Extraordinary Bathrooms

There's no rule that says a bathroom has to be a hidden room in the leftover space of a home.  

These designs release the bathroom from its tangential, hidden place -- one where we snuck off in quiet, perhaps shameful privacy -- and usher it into its more deserving place: 

A sanctuary for refreshing, clean and inspiring architecture to renew and invigorate.

all spaces designed by one architects, inc.  |  photos © Jennifer Koskinen | Merritt Design Photo

Kitchen Connection

Having spent plenty of time in homes where the kitchen is secluded in a back corner (old school, to avoid mingling of guests with help), the contemporary approach to bringing the kitchen - the heart of the home - closer to its center is a plan change worthy of celebration, both socially and architecturally.

Opening up the plan and inviting the kitchen to take a more center stage position engages space and use in a way that is dynamic, interesting, and as most of us have experienced, far more conducive to entertaining.

The above kitchen is the heart of this home, looking out over dining, living and entry, and connecting to the master wing of the home as seen here:

This playful kitchen is home to both a breakfast nook, and a cozy sitting area/library, with open connections as well to living spaces beyond:

Warm natural light, open space and comfortable materials connect this kitchen to the surrounding living spaces in this comfortable mountain home:

Central to the vision of this remodel was to reconnect a kitchen which had been isolated behind walls.  See through upper cabinets help keep the connection wide open without having to sacrifice storage space:

Popped out from the main living spaces, its edge defined and highlighted by a show-stopping glass bridge, this kitchen is both independent and connected, perfect for entertaining:

The evolution of the kitchen continues; materials, appliances and kitchen plans among the changes, but perhaps most significant is the position of the kitchen within the larger context of the modern home.  What do you dream about for your perfect kitchen?

all spaces designed by one architects, inc.  |  photos © Jennifer Koskinen | Merritt Design Photo

Stairs as Art

I'm not going to lie: I'm mildly obsessed with stair design.  What an amazing opportunity to create a multi-dimensional piece of sculpture in a home, one which will be experienced not solely for travel, but often (as we noticed in architecture school) as a place of impromptu conversation, rest, and enjoyment.  A well designed stair is ergonomically comfortable, can create light and shadow which changes throughout the day, pull natural light between levels and even make music when in use.  Here are some of my favorite One Architects' stairs.

 

photos © Jennifer Koskinen | Merritt Design Photo

Beyond Drywall...

Several years ago, a client posed us the challenge not to use ANY drywall in his home.  This applied to the walls, the ceilings (see rusty metal ceiling in great room below), and even the garage, which ended up with washable, painted bead-board siding.

Creative use of materials is a great way to enhance the experience of a space with texture and color.  From earthy plaster textures to locally quarried stone, to rich board form concrete and galvanized metal - there is an abundance of alternatives to drywall and traditional sidings, and the opportunity to design with them can be hugely rewarding.

photos © Jennifer Koskinen | Merritt Design Photo