Rooftop patio

Real estate developer Carmel Partners awarded Surfacedesign creative control of the outside living spaces at its luxury apartment project Atelier, designed by architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz.  Taking inspiration from the building’s proximity to the former Los Angeles Garment District, Surfacedesign’s overall approach was influenced by the Bauhaus textile patterns of Anni Albers.  Geometrical lines and shapes are repeated throughout the 33-story project’s two outdoor living spaces: pool/amenity deck and rooftop lounge.  Surfacedesign injected the textile inspiration into the composition, stitching together the hardscape with a rich landscape of native and Mediterranean plantings.   Atelier&rsq... More

As real estate costs and rents escalate and urban density increases, the micro-unit is an increasingly appealing solution. Renters benefit from access to public transit, proximity to employment, and 20% to 30% lower rental and utility costs.    The 41’x95’, 7-floor-tall building occupies a constrained downtown site left by the burning of a much-loved historic house. The original, salvaged front doors memorialize the main entry.   Above ground floor retail, 36 micro-units cater to young professionals and graduate students. One-bedroom units (474-sf) bookend each level’s single-loaded corridor. Between them, studio units (284-sf) maximize usable space with a compact kitchen and bathroom, built-in storage,... More

Through sensitive demolition and re-calibration, this small mixed-use project leverages a century-old commercial building’s capacity for re-use. The dynamic result enlivens an urban neighborhood by embracing its history, engaging the street, and fostering a vibrant tenant mix.At the sidewalk a glazed, black-anodized aluminum storefront insert supports the bulk of the masonry face above. The storefront’s carefully considered composition, emphatically modern, conforms to the upper façade’s historic proportions and bay rhythms. Its glass expanse gathers views into the naturally lit, warmly tactile interior. Throughout the renovation, a culling of framing and finishes highlights the building’s eccentric old masonry shell. Reset floor levels and... More

After occupying 90,000 sq ft over six floors at the same location for 48 years, Godfrey & Kahn decided to relocate as the anchor tenant in a new office tower located in downtown Milwaukee. Godfrey & Kahn occupies the top three floors of the building, including a private east-facing terrace located on the 19th floor. The goal of the tenant improvement was to create a modern, sophisticated look for the new office that allows for greater flexibility.Throughout the firm’s history, each employee, except for office services staff, had a private office. A common theme discussed in early programming meetings was encouraging once isolated teams to cross-­‐pollinate throughout the office. After analyzing several solutions, Godfrey & Kahn... More