There is a certain "look" to their work which comes from a rigorous design philosophy. Each project is a unique representation and expression of their quiet yet meticulously conceived design language.

We highly recomend that you browse through the project images on their website... truly outstanding work. Go... now!

Firm: BattersbyHowat

This question comes up all the time for me: when I design houses for clients, and lately my wife and I have been thinking about just exactly how we want to live as we consider purchasing the property where we live that is zoned multi-family. How much of the lot should we use for ourselves versus for rental units? How much space should we allocate to specific uses, and how can we use spaces for multiple uses? How efficient can our home be while still providing needed personal space? Less is more, but it is more work to figure out how to do less! But I digress...

We've touched on the issue of home size here at Land+Living many times before, and an article in today's Los Angeles Times takes a look at the question of home size. The article includes an interview with Sasha Tarnopolsky & John Jennings of Los Angeles based architecture and landscape design firm DRY Design.

Article: LA Times - What makes a home the right size for you?
Reference: Size Matters (Land+Living)
Reference: The Very Small Home (Land+Living)

John Doolin’s approach to furniture owes as much to a great respect for the traditional skills of cabinet making as to modern design principles and methodology.

The guiding principle throughout his work is the belief that the real value of any product is not only in the sum of its size and materials, but in the way in which it serves its user - the function it performs.

"The garden extension to this grade II listed building in Waterloo is a simple pattern of solid and glazed panels repeating the original openings of the rear façade which are then repeated in reverse on the roof. The additional floor space extends the family living area and acts as an open connection between kitchen and dining area. The works also included lowering the existing semi-basement to create a utility room, storage and study and refurbishment of the house throughout."

Firm: Dive Architects

"Our folding screen combines ash wood with modern manmade materials to create layers of transparency and color. Corrugated plastic is bent into a graceful form and drilled with a grid of holes which allow light to pass through and project a pattern on textured colored resing panels. The projected light fades and changes as one moves about the screen."

This is the mission of Urbanroofgardens: To raise awareness of the benefits of urban roof gardens, terraces and green roofs. To collate and publish world-class research and best-practice relating to urban roof gardens. And to offer concept to completion advice and services to both the lay and the professional citizen wishing to build urban roof gardens.

Link: Urban Roof Gardens [Thanks, John!]

The existing kitchen was remodeled and expanded outward to include new dining and living areas within the bronze and glass Miesean pavilion. The concept is of a repeatedly folded plane of bronze which defines the space and frames views of the garden. Two of the glazed walls can be opened completely to create a seamless indoor/outdoor space.

Firm: Alison Brooks Architects

While we've had more down time than we'd like in the past, it has never been this bad. So, please accept our apologies if you have had trouble reaching us. We're going to try to remember why we extended our hosting agreement...

A goodly number of contemporary landscapes will be displayed including designs by Diarmuid Gavin, Jack Merlo, Andy Sturgeon, Marcus Barnett, David Macqueen, Lizzie Taylor and Dawn Isaac just to name a few.

Link: Chelsea Flower Show 2005
Reference: Garden design winners at Chelsea 2004 (Land+Living)

The same gray sandstone used inside the home was used as the primary paving surface in the garden to help visually merge the spaces. The irregular shaped patio and concrete planter walls with iroko benches articulate the space and create an illusion of space. Bright orange electrifies the basin of the minimal cube water feature and echoes a color used inside the house as well. The simple yet layered planting palette compliments the design perfectly.

Firm: MyLandscapes