The Insider: Shipshape Windsor Terrace Rebuild Centers Open Plan Design, Sustainability, Function

Architectural Design Studios, led by Cherie Arscott and her business partner Kris Havens, offers comprehensive design solutions for a diverse clientele. Arscott's background in construction and design stems from a young age, influenced by her father, a custom home builder, and her mother, who involved her in selecting materials for new homes. This early exposure provided her with a foundational understanding of the entire process, from construction to architectural and interior design. The firm provides full-service design, catering to homeowners, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and other commercial properties. A key aspect of their approach is a seamless, collaborative team effort, where all members contribute to discussions, fostering new ideas and ensuring a cohesive design outcome. This collaborative model aims to provide clients with a worry-free experience, as all aspects of the project are managed internally. Architectural Design Studios recently established a new Delray Beach studio, a 6,500-square-foot facility that combines office and warehouse space. This location offers clients the convenience of visiting to make their design selections. The warehouse component allows the firm to receive and store furniture and accessories until the client's move-in date, streamlining the installation process. Cherie Arscott's design philosophy is influenced by her upbringing in Virginia, which exposed her to traditional European styles. She expresses comfort with both European classicism and contemporary designs, emphasizing that great interior design should enhance the living experience rather than merely focusing on aesthetics. This perspective guides their projects to create spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional and enriching. Beyond their professional endeavors, Arscott and Havens are actively involved in philanthropic efforts. They dedicate 10 percent of their proceeds to The Place of Hope, a nonprofit organization that supports children who are homeless or have transitioned out of the foster care system. This commitment reflects their belief in giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate, even as they create beautiful homes for their clients. Architectural Design Studios is located at 250 N. Congress Ave., Ste. A, Delray Beach, and can be contacted via phone or their website. #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #CherieArscott #KrisHavens #DelrayBeach #FullServiceDesign #EuropeanClassicism #ContemporaryDesign #Philanthropy #ThePlaceOfHope

Deck-access housing, often criticized and associated with urban blight in the UK, is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new generation of architects. This typology, famously dubbed "streets in the sky," was once a prevalent feature in 1960s social housing projects, designed to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic. However, it quickly garnered a negative reputation, becoming synonymous with anti-social behavior and even urban dystopia in popular culture. This negative perception was so deeply entrenched that some deck-access schemes were demolished shortly after their completion, and influential figures, such as former RIBA president Lancelot Keay, disparaged it as "housing for dirty people." Insurers, mortgage lenders, and urban planners continue to approach deck-access homes with caution, often advising against their implementation. Despite this historical prejudice, the article highlights that many of the UK's finest modernist housing examples, including Park Hill and Dawson Heights, utilize deck access. Hundreds of thousands of residents continue to live in such schemes, using elevated walkways daily without incident and often enjoying the arrangement. The author notes that the narrative surrounding deck-access housing often lacks nuance, particularly after high-profile structural failures in prefab designs during the 1980s and Alice Coleman's influential 1985 report, "Utopia on Trial," which linked these designs to social unrest. After a 30-year decline, the typology is making a comeback, with leading architectural firms like Haworth Tompkins, Apparata, and RCKa championing its revival. This renewed interest is explored in "The Deck Access Housing Design Guide," co-authored by Rory Olcayto and Andrew Beharrell, with a foreword by Owen Hatherley. The book chronicles the evolution of this housing type, presents contemporary British and European case studies, and offers practical design guidance. Surprisingly, the resurgence was catalyzed by former London Mayor Boris Johnson's 2009 draft of the London Housing Design Guide. This guide advocated for dual-aspect homes and identified deck access as a viable method to achieve this, emphasizing the importance of an appropriate vernacular. Most of the architects involved in this revival, including Stirling Prize-winners and finalists, were too young to have practiced during the "peak deck" era of the 1960s and 70s. These architects, influenced by the public-spirited modernism of their predecessors, embraced the mayor's challenge, developing a style known as the New London Vernacular (NLV). NLV is characterized as an anti-iconic housing style that emerged in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. It was conceived as a de-risked strategy for developers, being easier to cost, design, build, and sell, and more effective at providing accurate land values than the icon-driven regeneration projects of previous decades. While the London Housing Design Guide did not explicitly mandate brick, it heavily stressed "context," which in London often translates to brick. The guide also called for "tenure-blind" housing with inviting entrances and spacious balconies, as defined in a 2012 report by David Birkbeck and Julian Hart for Urban Design London. Unlike its post-war implementation, which focused on separating pedestrians and cars, contemporary deck-access housing aims to provide high-density dual-aspect homes with individual front doors. While British examples might appear more conservative than their continental counterparts, a closer examination reveals a diverse range of approaches. Examples include Henley Halebrown's playful designs, Matthew Lloyd Architects' blending of new homes with historic estates, and Haworth Tompkins' brick facades for the Silchester Estate. Other notable projects include Murray Grove, Apparata's A House for Artists, and various retrofits of existing structures like Park Hill and former barracks. The article concludes by asserting that the return of deck-access housing, offering dual-aspect homes with cross-ventilation, ample daylight, and enhanced identity through individual front doors, is a positive development, especially given its ability to achieve approximately 300 homes per hectare. While currently favored by urban affordable housing providers, growing planning requirements for dual-aspect flats and advancements in factory-built housing suggest a broader adoption of this typology in the future. #DeckAccessHousing #SocialHousing #UrbanPlanning #ArchitecturalRevival #NewLondonVernacular #ModernistArchitecture #HousingDesign #UKArchitecture #ArchitecturalOpinion

