This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

New construction kitchen design, part of a larger 900-square-foot home addition, seamlessly combines neutral tones with organic elements for a timeless aesthetic. The cabinetry is thoughtfully planned to meet National Kitchen and Bath Association storage guidelines, with all storage needs efficiently addressed in the lower cabinetry and a tall end cabinet, allowing for an open, airy feel in this compact kitchen. A plaster hood with integrated spice niches ensures everyday cooking essentials are always within reach. The highly durable quartzite countertops, featuring bold veining and a waterfall edge, highlight the natural beauty of the stone. A paneled fridge blends seamlessly into the design, while inset soft-close custom cabinetry in a light taupe hue, accented by antique brass hardware, adds a touch of character. Brass faucets and pendant lights introduce a subtle industrial flair, enhancing the bright, organic, and timeless feel of this beautiful kitchen.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

The exterior of this historic beauty, long in need of repair, was in poor condition. Stucco cracks, paint deterioration, holes in the garage walls, and a dilapidated patio cover created daunting challenges. We carefully and respectfully addressed these issues, breathing new life into the home while maintaining its original charm. Modern enhancements were central to the project’s success. We thoughtfully preserved the existing structure and carefully considered the design lines to ensure rhythm and continuity. We masterfully balanced symmetry and asymmetry, particularly in the new back patio design, which extends the living space and adds a visually cohesive element to the rear of the home. The choice of materials and colors highlights the home’s Spanish Colonial character, with a mix of textures and contrasting hues emphasizing key architectural features. Durable porcelain tiles on the patio floor provide function, safety and beauty. The color palette creates clear transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing flow and safety. The homeowners desired an updated, functional space while preserving the home’s historic characteristics. We navigated the complexities of working with a historic property, coordinating with the Historic Preservation Office to ensure all updates followed established guidelines. We fully realized the homeowner’s vision for a beautiful and functional outdoor space, meeting their need for an inviting outdoor entertaining area.

New construction kitchen design, part of a larger 900-square-foot home addition, seamlessly combines neutral tones with organic elements for a timeless aesthetic. The cabinetry is thoughtfully planned to meet National Kitchen and Bath Association storage guidelines, with all storage needs efficiently addressed in the lower cabinetry and a tall end cabinet, allowing for an open, airy feel in this compact kitchen. A plaster hood with integrated spice niches ensures everyday cooking essentials are always within reach. The highly durable quartzite countertops, featuring bold veining and a waterfall edge, highlight the natural beauty of the stone. A paneled fridge blends seamlessly into the design, while inset soft-close custom cabinetry in a light taupe hue, accented by antique brass hardware, adds a touch of character. Brass faucets and pendant lights introduce a subtle industrial flair, enhancing the bright, organic, and timeless feel of this beautiful kitchen.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

New construction kitchen design, part of a larger 900-square-foot home addition, seamlessly combines neutral tones with organic elements for a timeless aesthetic. The cabinetry is thoughtfully planned to meet National Kitchen and Bath Association storage guidelines, with all storage needs efficiently addressed in the lower cabinetry and a tall end cabinet, allowing for an open, airy feel in this compact kitchen. A plaster hood with integrated spice niches ensures everyday cooking essentials are always within reach. The highly durable quartzite countertops, featuring bold veining and a waterfall edge, highlight the natural beauty of the stone. A paneled fridge blends seamlessly into the design, while inset soft-close custom cabinetry in a light taupe hue, accented by antique brass hardware, adds a touch of character. Brass faucets and pendant lights introduce a subtle industrial flair, enhancing the bright, organic, and timeless feel of this beautiful kitchen.

New construction kitchen design, part of a larger 900-square-foot home addition, seamlessly combines neutral tones with organic elements for a timeless aesthetic. The cabinetry is thoughtfully planned to meet National Kitchen and Bath Association storage guidelines, with all storage needs efficiently addressed in the lower cabinetry and a tall end cabinet, allowing for an open, airy feel in this compact kitchen. A plaster hood with integrated spice niches ensures everyday cooking essentials are always within reach. The highly durable quartzite countertops, featuring bold veining and a waterfall edge, highlight the natural beauty of the stone. A paneled fridge blends seamlessly into the design, while inset soft-close custom cabinetry in a light taupe hue, accented by antique brass hardware, adds a touch of character. Brass faucets and pendant lights introduce a subtle industrial flair, enhancing the bright, organic, and timeless feel of this beautiful kitchen.

The master bathroom features a free-standing soaking tub from Victoria and Albert with a free-standing tub filler in polished chrome. The floor tile is a wood-look porcelain. Photography by Kyle J Caldwell

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

This project was driven by a commitment to sustainability and repurposing existing materials, seamlessly blending the old with the new while minimizing waste. The goal was to transform the backyard into a lush garden oasis with a low-water and low-maintenance design. Despite challenges posed by the property's proximity to the golf course and specific guidelines, a harmonious integration of desert plant life and low-water lush plants was achieved. Reusing existing materials and replacing natural grass with synthetic turf minimized water usage, while strategic plant placement utilized run-off water for sustainable irrigation. Navigating the constraints imposed by the Country Club, the project created a cohesive outdoor space and repurposed cobblestones to bridge the gap between the golf course and the rear of the property. This project achieved a balance between ecological consciousness and aesthetic beauty, allowing the garden oasis to coexist harmoniously with the golf course backdrop, providing the clients with a serene and vibrant landscape that aligns with their vision and respects the natural resources of the community.

The Control/Shift House is perched on the high side of the site which takes advantage of the view to the southeast. A gradual descending path navigates the change in terrain from the street to the entry of the house. A series of low retaining walls/planter beds gather and release the earth upon the descent resulting in a fairly flat level for the house to sit on the top one third of the site. The entry axis is aligned with the celebrated stair volume and then re-centers on the actual entry axis once you approach the forecourt of the house. The initial desire was for an “H” scheme house with common entertaining spaces bridging the gap between the more private spaces. After an investigation considering the site, program, and view, a key move was made: unfold the east wing of the “H” scheme to open all rooms to the southeast view resulting in a “T” scheme. The new derivation allows for both a swim pool which is on axis with the entry and main gathering space and a lap pool which occurs on the cross axis extending along the lengthy edge of the master suite, providing direct access for morning exercise and a view of the water throughout the day. The Control/Shift House was derived from a clever way of following the “rules.” Strict HOA guidelines required very specific exterior massing restrictions which limits the lengths of unbroken elevations and promotes varying sizes of masses. The solution most often used in this neighborhood is one of addition - an aggregation of masses and program randomly attached to the inner core of the house which often results in a parasitic plan. The approach taken with the Control/Shift House was to push and pull program/massing to delineate and define the layout of the house. Massing is intentional and reiterated by the careful selection of materiality that tracks through the house. Voids and relief in the plan are a natural result of this method and allow for light and air to circulate throughout every space of the house, even into the most inner core. Photography: Charles Davis Smith