- Kitchen RemodelingThe couple’s decidedly Scandinavian design sensibilities prompted us to keep the material palette simple and neutral thus allowing the space and light to speak for themselves. Tall skinny mirrors emphasize the height of the room and saturate all corners with reflected light. Suspended walnut cabinetry contributes a tactility and warmth. Subtle custom details such as the integral LED lighting wrapping around the mirrors invites closer examination. But perhaps the most successful quality of the project is the expansive sense of space and lightness.
- Bathroom RemodelingWe were also charged with elevating what was a pedestrian 1990’s townhouse to something more sophisticated and engaging. Our approach was to first remove builder grade detailing around windows and railings. Then, we introduced simplified profiles and glass guardrails that would extend a consistency established in the new kitchen and bathroom designs.
- FlooringFloor-to-ceiling glass sliders open up the dining area to the deck for seamless indoor/outdoor living. Wide plank flooring of white oak (clear finish) adds presence and visual interest against the brilliant white walls and dark cabinetry.
- Door Installation/Replacement
- DrywallsTo panel or not? Stephen recognizes this is a question many owners of MCMs have to wrestle with when they are thinking of updating their house. In this case, our clients really disliked the original faded mahogany panels that covered the interior everywhere. They had a dated 50’s look and they made the house feel dark. The clients wanted white painted drywall instead.
- FramingGreen building principles and practices are part of our DNA. The majority of bL’s designers and carpenters are certified Green Building Professionals and principal Stephen Shoup is a qualified Green Point Rater and Advisor. We look forward to the day when building green will simply be building. To speed that scenario along, we always bring the ‘greenest’ options to the table for consideration in all of our endeavors. Very often, going green doesn’t appreciably raise costs or compromise quality. In those cases, we simply choose what’s best for the environment. This might mean specifying formaldehyde-free sheet goods, OVE(optimal value engineering) framing, or low/zero VOC(volatile organic compound) paints. When there are significant price differences, however, we always solicit input from our clients as we weigh budgetary, performance, and architectural factors. At the start of each project, we do our best to learn what our clients’ green priorities are. The term ‘green’ has many different meanings. One person’s most pressing green issue may be indoor air quality, whereas another’s may be the carbon footprint of building materials used, while yet another may care most about water and energy consumption. Whatever the clients’ environmental concerns are, we try to address them in the most responsible and cost-effective manner.
- Tile Installation"Take a close look at the tile work in this master bath designed by building Lab -- you won't find better craftsmanship anywhere. Those tiles are not a millimeter out of place, even as they wrap up from the floor, even in the shower enclosure where they wrap over the threshold, into and out of the wall niche and onto the ceiling. Amazing! The slot skylight over the vanity makes this space glow -- and the glow is carried throughout the bath with panels of frosted glass."
- FireplacesIn order to create a more subtle transition from the public to a private area, a faccia is built to make up a thicker and more sculptural wall. The new gas fireplace is vented thru the thickened wall and out to the side. Built-in low cabinets and a large wall-mounted TV complete the entertainment center. The footprint of the master bath is left virtually unchanged: the wall separating the wet and dry areas is removed to create an open concept; curbless shower with glass panels disappearing into the wall; a new tub with custom storage at one end; the space is rendered with a tranquil palette and simple details.
- Staircases
- Skylight Repair/ReplacementThe existing layout had a staircase in the middle and special function areas radiating out to the corners: kitchen with an eat-in area, dining, living, master suite, and garage at the top of the stairs. Our priorities were to create an exceptional kitchen and improve the functionality and livability of the entire main floor for our client (a professional couple with a young adult child). These included greater access to the city and bay views from the kitchen and entry, and moderating the seasonal extremes in temperature due to the orientation and large skylights.
- Cabinet Installation
- Room Additions
- New ConstructionThis Napa Valley residence sits on a ten acre lot above Soda Canyon road offering a sweeping views the valley as it extends to the north and south. With a fundamental deference to the landscape and the immediacy of bedrock, the house sits lightly on the land and steps gingerly up the hillside. Communal spaces orient toward views of vinyards while more intimate spaces engage the immediate landscape and nest in the trees.
- DemolitionTo address the second concern, the design team opts for expansiveness, simple elegance, and warmth. Extensive demolition, excavations, and rebuilding result in a 9-foot plus ceiling height throughout the lower level. Concrete slab floor with a matt charcoal cementitious micro topping is chosen for its cool modern look as well as easy maintenance. Cedar ceiling and oak casework provide a warm tone as a counter point. The oak cabinets house bookshelves, household storage, and an entertainment center. These tall cabinets define but not block off a corridor for access to the kitchenette, bath, and a home office. The compact home office occupies a quiet corner with a view to the patio and also a visual and audio connection to the activities in the main family space. Literal physical warmth is provided by radiant heat. An existing hydronic system for the main level comes with a boiler large enough to serve a new in-slab hydronic system for the lower level.
