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Pier at Rose Avenue, Venice Beach

Year: 2013
Project Location: Venice Beach, CA

/ City of Venice, client, Commercial, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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The proposed concept for Pier is intended to have a unique urbanistic energy. It stands apart from other surrounding buildings and is completely integrated into nature and to serve the community. In concept it is intended to create a cultural and social place inherent in Venice and enhancing functions as it improves public life and bring the community together.

The site elements have organic shapes, the building encompasses an exterior space with wide top rails and glass closure to facing the surrounding areas including the ocean and the sky – a continuous veranda. Visitors can look out; those outside can look in.

All roof will include solar tiles to generate electrical energy and provide shading. Also use ocean waves convert energy into mechanical or electrical energy
The site draws the cool Pacific Ocean breeze.

Safe Place For Youth

Year:
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Commercial, Safe Place For Youth /

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Redesigning existing commercial building to provide meeting and services for homeless youth needs and assistance in daily life accomplishments.

Richard and Lina Miller

Year:
Project Location: Los Angeles, CA

/ client, Homes, Richard and Lina Miller /

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Redesigning an existing single story residential to accommodate major changes at first floor, and add a second story with two bedrooms connecting with a metal bridge.

Felding Residence – Third Story Addition

Year:
Project Location: Malibu, CA

/ client, Felding, Homes /

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This is a third story addition to an existing two story residence in the hillside area of Malibu.  Addition includes a master bedroom with bathroom, closet and decks having a great ocean view.

Gilbert Rodrigues Duplex

Year:
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Gilbert Rodrigues, Multi-Family /

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This is a duplex at the Oakwood area in Venice. Each duplex is three stories with 3 bedrooms, roof decks and balconies.

Announcing the launch of the new Mehrnoosh Architect site

Year:
Project Location:

/ Articles /

Mehrnoosh Architecture/Urban Design provides architectural services focused on contemporary solutions to contemporary problems. Based in Venice Beach,  California,  Mehrnoosh Architecture/Urban Design develops responsive, innovative designs both locally in the United States, and internationally.

12 Unit Apartments

Year: 1992
Project Location: Bellflower

/ client, Multi-Family, Portfolio /

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12 Unit Apartments Bellflower

Community Center, Dog Park

Year: 2013
Project Location: Venice Beach, CA

/ City of Venice, client, Commercial, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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The proposed concept for Community Center and Dog Park is intended to have a unique urban energy

It stands apart from other surrounding buildings yet is completely integrated into its neighborhood to serve the community. In concept it is intended to create a cultural and social place inherent in Venice and enhancing functions as it improves public life and brings the community together.

The site elements have organic shapes as the building encompasses an exterior space with open glass facing the Dog Park with a continuous veranda. Visitors inside can look out; those outside can look in.

All canopies of roof and gazebos will be covered with solar panels to generate energy and provide shading. The site draws the cool Pacific Ocean breeze.

Windward Circle Fountain

Year: 2013
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ City of Venice, client, Commercial, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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The proposed concept for the “circle” is to have unique urban energy. It stands apart from other surrounding buildings yet is completely integrated into its neighborhood to serve the community. The concept is intended to create a cultural and social place inherent in Venice and enhance functions as it improves life and brings the community together.

This 95 foot diameter urban space serves as a pumping station to capture surrounding street water runoff. There are various access panels on the existing site that will remain accessible. The new fountain base is raised 12” above the curb for pumps and waterlines; the spaces in between the panels are filled with gravel. During the day water fountains vary in height from 11 ft., 8ft. to 5 ft. The space between fountains will maintain good sight lines for passing traffic. At night the fountains are down and the water base is lit to glow.

20 Unit Apartment Remodel

Year: 1990
Project Location: Santa Monica

/ client, Multi-Family /

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Apartment Remodel Santa Monica CA

Duplex Live Work Space

Year: 2007
Project Location: Venice Beach, CA

/ client, Homes, Mehrnoosh /

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This will be my new office on the ground level and residence on the upper levels. As a second residence located on a lot with an existing single story residence built in the 30’s, the site is in the Oakwood area of Venice Beach. The so-called “old hood” now going through further gentrification.

