Matt Waclo, Owner, Joel sherman
Contemporary three-story flat roof idea in Sacramento

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

Steve Lazar's newest project, a six-bedroom residence built on a hillside peak of 30th Street in Hermosa Beach for design+build by South Swell, is a study in the functional exploitation of lot size and surrounding beauty. That, and an evolution of the designer’s singular style. Modernist in its veins, the new home has the earmarks of a Lazar design inside and out. There’s a hint of lifeguard tower in its exterior, though more muted than visible in his past projects, mainly due to a ring of rusticated wood cladding swathed around its mid-section. Other signifiers are there, too, from a row of high-perched observation windows to a slightly raised metal hip roof of soft blue. Jutting out slightly over the home, its underside dressed in tidy shiplap, the roof contrasts smartly against the clean white stucco and earthy wood of the lower levels. In all, it’s still clean-cut Lazar, but more organic than sleek. “I use a lot of the same ideas,” says Lazar, standing outside the structure while craftsmen and workers buzz around, putting finishing touches on the place. “ “I have a signature vocabulary, but I adapt it with each custom home to meet a client’s needs and maximize the particulars of that space.” Thoughtfully designed by Steve Lazar design+build by South Swell. designbuildbysouthswell.com Photography by Joel Silva.

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

Photographer: Andrea Calo
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, turquoise cabinets, black backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and black countertops

DESIGN + INNOVATION: Award of Excellence PROJECT: RE_FAB Mobile Fabrication Lab CLIENT: Ford College Community Challenge and Project RE_ ARCHITECTURE FIRM: Urban Design Build Studio CONTRACTORS: Urban Design Build Studio PHOTOGRAPHER: Urban Design Build Studio DESCRIPTION: RE_FAB is a mobile fabrication lab that functions as an educational and digital fabrication tool with the capacity to serve schools, facilities, and communities. The project is designed to exploit and celebrate the potentials of the tools that it houses, and will house (full size CNC router, laser cutter, vacuum former, digital spatial scanner, and a 3D printer) and was funded by grants from two corporations interested in architecture community outreach projects. JURY COMMENTS: This is a project that every jury member unanimously loved. Every aspect of its problem-solving design seemed smart and responsive, and it is those responses that resulted in a design that is both innovative and legible to what its function is intended to serve. Why is there not one of these in my neighborhood?

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

In this living room we created a large storage space behind a pocket door with additional storage cabinets above and along side. Photo: Bjorg Magnea Furniture: AbbyElle Style

Nestled amidst a neighborhood of single story bungalows in Venice, California, the Solar Umbrella Residence boldly establishes a precedent for the next generation of California modernist architecture. Located on a 41’ wide x 100’-0” long through lot, the Solar Umbrella addition transforms the architects’ existing 650 square foot bungalow into a 1900 square foot residence equipped for responsible living in the twenty-first century. Inspired by Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House of 1953, the Solar Umbrella provides a contemporary reinvention of the solar canopy—a strategy that provides thermal protection in climates with intense exposures. In establishing the program for their residence, which accommodates the couple and their one child chose to integrate into the design, principles of sustainability that they strive to achieve in their own practice. The architects carefully considered the entire site, taking advantage of as many opportunities for sustainable living as possible. Passive and active solar design strategies render the residence 100% energy neutral. Recycled, renewable, and high performance materials and products are specified throughout. Hardscape and landscape treatments are considered for their aesthetic and actual impact on the land. The Brooks Scarpa Residence elegantly crafts each of these strategies and materials, exploiting the potential for performance and sensibility while achieving a rich and interesting sensory and aesthetic experience.

The goal for this mid-century home was to exploit the best features of the property, taking advantage of views, the dramatic light, the potential for an incredible indoor-outdoor experience and the mid-century bones of the house. When we first visited the property, I was struck by the potential for a beautiful mountain view that was currently cut off by a low ceiling height in the main living area. Raising the roof of the main living area became the largest gesture in our scope of work. The former chopped-up side entry and tiny kitchen were combined to make a long, generous kitchen and built-in banquette. The original rhombus-shaped pool was kept, restored and lined with Ann Sacks tiles. In the center of the action, we conceived a large floating desk surface suspended from a black metal screen to define the space and allow filtered light and views to pass between. The clients were drawn to clean lines, pared-down details and highly disciplined palettes of white, grey and matte black. We generally opted for deep, muted colors balanced with crisp white, adding textures to create patterns with the shifting daylight throughout the house. This soothing collection of finishes playing with light and shadow would achieve a peaceful and elegant home that would stand the test of time and honor the landscape of the surrounding area. ​ Photography: Douglas Friedman

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

Through the combination of modest topographic manipulations and the layering of high-performing native plant communities, the landscape was designed to fully exploit the site’s 270 degree ocean-front exposure. A selection of strategically placed mature native trees and shrubs were integrated within this expanded landscape fabric to improve and visually anchor the scale of the architecture to its landscape context. With the landscape viewed and experienced from multiple levels and points of view, its composition and spatial structure required a unique visual and functional resiliency.

Given the constraints with natural lighting, the design explores artificial lighting as a means to establish atmospheric conditions. Lighting coves are created throughout the gallery alcove and studio and hide LED lighting that wash the walls. Reveals are exploited as an architectural strategy to emphasize form with shadow lines, but also serve as electrical coves and hide the outlets within the gallery and studio.

Built in the early ’60’s, the original ranch-style home contained two bedrooms and one bath. In the mid 90’s, a master bath and laundry were added, and a two-car garage was built behind the home. Views of the river were available, but never exploited. In 2007, its new owners approached JRML with a design program requiring major revisions to the first floor, and a second floor that maximized river views from the master bedroom and bath. A screened porch, balcony and outside shower were also desired. For style, the owners chose Contemporary Island for its white exterior and louver-shutters. To access the garage, we designed a porte-cochere, and perched the master bedroom above for river views. An overhead door was added for security. Deep overhangs and louvered shutters provide shade. The white roof and siding reflect the sun. The west-facing rear features large windows, a pergola balcony with river views, and an outside shower. A screened porch provides insect-free enjoyment. Hip roofs, tile, lap and board and batten siding add visual interest to the exterior. Abundant landscape and hard-scape features provide a respite from the nearby city.

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

Bathroom - small transitional white tile and stone tile marble floor bathroom idea in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, a one-piece toilet and yellow walls

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn

This custom residence exploits its southern exposure with a daylight basement that opens out to unencumbered mountain views. Interior finishes such as inlaid wood ceilings, Oklahoma sandstone masonry, and log wrapped steel columns, carry the ubiquitous natural tones of the site into the interior with a refined touch. Designed by Ward+Blake Architects in Jackson, Wyoming. Photo Credit: Douglas Kahn