- Foundation Installation
- LandscapingTo Open or Close? We removed some walls and created an open and enlarged kitchen. To allow for maximum connection of the kitchen/dining area to the backyard, an existing post was removed and ceiling joists were extended to connect with a structural fascia. But instead of leaving a vast amount of common areas, we coopted some of those spaces to create an additional guest room/study. The same theme of openness and definition applies to the landscape design: low walls, hardscapes, outdoor kitchen, and fire pit define spaces for cooking, al fresco dining, play, and lounging.
- FencingOn the exterior, a new coat of matte dark paint conceals the unsightly stucco textures. Modern style fencing with horizontal wood slats and luxurious drought tolerant plantings soften the appearance. Our goal is to create a distinctive residence without being inharmonious in a neighborhood of houses painted mostly a light beige.
- DrivewaysBefore: no front door could be seen from the driveway; underused deck to be removed to make way for a new front entry.
- Retaining WallsThe decision to dig deep and the desire to have the patio as an extension of the interior creates a design challenge as the landscape has to step back up to the grade somehow. This is achieved by horizontal layering which leads the eye from the concrete floor to the wood bench, up the steps to the low retaining walls, the raised vegetable planters, and finally the fence with horizontal slats. Long row of cabinets line one wall. A built-in barbeque is set in a stainless steel counter. Immediately above is a small lawn for kids and dogs. Much attention is paid to the straight forward layout of the backyard which optimizes the utility and the visual simplicity.
- Window Installation/ReplacementThe new tongue and groove ceiling is definitely a nod to the typical mid-century practice. The treatments of windows and doors also help reinforce the style: the sliding doors and the awning window in the dining room are aluminum framed, while the window over the sink and those at the front door are stopped in glass to maximize site lines (as was the practice when the house was originally built).
- PatiosCreating distinct spaces that foster togetherness was a guiding principle throughout the development of this project. By raising the ceiling height of the central area, we created a light filled communal space flanked by private quarters to the east and west. Wide openings on each end of the kitchen connect to the adjacent living and dining areas which flow seamlessly together and share views to the patios, pool, and the vineyards beyond.
- SidingIn conjunction to the porous programmatic kitchen block as a connective element, the walls along the main corridor add to the sense of bringing outside in. The fin wall adjacent to entry has been detailed to have the siding slip past the glass, while the living, kitchen and dining room are all connected by a walnut veneer feature wall running the length of the house. The wall also echos the lush surroundings of Lucas Valley as well as the original mahogany plywood panels used within Eichlers.
- Residential Roof RepairA half bath near the front entry is expanded by roofing over an existing open air light well. The modern vanity with integral sink fits perfectly into this newly gained space. Directly above is a deep chute, created by refinishing the walls of the light well, and crowned with a skylight 2 story high on the roof. Custom woodwork in white oak and a wall hung toilet set the tone for simplicity and efficiency. On the opposite side of the entry, a custom bench with coat hooks and shoe storage is fabricated with the same material and streamlined style.
- Residential Roof Replacement/Installation
- Painting
- CarpentrySkilled in carpentry at a young age, principal Stephen Shoup received his formal architecture training at UC Berkeley (M. Arch) and The Architectural Association in London. He founded this innovative firm in 2001 based on his belief in a holistic approach to the design and building processes. With a team of talented designers and project managers, bL is involved in any number of residential categories: from new construction, whole-house remodel, addition, kitchen and bath, custom cabinetry, to master planning and landscape.
- InsulationOptimizing everything In approaching this project, bL's designers were very conscious of the client's wishes and the budgetary constraints. The master bedroom, with the ensuite bath and dressing area, is more carefully finished, whereas the other bedrooms and the hall bath are straightforward and efficient. The layout is planned for comfortable and casual living, and yet special character is created at key locations. The entry area is enlarged with new steps and landing, and the front door (with transom window and sidelights) makes a more welcoming gesture to visitors. High on the list of our client's priorities were to have a weather tight building envelope and all energy efficient infrastructures. The ZIP system used here consists of all-in-one structural panels/sheathing with built-in exterior insulation and water and air protection. This is also an all electric house that is solar ready, with a heat pump for hot water.
- Electrical Work