architects magnus

Just like being in our studio, this space shares our current projects and muses. Feel free to browse and be a part of the discussion.

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Anthrazit House is complete! See more @ http://architizer.com/projects/anthrazit-house/

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WELCOME HOME

The Brookes Redux house was a mid-century charmer, but missing the charm.  Now refreshed and brightened, with a livable modern edge, it is ready for move in.  OK, the kitchen cabinets are still riding over in a boat from Italy, but our client just can't wait.  Welcome home!

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dusk

Darren Bradley has a way with the camera.  We worked with the Bradleys on this mid-century house to modernize some elements while maintaining the original charm of the house, but we give Darren full credit for capturing it so beautifully! 

http://www.darrenbradleyphotography.com/

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Anthrazit - Late summer update. The sun shines through the framing as we prepare for autumn's task of wrapping anthrazit. Derscheid Construction has done a great job during the light gauge framing. Next phase; flashing, waterproofing and installation of metal panels. -

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What do you do when a family outgrows a tiny 500 sf beach cottage?  You stretch it and modernize it to feel open and spacious.  Our Missouri Street house is now in framing and it feels better already.

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Ocean inspiration.  All we needed was some watercolor while camping on the rocky beach to inspire our family to paint.

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Sapphire blue - shore to door

Last fall we had the rare opportunity to see the Red Tide at night- this is when red algal bloom transforms into brilliant blue luminescent waves after the sun goes down. 

Now we have a project in La Jolla where we are designing an entry gate reminiscent of those sapphire blue waves.  Our clients love minimal, modern design yet also want their home to respond to it's coastal roots.  The answer- a metal pivot door with a continuous blue vertical glass handle, backlit to glow at night.  Though the door is still in the making, the steel and glass mock up is an art piece on its own.  When architect, client and fabricator work as a team, the result is brilliant.  In this case, brilliant blue.

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Integrative Design

I was fortunate enough to see Bill Reed speak today on Integrative Design at the San Diego Energy Innovation Center.  If you don't know who he is, find out:

http://www.integrativedesign.net/biographies.htm

It was an inspirational, interactive discussion about coming together to build a culture, not just a product.  It's the right way to think.  I'm in.

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Earth Fair San Diego 2012

I will be at the US Green Building Council booth this Sunday morning. 

Come visit.  Should be a beautiful day!

http://www.earthdayweb.org/EarthFair.html

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Anthrazit progress:

Our client just forwarded this image with the caption: Is this artist studio "INDUSTRIAL" enough.......being in the foothills of the American Riviera? 

Our answer: "Yes, yes it is."

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My son Max and his friend Connor submitted a great house for the Dwell LEGO competition. Please vote for their entry called "Before My Time" (it's supposed to be Mid-Century inspired which is definitely before their time) by April 15. Go to the website and scroll down the long list of entries and theirs is just past the halfway point.  Proud mom.

http://new.dwell.com/contests/lego-modern-home-design-competition/submissions/vote

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Better economy ahead?

I've been taking the train to Santa Barbara from San Diego about once a month to see the anthrazit project come to life. Along the way, I must pass a dozen lumberyards. They've looked more like ghost towns than supply houses, with nary a board of wood on-site. This trip however has surprised me; the yards are stacked high with fresh construction grade sticks. Is this a sign that our economy is strengthening?

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Houzz award

We just found out that our Jewell Box project has been voted by the Houzz community as a winner of their first-ever "Best of 2012" awards!  Special thanks to Patrick Lee Design for his help with the interiors.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1435630/thumbs/pt=22bd827e306783cd0a2c31abf94d5870/Houzz-- Best-of-Remodeling-2012---Media-Rooms

Perhaps it's time to add some of our other projects to Houzz!

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reaching for the sky

Tallest crane ever at our Pinecrest project!  We promise that we're not building a highrise, just a modern outdoor space to enjoy the pool surrounded by nature. 

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Snow day

It's not often that a San Diego Architect has a project under construction that actually gets snow.  School children may get snow days off, but construction moves forward as excavators roll through fresh snow at our Pinecrest project.

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anthrazit steel wrap-up Russ Jones Metalworks is wrapping up their work on the anthrazit art house. Next up - concrete for the composite decking. And, EcoSteel will be supplying the wall panels next month. Meanwhile, Antar Dayal will be collaborating with a cabinet manufacturer on a new line of inspired limited edition kitchens. Looking forward to spending time in this magnificent new home. -HM

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Desert design

Took the family this weekend to take the Palm Springs tram up to play in fresh snow.  We sledded, had snowball fights, made snow angels, the works!  What we didn't realize was that nearby in Palm Desert, Hotel Lautner was having their open house.  Would've loved to have seen a newly renovated Lautner building (originally built in 1947).  I fondly remember John Lautner lectures in school.  Not only was he a mid-century master, he was a character!  I guess the beauty of nature won out on this trip. 

Desert design will be another trip, another day.

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