Just a quick Post

I am planning on doing a longer post about this, but have you checked out some of the pavilions at the new World Expo in China. I love the idea of architecture as fantasy and some of these are amazing. I will post more when I get a chance.

My Favorite Gas Stations

It's little wonder that Los Angeles has some of the best looking Gas Stations in the country, we are after all, one of the most car centric cities in the world. So I was reading the other day about this new station by Kanner Architects and it was such a fabulous combination of retro style and modern thinking.

I thought I would post two other images too of two of my favorite stations...get your fill!

Combining my Passions

It is rare that I get the opportunity to combine my passion for Interior Design & Architecture with Yacht Racing but recently I became aware of just such an opportunity! One of the most exciting races, which is currently going on, is the Volvo Ocean Race. Starting in Alicante, Spain and finishing in St Petersberg Russia, this 11 stop 37,000 mile race will stop in Boston Massachusetts around the 27th of April (based on current race estimates) and there the PUMA City will make its American debut. This tour de force of architecture and design, a massive 11,000 sq ft retail space is made of 24 40' long steel shipping containers, represents the culmination of Puma's first foray into the racing world along with their boat il Mostro, skippered by American Ken Read.


Puma City was recently awarded as the Travel and Leisure 2009 Design Award winner for Best Retail Space in the magazine's March issue. The award recognizes standout design in 15 categories and was judged by such prestigious members of the design industry such as Calvin Klein and architect Adam D. Tihany.

The building was designed by the architects at LOT-EK who specialize in this very particular type of mobile spaces----both retail and residential. It is designed to be fully mobile for transportation on commercial shipping network and has already traveled from China to Spain and is now on its way to the Untied States. It is no small feat to design a building which can easily operate anywhere in the world and thus, the architects have even taken into account International Building Codes, dramatic climate changes, plug in electrical and HVAC systems in addition to ease of assembly and operations.


I am really excited to see this space in Boston this spring and hope that it may eventually arrive here in LA. Although UBER-Modern, I feel it is the future of design in many aspects of its conception and construction. In order to attract the upscale and sophisticated clientelle, retailers will have to bring more attention to the concepts of the presentation of their goods in addition to the goods themselves. And a bar and lounge in the space never hurts!

Australia Day

Well tomorrow is Australia Day, and while I am on the other side of the planet in Los Angeles, I still recognise it as something to celebrate. The country has proven itself time and time again to be anything but provincial. The work in the design field is consistently fresh with a unique point of view that blends a casual elegance with a chic sense of style and place.

No one embodies this more in my opinion than Glenn Murcutt, the Australian architect. His deceptively simple buildings draw on a vernacular style that is unique to Australia, but his pavilion like structures have a universal appeal.

I remember years ago when I was studying architecture in Brisbane, forcing a detour on a family vacation, so that we could visit his new museum in Kempsey, NSW. It was an early encounter with truly great architecture, that has stayed with me for years.

This is Exciting News

One of my favourite architects in the world, Jean Nouvel is coming to Los Angeles! As reported yesterday in the Los Angeles Times, he has designed a new condominium building at the edge of Beverly Hills. From the images I have posted it looks fairly straight forward, but what is difficult to see is the hanging gardens that go down the thin side of the whole building. Think of it as a modern versions of the Gardens of Babylon. They will be hydroponic and create an amazing display that will be able to be seen for a long distance. The approval process has only just begun, so it will be years before we see it come to fruition, but simply the idea has perked up my weekend.

Voices of Design: Rob Sinclair

I have a great empathy for Architects, it is a unique profession, because it walks a fine line between artist, engineer and builder. I trained in architecture and worked for architects most of my life before seguing into Interior Design, so I have had the opportunity to get to know both vocations well. Today's Voice of Design, is an Architect with whom I have done several homes, and his work continues to get better and better. His ability to capture and create a sense of place, while working on large scale residences sets him apart, from a lot of his contemporaries. His work has been featured in many magazines, including Architectural Digest, but the humility and passion with which he approaches his work, has always been an inspiration to me, and he as acted as collegue, friend and mentor. I hope you enjoy his insights as much as I did. Also check out his website at: www.sinclairaia.com for many more examples of his work.

MC: Tell us a little bit about your background, where did you study? What other offices have you worked in etc…

RS: I grew up in Southern California…in the OC…the beach was my home and play yard.
I will be forever connected to it’s expanse and it’s ever changing atmosphere.

I stayed in California through the State College program….and attended Architecture School in San Luis Obispo.
I attended an extension program of the School of Architecture in Copenhagen Denmark in my final year.
and traveled extensively throughout Europe for the entire year….visiting all points of Architectural interest
from vernacular to modern vocabularies.

Upon my return to the States…my interest in Architecture changed from object orientated perspective
to a surrounding oriented perspective.
I was less inclined to design a singular object as architecture and focused on creating spaces outside and within
that captured an atmosphere…capturing the quality of the space …was my interest…this quality of space….
creates the movement so important to the occupants…..this movement is felt within.
This is my passion…..to move people.

This concept transpired in my time in Europe.
This transformation of a quantity and object based life and viewpoint to a quality based life.
Ones life is their work….they are one…..integrated.

MC: Have you always wanted to be an Architect?

RS: No…I was training my artistic skills through high school and the first years of college.
What started with drawing skills evolved into sculptural skills ….this lead me to architecture.
I loved Math and Art…..Architecture was a perfect balance of these two very different types of interest.
The analytical and intuitive combined to create a whole in my life as an Architect.

