Welcome. We are an architecture and interiors studio that believes in the power of thoughtful design to better connect us to the built environment, the landscape, and each other. Our process is equal parts creativity and pragmatism –so that our work draws out the strongest potential of any site, the resources at hand, and ultimately, the experience of our clients. Design is both a process and an adventure; we see ourselves as both your partner and guide. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Mourning Dovecote:
Nesting boxes for cooing Mourning Doves make a workspace feel like home>

A traditional country ‘dovecote’ houses pigeons or doves, sometimes freestanding but often built into the ends of houses or barns. The Mourning Dove, one of the most widespread of all North American birds, is typically monogamous and is a prolific breeder, raising up to six broods a year. Both sexes take turn incubating, the male from morning to afternoon, and the female the rest of the day and night. Their soft, drawn-out calls sound like laments.

Green House

The original home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s protégé, Aaron Green and built by Echler Homes in 1966, is a modern masterwork in Palo Alto, California. Remaining preserved in time by its original owner until 2019, its new owners, a young couple with two young children and one on the way, needed additional space and amenities. But how to update and extend Green’s low-slung complete thought for a new era and new growing family?

S^A Studio:
Family, food, and furry friends bind our creative studio together>

Given the intensity of our work in the studio, we are lucky to enjoy the company of each other so thoroughly. Outside the studio, our Fine Wine Fridays (FWF) have a no-work discussion policy. Our Summer Fest and S^A Holiday Party are epic cooking throwdowns –competitive sushi rolling to cookie bake-offs, cassoulet to fried chicken.

In the studio, at our monthly Culture of Design (COD) workshops, we find images using randomly selected prompts that combine a building element, a quality of space, and a sensation ­–stair, open, moist– that then spawn often-rollicking conversations about our design and process. Even our Culture of Practice (COP) sessions evoke passionate and hysterical debates about office standards and technical detailing. Of course, there is also Beyoncé, true-crime dramas, the Warriors, and reality TV to banter about every day at 4:00 pm.

 

Aldo van Buren:
Security & Napping

Aldo, a Spinone Italiano, came to S^A in 2013 from Carson City, Nevada. He worked towards a Bachelor of Good Manners at Potrero Hill’s prestigious Dogpile Dogs. He did not graduate. Aldo excels at sleeping and having his belly rubbed. He is afraid of kitty cats, dog treats, and people wearing caps. References Upon Request.

Our summer party was one for the books — paella on the grill, oysters shucked fresh, and future architects on the run. Cheers to good food, great vibes, and an even better team. #SummerVibes #ArchitectLife #WorkHardPlayHard #bestteam #shindig #paella🥘 #summerwine #workouting #modernistdesign #midcentury #customhomes #bayarea #bayareadesign #architectsinthewild #architectsarchitecting
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