Case Study: Sun Valley Modern

Design at a Distance

“I love your work. Can you recommend a good architect for a project in Montana/Bend/Sonoma/Michigan/New York/Hawaii?” In one form or another, this is a frequently asked question. From a farmhouse in Iowa to a modern retreat in the Catskills, our answer is: “How about us?!”

Thanks to the pandemic, clients tend to be more comfortable meeting online these days.

Many clients are building in small towns and rural areas where design-oriented firms are scarce and/or overbooked. Now they see that they can choose the architect that is just right for them, regardless of location.

When it comes to designing at a distance, the barriers aren’t what they used to be—and the reward is high. Our design process is adaptable (and portable!) and technology makes it increasingly easy to work closely with people…wherever they are.

Collaboration Tools

Over the years, we’ve been developing and refining tools to help us work at a distance. This effort stemmed not from the pandemic or a specific remote project but from an ongoing focus on finding the best ways to collaborate. It’s not always possible to meet in person and having the resources of 3D computer modeling, online video meetings, and screen sharing allow us to be nimbler and more responsive to a project’s needs.

We use a mix of low- and high-tech options for connecting with clients, [as described in more detail in this story from Residential Design Magazine] ranging from a “sketchcam” (a webcam rigged to an articulating arm to show what one of us is sketching) to multi-user VR walkthroughs.

Sun Valley Modern

When we first talked with the owners of this Highlands Drive property, we were thrilled with the prospect of designing a home-away-from-home for them in Sun Valley. The clients live in the New York area, and they reached out to us after seeing the High Desert Modern project online.

By the time we met with Dorothy in Sun Valley, we had done the predesign work required to get right into the design without missing a beat. We brought a site plan, blocks and inspiration materials, and an agenda that included driving around and discussing which aspects of other houses in the area resonated with her and which ones did not.

With our minds full of fresh input from the client, we were able to head back to the hotel and start laying out possible schemes with the blocks and site plan, so we could have some ideas to review with Dorothy the next day.

The workshop nature of an in-person visit makes it a highly valuable use of time. Ideas and inspiration are free-flowing and design input is immediate. This makes it an ideal kick-off for a project, whether it be remote or local.

Site visits are also a great time to follow up on our earlier research—local planning and building departments, plus any contractors and consultants we are considering working with. When working in other areas, we research local codes and contractors online then connect over the phone or email, which prepares us for meeting in person. Within two weeks of starting this project, we had a clear permitting guide from the Planning and Zoning department and had talked with at least 5 strongly recommended general contractors.

Throughout the schematic design process, we have continued that momentum using online meetings, occasional site visits, 3D modeling software, and VR. The project team consists of an interior designer in New York, a Landscape Architect in San Francisco, a Structural Engineer, and a General Contractor in Sun Valley. The visual tools we use have made it easy to meet remotely and review all aspects of the design together.

We look forward to seeing this project break ground and more great projects (and great people) anywhere!