Snappy Home Design by Ron Brenner Architects

At Ron Brenner Architects we have been working on a new model home design which will be constructed in Woodbury, Minnesota.  Below is a sneak preview (in animation form) of our first concept. 

If you expand the video make sure you increase the YouTube quality to 1080p.  It will look much more snappy.

 

This is a good example of how I like to work.  Firstly, get the overall form and plan working together in a harmonious way before moving on to window patterns, materials, textures, colors, etc...  I think this is a good first start, but we will also be fine tuning and exploring other options.

Architects have Great Tools - Sunroom Addition

This is another great example of the infinite number of uses for Sketchup - the 3d modeling tool that I love to work with.  The animation below is of a residential addition that I am creating for a client in Wayzata, Minnesota.  This consists of a 3car garage attached to the house via a generous mudroom on the main floor.  Upstairs we created an in law suite complete with a sunroom and roof top garden patio. The Architecture complements the existing home style while adding just a bit of sophistication.

Design Inspiration from Pasadena and Palm Springs

I recently took a trip to Pasadena and Palm Springs to gain some design inspiration and learn more about two very different types of residential architecture.  Pasadena is famous for its wealth of Arts and Crafts Architecture and Palm Springs has the largest concentration of Mid-Century Modern Architecture.  For design enthusiasts it is a great trip because there is so much to see and the two locations are only a couple hour drive from one another.

The pictures below illustrate the contrast between the two styles of Architecture.  Built only 38 years from one another the houses are worlds apart in style.

Pasadena - The Gamble House, 1908 - Designed by Charles and Henry Greene

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 Likely the most famous example of American Arts and Crafts style Architecture.  This home is on the National Historic Register and is open for public tours.  For more photos and information you can start at this link:  Gamble House Photos

Palm Springs - The Kaufmann House, 1946 - Designed by Richard Neutra

A classic example of Mid Century Modern Architecture.  This home is privately owned but you can see a nice little slide show at this link:  Kaufman Slideshow

I always learn more than a few things from this kind of trip.  Over the next weeks I'll be posting additional pictures and giving you some tidbits that you might be able to apply to your next home design or remodeling project.

Shingle Style Studies

Ron Brenner Architects is working on a new home design to be constructed in Minnesota. The home features two master suites - one for mom & dad and one for grandma.  The design draws inspiration from the Shingle Style and Arts & Crafts.  Below are a few of the initial image studies.

A)  Grandma is situated under the smaller gable to the left.  Notice how the roof line connects with the main gable above.

B)  Here we disconnect the roof lines further and have a more prominent front gable treatment.

C)  Twin gables convey a stronger arts and crafts influence.

D)  Gable dormers create a more subtle design statement.

Which one do you like the best?