Design Philosophy
Each project is understood by Arcelab to be a new exploration of the design possibilities and solutions based on the unique site, client, and requested program. This requires a thorough research and understanding of the site characteristics, site context, zoning allowances, the client's aspirations, budget, and goals, and the particular requirements of the program type. To address these issues, we bring to the project a knowledge of previous design challenges and successful methods of addressing them as well as a certain interest in sustainability, form making, cost effectiveness, and a uniqueness of the final architectural solution. We wake up everyday inspired to develop solutions for our clients that are in tune with their concerns whether within a traditional or contemporary architectural context.
Design Approach
The study of how building components (parts) are composed and connected forming a complete (whole) building responding to a given site, program, and budget, is the fascinating journey of design. When the issues of a material's characteristics, appropriateness, and their cost and installation methods/costs are applied to the design problem, that is when the research begins to determine which material is the most appropriate choice for this particular program, project, and budget. We try to design each one of our projects such that they are efficient structures; based on controlling the quantity of materials, reducing the expenditure of energy and resources in constructing it, applying methods to each project to limit its impact on the site where it is to be built, and through selecting methods/materials to ensure that it will last for a long time requiring little maintenance. Our designs are both budget minded and yet experiential, searching for the most efficient method to enclose and accomodate the program while trying to increase the comfort level and joy of being both inside and outside of it. We emphasize the beauty of studied proportions of the built form and the beauty in the surrounding nature/built environment views through the studied use of window areas, natural light, sense of volume, and use of appropriate materials instead of costly materials, trims, moldings, and details applied in an extravagant and unnecessary manner.