Ruth Rengasamy, who grew up in a rammed-earth home in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley, always appreciated its natural insulation, which kept the house cool in summer and warm in winter. Her parents built the home themselves using a handbook, inspiring her with the unique qualities of rammed earth. Rammed earth is a building material composed of natural raw materials like earth, chalk, lime, or gravel. When Ms. Rengasamy and her husband, Raja, decided to renovate their dilapidated California bungalow in Brunswick, Melbourne’s inner north, they were determined to incorporate rammed-earth walls. Architect Steffen Welsch of Steffen Welsch Architects was enthusiastic about the idea, noting that rammed-earth homes offer a strong sense of shelter and protection from the outside world due to their solid construction. The renovation involved demolishing an old lean-to at the rear of the bungalow to make way for a new extension featuring the rammed-earth walls. The earth for construction was sourced from a nearby quarry and mixed with lime for added stability. Mr. Welsch emphasized the contextual and environmentally friendly nature of using local earth, as its color reflects the region, and the process has a lower environmental impact compared to concrete production. These walls contribute a raw beauty and natural texture to the extension, which houses the main bedroom, a study, a laundry, and the kitchen, meals, and living areas. Beyond the unusual materials, the extension's curved shape also stands out. Ms. Rengasamy explained that they wanted to avoid a standard box-shaped extension. Since the backyard faces south, a curved design was adopted to maximize morning light. This design successfully brings ample morning sunshine into the home. The front of the house also underwent a significant renovation. The bungalow was in poor condition and had lost much of its original character. Although the couple considered tearing it down, they decided against it to preserve the streetscape, as a row of matching bungalows lined the street. The house was restumped, and the original weatherboards were replaced. Mr. Welsch also redesigned the front to connect the home more effectively with the neighborhood, adding French doors to the front spare bedroom for easy access to the front yard. The revamped house now offers distinct spaces for children, guests, and parents, along with communal and transitional zones. The change in flooring from timber in the older part of the house to polished concrete in the new extension visibly marks these different areas. The kitchen is a highlight for Ms. Rengasamy, featuring a large island bench, Corian countertops, and extensive outdoor views through numerous windows, including a curved bank of glass doors. She notes that the kitchen’s design makes cooking enjoyable and that the entire living area remains bright and cheerful even on dark winter days, fostering a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors. #BrunswickRenovation #RammedEarth #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #HomeExtension #CaliforniaBungalow #NaturalMaterials #MelbourneRealEstate

