Rawhide and Cosmos and Vista

Rawhide is the name of the 6 X 24 textured porcelain floor tile in this bathroom. Thank you to all those who visited the projects on the I Have A Dream house tour… Read More →

Wild wood

Click to see this project on Houzz. Detail of the kitchen island counter top contrasts the simple, clean lines of the cabinets against the natural edge of this top. The material was harvested… Read More →

tree

  This reusable Christmas tree created by architect Philip Lawrence                                   could hardly be called artificial  … Read More →

Projects In Fall Colors

Projects by Lawrence and Gómez Architects continue through the fall at all phases of design and construction. Below, the long south-facing roof of the Meadow House will receive solar panels this week. The… Read More →

Late Summer Courtyards

Take advantage of the space between buildings to locate a courtyard. In the late summer, shade and plantings mix with paved areas to provide spaces for entertainment or for quiet contemplation. An outdoor… Read More →

Efficient Stair Plans

Photos and plans of smallest stairs that comply with building codes. The drawings show three options for stairs to climb 9′-0″. A) Spiral stair – compact and efficient plan saves space in small… Read More →

Drawings and Design, 3D

Shortly after conceptual plans (see previous post Drawings and Design, 2D), three-dimensional schematics begin. The illustrations on this post are a sampling of the physical model and 3D drawings we used to design… Read More →

Drawings and Design, 2D

Two-dimensional basics: Plans, sections, elevations, and construction drawings Often design starts with a hand-sketched schematic floor plan. The one shown above combines layout of rooms, relationship to the landscape, views, and location of… Read More →

Staying Cool – The Passive Options

A summer of frequent 100-plus degree days underlines the need for cooling strategies. Turning on the air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or even the electric fans should be the last resort. Here are some… Read More →

Stair rail as design opportunity

After taking care of the code requirements for basic safety, go ahead and use the stair rails as a canvas for design. In the projects below, Boulder architect Juana Gómez creates unique pieces for… Read More →