This has been a challenging project for me in all my 30 years of experience with the many changes in the neighborhood, family influences, changes in the program and consideration for construction cost has made the design scheme change several times.

The backoffice and residence will be solar powered. The roof garden will have low water consumption plants.

Aesthetically, it was important to capture light and sense that you are out in the open and at times hear the ocean and see the sunset.

I would like this project to be cohesive not in style but scale and finish materials. It has been designed in a way that it can be phased or modified during construction.

Montreal Water Front

Year: 1979
Project Location: Montreal, Canada

/ client, Harvard Urban Design Studio, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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The future of the city of light is extended out onto the harbor water. Existing city streets turn into canals for pedestrians and cars which combine with buildings to form their banks and enclose watery piazzas. These new public spaces on the water will become an integral part of the city fabric.

The city of light will become a city of the night

This emphasis, glitter, and entertainment is deliberate. We are seeking to reinforce Montreal’s place as a center of culture and entertainment for Canada.

At the heart of our scheme for the city of light are four basic elements.

  • The retention and adaptive re-use of all major structures in the site area. This includes the piers and the major granaries. We envision the large white granary currently slated for demolition as turning into the showpiece of our first phase of development. We propose its re-use as a major hotel casino complex with 7 levels of interior parking (2500 cars).
  • The expansion of the matrix of street bridges onto the water to create a series of large “water” blocks bounded by the street bridges. Each block shall take on its own character and particular use. The bridge/streets will contain the city supplied infrastructure and serve as the base for private building.
  • The retention of water as a design element: in places free-flowing river, in other places purified and controlled recreational water, but always present. These watery piazzas become the theme of the development, creating a city on water, a Venice-in-reverse.
  • Recognizing that of necessity Montreal has become a city of the winter and of nights activities, we propose using modern technology to build upon this existing tradition to augment the theme of city on water with city of the night. To accomplish this we propose the designation of the separate blocks to use which will generate interest, use excitement and most importantly revenue. Special gambling taxes and license fees on uses such as bordellos, baths and massage parlors will provide support for other less profitable public uses, such as parks and schools, with money left over the city coffers and future phases of development.

Holocaust Memorial – Atlantic City Boardwalk

Year: 2010
Project Location: Atlantic City

/ Atlantic City, client, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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This project hopes to engage the participant in an emotional passage through the dichotomy of opposing forces: good and evil, hope and despair, life and death.

The setting itself is a dichotomy: natural (ocean and sand) versus man-made (city boardwalk). The concept was inspired by the Kabbalah “Tree of Life” which symbolizes the interconnectedness of all life…. a cosmic map linking the divine and manifest worlds. The angle of the connective branches in the sacred geometry have been represented by the sand patterning on the ground. The fallen glass columns represent the fallen morality of mankind. They glow with an intermittent, pulsating blue fiber optic light, as if breathing.

The ten centers, or sephiroth, are represented by the circular black reflecting pool where a single vertical glass column stands, projecting the names of holocaust victims ascending skyward, but mirrored in the pool moving downward…”the end is the beginning”.

Sunset Junction Streetscape

Year: 2011
Project Location: Silver Lake

/ client, Public Spaces & Urban Design, Silver Lake /

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The enclosure is made of metal structural members that form the south wall as well as the roof. The visual guide lines resemble tree branches and shape the boundaries of the site. The roof surface contains solar cells and in between is screened to allow greenery to grow and shade the grounds. The roof structure members cast shadows and reflect on the ground to help shape the green potted plants with seats and walkways in between.

My objective is to create a place that is calm, visually diverse and surrounded by the sound of water running down the north wall. It is a place that one can wander, and take a seat and examine various spots since every seating location will feel different than the another.

Eisenhower Memorial Civic Art

Year: 2011
Project Location: Washington D.C.

/ client, National Civic Art Society, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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I see the monument reflecting Eisenhower’s life and personality. Ike had a strong military mind, was a father figure and statesman which inspired me to generate a transparent glass formation of his name spelled out and extruded 25 feet high and visible from the Maryland Avenue view corridor as well as other roads. The letter “E” will have etching of face pondering and “I like Ike” notation. The letter “I” will be a water feature. The structural glass is held at 5′ modules with stainless steel support connections.

