Commercial Projects

SEE THE BONES

Architecture has bones, both literally (structure) and figuratively (concept). We believe in seeing the bones. There is a satisfaction that comes in understanding how a building holds itself up, tracing the weight from the roof through the walls, beams and columns down to the ground. That said, there is also a certain drama inherent in the concealing of structure that can be used to great effect at times. We work very closely with good structural engineers to ensure that the structure and the architecture are acting as one, supporting and reinforcing each other.

SEE THE BONES

Architecture has bones, both literally (structure) and figuratively (concept). We believe in seeing the bones. There is a satisfaction that comes in understanding how a building holds itself up, tracing the weight from the roof through the walls, beams and columns down to the ground. That said, there is also a certain drama inherent in the concealing of structure that can be used to great effect at times. We work very closely with good structural engineers to ensure that the structure and the architecture are acting as one, supporting and reinforcing each other.

Sound and Light

Asphodel Studio

Innovation

The Summit

Love Your Shoes

New Balance Retail

FLOWING SPACE

Over the past century, architecture has broken free of the box. It is no longer limited to a series of individual boxy rooms connected by little doorways. Flowing continuous space is possible allowing us to live with new connective social patterns. The ‘open concept’ plans of the early modern houses started this but it has come so much further. A flowing space need not be a space without definition or character though. Subtle but meaningful spatial definers (ceiling height, flooring, light, materials) can modulate the quality of the space even as it flows together, helping clarify the use and character of each part of the whole.

FLOWING SPACE

Over the past century, architecture has broken free of the box. It is no longer limited to a series of individual boxy rooms connected by little doorways. Flowing continuous space is possible allowing us to live with new connective social patterns. The ‘open concept’ plans of the early modern houses started this but it has come so much further. A flowing space need not be a space without definition or character though. Subtle but meaningful spatial definers (ceiling height, flooring, light, materials) can modulate the quality of the space even as it flows together, helping clarify the use and character of each part of the whole.

CELEBRATE THE EVERYDAY

We have a great appreciation for the people who actually build our buildings.The work of their hands and the diligence of their thinking is what makes everything possible.Paper architecture is not our goal. Each part of the world has a particular way of putting together buildings: a vernacular.In Northern California, it involves a lot of wood studs at 16” on center.We seek to understand the everyday way of making architecture and, where possible, celebrate it by making the most of it.Custom, unique and unusual also have their place, but there are many opportunities to celebrate the everyday and work with, not against, the wonderful people who build our buildings.

CELEBRATE THE EVERYDAY

We have a great appreciation for the people who actually build our buildings.The work of their hands and the diligence of their thinking is what makes everything possible.Paper architecture is not our goal. Each part of the world has a particular way of putting together buildings: a vernacular.In Northern California, it involves a lot of wood studs at 16” on center.We seek to understand the everyday way of making architecture and, where possible, celebrate it by making the most of it.Custom, unique and unusual also have their place, but there are many opportunities to celebrate the everyday and work with, not against, the wonderful people who build our buildings.

Innovation

The Summit

Sound and Light

Asphodel Studio

TRANSITIONS

Architecture is full of transitions. Each threshold between spaces affects both our perception of the space we are leaving and the one we enter. Thresholds affect the degree and quality of connection (or disconnection) between those spaces. Passing through a thick wall feels different than a thin one. A transition can be as subtle as a change in flooring or a beam overhead. It can be as heavy as a bank vault door. We have developed a large toolbox of architectural elements to help us create the right kind of transitions for each moment in the building.

TRANSITIONS

Architecture is full of transitions. Each threshold between spaces affects both our perception of the space we are leaving and the one we enter. Thresholds affect the degree and quality of connection (or disconnection) between those spaces. Passing through a thick wall feels different than a thin one. A transition can be as subtle as a change in flooring or a beam overhead. It can be as heavy as a bank vault door. We have developed a large toolbox of architectural elements to help us create the right kind of transitions for each moment in the building.