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 intensions 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 fulfilment of prevailing desires.

 

 

AUDIENCE

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 + ANALYSISBEHAVIORAL STUDIES . SPACE PLANNING + DESIGN ARCHITECTURE  LAND DESIGN

 

 

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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.  Photos coming soon...

 

 

 

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? 

 

 

 

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 accomodation of

privacy through re-isolaion.  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

 

 

 

 

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

Thomas Residence

 

Status - design development 

 

 

 

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FURNITURE - Private Collection

Status - under licensing negotiation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLINK!LABarchitecture, inc

4228 martin luther king, jr. way
oakland, ca 94609
t 510.653.2913   f 510.653.2922

jgrant@blink-lab.com

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