Ruhl Walker Architects

Bigger is not always better. One of our favorite current projects under construction is also one of our smallest.  For this two-story unit in an urban row house, we were asked to find a way to better connect the upper level entry to the lower level main living spaces.  Budget and logistics precluded anything drastic, and happily, this is a case where a few architectural tweaks can go a long way.   We’ve kept the original stair structure, but resurfaced the stair treads with a new chunky profile, to be stained a rich gray/brown.  The outside wall of the stair is being re-surfaced with large-scaled, floating panels, to visually connect the two stories with one common element.  On the upper level, the entry hall will feel much larger after we replace a solid half wall with a glass and stainless steel railing. Downstairs, the wall supporting the stair is being re-clad with a custom patterned “clapboard” which aligns with the steps and conceals closet doors. LED lighting strategically placed between the clapboards will add some evening sparkle.

We’ll keep you posted as the project progresses! In the meantime, let us know what you think!

We’ve been working for what seems like a very long time on the renovation of a South End duplex.  The project started out as a general clean up of finishes along with a new kitchen and baths.  As the design phase progressed, however, and as the poor condition of the existing construction was revealed during some preliminary demolition, we ended up very nearly gutting the two story space. We were ably assisted along the way with one of our favorite contractors, John Benjamin of Benjamin Construction, as well as Zhanna Drogobetsky of Casa Design.

The construction is now nearly complete and we’ve taken delivery of some new furniture.  Still to come are a few more key pieces – dining chairs, a rug or two, and accessories.  We’re also eager to get started on a completely new rear garden, designed by Keith LeBlanc of Keith LeBlanc Landscape Architecture.

While final completion and photography are still a couple of months out, we wanted to share a few close-up details as a hint of what’s to come.

KITCHEN DESIGN

It surprises almost no one that the kitchen is now the functional and emotional heart of every home, from the smallest urban apartment to casual beach houses and large, more formally constrained suburban estates. We all know that no matter who is in your house – just family, a few friends, or a big gathering – they all will end up in the kitchen, or at least they’ll want to be there. The trick is knowing how to design so that this inevitability isn’t at odds with a smoothly functioning kitchen nor with aesthetically sophisticated living space.

Kitchens are now frequently combined in some way with dining and social spaces. This either means the walls and doors which previously divided these functions are no longer deemed appropriate, or the kitchen itself is now large enough to contain a full dining table and some comfortable seating and a TV and fireplace. As a result, the old modes of designing kitchens no longer work. When a kitchen had four walls and a door, cabinetry and appliances lined the walls, and wall cabinets above stored dishes and staples. But in a more open concept, some kitchens have only one full wall or maybe two at most. Kitchen design, along with cabinetry and appliance offerings, has made dramatic changes in recent years to accommodate this. That single wall is now covered with everything tall – refrigerator, wall ovens and full-height pantries. Everything else is low, either in base cabinetry or an island or peninsula configuration. Base cabinet hardware now offers beautiful and functional ways to store plates and glasses below the counter. Dishwashers and microwaves come in drawer configurations. All appliances with the exception of the oven can be fully concealed as cabinetry, to further blend the look of the kitchen into the living space. The ergonomics of these new options are easy (and impressive), and soft-close drawers and touch-to-open cabinets are common in all cabinet lines.

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DESIGN INTEGRATION

A few examples from our projects:

A tall cooking center, with stainless steel backsplash, integrated lighting extraction vent, and storage for all pots and pans in deep drawers.

Tall pantries provide partial screening from an adjacent family room. In front, a prep island is wrapped in durable white granite.

Here, the kitchen countertop and cabinetry lines wrap directly into a new fireplace, anchoring a breakfast area.

On the right, a continuous band of recessed stainless groove handles organizes wall ovens, refrigerators and prep support.

This kitchen combines custom walnut cabinetry, sleek white Caesarstone counters, and a vintage Aga range.

Careful cabinetry design and a uniform wood floor make an easy transition to the adjacent lounge space in this row house.

This kitchen anchors one end of an open family room. Well planned storage (and an adjacent pantry) keeps everything orderly.

Careful cabinetry design and a uniform wood floor make an easy transition to the adjacent lounge space in this row house.

We like digital models to test ideas, including materials and daylighting. In this row house study, tall side cabinets bracket a cooking island.

Refrigerators and pantries flank a small niche.

We almost always keep the kitchen floor the same material as the adjacent spaces – in this case polished concrete.

Maple cabinetry softens the abstract volumes of this loft interior.

This simple arc accommodates a cooks desire to be close to her friends and family.

A solid-and-void composition makes a sculptural kitchen for a pair of art collectors.

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STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Here are some snapshots illustrating a few of our favorite storage and organization solutions:

Wine cooler with refrigerated beverage drawers below, all integrated with furniture-grade cabinetry.

Fully integrated refrigeration systems keep the “appliance” look out of living spaces.

A built in coffee station with warming drawers for cups is the ultimate luxury for some.

Deep trash / recycling storage bins, with concealed interior drawers for additional storage. Internal drawers keep the cabinetry lines uncluttered.

Tall pull-out pantries and drawers with adjustable dividers eliminate loosing things in the back of the cabinet.

Sometimes leaving things out on the counter is exactly the right solution.