material girl

materials palette

a poised palette

When selecting materials for a project we often start with the mood we would like to evoke. In this case we wanted this office building lobby to feel modern, light and warm. Whenever possible we used natural materials and synthetic materials when not. When using the latter we always convey the true nature of the material - for instance, vinyl will never be wood so why does it have to pretend (like in many LVT products)? The materials always need to work with each other and end up forming a family. Paint colors respond to the warmth, saturation and contrast of the other materials in a room for example. Echoes of one material find their way from one area to the next. Scale and light are also important…


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let’s get physical

When we work with materials, we often not only work with samples and textures but often request mockups of major building elements and custom features. Architecture occupies physical space, as do we in spite of technology, and it is important to test certain features ahead of time for their overall appearance, relationship with other building elements, longevity, etc. When was the last time you were impressed by a stone when you touched the counter at a bank, the particular way the sun hit a building facade making it sparkle or the tactile nature of draperies in a theater? Let this be an invitation to experience and lean into our environments, their materiality and enjoy…


pluralists. problem solvers. people people.

Plāna is a Los Angeles based architecture studio rooted in design, ecological and social sustainability and effective project management. We want our end product to be a catalyst for positive personal, social and environmental change and be a source of inspiration and joy. Our aesthetic is timeless and streamlined. We develop solutions come from a deep understanding of our clients needs. And we stay around until they are implemented. We enjoy and celebrate the diversity of our clients that include schools, landowners and developers, private individuals and public institutions.

 

minimalist homes

the concept

What happens when a client asks for a minimalist design and has a specific vision about the space being predominantly bare? Most people cringe at the thought of cold and empty spaces and are familiar with minimalism yet are somehow not at ease with it. When we think of places where we live we want them to be warm and inviting and we want to surround ourselves with things, objects and memories that remind us of our experiences or represent something about us. But what if this absence of content is an invitation to open up to new possibilities, to breathe and to think without distractions, to relax and recharge in a space as light and luminous as possible.


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the project

This Great Lake retreat was conceived for a young entrepreneur that values moments of stillness amidst a very dynamic career life. The original residence was updated with strategic strokes to open up spaces, update finishes and simplify and streamline spatial and functional aspects of the home. Minimal furnishings support the idea of ‘less is more’ and ample built in storage allows for books and other objects to be at hand while out of sight.

Now some Chicago jazz to set the mood…


pluralists. problem solvers. people people.

Plāna is a Los Angeles based architecture studio rooted in design, ecological and social sustainability and effective project management. We want our end product to be a catalyst for positive personal, social and environmental change and be a source of inspiration and joy. Our aesthetic is timeless and streamlined. We develop solutions come from a deep understanding of our clients needs. And we stay around until they are implemented. We enjoy and celebrate the diversity of our clients that include schools, landowners and developers, private individuals and public institutions.

 

sweet dreams

… are made of this

When designing a perfect master bedroom retreat, there are a few key aspects for this room to remain a personal getaway and safe-haven. This special place is an expression of ones personality, hopes and dreams and is an intimate oasis. Simple yet sophisticated and furnished with only what’s most needed. No clutter! With plenty of storage, the right elegant furniture and a cozy reading or lounge area such as a modern fireplace with a comfortable chair to unwind from a busy day… What more could one ask for? Well, maybe a soundtrack…


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fantastic fun furniture

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an all encompassing experience

Architecture does not stop at the exterior walls of a building or even with the interior design and finishes. It goes further beyond the brick and mortar materiality of a building and extends to everything that you can see and feel within a space. This is why furniture plays such an important role in the design and the ultimate experience of space.


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creative elements

At Plana we take special care of the type of furniture we select for any given space so that it will support the function and the aesthetic of any given space very early on in the design process. We work closely with the end user and incorporate furniture plans and selections so that the actual spatial and architectural requirements support their activities and goals for each project.

We love working across scales and fusing all these different elements into a cohesive whole. Because of this extensive expertise, Plana has been engaged by various clients to provide everything from furniture procurement, budgeting and other consultative services as they relate to furniture.


Would you like to learn more? Let us know if you have any comments or questions for us!


pluralists. problem solvers. people people.

Plāna is a Los Angeles based architecture studio rooted in design, ecological and social sustainability and effective project management. We want our end product to be a catalyst for positive personal, social and environmental change and be a source of inspiration and joy. Our aesthetic is timeless and streamlined. We develop solutions come from a deep understanding of our clients needs. And we stay around until they are implemented. We enjoy and celebrate the diversity of our clients that include schools, landowners and developers, private individuals and public institutions.