The design direction for this extensive residential project in Danville was to provide a high-energy, contemporary, yet comfortable and cost effective addition and renovation. The loft addition serves as an adult entertainment area with adjoining fitness center and spa bath with a sauna and steam room. The use of wood siding and stone walls on the exterior help soften the structure with the neighborhood, while exposed steel beams, metal railings, and concrete floors and fireplace add the visual punch to the interior. Large expanses of glass and sliding window walls provide dramatic views of the surrounding hillsides.

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography

This hillside Alamo home was updated and expanded to take advantage of views of surrounding hills and Mt. Diablo. Views of fast food restaurants are now gone as existing curved skylights over the entry and living area were removed (see B/W photo). A mix of cedar siding, stucco and stone liven up the exterior. Dramatic volumes created on the interior through the addition of large shed roofed elements break up the simple lines of the former exterior. At the rear, a curved roof element added at the family living area opens up sweeping views of the pool and backyard area.

Photos: John Sutton Photography

Located at the Public Market complex in Emeryville, this renovation of a two-story, 17,350 square foot space was a complete transformation of the existing build-out.  The space was completed gutted and repurposed, from a dated athletic club to modern offices for a book publishing and communication services company.  The central staircase was retained, creating a visual connection between the two floors, which were left mostly open with glass walled meeting rooms on the perimeter.  Both floors have exposed brick walls and the first level features an open kitchen/break area, that also serves as a central gathering space.   Natural light flows abundantly into the second floor through banks of skylights and exposed wood trusses.

Photos: Scott Hargis Photo

The Fair Swim Center is a public facility, built for the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods. The $4.2 million dollar project, which was completed in June 2003, features three outdoor pools, a maintenance & equipment building, and the main building, which houses administrative offices, meeting areas and food services, along with restroom, locker and shower facilities.

The design features a spine wall element, effectively dividing the building into public and administrative areas. A butterfly roof form with exposed glu-lam beams intersects the spine wall and ties together the exterior finish elements of concrete block, plaster and wood siding. Steel sunshades with cable supports, stainless steel trellises, silver anodized window frames, and horizontal glass banding complete the client’s goal for a contemporary, civic aesthetic.

The interior design incorporates all of the exterior materials into a cohesive, architectural statement. The orientation of the building on the site, daylighting, and natural ventilation help conserve energy by using large areas of opposing operable glass. An open lobby and waiting area with high ceilings, presents a framed view of the pool deck and the foothills beyond. The project was successfully completed on budget, under an extremely aggressive schedule.

Photos: John Sutton Photography

The Rose Garden Branch Library is a new LEED certified building designed for the City of San Jose, Department of Public Works/Branch Library Development Team. It replaces the existing library on the corner of Dana and Naglee Avenues in San Jose. Adjacent to the historic Rose Garden, the design of the building embodies a strong civic presence while embracing the existing character of the neighborhood through a blend of natural wood, stone and brick exterior finishes. 

At the entrance, a curved limestone arcade draws patrons into a two story open lobby. Enclosed in a transparent box of wood, glass and warm metals, a stainless steel and limestone staircase links the ground level foyer, community room and parking to 18,000 square feet of library space. 

High performance glazing, active daylight harvesting, sun shading devices, cool roofing, recycled materials, and energy efficient building systems designed to use 40% less energy than Title 24 Energy Standards were keys to LEED certification.

The interior design features high sweeping ceiling elements over the main library and fireplace areas, allowing natural light to fill the space. The use of brightly-colored fabrics, graphic carpets, wood paneling and substantial floor-to-ceiling glass make for a warm and inviting place to study or read. 

An Internet Cafe for computer studies is located adjacent to the Family, Teen and Children's areas, the latter of which features an elliptical Storytelling space whose shape is reflected in the soffit and skylight above.

Photos: Hawkeye Photography

Fire Station 17 is a new two-story, 6,500 square foot, single company facility for the City of San Jose, located at the intersection of Blossom Hill Road and Coniston.  The geometry of the compact corner site dictated an angular layout of the building, which was broken into smaller masses to blend with the adjacent residential scale of the existing neighborhood.

The building includes two apparatus bays, living quarters, kitchen and dining areas, offices, a decontamination area, turnout room and a separate workout building.

High clerestory bunkroom windows and Profilit channel glass bring natural light to the upstairs interior spaces, while maintaining privacy.  Horizontal strip windows at the captain’s office and kitchen screen the view of traffic and capture glimpses of hills in the distance.

