Located in an 1890 Wells Fargo stable and warehouse in the Hamilton Park historic district, this intervention focused on creating a personal, comfortable home in an unusually tall loft space. The living room features 45’ high ceilings. The mezzanine level was conceived as a porous, space-making element that allowed pockets of closed storage, open display, and living space to emerge from pushing and pulling the floor plane. The newly cantilevered mezzanine breaks up the immense height of the loft and creates a new TV nook and work space. An updated master suite and kitchen streamline the core functions of this loft while the addition of a new window adds much needed daylight to the space. Photo by Nick Glimenakis.

This property is an exquisite example of modern architecture and landscape architecture, combining contemporary amenities with natural charm. The glass-front cabana emerges as a seamless blend of design and nature, with glass walls that fold away, transforming the interior into a seamless extension of the patio. The outdoor state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen provides alfresco dining and entertaining options for the home chef to serve friends and family.

The home office has evolved into an indispensable space that seamlessly blends productivity and comfort. Tailored to the demands of remote work or personal projects, a well-designed home office often features ergonomic furniture, ample storage, and efficient technology integration. Thoughtful placement of desks and chairs enhances workflow, while strategic lighting promotes focus and reduces eye strain. The home office is not only a functional workspace but also an expression of individual style, with personalized decor and organizational elements contributing to a conducive and inspiring atmosphere. As the boundary between work and home blurs, the home office emerges as a versatile sanctuary that fosters concentration, creativity, and a harmonious work-life balance.

This is an example of a landscaping in Minneapolis.

Creating environments that encourage our families to spend more time outdoors is important in today’s hi-tech world. Designed for the 2014 Chicago Flower and Garden show, this display garden captures a playful sensibility well-suited for any family to enjoy. The clean, modern lines and carefully planned spaces of this 50’ by 50’ garden form an enticing setting to simply unplug. Working within a very limited area, the design organizes a bio pool with sundeck, a spillover water feature and lounge area, and a gravel dining terrace with a built-in fireplace and shade tree canopy. Unlike traditional pools, our bio pool utilizes aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes, rather than harsh chemicals, to filter the water. Impurities and excess nutrients are drawn out of the water naturally, creating a much healthier swimming environment. A native plant palette is incorporated throughout the garden with shade trees, ornamentals, native forbs, and perennials in an emergent spring landscape. We hope this exciting design will encourage green inspiration for visitors, whether they have a tight city lot or a larger suburban property.

Located in an 1890 Wells Fargo stable and warehouse in the Hamilton Park historic district, this intervention focused on creating a personal, comfortable home in an unusually tall loft space. The living room features 45’ high ceilings. The mezzanine level was conceived as a porous, space-making element that allowed pockets of closed storage, open display, and living space to emerge from pushing and pulling the floor plane. The newly cantilevered mezzanine breaks up the immense height of the loft and creates a new TV nook and work space. An updated master suite and kitchen streamline the core functions of this loft while the addition of a new window adds much needed daylight to the space. Photo by Nick Glimenakis.

Creating environments that encourage our families to spend more time outdoors is important in today’s hi-tech world. Designed for the 2014 Chicago Flower and Garden show, this display garden captures a playful sensibility well-suited for any family to enjoy. The clean, modern lines and carefully planned spaces of this 50’ by 50’ garden form an enticing setting to simply unplug. Working within a very limited area, the design organizes a bio pool with sundeck, a spillover water feature and lounge area, and a gravel dining terrace with a built-in fireplace and shade tree canopy. Unlike traditional pools, our bio pool utilizes aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes, rather than harsh chemicals, to filter the water. Impurities and excess nutrients are drawn out of the water naturally, creating a much healthier swimming environment. A native plant palette is incorporated throughout the garden with shade trees, ornamentals, native forbs, and perennials in an emergent spring landscape. We hope this exciting design will encourage green inspiration for visitors, whether they have a tight city lot or a larger suburban property.

