Philosophy
The Architect’s Job
The job of the architect is to take the assortment of elements
that are part of a building project and weave
them into a cohesive and beautiful whole.
These elements are:
• Our client’s dreams and goals
• Project budget
• The site with its existing building constraints and opportunities
• Building and planning code regulations
• Neighborhood concerns
• Our client’s taste and style
• The building’s style
We act as translator, interpreter, and creator.
Building Owners: A Spectrum of Types
Our experience teaches us that there are a few distinct types
of building owners. Some owners have a strong idea of what
they’d like, and are looking for an architect who an readily
implement their vision.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the owners we call
the “art patron,” who want the architect to express
herself more as an artist. In the middle are the owners who
know what they want to accomplish, and some of
the elements or stylistic direction they want to go in, and
yet are open to discovery.
We also find that people have a spectrum of involvement with
the interior finishes that they expect our help with.
In some cases the owner prefers to make many of the selections
on their own, and in others, to have a lot of
our input. We love to have input into the finish and color
selection but are flexible about our involvement.
No matter where you fit into these spectrums, we at Mercedes
Corbell Design + Architecture would like to
help your project move forward.
Green Design and Building
The green design and building aspect of our work comes into
play both in the design stage, such as attending
to natural light and ventilation and in some cases passive
solar gain, and in the product specification stage.
It is important that we understand the owner’s “green priorities,”
and we work to outline the possibilities.
We’ve worked hard to research what is available and what is
practical, and continue to research and learn
w ith each project.
Green Goals
The "Green Goals" we address are:
• Health and Indoor Air Quality
• Energy Efficiency
• Resource conservation
• Water Conservation
• Air, Water, and Soil Protection
• Wildlife Respect
Design Elements We Thrive On
On a design level, our projects reflect the following elements:
• Connection to the outdoors, both visual and physical, with
attention to the landscape and outdoor areas
• Abundant natural light
• Careful attention to interior finishes and materials
• Careful consideration of the practical issues
• Creating a flow between rooms, minimizing wasted space
and encouraging a better relationship
between spaces.
• New meets old: mixing vintage elements in older buildings
with modern components in a way that
respects the spirit of the original home while introducing
a modern tone
• A love of color
The Magic of the Process
We enjoy the entire process of working with people to make
their homes and workspaces better than they
imagined they could be. The beauty of the process is really
in our collaboration with the clients.
What we create in response to their needs and ideas is different
than what we would have created on our
own, and that’s magic.
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