all about ADU’s

indoors or outdoors or both

What is the best and most optimal way to use your backyard’s potential and transform existing traditional spaces into inspired and luxurious indoor-outdoor living spaces? There are countless options in migrating indoor activities to the fresh breeze, and make them a focal point for your family activities, working from home, etc. With the right space, the possibilities are endless…

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the compound

Our Escalon Residence project consists of an addition to an existing modernist house and a twofold backyard renovation. First we are doing a major site rehab including an outdoor kitchen with bbq & pizza oven and swimming pool; and secondly we are adding an ADU or an Accessory Dwelling Unit built into the side of the hill. Both are integrated into the overall aesthetic of the existing mid century residence, so it seems like the entire compound was always there. The site is also working intensely with the existing hillside topography in a way that offers a sustainable and least intrusive impact on the surrounding natural habitat of the Santa Monica mountains.

studio city creative

the creative workplace

Long gone are the times of shoulder-to-shoulder “cubicles” as we evolved to open office concepts that are supporting creative thinking, collaborative working and innovation. Employees nowadays are looking for something more than just a job behind a desk. Companies are recognizing the need to support their employees need for inspiring spaces which nurture their mental and physical well-being on every level in order to optimize productivity and support the bottom line.

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tujunga creative office repositioning

The Studio City Creative Hub started as a dilapidated warehouse and became a dynamic open office space, but more than anything - a place where ideas are born. The concept for this project had a different, organic approach, where flexible office layouts had more space for group work, forums with screens for larger group presentations as well as greenery, designer furniture and accessories for a more artful and home-y vibe. Private offices and enclosed conference rooms are set on the borders and are completely transparent. This way, all activities are integrated, connected, visible and accessible, which leads to improved organization and productivity.

play + ground

Kids learn and grow on multiple levels in the classroom but outside of it as well. They read and write but they also learn through motion and through the senses. They observe and interact with their environment on so many levels. They interact with one another and they use their imagination and creativity… Play is such an important aspect of learning and development that we wanted to dedicate some thought to how we allow for more play to happen both in an academic setting and beyond.

learning and dreaming

To encourage play at its best we designed this Mondrian-esque court for a private school situated in a very compact urban campus in Los Angeles. In a very small footprint we incorporated a variety of spaces for both work and play! We used basic wooden and colored cubical components, divided and stacked into few zones, leaving enough open space for active and creative play. The cubes are set in multiple levels, creating platforms for social interaction, focused instruction, demonstrations, team huddles and reflective moments, like daydreaming!

why the world needs more architects

#agreatercause

Architects solve complex technical issues on a daily basis, reach consensus amongst diverse teams and stakeholder groups over long periods of time a project might take to complete, envision, create and deliver buildings and edifices that have never existed before and that remain useful and relevant for generations to come. With aging buildings and infrastructure, the housing crisis and other social and economic issues, there needs to be more of the kind of thinking that architects employ for these issues to be resolved. 

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Our work on the Martin Luther King Community Medical Campus and the Family Wellness Center gave us the opportunity to make a difference. We worked on developing interior spaces for the Family Justice Center, Foster Care Clinic and the Special Needs Network all of which focus their efforts on providing care and resources to some of the most disadvantaged and at risk youth and children. The MLK Family Wellness Center is currently under construction and is about to open in early 2021.

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More than ever we need people who want the world to be a better place and have the capacity to envision and then realize it. What are your thoughts? Drop us a line…

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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.

reinventing retail

Retail is not dead. Retail is changing in a big way and is by doing so reflecting how our society has evolved as a whole. We no longer go shopping just to buy things but to have an experience. As architects and developers we must understand the dynamics behind these changes.

Experience.

Retail is becoming more about the experience, i.e. the discovery, interaction and engagement with an environment, place and/or people, and less about the consumption of material goods. Authenticity and branding have become very important in the experience of going to a mall or down main street. It is the sole difference between those stores that are staying open and are thiriving and those that are closing their doors.

