GPS Designs

Just one more reason I love working with OPaL development....well, maybe two. Two projects we recently completed were nominated for Gold Nugget awards last night in San Diego. Both projects were renovations of historic buildings completed with OPaL Development in D.C.. As with most renovations of historic buildings the planning was exceptionally challenging. The time spent on these clearly paid off. One of the projects, The New Union Garage, won in the Best Multi-Family Community category. Along with a pat on the back, I definitely need to also congratulate OPaL Development as well as P Four Interiors.

This winter has been a busy one. over the last few months we've been working with OPaL development to gain approvals on an addition to a historic garage on Capitol Hill. While we're not through with the hearings and public meetings yet, we've made some large steps forward with approvals from community groups as well as historic reviews. This garage was built at the turn of the 20th century and sits within a residential neighborhood. i've included some of our very early concept sketches that were used in initial conversations with DC Historic. They requested we provide a design that was recessive and preferably more modern to offer contrast to the historic garage. This project is going to be a wonderful addition to this neighborhood that will compliment the streetscape well.

As the weather begins to turn a bit more crisp I can't help but think about winter in the mountains. Here is some work from a while back that I thought I'd share. These examples of the mountain architecture vernacular take many design cues from national park structures and mine buildings. rustic materials and natural tones help the buildings blend into their surroundings a bit more. regardless of the scale, attention to proportions is a key factor in the successful design of a mountain home.

Last week in Virginia, the 2014 Great American Living Awards were presented. GPS Designs won 4 awards for Best in Architecture and Innovative Site Design. The attached image shows the homes that won. It is truly an honor to be involved with such wonderful teams of builders and owners. These awards were the result of work for OPaL development company. We are grateful to OPaL, as well as the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association for honoring our boutique architecture firm with such high honors. Here's looking forward to many, many more wonderful projects!

just thought i'd take a minute to post some pictures of a recently completed apartment building just north of Seattle. It was a great experience and a really fun project. this one was 5 stories of wood framed construction with an interior courtyard and a roof deck, over 2 stories of structured parking. here's hoping we get some more fun, large projects to work on.

front facade sketch....

I have the good fortune of designing a house in rehoboth. clients are awesome, builder/developer is awesome (got to love OPAL) this is going to be an incredible place.

and the transitional happy medium...