Live/work space in Palm Springs, California.

Built in 2007, the 20-unit complex was designed by O’Donnell + Escalante Architects. The buildings consist of a simple, yet durable material palette of block walls, concrete floors, steel overhangs and floor-to-ceiling glass. Originally intended as condominiums, the complex was sold during the recession with individual units repurposed as rentals, some of which became live/work spaces for artists, designers and professionals.

The challenged economy gave rise to the need for flexibility, particularly in real estate. Our design concept elaborates on the ideas of consolidation and flexibility. As live and work functions merged, spaces and furniture also required dual purpose. Public areas on the first floor include a living room that doubles as a client waiting and meeting area. A combined kitchen and dining zone accommodates food preparation for daily meals, entertaining or office functions. The private upper level includes an office loft and two bedrooms, one of which can be transformed into a guest room or secondary office.

Ample natural light floods the entire unit which makes it an ideal place to live and work. The bright interior draws focus to locally sourced mid-century furniture and art that pays homage to desert modern design.

Photos : Jeffrey Kilmer Photography

Press : Palm Springs Life Magazine

Joshua Tree Reach House is a 2,300 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bath custom modern residence located in Joshua Tree, California.

The ‘reach’ concept was derived from several regional site-specific features. The scenic landscape, dramatic night sky and incredible views make Joshua Tree a unique place. Our task was to create a home that fully integrated with these elements.

The open 5 acre terrain allows the structure to comfortably stretch in all directions. Wall planes reach horizontally connecting with the desert landscape to protect the home from prevailing winds. Vertical planes reach through roof openings connecting sky to spaces below. Distant views are reached through walls of glass.

Utilities were not readily available due to the site’s remote location. The only option was to reach into the earth for well water and up to the sun for solar energy. These sustainable resources provide the building the basic necessities to be its own self-supporting entity.

Condominium renovation in Bermuda Dunes, California. Approximately 800 sq. ft. of kitchen, dining and living room space was revised in the 1,600 sq. ft. home. One of twenty-six units, the Bermuda Dunes Country Club complex was designed in 1961 by Richard Harrison (of Wexler & Harrison).

As we approached the project, it was imperative that the new design blend with the existing mid-century architecture. The journey to reimagine the space began by analyzing Harrison’s signature building components: open floor plan, limited interior walls and floor-to-ceiling envelope gestures. Glass sliding doors, fixed windows and a stone fireplace (complete with sunken terrazzo conversation pit) all extend floor-to-ceiling.

We continued Harrison’s floor-to-ceiling concept by selecting full-height kitchen cabinets. White surfaces and quartz countertops were chosen to give a feeling of expansiveness to the once-tight galley layout. The combination of full-height elements and light materials contribute to the openness typically found in Harrison’s designs.

Functional issues were addressed in the new kitchen arrangement. The existing refrigerator/sink/range work triangle was closely clustered at one end of the kitchen; an unusable breakfast nook created an empty space at the other. The nook was removed and the range was relocated to expand the triangle, giving each zone larger work surfaces. This expansion added length to the bar-height counter which provided room for a third barstool. The counter has the flexibility of functioning as a bar or buffet and becomes the primary link between kitchen and dining while entertaining.

Preservation and energy-efficiency play an important role in the new kitchen design. Juxtaposing old with new, five chrome-trimmed recessed light fixtures were removed, restored and reinstalled in the same kitchen circulation aisle, but slightly repositioned to align with the new layout. The fixtures were retrofitted with dimmable LEDs to conserve electricity. Similarly, all new appliances are energy-efficient. The result is an eco-friendly kitchen with an enhanced workflow that seamlessly integrates with the existing structure.

At the opposite side of the great room, a dark fleck was pulled from the stone fireplace to determine the final floor color. The darker floor was chosen to ground the space, offers contrast to surrounding white surfaces and hides dirt. After the kitchen and floors were completed, the clients tastefully furnished the space with period antiques that compliment Harrison’s 1960s architecture.

Showroom tenant improvement for a San Diego distributor of an Italian-based kitchen line, known for its award-winning designs. 