How can we as architects and developers, brands and real estate players stay in tune with these changes and plan for the best possible outcomes in retail development, branding and operations. What are your thoughts on the future of retail?

landscape design

#subtletransitions

How does one blur the boundary between nature and architecture especially when nature can be so challenging with its ruggedness, slopes and grades and architecture strives for its clean lines, order and organization? In negotiating this transition we often set clear limits for where one begins and the other end but what if these limits were less defined and more playful. What if this transitional landscape is both wild and structured?

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#naturesbest

This is something we explored in this residential project situated in the Santa Monica mountains.

In this project, it was all about connecting and adapting to the existing topography and landscape. By paying attention to the sloped underutilized areas, the surrounding natural materials and wide range of indigenous plants, our design team found it challenging to domesticate those parts into the unobtrusive patio. It all led to implementing simple sculptural elements, gradually fading into the nature, forming a perfect oasis.

How would you use this kind of space? Would it be for morning meditation? Or maybe for some afternoon reading? Let us know!

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the interstitial space

in-between

Ma (間) is a Japanese concept which can be roughly translated as ‘gap’, ‘space’, ‘pause’ or ‘the space between parts’. This negative space is often unplanned and is left unoccupied and barren, an afterthought without content or meaning. The absence of content is an invitation to the imagination and inspiration...

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the concept

In the heart of Beverly Hills, just between historical office building and monotonous parking structure, it was our task to redesign the 10 feet gap among two building volumes. We veiled the existing parking structure with mesh paneling in order to create more dynamic and vibrant space. The contrast in color and texture provided a backdrop for a dynamic art sculpture. A new trellis structure provides cover and interest. We then added furniture, landscaping, and lighting to complete our ‘ma’ space. Now it is an uplifting space to walk through, take a private call or a spin on a ‘spun’ chair. What in-between spaces do you have ideas for?

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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.

constantly learning

growing-evolving

“Don’t just be who you are and what you are. Move, evolve, change and become better each day.” When it comes to personal and professional development, we must constantly evolve. We must grow and share what we learn along the way.

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knowledge is power

At Plāna Architects we are constantly learning through our work. Not just about architecture but about the world at large. Sharing our knowledge and experience is very important to us, both within our team and our clients and collaborators. Through our practice we look to connect with people by both asking and answering the right questions on various topics. Hearing diverse opinions and points of view helps us add depth and quality to the level of design and service we provide.

Since it’s original publication on LinkedIn Learning, Branka’s course ‘Understanding the Architectural Design Process’ received accolades from both architects and those looking to enter the field. Through this course, Branka discusses and shares her own experience on various topics including the changing role of architects, the value and skills architects bring to the table, the various design phases and project delivery methods, and much more.

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Branka is currently in the process of developing two more courses on LinkedIn Learning, so stay tuned! In the meantime’ let’s keep the conversation going. We would love to hear from you. Drop us a line with any topics, themes or areas of interest that are important for you, that you might find to be challenging or would like to learn more about.

well by design

#healthCARE

May 15th is mental health awareness day. Wellness has grown from a vaguely understood trend focusing mostly on physical parameters to a widespread phenomenon in its own right and now includes a heightened awareness of metal health as well. We look to incorporate wellness principles not just in clinics and hospitals but also in offices and homes. At the office for example, with more time being spent at work, it was natural to start incorporating live-work balance and even live-work blurring to make the employees’ time there more comfortable, enjoyable and ultimately more productive. How we feel at work is greatly attributed to how we perceive our office culture emotionally just as much our physical environment.

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the project

When we started working on a Foster Care Clinic within the Los Angeles County system, it was clear from the start that those typical small waiting rooms with no daylight, dark colored therapy rooms and uncomfortable crammed work offices won’t do anymore… On the contrary, the project was all about transparency, light and optimism. We specifically selected light pastel colors that would appeal to children and took that theme through the open plan administrative offices as well. It was about having the chance to put a smile on people’s faces, to encourage encounters and collaboration, and provide comfort through the use use warm materials and textures. To be a place that lifts spirits and boosts energy.

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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.