Ruhl Walker Architects

We are really excited about several new projects in the early stages of design, including new houses, two new lofts, and a master plan for a small school in northern New Hampshire. We will share some more information about each of these projects in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, check out the images and information below.

We’re nearing completion of a renovation to a large apartment in a mid-rise Boston building.  As with all of our projects, a number of larger design goals were established early on for this residence, and subsequent details and decisions were made to bring the design vision to fruition. One of the primary goals of the design was to illuminate the entry level, just inside the front door, by cutting away floor structure and borrowing as much light as possible from a glassy penthouse above.  The entry space would be bright, uncluttered, and welcoming.  The newly created light wells form a bridge on the upper level, which unfortunately could not be centered above a door to an existing private study below.  To make matters worse, the study door could not be moved either.  This juxtaposition is quite prominent, and the distracting misalignment was driving us crazy.

Finally, we understood that we could create a balanced arrangement of flush painted wall panels to align with the bridge.  The study door is then completely disguised through some careful detailing and spring-loaded hinges.  Problem solved.  Added bonus: who wouldn’t want a secret study?

The existing study door looking forlorn and awkward under a new bridge.

Check out some of our recently published work, featured in several online design blogs and magazines!

The Hawai'i Wildlife Center

The Hawai’i Wildlife Center in Dezeen

The Hawai’i Wildlife Center in AECCafe

The Hawai’i Wildlife Center in Archello

Urban Living XXL

Urban Living XXL on AECCafe

Bridge House

Truro Dune House

eBay House

eBay House in AECCafe

Once again, uniform – designed by Ruhl Walker Architects – has won Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston 2011 for Men’s Casual Clothing. We certainly can’t claim responsibility for this seemingly annual feat, but love being a part of, and celebrating uniform’s continuing success!

We first met Gary Ritacco, uniform’s owner, in late 1998, when we designed his fabulous South End loft, and a great friendship as well as amazing architectural relationship was formed.  The loft was designed to be equally comfortable for two to two hundred people, and was completed just in time for one of Boston’s wildest Millennial parties, a key element of the architectural program.

Fast forward a few years, and Gary started talking with his friends about starting his own business, and in time that business found its name and mission, and Gary sought out the perfect space to realize his dreams.  Will Ruhl and Brad Walker helped scout for this ideal space, and encouraged Gary to jump on an opportunity to open on the ground floor of the recently opened Atelier 505, a major commercial, residential and performing arts facility in the heart of Boston’s South End.  The location has turned out to be a great fit for uniform, given its focus on men’s urban casual clothing and accessories that are fashion oriented, value driven, and utilitarian in nature.  Just as with his loft, the store was supposed to be equally comfortable for two to two hundred people, and to feel more residential than commercial.

Check uniform out, see what all the buzz is about, and let us know what you think!

The entrance at 511 Tremont Street, in Boston’s South End.	Lots of sun, lots of cool stuff.
The interior was designed to feel like a residential loft, and has a crisply detailed “proscenium” that defines the virtual stage within which the charismatic owner and his associates entertain and cater to their customers..	Gary regularly hosts neighborhood events.
Will uniform win again in 2012?...	Gary and one of his associates with their Best of Boston 2011 award.

Inching closer and closer to completion is this new house facing north to Cape Cod Bay. The owners, a commercial general contractor and his venture capitalist wife, did not want your average Cape Cod with dormers and picket fence.  They loved their loft in Boston, and wanted to replicate that feel on their quiet side street in Brewster. The lot was previously undeveloped, and included a natural low “bowl” surrounded by dunes. The typical suburban reaction would be to fill in the site and build a setback-busting McMansion, but instead we took advantage of the existing topography so that a basement level family room could have large sliding glass doors opening out to a courtyard and lap pool.  The house is essentially two separate stand alone “lofts” — main house and guest house — joined by a glassed-in bridge that floats above the lap pool and courtyard.  The main house has a family room on the lower level, a large living / dining / cooking space on the middle level, and a master suite with office on the top floor.  The guest house has storage on the lower level, and two guest bedrooms and baths on the upper level.  The bridge acts as a casual dining room with both southern exposure and an ocean view to the north, and below are wide bleacher stairs that lead up from the pool below to a stone terrace within the dunes, and a path to the beach.

Digital model view of entry to house view of bridge between main and guest house.	View of entry bridge and front door the planar walls lining the central courtyard are sheathed in clear finished Cedar lap siding; the double height window is located adjacent to the main stair.
Digital model view of the central courtyard and lap pool, facing south towards the street.	Digital model view of steel entry bridge, concrete support, and steel stair leading down to the courtyard and pool.
Interior stair leading up to master suite.	Interior of bridge.
Exterior view of bridge looking towards top of bleacher stairs and pool.	View of Bay side of house from top of dunes.
View of Cape Cod Bay from top of dunes.