Maryland Avenue is reformed behind the monument’s image and becomes part of the overall scheme. The landscape formation resembles the stripes of the American flag. Each letter of his name is ground lit at night with a combination of stainless steel grilles that makes the image of each letter more visible during daytime. The name Eisenhower also becomes apparent from the top sky view as each letter is caped with solar panels making it apparent during day as well.

Helsinki South Harbor, Finland

Year: 2011
Project Location: Helsinki, Finland

/ City of Helsinki, client, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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HELSINKI SOUTH HARBOR

The stark urban edge along the designated site calls for a softening with natural landscaping, curvilinear and geometric buildings, meandering through the site, providing recognition, way finding for events, and maximizing views of the harbor. A natural aesthetic is the main thrust: the park is graded for seating on grassy mounds, the structural columns of the open market buildings are placed in groups, like groves of trees. An “infinity” pool on the seaside enhances the feeling of being at the sea’s edge. The site and buildings are designed to work for the different seasons and multiple uses. In order to create a place conducive to cultural events and tourism, we have provided a number of indoor as well as outdoor activities. Entering from the northwest corner, there is a family picnic area with interactive fountains for children to play in the summer. The two market buildings and the adjacent restaurant and dance pavilion will be open year round. The dance pavilion may have concerts, but will also pipe in dance music throughout the day so that shoppers could take a break for a dance, grab a partner, or just watch others. The market area will provide platforms for artwork, and ice sculpture competitions in the winter.

The bathhouse adjacent to the pools provides restrooms, lockers, saunas, massage, and a yoga/meditation room. A glass structure straddling the women’s and men’s side will have a juice bar and be used for relaxing and watching the pool and the harbor. The rectangular pool and adjacent circular hot mineral bath pool will be open year-round, both pools heated in the winter by solar cell panels on roofs and walls of buildings. Natural paths and seating areas are abundant throughout the site. The triangular shaped pyramid museum building is glass on the vertical sides with transparent solar panels. The sloped side is stepped, providing amphitheatre type seating for events and concerts in the park. Water tumbles down one entire edge of the sloped side and runs into a pool at the base of the building. This large pool becomes an ice skating pond in the wintertime. A light glow will be seen from the museum building at night. During the day, the museum’s 3 levels, which are all open to the natural light from the glass structure, will contain a history/cultural museum, marine museum, and art gallery with classrooms.

The landscape park is an area that can be used for large events and outdoor concerts. At the far end of the park is a (3 level plus one underground) parking structure, accessible from the rear via a spiral ramp. The backside is covered with solar panels, the side facing the park will have a large concert stage on top of which will be a suspended restaurant shaped in a globe made of semi-transparent glass, mimicking ice, and connected to a roof maze garden via structural bridges. Throughout the site, there will be 6m. X 1.5m. glass tubes with LED lights, changing colors slowly, providing a dynamic aspect to the site’s lighting. The perimeter edge of the entire harbor will be lit in LED’s. The fountains by the family picnic area will also be lit with changing color LED’s at night, and in the wintertime, will be frozen upward like colored ice sculptures.

Behind the Olympia Terminal, the park will be re-graded to form two mounds, mimicking a butterfly, with paths spiraling up to the apex. Evergreen and deciduous trees and natural rock formations have been added throughout the site to provide year-round color and texture.

Rose Condominiums

Year: 1989
Project Location: Bellflower, CA

/ client, Multi-Family /

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12 Unit Apartment Building Bellflower

Six units of condominium on a lot 11, 800 sq.ft. in Bellflower. 3 units @ approximately 1,000 sq.ft with 2 bed rooms and 3 units @ 1300 sq.ft. with 3 bedrooms. All units have high ceilings and private balcony elevated at higher elevations.

Island Apartments

Year: 1989
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Multi-Family, Richard Elfman /

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The Venice of America was built in 1904 as part of the greater Abbot Kinney’s creation of Venice Beach.

Originally the 9 bungalows were hotel residences for tourists. The means of transportation were small boats or canoes since the triangular site had water/canals all around.

Later the canals were filled to become streets for automobiles. The 9 bungalows remained as a historic site and the new 3 story additions in 1989 required city approval for a cohesive design. All parking surface areas are rain permeable finished with concrete pavers.

