Chapel & Multipurpose Room

The synagogue’s changing needs called for a flexible space that can be used for religious services, celebrations, preschool and afterschool programs, meeting rooms, and community events.

Anchoring the room is a custom-built wood ark containing the sacred Torah scrolls and the ner tamid (“eternal light”). The ark features art glass by local artist Mark Agnello.

Movable walls can separate the large space into two meeting rooms. Wood acoustical ceiling, linear downlights and pendants, and natural light from the garden, come together to fully rejuvenate this space.

Clean lines and well lit spaces define a comfortable working environment and encourage healthy interaction. We took a simple, direct approach to the layout of this corporate headquarters within the Presidio’s Letterman complex and utilized lighting, casework and furniture to crate a smoothly functioning and dynamic work space.

Photography: Paul Dyer and Taka Taira

Natural hedge planting and modern aesthetics are introduced to the rear courtyard to provide privacy screening for the school and its residential neighbors. The result offers easy upkeep, durable wear and a beautiful green view.

Photography: Caitlin Atkinson

The Marin Ballet is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013 and the newly renovated lobby is a timely symbol of the school renewing itself to be more visible as its students and instructors celebrate and practice the art of the dance. Our design solution showcases the students and teachers in their dance and social interactions, and connects the community of Marin Ballet through a light and activity filled public space.

The front lobby and adjacent public areas have a simple palette of bamboo floor, wood slatted ceiling, glass partitions and white painted walls. Every inch of space is allocated with purpose and every material is selected for its economy and durability. The resulting architecture makes poetry out of a practical lobby much like dance elevates physical movement into art.

Photography: Emily Huang

This project is a renovation of an independent K through 8th grade school. The school had overcrowded administrative offices and the Lower School required exterior renovation. Our challenge was to maximize the office spaces and renovate the exterior of the Lower School during summer break.

The design solution is to create administrative offices using modular glass walls and modular furniture. This arrangement offers flexibility for office layout. The Lower School exterior was renovated with replaced doors and windows, new paint and general repairs and maintenance.

Photography: Emily Huang

This project is the renovation and addition to an independent K through 8th grade school. The school had overcrowded and scattered administrative offices, no centralized reception area, and a poorly laid-out library. Our challenge was to maximize the space and enhance the exciting learning environment.

The design solution is to create administrative offices that surround the new reception area. Glass walls divide the offices to enhance visibility, promote faculty and student interaction, and maximize natural light. A reorganized library provides accessibility and larger book capacity.

Like Bruce Lee’s film and life’s work, the Bruce Lee Museum is a place dedicated to making Bruce Lee and his art of Kung Fu relevant and accessible to modern culture. The design of the museum references Chinese culture and uses Chinese indigenous materials fabricated with cutting edge Western techniques. The bamboo forest and Chinese tea house, archetypal elements of Kung Fu cinema, are recalled in spatial and arrangements. Bamboo is used both as planting and structural support, symbolizing the enormous strength of one’s simple life. Translucent jadeite panels — pure elemental rock — create a modern state-of-the-art theater to reflect Bruce Lee’s enduring appeal.

We were selected as one of 12 finalists in this competition which invited design ideas for residential redevelopment of south Los Angeles. Participants were asked to create affordable housing design templates that can be used on typical small lot subdivisions throughout the city.

The design solution is to create a durable community using housing types that can accommodate the natural growth of families. A typical 42’ x 155’ lot is subdivided into three parcels, each accommodating two residences: a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home and a 1-bedroom unit. The two are designed to be separate but may be combined or altered easily.