricated from locally reclaimed pier pilings, was used throughout the house to balance the dark redwood living level with the lighter-hued floors below. The sculptural blackened steel stair anchors the house, weaving together the floors and their diverse spatial character. Hard materials including terrazzo, concrete and mottled gray marble were used to counterbalance the warm softwoods. The house façades and cascading courtyards were reclad in irregular western red cedar planks. We collaborated with our friend and designer Beatrice Santiccioli to create a color language that expresses a natural interaction with the light and materials in the environment, transitioning from bold to atmospheric as you pass downward through the house. Italian landscape designer Monica Viarengo designed the outdoor areas including the intimate entry courtyard and the terraced back garden with expansive views of the city. Her work shifts from curated to wild as your move through the property.

This patio maintains its year-round glow with both multicolor and white lighting. The under portion of the patio cover 75 linear feet of elegant white lighting directed downward to surround and define the space with a warm ambience. Another 75 linear feet of multicolor lights run along the patio cover fascia to further illuminate the outdoor space and reflect the homeowners’ personal style at different times of the year.

Inspiration for a landscaping in Other.

This two level ipe (aka Brazilian Walnut) was built in Montclair, NJ. The deck floor, bench and railing were screwed and plugged so there are no visible screws. The rail and gate feature black aluminum balusters. Fortress sconce lights are on the rail posts. The bench has downward shining LED lights while the stairs feature flush LED lights. A dry-laid flagstone walkway and patio add more usable space, Patio stairs are limestone.

Design: Louise Campbell Concept: The fixture emits a primarily downward illumination. The perforated pattern on the shade provides a soft illumination around the fixture. Meanwhile, the perforation helps lighten up the surface of the shade in a decorative way, when it is turned on, thereby maintaining the contour of the fixture, whether it is on or off. The light source is surrounded by an opal diffuser, which ensures that the fixture is 100% glare-free, and that the fixture is suitable for several types of light sources providing the same light distribution and comfort. And finally, the shape of the diffuser allows a beautiful view into the fixture. Finish: White, powder coated. White, powder coated with colored foils. Material: Shade: Spun aluminum, punched and embossed. Suspension: Die cast aluminum. Diffuser ball: Rotation molded PE Plastic. Mounting: Cord type: 3-conductor, 18 AWG white PVC power cord. Canopy: White. Cord length: 12'. Weight: Max 6.6 Lbs. Label: cULus, Dry location. IBEW.

2010 NARI CAPITAL COTY MERIT AWARD WINNER Baby boomers residing in this single-family colonial in Mclean, Virginia, wanted to make big changes indoors and out. First, they were tired of their back yard and old wooden deck. The neighboring lot sloped steeply downward, creating significant run-off that prevented any semblance of a lawn or landscaping from taking hold. Worse, it prevented the couple from letting their grandchildren or dog out to play. To address the issue, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes excavated their entire yard so it was level. Then they designed and built a 5’ x 40’ retaining wall covered with ledger stone to separate the lots, installing an underground drainage system to keep runoff away from a new flagstone patio and surrounding plants and shrubs. Above the stone patio is a large no-maintenance deck reached via a wide stairway with matching railing. A 12’ x 18’ screened in porch sits to one side featuring cedar beaded ceiling panels and French doors that lead into the home’s dining room. Highlighting the interior renovations is a new gourmet kitchen with a custom-made wood cabinets and exotic granite countertops. The room’s focal point is a large island with a two-tier countertop and bar seating. Professional-grade stainless steel appliances include a gas cooktop, double-wall ovens, built-in microwave and dishwasher and large refrigerator. Other features include a porcelain tile floor, tile backsplash and a tray ceiling. A new master bathroom features floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a dark marble countertop and his and hers sinks. Contrasting light-colored marble floor and wall tile leads to a glass-enclosed shower. An adjoining walk-in closet completes the design.