Domesticity is at a critical juncture in time where privacy, family, and the clear division of public and private spheres have thinned to a sliver - an osmotic membrane.
Domesticity, given it's demonstrated activities and qualities, today, is a mixture, a mongrel, an undefined mix-breed of undomesticated intentions resulting in new prototypes for living. Domesticity is also a continuum, the result is affected by sensory perception, social interaction and technologies which assist in the fulfillment of prevailing desires.
BLINK! is attracted to projects with a transformative component - Lofts; Single-family Residences; Multi-Unit dwellings and sites; all those who want all their lifestyle
reflected in their private spaces.
TYPICAL BLINK! SOLUTIONS - STRATEGIC PLANNING + ANALYSIS . BEHAVIORAL STUDIES . SPACE PLANNING + DESIGN . ARCHITECTURE . LAND FORMS .
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SAN FRANCISCO - Addition
Backs
Residence - Preliminary Design for this project was started in 2004
while working at Nilus Designs. In 2005, Nilus asked that I take it off
his hands....The city, neighbors and the profession had taken its
toll and worn him thin.
What we designed was essentially a garage addition. But, with results that completely changed and provided an open living experience more in line with the client. New play and entertainment space, new living room and new front courtyard entry and upper deck. A complete facade removal gives this old cottage new life.
Status - construction complete.
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OAKLAND - Addition
Thompson Residence - The Shattuck neighborhood of North Oakland lies on
a critical transit passage through Oakland as yet untouched by
gentrification but shows signs of obsolescense and abuse. The area
is a melting pot of medical institutions, a reputable publishing
house, diverse residential population, thriving commercial activity
and the Berkeley University in close proximity. Faced by a mass transit
route on its front door and sandwiched between a traditional church
on the right and a boxy remodel on the left, the house takes its cues from
a desire to break free. To stretch, stand tall, exhale, look out and
beyond. Structurally the original building is very amenable –
existing reinforced concrete block walls and timber roof joists.
Adding a new story could be simple.
Status - received planning approval
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SAN MATEO - Remodel and Addition
Hayling/Misner Residence - What are the confessions and aspirations of 21stC Californians?
How are they different from those of original Eichler residents?
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OAKLAND - 23rd Avenue/Live Work
Fascinated by micro-injection as an urban renewal strategy, a young lawyer allows us continue this as a viable alternative to the tabula rasa.
Materials palette is deliberately limited to residential scale and type for commercial application.
Status - under construction
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SAN FRANCISCO - Apartment Remodel
The existing layout presented the inner distribution of functions into discrete cells - dark interior rooms, a very pubic bathroom
and little storage.
I approached this project through a system of layering onto an existing armature. Walls function as camera apertures to which another lens was added to accommodate the bathroom. Next - thinning the walls into visual transparent isolators. This layer allowed the primary sunlight which came from the back of the apartment to extend into the inner volume. Surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen are high-gloss or stainless steel to further 'lighten' the inner spaces. Final, was the accommodation of privacy through re-isolation. LED glass walls at the bathroom morph into milky glass on the lower portion, leaving the upper clear for maximum light transfer into the kitchen. Final result - a visual and functional synergy between spaces.
Status - construction documentation
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SAN FRANCISCO - 2005 Church-to-Modern House Remodel nilus designs
Rhode Island - Modern conversion of a Baptist Church and Assembly Hall to be the primary residence of a young couple with two children. Surprises encountered were extensive termite damage requiring new structural steel beams and rebuilding of an entire elevated walkway. Being sensitive to the client's budget, IKEA kitchen, bathrooms, and bedroom closets were 'customized' to create unique but contemporary spaces.
Status - completed
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SAN LEANDRO - Addition
Sakurai Residence -The greatest challenge facing Bay Area Californians today is getting the most out of what they have. In a business model, it is a question of economies of scale through maximizing one’s resources. For the average home owner, he/she asks “How much can I expand to maximize my resale value?” Others, through personal skill and/or ambition recognize themselves as an exploitable resource and further ask, “How much can I build myself to minimize contractor costs?"
These were the initial challenges facing this project. While benefitting from rapidly expanding real estate prices, San Leandro was still not the location of choice. The framework was set - marketable for immediate resale and easy constructability by a lay person. 500 sq. ft. master suite. Color and light inspired by celadon glazed porcelain.
Status - under construction
OAKLAND - Attic Conversion and Entry Upgrade