Brooks Condominiums

Year: 1992
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Jaffar Moazam, Multi-Family /

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This triplex was designed for a private client on Brooks Avenue in the Oakwood area of Venice Beach in the early 90’s. The building was not built and the property was sold.

Exterior finish materials are a combination of smooth stucco and corrugated metal lapping on the exterior side surfaces.

Bill Carr Residence

Year: 1994
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ Bill Carr, client, Multi-Family /

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This duplex was built on a lot 30’x95′ in year 1993. It is three stories with a roof garden at the front unit. Finishes are smooth stucco and galvanized steel. Parking is accessed through the alley for 4 tandem parking garages.

Batiste Residence

Year: 1995
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Kristin and Curt Batiste, Multi-Family /

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This duplex was built on a corner lot 30’x95′ in year 1994. It is three stories structure with a roof garden at the front unit. Exterior finishes are smooth stucco. Two car parking spaces are accessed from the alley and Riviera Avenue.

Palms Court – 6 Units Co-Op

Year: 2008
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Multi-Family, Steve Clair /

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The palms court is the only co-op in the city of Venice. The 6 family owners run and participate in all changes occurring on site. All design ideas were reviewed and discussed amongst the residents. Scope of work was limited to a partial second floor addition for each of the 6 units. Additionally there was a trellis with outdoor cooking and seating area and a hardscaping design was incorporated in the program.

The palms court has cultural significance for the city of Venice as each year in September there is a community gathering and music festival that brings the community together and raises funds to support VCHC.

Studio & Private Residence

Year: 2007
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Multi-Family /

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This will be my new office on the ground level and residence on the upper levels. As a second residence located on a lot with an existing single story residence built in the 30’s, the site is in the Oakwood area of Venice Beach: the so called “old hood” now going through further gentrification.

This has been a challenging project for me in all my 30 years of experience with the many changes in the neighborhood, family influences, changes in the program and consideration for construction cost has made the design scheme change several times. The back office and residence will be solar powered. The roof garden will have low water consumption plants.

Aesthetically, it was important to capture light and sense that you are out in the open and at times hear the ocean and see the sunset. I would like this project to be cohesive not in style but scale and finish materials. It has been designed in a way that it can be phased or modified during construction.

Teshomi Residence

Year: 1993
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Homes /

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Mehdi & Lina Janatkhah Residence

Year: 2006
Project Location: Los Angeles, CA

/ client, Homes, Mehdi and Lina Janatkhah /

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Project consists of the complete remodel of 4-story residence on Sunset Plaza Drive with high elevations and a great view of Los Angeles Mid-City and down town areas. The site has a slope which provokes great feeling looking at clouds being in close proximity to the interior spaces.

Ruth Galanter’s Residence

Year: 2008
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Homes, Ruth Galanter /

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Addition and remodel of the existing house to be 1, 275 sq. ft with complete new finishes and space arrangements to include exterior deck and landscaping.

Pasadena Residence

Year: 2009
Project Location: Pasadena, CA

/ client, Homes /

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The existing one-story residence is located in the hillside area of pasadena near the Rose Bowl. The residence dates back to the late 50’s/early 60’s with a prominent modern style by architects Nyberg and Bissner.

The new design emphasis was directed to the site views and existing style. The city hillside requirements played a dominant role in the set heights, size and style of the new design.

The clients were interested in a modern simple style architecture with maximum view of the valley and trees around. This allowed for the natural light to be used as an architectural element to emphasize interior spaces with varied ceiling height. It not only meets the city planning requirements but also presents various spatial scales.

The site is developed with 2,982 sq.ft. The second story addition will bring it up to 4,017 sq.ft. including the garage.

The finish materials will consist of smooth stucco outside with wood to emphasize another scale and finish for decking, rail, canopy and west sun screening.

Exhibit of Women in Architecture – Santa Monica Cultural Affairs

Year: 2012
Project Location: Annenberg Beach House

/ Association of Women in Architecture, client, Exhibit /

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As part of the Julia Morgan 2012 Festival, a statewide pilot project of Landmarks California which focuses on the life and work of Julia Morgan, the Annenberg Community Beach House is pleased to present Julia Morgan 2012: Contemporary Women Architects in Los Angeles. This exhibit was created in collaboration with the Association for Women in Architecture + Design, Los Angeles and takes its inspiration from Julia Morgan’s pioneering efforts and architectural legacy, and explores the lives of women working in the field today.

