All That Is Good: A 2021 Recap
Can't believe it's time again for our 'Year in Review' blog post! Looking back on 2021, it felt much like 2020? Maybe it was the continuation of online school or the holding pattern feeling of the pandemic. But we came to realize a significant amount of our work this past year has been bringing to reality the rigorous design work of the year before. That’s why we like to do these recaps… it offers an opportunity for reflection and to think about what made it such a great year, even with all the challenges of 2021.
And so what’s our take away? It’s about the people. The clients, builders, subcontractors, craftspeople, consultants… all coming together to make these incredibly comfortable and meaningful spaces. It takes a significant amount of trust, collaborative spirit, and dedication of all those involved. So with that, we will start with our York Street project and these wonderful folks!
York Street Passive
This was a candid shot from the photoshoot for a feature that will be in Living Etc in the spring. Love this photo as it captures much of what it was like to work with Christa and Darren. So joyful and excited about the process and the outcome...
And thanks to the beautiful work of Haris Kenjar Photography we got ourselves a feature on Dwell over the summer. It's a fun story with lots of before photos to better understand the shocking transformation! There is so much trust involved when you look at a building like this👇 and have faith that your architects are going to work miracles!
So many great photos of #YorkStreetPassive, but this is one of our favorites as it memorializes an early design move, a reading nook in the Kitchen. We've always loved the idea of cozying up with a drink and book... while a spouse makes dinner 😉 And here it is, a reality after lots of effort and dedication from so many. Like this guy👇, Jason Endres, who could airseal himself out of a box... okay that doesn't make sense, but you get what we mean!
We did a little video with him last January for an AIA webinar to learn more about building Passive that you can check out here... keep in mind this was for fellow architects (so it might be boring), we are new to being on camera (so we might seem awkward), and it was outside because of Covid (so ambient noise might make it hard to hear). But it's all for the noble cause of helping folks build better!
Barrow Street Passive
Just around the corner from York Street we have our Barrow Street Passive House, with results that are so inviting you just want to linger... if I see a seat in the sunshine, I always take it!
It was great working with Elaine Santos Design as she selected just the right furnishings to bring the spaces together and make it feel like home...
A memorable first was the process of getting the house 'live in ready' along with Elaine and the builder, Mex Construction. From setting a 500 lb coffee table to placing shoes in the custom closet racks, it was very rewarding to see it all come together, albeit not so good for the back!
And so thankful for clients who believed in the process with such enthusiasm for the possibilities. Like when they say things like... 'Yes, let's do full stone slabs in the bathroom!'
And no matter how many trips to the stone yard to find the perfect marble, always patient and excited...
And a contractor team that was so dedicated each and every day (including Saturdays & Sundays!) to get this project done during a pandemic...
And to the highest level of craftsmanship...
Pavonia Townhouse
Also in Jersey City on Pavonia Avenue, we fully gutted and renovated the sweetest house with probably one of the sweetest clients we've known. So patient, focused and appreciative of everyone's work.
Before...
A more complete after is coming soon... hopefully by the end of the month!
What was once dark and small is now fill with light and airiness!
And with cabinetry from Master Design, it adds a level of craftsmanship and warmth. Through an exhaustive shop drawing process, we are able to accommodate the functional needs of the client while fulfilling our aesthetic need for a clean design!
And who doesn't love a visit from the contractor's little one! Good reminder of all the lives that touch a house construction. We are all in it together! Thank you Douglas Duque for all your efforts.
Madison Passive Two
A bit farther afield we have a new passive house in Madison, NJ that really started coming together in 2021. Can't get enough of these light filled spaces...
We have great clients that are engaged throughout the process at every step and a contractor that has the desire to get everything just right. Whether it's extensive finishes meetings...
or weekly visits to check in on progress and answer questions. It is a collaboration that is ongoing and paramount to a successful project. Mike Passafiume of Home Improvements Plus constructed our last Madison Passive project and is doing great work here at our second Passive House in Madison!
Harding Renovation
Not too far away from this project is our Harding renovation. Originally a carriage house for an estate, this building has seen many iterations over the centuries. Now it's welcoming the 21st...
The project has been phased so the client could live in the house during the renovations... the team managed to get four bedrooms and three bathrooms designed, renovated, and up & running!
Kudos to AJD Builders and all the craftspeople bringing new life to this amazing home. So much care and ingenuity that has made this a one of a kind experience for us.
"You want a mock up? Just tell me where you want it"...
And to these special clients who are on quite a ride with this house... creating as we go and pushing the design with an open mind and desire for a thoughtful process, where no idea is not worth considering!
Loving the Belgian bluestone floors in the Kitchen that gets its plaster walls next week... we are almost as excited as the patient homeowners who can't wait to start using it!
Fern Hill Passive
Let's head out to the Poconos where we wrapped up our first Passive House in Pennsylvania. It feels really good... even Gracie thinks so!
Site visits are always fun when you see it finally come together!
And it's the little touches, like this woodsy wallpaper in the Powder Room selected by Elaine Santos Design that gives this lakeside cabin it's charm.
A house like this can only come together when we all have faith in the process and dedication to high quality work. So much thanks to Anns Construction for their commitment and willingness to try the unknown by building their first Passive House!
...and to all the dedicated folks that worked on this project and brought their best and most innovative spirit!
And we are so appreciative of clients that believe in us and the process, allowing for meaningful work that we hope will stand the test of time.
We were super excited when these folks came along, as we've always wanted to design and build a lakeside black cabin in the woods!
Stone Barn Passive Studio
At our upstate NY project, we had the fun opportunity to add a charming studio structure... along with a bocce court! We also had the pleasure of trying it out for a weekend when it was all done. Such a treat to get the full user experience.
You can imagine, it was hard to leave!
Stone Barn Passive Poolhouse
But sometimes it's not all work, like this poolside celebration thanks to generous clients who wanted to show their gratitude to all those who had worked on the project over the years. Yes, it takes years!
So what's in store for 2022?
Lots of exciting projects on the docket! Starting construction soon on a gut renovation of a period brownstone in Jersey city that will be another Passive House, but this time with a modern rooftop structure and terrace. We'll be collaborating with Tom Salaki of Square Acre Studio to maximize their backyard pocket garden and landscaped green roof oasis... love working with fellow Penn Staters!
A lot of our upstate work is on the east side of the Hudson so we are excited to be venturing west! Just wrapped up schematic design for a house on this idyllic mountain site...
And we just field measured another upstate property for a significant addition and overall reimagining...
So, 2022 looks to be another exciting year of work for us and we couldn't be more grateful. It's also the year we will send our eldest off to college, so we plan to make the most of every moment before she goes. The ole alma mater is in her top 4, but not sure yet where she might land... we do know she's going for architecture! We all are very excited for her and what the future holds.
With that, we will sign off until next year! I'd love to say we'll be back soon with more timely updates, but I have come to realize... we like doing the work more than we like talking about it! So here's to making the most of your precious time... we plan to appreciate our health, the simple pleasures and all that is good. We hope you do too.