MC: One of the things that I think really defines your work is an easy, relaxed sense, it really captures vernacular architecture in its essence, how did this come about?

RS: Thank you….for this comment.
Well…that is who I am….. easy and relaxed….so it makes sense that these qualities are seen in my work in architecture.
Vernacular Architecture is random….a great word my teen age boys use….random.
Random is spontaneous, free, ever changing, additive……. Vernacular Architecture has life, mystery, diversity..

One works with the building masses….to form space created by the structures.…these non spaces are courtyards,
loggias, outdoor rooms, verandas, .these spaces are open to the air and sky, they cost very little to form.
…these spaces occur between the structures…
It is this space that unites the random nature of vernacular architecture of Italy, Spain and Greece.
This space is as important as the piece of architecture itself.

Vernacular Architecture has a simplicity, a purity and honesty in it’s use of materials and its form. They are one.
Simplicity, purity and honesty…are qualities that I try to live by.

MC:Do you find that most people who hire you have a realistic idea of what they are getting in for when they start?

RS: In the beginning…..I simply try to get to know my clients.
It is a start of a long relationship….a two to three year relationship through construction of their home….and beyond.
It is an awareness of where the client is in their understanding of this process and giving them the support that fits their needs.
Some clients have built many homes and others this will be their one and only.
Some clients want to be part of every decision and others want options to select from and others want us to surprise them.
Everyone is different….we customize the process to meet the needs of a client.
We want our clients to feel safe in this process
We like to make the process of building a home to be a joyful event.
In our mind, what could be more joyful than realizing your wishes and dreams with your home.

MC: I think that people are intimidated by architects, building a home seems like such a daunting task. When you begin a project, where do you start?

RS: We start by simply talking….about everything…. We drift in and out of home discussions.
It is a building of a friendship….we simply try to understand all aspects of a clients life.
This is usually done with about three to six hours of conversations…no set questions….
Just casual conversations.
We pay special attention to the first things mentioned about their house….these are usually their main concerns.
We write this conversation down….into a six to ten page program…..all their wishes, wants, types of rooms,
Feeling of each space….we find out what their favorite view is on their property and try to place their main viewing room in that location….
We talk a lot about natural light…the quality of light in each space….
The bottom line is we try to find this essence …..in our conversations….
This essence defines the clients and will also define their house.

MC: If you were not an architect what would you be?

RS: I still paint….I would be an artist.
All the qualities in the architecture we bring forth are also see in my art.
I have a very wide range of Artists that I admire.
All are working with light….and movement.
Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Monet, Rothko, Kahn and Turrell

MC:Who were and are your greatest influences?

RS: My greatest influences comes from the work of Thoreau and Goethe.
In Architecture my greatest influences come from Alvar Aalto and his work in Finland
and the Minimalists.
The Minimalists, Luis Barragan, Peter Zumthor, Tadao Ando all work to
strip their architecture down to the purest form to capture a quality of feeling.
They minimize all aspects of a piece of architecture to capture the fullest
expression of a feeling….they work to move a viewers soul.

MC: And do you see any trends in design?

RS: The treads in design are toward the simple, the crisp, the unadorned,
Small is beautiful is back…with open spaces.
The social aspects in the flow of a house is very important to my clients.
How the family relates to each other in their house .
This quality of union and interaction is a very strong influence.

Sustainability and the health, the greenness, of a house is also becoming a strong need.
Houses that express serenity and calm are also becoming so important
in these times.

MC: Tell us about your favorite project, what makes it special to you?

RS: We are very lucky…..we have no favorites.
We have all wonderful clients, with exciting sites and programs
We are very excited with all or them…..they are all expressions of our clients lives….
and dreams.

MC: What projects do you have on the drawing board now that you are excited about?

RS: We are currently working in the hills of Belair overlooking the Belair CC.
on the water in Newport Harbor, in hills above Carmel overlooking the ocean,
in Santa Monica….on Adelaide Street overlooking the Santa Monica Canyon,
also we begin work in Cabo San Lucas on the top of hill in the Palmilla overlooking everything.
….and many more wonderful sites…in the hills and ocean sites in Orange County.

MC:20 years from now, looking back on your body of work, what would you hope to see?

RS: Integrity and Serenity.

5 Books I Love About Florida

I am in Miami, Florida this weekend, so I was inspired for this weeks book list. I hope you find some things here that inspire you.

Addison Mizner, almost single handedly created the concept of Florida. His work on both residential and commercial projects has set the tone for the state that even continues today. This book provides some great images and insights into his philosophy that I think are fascinating. Here is the story of a man, who visited a swamp, and imagined a tropical wonderland.

Long considered the ultimate playground of the rich and famous. Well that continues to this day and they have built some of the greatest homes, all of which are featured here. The houses vary from Italian Villa's to French Chateaus. If you want a book about architecture as fantasy, then this is the book for you.

Miami's South Beach is known for it's amazing collection of art deco gems. This book highlights some of the best examples. It shows some great examples of the flamboyant style of early Miami. The candy cane colors, capture the tropical, resort feeling.

What started as an experiment in "New Urbanism" and has revolutionised the way people look at planned communities. This book highlights some of the beautiful homes that have been created in this community, perched on Florida's gulf coast.

The "New Miami" is a chic cosmopolitan city, full of cutting edge style. This group, Arqitectonica was one of the first to create that break out style. Their work continues to push the envelope and redefine the skyline of this growing city.