The company’s philosophy is distinguished by a common thread: the kitchen should be a living space at the heart of the home, one that is functional and social. These kitchens incorporate the technology for professional chefs and adapt them to the requirements of domestic life. Keeping these principles in mind, the distributor worked closely with the Italian headquarters to determine the appropriate displays for the San Diego market.

After final showroom plans were approved, we managed construction and implemented precise build-out details with a local contractor. The showroom opened as the central work and meeting space where homeowners can directly interact with the displays, select materials and choose a customized layout specific to their lifestyle.  

Press : San Diego Magazine 

Renovation of a 3 bedroom, 2 bath Palm Springs vacation rental and winter retreat for a Chicago-based client.

Our mission was to create a fantasy getaway for vacation renters and the client to feel as if they were transported back to another place and time. To achieve this, vintage furniture and colorful artwork were added to create a bright and futuristic environment. Furniture groupings were placed near large expanses of glass to direct views to the San Jacinto Mountains.

The original 1,800 sq.ft. house was designed in 1946 by renowned architect Albert Frey. As the project progressed, the client expressed a need for future expansion, so we proposed a covered outdoor entertaining area to connect the existing home to a new casita. Respecting Albert Frey's aesthetic, we studied his Palm Springs architecture and incorporated similar forms, materials and details into the new structures. 

Photos : Jeffrey Kilmer Photography

Press : The Desert Sun, Refinery29

Proposed 1,300 sq. ft. modern residence for a couple in San Diego, California.

The challenge was to design a building that maintains a feeling of spaciousness on a small lot, so the focus was to visually and physically extend the floor plan through large expanses of glass to connect the interior to enclosed outdoor areas. The idea was to make the rooms feel more open and provide a healthy link to the near-perfect San Diego climate.

Efficiency is sustained through use of eco-friendly materials, low-irrigation landscaping, ample natural lighting and cross-ventilation. A private roof garden increases usable outdoor space and serves as an additional blanket of insulation for the entire structure.

Entourage : Jeffrey Kilmer Photography

wd.stl.tbl [wood.steel.table] is intentionally named as it was designed, stripped down to its simplest form to expose the table's materials - reclaimed wood and raw steel. 

The goal was to locally craft a functional, eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind furniture piece through as little material as structurally possible. To achieve this, steel was imbedded into finger jointed wood so the table could support itself without the aid of bulky structure. As a nod to mid-century Danish furniture makers, structural lines were brought to the forefront and details were intentionally exposed to highlight their significance. 

Functionally, the table maintains maximum layout surface area where space is limited. Its standard three sizes makes it ideal for use as a desk, sofa back table or for retail merchandise display. 

The table reduces its carbon footprint through the use of barn-salvaged wood coated with natural beeswax, carnauba and orange oil - a blend that can be easily reapplied to enhance its beauty and depth of grain. 

Similar to mid-century Danish furniture, this piece is intended as a keepsake to be passed down to future generations.  

Photos : Studio Castillero Photography

Press : Palm Springs Life Magazine

Proposed renovation for a Community Theatre in San Diego, California. 

The challenge was to boost the organization’s visibility and accessibility by creating a stronger connection between the building and surrounding business district. 

The existing facade had a dark, defensive presence with small openings. To reinvent its image, we lightened the color, removed windows at the terrace level and added a large sliding door as the grand welcoming gesture to the community. A built-in planter was demolished and stairs were widened to maximize pedestrian access to the multi-functional terrace. 

Strong graphics on an interior video wall draws the eye into an enlarged lobby that doubles as a gallery for local artists. At night, live stage performances are projected on the exterior screen to give a voyeuristic glimpse of what's happening inside.

Kitchen renovation for a 'Stick Style Victorian,' originally built in 1898 in San Diego's Sherman Heights historic district. 

At the time of construction, it was an elaborate middle class home, but years of neglect had faded the Victorian’s vibrant architecture. Homeowners with a passion for preservation (and enthusiasm for color) restored the historic home to its former glory, thoughtfully bringing it into the 21st century by creating a chef-quality kitchen that would complement the home's traditional character. 

The couple's daily and annual rituals were studied and a custom kitchen was designed to accommodate day-to-day domestic needs along with the needs of entertaining friends and family, where both clients could work comfortably in the same space.

Press : Bon Appetit