Pathways 2

 Lake Marie, Oregon

 Bullards Beach, Oregon

 

 Castle Rock, Oregon

 Sixes River, Oregon

 Oregon Sand Dunes

 Cape Blanco. Oregon

 Emigrant Lake, Oregon

 Jededai Smith Redwoods, California

  Jededai Smith Redwoods, California

Photographs of pathways or roads receding into the distance beckon you to discover what is around the bend or over the hill.  The same is true designing a site plan or even circulation within a building.  Each path or hall should invite you to explore that which is just out of sight.

More Pathways here.

All photographs taken with an iPhone.  2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Robert Moreland

Costa Rica House

Design for a house in the Norther Highlands of Costa Rica overlooking Lake Arenal.  The house is on a gently sloping site and is organized around an axis that aligns with the view of the Lake beyond.  Upon entering the courtyard you will be able to see all the way through the house out to the lake.

A large window wall with "Lift and Slide" doors combines the indoor and outdoor living spaces.  The Loggia is sheltered from the prevailing wind by two wings, the kitchen on one side and the client's office on the other side.  Bay windows for a banquet in the kitchen and a large working desk in the office provide stunning views of the Lake and Arenal Volcano.  Terraced planters are used on the downhill side of the house to avoid handrails that would block the view from the main living areas.  A separate building near the entry is a guest Casita that can be converted to a Garage for the client's car when they are not in residence.

Two Bedroom suites are accessed from a covered walkway in the Courtyard for maximum privacy.  Each has a covered outdoor terrace with a view to the lake, as well as private shower courtyards off their bathrooms.

Custom Motorhome Design 4

This Class B design utilizes the new Dodge Promaster High Roof Extended Van which is about 20'9" long and over 82" wide.  The additional width, compared to the Sprinter van, allows more design flexibility.  This layout has a central wet bath with seating areas on both sides.  Rotating front seats form an up front seating area that will look out the wide side door.  The rear seating areas is a raised bed platform above storage.  Storage areas are accessed from the rear doors.  The rear bed/lounge area has three cushions, one which will tilt up for reading and TV viewing, and create a wrap around sofa area surrounded by windows.  The galley utilizes an under counter drawer refrigerator and under counter microwave so the entire passenger side can be window.

The purpose of this designs to create a very open feel and is best suited for a single person.  The priority is given to kitchen, lounging and aisle space over number of sleeping positions.  This creates a move livable environment for a small van that will have the advantage of fitting in most parking spaces and many residential garages. 

Another Class B design can be seen here.
A couple of Class C designs can be seen here and here.

Jakarta House 2

This is the latest evolution of design for the house in Jakarta, Indonesia previously posted here.  The clients wanted the house to be raised higher for greater protection from flooding that occurs in the city.  In addition they wanted a garage for their cars.

The clients reviewed the first design with their Fengshui Master which then necessitated some other design modifications.  The site was divided into nine quadrants identified as either good or bad.  Some of the living and sleeping areas were moved into the good quadrants while some of the bathrooms were shifted toward the bad quadrants, as well as being careful they were not located above a bedroom or kitchen areas on the floor below.  The front door was moved to the center of the house facade to insure an equal and fair balance between the spouses in the house.

The other large change to the design was the dropping of the exterior stair, instead a central grand staircase was designed with secure glass doors providing access to each floor and also allowing light to filter into the center of the house.    The layout of the stair followed the Fengshui principal of having the number of total steps always end in the number 1, 2, 6, or 7.

Update: Jakarta House has received it's building permit and will be starting construction soon.