Women with established careers, varying levels of experience and a variety of practices were invited to participate via interview to gain insight into what inspires them, what challenges they may have encountered and their thoughts on the development and future advancement of women architects.

Association of Women in Architecture SCI Arc

Year: 2008
Project Location: Los Angeles, CA

/ Association of Women in Architecture, client, Exhibit /

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In 2008 I was elected as president of the Association of Women in Architecture. I was surprised to learn that this organization has existed since the 1920’s.

I practiced architecture for years and was not aware of the organization.

When I joined, I realized that the AWA needed additional exposure, more members and more funding to provide support for other women architects.

I realized that it would have been great if I knew about the AWA sooner as I think back about my experiences in the field going back as far as 1973 to present. At anytime during my professional career I could have used additional support, exposure, pay, and opportunity equal to my male counterparts. I realized that I am disadvantaged as a woman in the profession. My intentions are to bring more exposure to the AWA and support other women architects.

I organized, curated, and received support from sponsors and designed an exhibit for 36 local Los Angeles women which was presented at SCI Arc and at the Pacific Design Center. This effort was rewarded by the presentation of the “diversity best practices award” at the 2009 annual AIDA National in San Francisco.

Association of Women in Architecture at Pacific Design Center

Year: 2008
Project Location: West Hollywood, CA

/ Association of Women in Architecture, client, Exhibit /

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In 2008 I was elected as president of the Association of Women in Architecture. I was surprised to learn that this organization has existed since the 1920’s. I practiced architecture for years and was not aware of the organization.

When I joined, I realized that the AWA needed additional exposure, more members and more funding to provide support for other women architects.

I realized that it would have been great if I knew about the AWA sooner as I think back about my experiences in the field going back as far as 1973 to present. At anytime during my professional career I could have used additional support, exposure, pay, and opportunity equal to my male counterparts. I realized that I am disadvantaged as a woman in the profession. My intentions are to bring more exposure to the AWA and support other women architects.

I organized, curated, and received support from sponsors and designed an exhibit for 36 local Los Angeles women which was presented at SCI Arc and at the Pacific Design Center. This effort was rewarded by the presentation of the “diversity best practices award” at the 2009 annual AIDA National in San Francisco.

Peak Resort

Year: 1980
Project Location: Hong Kong

/ client, Commercial, Competition, Hotels, Multi-Family /

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From the beginning of my involvement with this project the plastic configuration and high plateau of the site suggested to me the traditional topography and placement of the castle which had incongruously at the same time, a modern city already formed below and surrounding it. This seeming contradiction makes it possible for me to combine these two opposing images and re-interpret them in a new way.

The juxtaposition of these anachronistic and often historically incompatible images: the cloistered mystery of castle forms, composed to take advantage of the open quality that is an intrinsic part of the modern urban vocabulary. Thereafter, was to mold an evolving sense of joyful mystery and discovery when one passes by and through the site guided by the constantly changing vistas such as the shaped spaces between buildings which can suddenly transform themselves into the surprising superimposition of a tower against a linear surface of another building or a cluster of the housing units bound and blending together.

In this way I have attempted to reconstruct and reevaluate the literal images of medieval castle like language and forms and reshape them in a non-literal urban scale.

Guilin Hotel

Year: 1986
Project Location: Guilin, China

/ client, Commercial, Hotels, Kowin Development /

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The Guilin Hotel was designed in 1988. The site had an existing pond and the design proposal retained the water at site and filtered to give an image of a floating building designed similar to a wave.

The driveway runs over the pond to the hotel drop off and parking is located at the back of the site.

The 400 room hotel has many amenities including gambling casino various restaurants, pools/health spa and various retail shops.

Commodore Hotel Interior Renovation

Year: 1984
Project Location: Los Angeles, CA

/ client, Commercial, Hotels, Kowin Development /

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In the late 1980’s the Commodore hotel was owned by Kowin Development and the existing building was redesigned to accommodate requirements for a hotel with facilities such as a lobby, circulation, restaurant, bar and utility spaces for a functioning hotel.  The project then was sold and not developed.