Creating environments that encourage our families to spend more time outdoors is important in today’s hi-tech world. Designed for the 2014 Chicago Flower and Garden show, this display garden captures a playful sensibility well-suited for any family to enjoy. The clean, modern lines and carefully planned spaces of this 50’ by 50’ garden form an enticing setting to simply unplug. Working within a very limited area, the design organizes a bio pool with sundeck, a spillover water feature and lounge area, and a gravel dining terrace with a built-in fireplace and shade tree canopy. Unlike traditional pools, our bio pool utilizes aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes, rather than harsh chemicals, to filter the water. Impurities and excess nutrients are drawn out of the water naturally, creating a much healthier swimming environment. A native plant palette is incorporated throughout the garden with shade trees, ornamentals, native forbs, and perennials in an emergent spring landscape. We hope this exciting design will encourage green inspiration for visitors, whether they have a tight city lot or a larger suburban property.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2018 Houzz https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108513781/list/bold-and-daring-designs-at-the-2018-kips-bay-decorator-show-house

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego for winter.

Located in an 1890 Wells Fargo stable and warehouse in the Hamilton Park historic district, this intervention focused on creating a personal, comfortable home in an unusually tall loft space. The living room features 45’ high ceilings. The mezzanine level was conceived as a porous, space-making element that allowed pockets of closed storage, open display, and living space to emerge from pushing and pulling the floor plane. The newly cantilevered mezzanine breaks up the immense height of the loft and creates a new TV nook and work space. An updated master suite and kitchen streamline the core functions of this loft while the addition of a new window adds much needed daylight to the space. Photo by Nick Glimenakis.

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Plaza 400 is a premiere full-service luxury co-op in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Built in 1968 by architect Philip Birnbaum and Associates, the well-known building has 40 stories and 627 residences. Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, state of the art fitness center, garage, driveway, bike room, laundry room, party room, playroom and rooftop deck. The extensive 2017 renovation included the main lobby, elevator lift hallway and mailroom. Plaza 400’s gut renovation included new 4’x8′ Calacatta floor slabs, custom paneled feature wall with metal reveals, marble slab front desk and mailroom desk, modern ceiling design, hand blown cut mirror on all columns and custom furniture for the two “Living Room” areas. The new mailroom was completely gutted as well. A new Calacatta Marble desk welcomes residents to new white lacquered mailboxes, Calacatta Marble filing countertop and a Jonathan Adler chandelier, all which come together to make this space the new jewel box of the Lobby. The hallway’s gut renovation saw the hall outfitted with new etched bronze mirrored glass panels on the walls, 4’x8′ Calacatta floor slabs and a new vaulted/arched pearlized faux finished ceiling with crystal chandeliers and LED cove lighting.

Located in an 1890 Wells Fargo stable and warehouse in the Hamilton Park historic district, this intervention focused on creating a personal, comfortable home in an unusually tall loft space. The living room features 45’ high ceilings. The mezzanine level was conceived as a porous, space-making element that allowed pockets of closed storage, open display, and living space to emerge from pushing and pulling the floor plane. The newly cantilevered mezzanine breaks up the immense height of the loft and creates a new TV nook and work space. An updated master suite and kitchen streamline the core functions of this loft while the addition of a new window adds much needed daylight to the space. Photo by Nick Glimenakis.

The designers sheath the exterior of the home in cedar shake shingles, wood and granite, and add a recycling water feature that cascades down the mountain via thirteen different falls, then goes under then driveway before it re-emerges and waterfalls into small pond. Scott Moore Photography

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

The home office has evolved into an indispensable space that seamlessly blends productivity and comfort. Tailored to the demands of remote work or personal projects, a well-designed home office often features ergonomic furniture, ample storage, and efficient technology integration. Thoughtful placement of desks and chairs enhances workflow, while strategic lighting promotes focus and reduces eye strain. The home office is not only a functional workspace but also an expression of individual style, with personalized decor and organizational elements contributing to a conducive and inspiring atmosphere. As the boundary between work and home blurs, the home office emerges as a versatile sanctuary that fosters concentration, creativity, and a harmonious work-life balance.

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space. Crispin Sartwell Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home. As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction. The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside. The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting. Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for. Overview Oconomowoc, WI Completion Date August 2015 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture