Behind the Scenes of Technical Design

Designing and building elevated spaces requires a balance of artistic vision and technical expertise. From intricate marble installations to innovative architectural features, each element demands meticulous attention to detail and collaboration across various disciplines. This behind the scenes exploration summarizes the numerous technical design elements encountered throughout the construction of several extraordinary projects.

• Fluted marble islands

Technical design demands exceptional skill and precision. Creating the fluted island design involves hand carving each marble piece individually, followed by their onsite reassembly to ensure the veins align perfectly.

Rounded marble corners

Crafting the curved marble edges of the bespoke vanity and pony wall also involves a detailed process. It necessitates sculpting individual marble pieces and then rejoining them to ensure the veins align seamlessly, but in a way that is both understated and barely noticeable.

• Fully bookmatched vent hoods

The construction of the four-sided, book-matched marble surround necessitates the robustness of a steel frame to reinforce its mitered edges and continuous veining. Additionally, the vent hood is crafted to offer a peek at the book-matched centerpiece, making it visible from the exterior.

• Oversized retractable glass doors

The retractable glass panel doors on the “coffee station” are tempered for safety and the mechanism is reworked to accommodate the large size into the wall cavity behind it.

• Integrated sinks

Achieving a seamless vein alignment across the entire surface of the sink, including the countertop and the sink basin, demands technical precision that is non existent in traditional sink installations. Skilled artisans carefully measure, cut, and polish the quartzite slabs to ensure that the veining flows uninterrupted from the countertop into the sink basin.

• Heavy floating vanities

Heavy floating vanities present technical challenges in plumbing and electrical integration. Concealing pipes and wires while maintaining accessibility demands careful planning. Secure mounting necessitates robust wall anchors and weight distribution within the vanity to prevent collapse. Precise alignment of fixtures is crucial for a seamless look. Collaboration between designers, plumbers, and electricians is key to a successful installation.

• Big crown moldings

Installing 12″ crown molding is technically challenging due to its size. It significantly impacts room proportions, demanding careful planning. Installation involves precise compound angle cuts and secure fastening to support the molding’s weight. Handling and transport also require attention due to its length.

• Ventilation for a speakeasy

One of the most crucial considerations for a speakeasy is ensuring a smoke-free environment for non-smokers. To achieve this, we installed a state-of-the-art exhaust system specifically designed to extract smoke and odors efficiently.

• Secret doors

To create a secret door, it needs to blend with its surroundings using flush installation and matching finishes, hidden hinges and latches, and the activation mechanism, such as a hidden button or pressure plate, must be cleverly concealed. Proper structural support is vital to ensure the door works without damaging the surrounding area.

• Moving staircases

Moving staircases involves intricate technical challenges that extend beyond mere relocation. The finish outs, from flooring transitions to handrail connections, demand meticulous attention to detail to maintain a seamless aesthetic. Framing limitations can dictate the new staircase position and configuration, requiring innovative solutions to achieve the desired open view concept.

• Lighting layout for can placements

Lighting layout for can placements is a highly technical task, requiring us to consider not only fixture placement but also beam angles, lumen output, and color temperature to achieve the desired effect. Energy efficiency and code compliance are also crucial factors. The ability to understand the end-user experience is key to creating a successful and satisfying lighting design.

• What do flooring transitions look like

The technical challenges of flooring transitions lie in combining various materials, managing height differences, and ensuring a visually pleasing pattern alignment and structurally sound result that can withstand daily use.

• Cohesive additions

Constructing a cohesive addition requires careful consideration of several technical design elements. Matching the existing roofline and materials ensures a visually unified appearance. Maintaining a consistent floor plan level avoids transitions that disrupt flow. Additionally, integrating structural elements seamlessly with the original building is crucial for stability and aesthetics. Thoughtful consideration of the elements ensures the addition blends harmoniously with the existing structure, creating a cohesive and functional living space.

These various projects stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication and mastery of countless professionals. It is through our collaborative efforts that the architectural visions were seamlessly translated into reality, overcoming a multitude of technical hurdles with precision and artistry.