Glenmore Plaza Hotel Renovation

Year: 2012
Project Location: Santa Catalina Island, CA

/ client, Commercial, Hotels, Jim Amoroso /

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Existing building to remain and retain the historic building aesthetic while changes were made to third and fourth floor guest room layouts to accommodate new bathrooms and closets with upgraded audio-visuals.

Eyes on Main

Year: 1985
Project Location: Santa Monica, CA

/ Akbar, client, Commercial /

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Joe Storch Inc.

Year: 1999
Project Location: Santa Monica, CA

/ client, Commercial, Storch /

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Joe Storch Inc. is 7, 000 sf of builidng with a new second story and existing remodeled spaces for an aeronautic parts manufacturing and storage for NASA located at 1655 Euclid Street in the Santa Monica Industrial area.

Hiss Truss Shopping Center

Year: 2002
Project Location: Tarzana, CA

/ client, Commercial, Hiss Truss /

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This shopping center is 12,500 sq.ft. of commercial retail /storefront remodeling on Ventura Blvd, Tarzana.

Fiber optic lighting at façade overhang changes colors reflecting off the white smooth stucco surface and galvanized canopy stretches with the side lit fiber optic for total length of 130 feet.

Mad Dogg Athletics

Year: 2003 & 1998
Project Location: Venice Beach, CA

/ client, Commercial, John Baudhuin /

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Burman Studios

Year: 2005
Project Location: Burbank, CA

/ client, Commercial, Tom Burman /

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Asada

Year: 2008
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Commercial /

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The site is located at 523 Rose Avenue in Venice Beach with existing 3 unit residential on site. The proposed design is a change in use for a full service restaurant bar within the existing building envelope.

The exterior walls are 3 feet away from the property line. An inset glass garden area separates the tables and allows transparency in the exterior walls with use of non-rated glass. This forms the interior space and lets light in as well as a view of selected plants.

Compound – 67 Units

Year: 2012
Project Location: Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

/ Adnan Al Basam, client, Commercial, Multi-Family /

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This 67-unit all male-housing compound is in Al-kobar, Saudi Arabia. The scheme allowed me to maximize the allowable density, which includes 2 levels of underground parking, restaurant, gym and roof garden with swimming pool.

Local women can only socialize with the male residences at the restaurant. As a women architect, I was not permitted to personally see the site nor will I be overseeing the construction phase. Communication is only through the Internet.

My understanding was that the individuals would like privacy from the exterior surroundings which eliminated elements such as balconies (an introverted concept). As a result the restaurant and interior courtyard space was created for social gatherings and meetings. A circulation corridor landscaped with gardens, green walls and waterfalls is to provoke peace and contentment.

River Bend

Year: 2009
Project Location: Los Angeles, California

/ client, Commercial, Competition, Evolo Competition, Hotels, Multi-Family, Public Spaces & Urban Design /

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River Bend Mixed Use Project River Bend Mixed Use Project River Bend Mixed Use Project River Bend Mixed Use Project River Bend Mixed Use Project

Master-planned Mixed Use Project at Los Angeles River

Bridging 2 cities across the Los Angeles river, the original water source; the north-east edge sits at the city of Los Angeles Griffith park soccer fields bike path, the south-west. Edge at the city of Glendale water treatment plant, with Dreamworks, and other offices and warehouse spaces nearby as well as artery (I-5) and (I-134).

The design concept uses a land form (the L.A. river) rather than a grid system to organize the community . The residential blocks are the actual bridges travelling between the commercial blocks which sit on the banks of the river on either side. The horizontal as well as the vertical organization will provide interaction and green space at various levels.

The project encompasses commercial and residential uses in an ecologically sustainable environment, balancing high and low technologies:

  • solar photo voltaics to create onsite generation
  • Archimedes screws to draw waters from the river below to cool the building via indirect evaporative cooling
  • Savonius turbines on the roof to utilize wind power for drawing water to urban gardens
  • grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting to sustain the roof and hydroponics gardens, producing food, ornamentals, oxygen, negative ions and beauty for inhabitants

The intention is to bring together the diverse aspect of this mixed community of residential, commercial and recreation into a truly synergistic environment. Included also are urban farms, soccer fields, day care, restaurant and cafes for park users, parking, bicyclists, workers, 84 residences and neighbors.