Townhouses have gained significant popularity in Melbourne due to their low-maintenance living and ability to accommodate a growing population, especially in middle-ring suburbs with large, subdividable blocks. They also serve as an accessible entry point into the property market. However, not all townhouse designs are created equal, with poorly planned layouts, complex building forms, and overwhelming material palettes leading to costly planning processes, limited comfort, and a lack of character, according to architect Steffen Welsch. This article, featuring insights from Welsch, who designed the Sunshine townhouse project, offers guidance on creating well-designed townhouses. A key aspect of successful townhouse design involves the careful integration of the design with the land parcel, despite potential restrictions from planning and building controls. Architects play a crucial role in navigating these hurdles, creatively interpreting rules to achieve optimal outcomes without compromising design integrity. For instance, strategically positioning a townhouse closer to the street can prevent overshadowing neighboring properties while allowing for more private open spaces and a more functional floorplan, as demonstrated in the Sunshine project. Welsch emphasizes that larger spaces do not inherently equate to better design. Instead, he advocates for intelligent design that makes spaces feel expansive, even if they are not physically large. This can be achieved through various techniques, including maximizing natural light, framing picturesque views, and incorporating multifunctional spaces. Creating wider landings that can serve as studies or retreats, and optimizing exterior views, are effective ways to enhance the sense of spaciousness within the interior and achieve an efficient and economical building footprint. To ensure a townhouse stands out and possesses a unique identity, it is important to incorporate distinctive personal touches. These don't need to be elaborate or expensive but should be strategically placed to create impact and surprise. In the Sunshine project, Welsch utilized a feature breeze brick wall at the entrance. This design choice, inspired by mid-century modern aesthetics, not only adds character but also serves a functional purpose by softening harsh light, providing shade, and aiding ventilation. Additionally, the inclusion of timber floors can introduce warmth and personality, instantly enhancing the character of a townhouse. Anticipating and addressing potential challenges, such as overshadowing and overlooking neighboring properties, is critical for a smooth approval process. Proactive planning involves devising creative solutions that satisfy all parties, thereby minimizing planning-approval delays. For the Sunshine project, typical upstairs privacy screening was replaced with louvred balconies, which not only provide privacy and sunlight but also offer distant views and contribute to the building's character. Finally, considering the existing streetscape and using materials predominant in the area can help integrate the townhouse into its surroundings. Demonstrating that the development will enhance the street's value and appeal can foster neighborly support, reducing the likelihood of opposition and associated planning delays. #TownhouseDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #UrbanLiving #PropertyDevelopment #SpaceOptimization #SustainableDesign #CommunityIntegration #MelbourneRealEstate

Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, an architecture studio, designed a guesthouse as an extension to a private home situated on a secluded island in the Pacific Northwest. The main residence, constructed in 2012 by the same studio, is located on a 24-acre property on Henry Island, part of the San Juan Islands archipelago off the coast of northern Washington. The site is accessible by boat, with the main home nestled in a lush meadow overlooking a shallow bay. Upon acquiring the property in 2016, the new owners commissioned the studio to add structures that would complement the island's natural environment. The resulting guesthouse offers a flexible space for extended stays by family and friends. Its rectangular layout includes a main living area and two bedrooms, spanning 125 square meters. The design harmonizes with the architectural style and materials of the main home while maintaining its own distinct character. The guesthouse is positioned uphill from the main residence, ensuring both a connection and a degree of privacy. Its construction into a gentle slope allows for a partial cantilever, where one end is anchored into the earth and the other extends above ground. This design approach minimizes environmental disturbance and provides unique characteristics for each of the two bedrooms. Each bedroom offers a different view: one overlooks the bay, while the other provides intimate views of the surrounding forests, fostering a sense of coziness. The material palette for the guesthouse includes Douglas fir, cedar, glass, and steel. Large sliding glass doors, designed to pocket into the walls, open on two sides, creating an immersive experience that connects visitors with the island's sights, smells, and sounds. This feature allows the living room to function as a “covered porch,” establishing a serene yet protected indoor-outdoor environment. #GuesthouseDesign #PacificNorthwestArchitecture #BohlinCywinskiJackson #IndoorOutdoorLiving #SustainableDesign #DouglasFir #HenryIsland #ArchitecturalInnovation