The use of metal roofing and siding materials and stucco blend with the public art piece, a re-purposed aluminum fuel tank to create a lively beacon on the busy boulevard streetscape.

Photos: John Sutton Photography

As the owners of this westside Danville residence began construction on their 5,500 square foot custom home, they turned to our firm for the development of interior architecture, interior design and finish selections. The home features two story high volumes over the front entry, living/dining areas and family room. Custom steel railings were designed to add a focal point to the double height spaces. A dramatic fireplace wall in the living room is accented with mahogany panels and a black granite fireplace surround. The fireplace in the family room features concrete panels and in the master bedroom a steel surround is the focus.

Photos: John Sutton Photography

The design of our offices in Pleasanton presented an opportunity to provide an open, light-filled space for our staff to work in and clients to visit. Taking advantage of the hillside views and natural light were both high on our list. The exterior glass line was left for the open office workstations, custom-made of birch plywood with painted MDF partitions. Reclaimed wood elements, accent paint colors and barn doors add visual interest, along with a doug fir and steel reception desk.

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography

This market ready renovation project for TMG Partner’s Orchard Parkway in San Jose features a pair of exterior steel and wood slat canopies that draw visitors from the parking area to the entry and lobby beyond. The wood slat wall and ceiling feature continue through the glass wall and create a dynamic presence in the lobby/reception area. Polished concrete floors and bold accent colors add visual punch to the interior spaces. The wood and metal accents from the building exterior continue as a key element in the open breakroom.

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography

Located in Downtown Oakland, this 9,180 square foot Market Ready improvements project involved the complete demolition of the existing third floor to create an open, flexible space for future leasing. The existing third floor was dark, with low ceilings and narrow corridors.  With all of that removed, the large bank of windows on either side of the floor allow natural light to flood in uninterrupted. The concrete structure and ductwork were exposed, expanding the volume of the space and giving it a modern, updated look. The project also involved planning for future exterior and lobby improvements, including a perforated folded metal panel structure that carries through from the exterior to the lobby interior.

Following the Excite Credit Union – Bernal Branch project, Excite Credit Union reached out for an update to another existing branch location in San Jose, CA. The addition and renovation project is currently under construction, and involves a full site update, new outdoor employee amenity area, updated and modernized exterior appearance, and a new corrugated metal and wood entry buildout that will serve as the new main entrance for the building. On the interior, a new elevator serving the building has been added, finishes have been updated to modernize the space, and the floor plan layout has been reimagined with a fresh new flow for the banking operations, creating a more open, inviting environment.

Admired for our work as the building interiors architect for Lake Merritt Plaza, a 26-story, 490,000 square foot project at 1999 Harrison Street, Colliers International called BAA looking to expand its downtown Oakland office to meet the needs of its clients and expanding staff. The project provided the global commercial real estate company an opportunity to push the design in a direction they had seen with many of the tenants they represent. The reception area features an open ceiling area with exposed ductwork and industrial light fixtures, along with polished concrete flooring. The conference rooms and office areas received updated finishes and lighting, along with a central staff break area. 

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography

Level One Marketing purchased this two-story office building in San Ramon which had not been updated from the original build-out in the 1970s. The space was gutted to construct a new headquarters for the firm with an open plan, industrial aesthetic. Reclaimed wood walls in the reception and conference rooms are complimented by a front desk made from recycled douglas fir posts, taken from the exterior stairs that needed reconstruction to meet current code. The open, comfortable work environment is striking in design and functionally efficient with sustainable design features that take full advantage of daylighting and natural ventilation.

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography

The new offices at Clayton Valley Medical Group in Clayton are equipped to be highly efficient, yet warm and inviting to patients. The curved entry is the focus of the reception area, accented by acrylic panels and a diagonal wood wall. The vibrant color and materials palette welcomes patients and staff back throughout all offices and rooms, and is highlighted by skylights overhead.

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography

This exterior renovation project for TMG Partner’s Orchard Parkway building in San Jose features a vibrant pattern of new green, fritted and sand-blasted glass in aluminum frames that replaced dark tinted glazing. A wood rain screen vertical element with steel canopy, along with new paving, cast in place bench seats and updated landscaping provides the much needed curb appeal at the building entrance. Market ready interior improvements were added including a refreshed lobby stair element, along with two new sliding glass walls which connect the interior to a new employee courtyard space.

Photos: Sharon Risedorph Photography