Clinton Galloway Residence

Year: 2002
Project Location: Malibu, CA

/ client, Clinton Galloway, Homes /

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This project was located in Malibu and under jurisdiction of the county of LA.

It is an interesting site with its upward slope and view of the mountains and ocean far beyond dominates a travel upward to the main entry.

Steps were integrated with landscaping, water works, and waterfall to aproach a platform for the entry court.

The slope and variations in the views: each level is turned to a different view to help minimize the scale created by the 4-story building.

Arthur Fogel & Kaleen Lemon

Year: 2010
Project Location: Studio City, CA

/ Arthur Fogel and Kaleen Lemon, client, Homes /

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The existing house was added to twice. First addition included the entry hardscape/waterworks plus new family room/ entertainment space and renovation of a bedroom.  Second addition was the kitchen that was expanded to accommodate for a dining table, bar and to allow for passage to second floor and garage while encompassing the great view of Mulholland corridor.

Tom & Bary Burman Residence

Year: 2002
Project Location: Studio City

/ client, Homes, Tom Burman /

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The Burman is in Studio City-Mulholland corridor. It is a 5,000 sf addition and remodel. The living room and kitchen are existing and the remaining spaces are new as they reflect the elements and details of the existing house.

Ladera Heights Residence

Year: 2002
Project Location: Ladera Heights

/ client, Homes, Pam /

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This project was phase one of an addition remodel to a residential building in Ladera Heights, LA.

The client wanted to be able to entertain in the front yard, and change the aesthetics to something useful and beautiful.

I thought of changing the concept of the front yard by playing with dualities: public space vs. private entry, harsh sounds vs. sound of water, hard concrete texture vs. the soft colors of flowers and the hard edge of fencing vs. the soft sounds of falling water. Most importantly the intention was to make the space beautiful.

Dan Gorton and Claudia Ramirez Residence

Year: 2008
Project Location: Venice, CA

/ client, Dan Gorton and Claudia Ramirez, Homes /

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This is the first phase addition to a single story residence on a subdivided lot in Venice Beach. It includes two-car garage and a second story master bedroom and bath. The roof deck is a great space for entertainment, gardening and relaxing.

Tarzana Residence

Year: 2011
Project Location: Tarzana

/ client, Homes, Pam /

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With my client, I reconfigured a 5400 sq.ft contemporary Mediterranean home, creating an open floor plan, while adding architectural details to bring cohesiveness to the existing residential estate in Tarzana. We also added a 900 sq. ft garage addition, and created a 670 sq. ft outdoor living space, incorporating trellis detail and hardscaping. The home meets LEED requirements and is solar energy ready.

My partnership with my client has extended over a seven year period with designing 3 of her residences to date. Being a creative, my client is always in search of great ideas that reflect her brilliant visual artistic view. She is always open to new ideas and well prepared to select the best vision. She works hand-in hand through the construction process selecting materials and enhancing the initial concept. She is trustworthy and gives everyone credit for their efforts with total respect, which is mutual amongst all of us.

Brian & Allison Massey Residence

Year: 2007
Project Location: Pacific Palisades

/ Brian and Allison Massey, client, Homes /

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The Massey’s residence is on a lot 50’x160′ in a residential neighborhood in Pacific Palisades, California with a view of the Santa Monica Mountains. This residential project was completed in 2005. The initial program was to add a second story above the garage although the renovation encompassed the entire house including interior spaces, new landscaping for the front yard, courtyard, rear yard, trellis/seating and entertainment area.

The biggest challenge was to transform the existing sub-urban/folk house into a contemporary residence. What gives the design an additional edge is the change in proportion and relationship between old and new, simple materials and its openness to the landscape and front courtyard. The courtyard becomes the key focal point as the dining and remodeled kitchen opens to this space, division of inside and outside becomes translucent.

The second story has a large landing/office with windows all around to capture the view of the mountains and courtyard below. The new master suite is at the rear of the second addition for privacy and away from the street noise. The bathroom gets the south sun. Part of the initial program was to have the solar panels and it was one of the reasons the second story roof slopes to the south.

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Architecture & Urban Design