When things are not running as they should, industrious professionals pave a smoother road. Such is the case with Portland, OR, architects Building Arts Workshop LLC. The firm confronted a daunting task: how to transform their work from a vision to a reality. They encountered the obvious space/cost challenges while living in San Francisco, where before moving north they ran their practice. But Portland represented a clean slate. Not only was it a homecoming for the firm — one of the partners, Tracy Prose, grew up in Eugene — but also the firm went to work creating a space that was as an example of their work, and a place in which they could see themselves living.

The property consists of two connecting townhouses.

The townhouses retain independent spaces. Connected by one jointed garage, the property is at once divided and defined by its union of modern architectural technique and focus on personal style.

Portland is excited to have these innovative architects residing in their neck of the woods. They represent the best of Portland’s contemporary real estate, and their future work should prove interesting and capture the spirit of this unique Northwestern city.

Here’s a draft of the home’s floorplan:

DC is buzzing with confidence and enthusiasm. As the new president is ushered in, the city is experiencing a surge of creative swagger. Some of that has resulted in wonderful modern architecture, contemporary DC homes, and evocative design.

One group with its hands in seemingly everything modern is Core Architecture and Design Firm.

The Morganstein Residence:

The generous yet formal plan of this home in an established neighborhood was limiting and didn’t offer ample room to entertain. The empty nesters wanted a master suite that was easily accessible yet private. CORE designed a two-story contemporary-minded addition that paid homage to the home’s original style yet was distinct in character and design. A steel and glass ‘hyphen’ merges the two sections, opening and connecting the different areas of the house with light-filled spaces. The final design was lauded by the community’s review board for being distinctly different without creating obtrusive architecture.

Modern design is not immune to the economy; instead it gains more focus and produces superior products.

And in these dark economic times it’s important to focus on the lights. Modern lights, that is. Here’s a couple we find crave-able.

Exos Double Shade Suspension — Medium by Hubbardton Forge

Arco Floor Lamp by Flos

Audrey Pendant by Stonegate Designs

San Diego, more than many cities, has a predisposition that’s ripe for modern architecture. This southern California city exudes charm and elegance, blending urban sophistication with a gorgeous environment. It’s no wonder that it’s one of America’s most coveted places to live.

Adding to that elegance is M+C Architects. These modern designers contribute to the overall efficiency and stature of San Diego’s contemporary homes.

From the Web site:

This mixed-use development covers a full city block at the core of a grid shift in the Little Italy District. Its configuration and location along a major connector created a unique building opportunity. The design parti was to promote a downtown connector – Kettner Boulevard – with a well-defined, pedestrian-friendly street wall while incorporating the restoration of an early 20th century art deco building and clock tower. Additionally, the dichotomy of the project’s massing captured the eclectic aesthetics of the context and produced a variety of housing types (lofts, shopkeeper units, carriage units and townhomes). The resulting architecture is urbane in its timeless character and devoid of clichés.

About M+C Architects:

Martinez + Cutri Corporation is a multi-disciplinary firm whose practice of Architecture and Urban Design is based on the simple concept that the design of forms in space should be generated by the context of their surroundings, while the principles of design should enhance our culture.

Our intent as a firm is to create good design; that is, to create spaces and structures which exhibit a timeless quality inherent in spirituality. We design environments that are inviting regardless of typology and locale. It is our contentions that the vitality and beauty of the built environment play a crucial role in creating a productive and healthy community and, as design professionals, we must assume responsibility for this role.

Forget the movie stars. We want to see the houses. After all, Los Angeles has long been a strong proponent for modern architecture. And today’s featured home lives up to that reputation.

The Bueth Residence in the Hollywood Hills is a devastatingly impressive work. Clean, modern structure, slick amenities, confident design and a hint of eccentricity make this contemporary Los Angeles home a true show stopper.

Designed by:

SPF: architects was founded in 1988. Studio Pali Fekete Architects (SPF:a) is a Los Angeles based architecture firm specializing in clients and projects that require a high level of design sensitivity, technical expertise, and hands-on principal involvement.

Those of us with older family members who dismiss our complaints of sitting all day as frivolous don’t understand the plight of our compacted spines, curled knuckles and bent knees. Fortunately, Herman Miller, modern office-ware designer extraordinaire, sympathizes with us, as evidenced by his line of modern office chairs that are crafted with hunched frames in mind. These chairs represent a significant step forward in the world of modern interior design.

May we introduce, Embody

From the Web site:

You point, click, and fixate on your computer screen. And you sit still for hours. Your body screams, “Move!” … Unless you’re seated in Embody.

Designed specifically for people who interact with computers for long periods of time, Embody is a huge leap forward in seating. With a back that is “alive,” mimicking your spine to promote health-positive sitting, Embody creates harmony between you and your computer. In fact, Embody is the first work chair that supports your mind as well as your body, enabling you to focus, think clearly, and create.

Imagine scenes of British Columbia. What do you see? Snow-capped peaks, glistening rivers, ancient pines bent in the wind? Sure, it’s all here.

Now imagine Vancouver. Do you see a bustling metropolis, gleaming buildings, curved streets and decadent cafes? Sure, that’s all here too.

BC is at once windswept landscape and home to Vancouver’s urban muscle. It is a union of rural and city living. You can find appealing modern architecture and the best of Vancouver’s contemporary homes.

Project: Latitude

by Bozyk Architects

Christopher Bozyk Architects were the prime consultant and architect for this project. It consists of 120 townhomes, each with breathtaking views over Kamloops Lake and the Tabiano Golf course, which was designed by Tom McBroom.

The architecture draws inspiration from the origins of the site by making reference to “ranch” imagery and reinterpreting it in a contemporary form. The townhomes range form single storey 2 bed units to 3 storey 3 bed plus den units.

(Italicized text courtesy of Bozyk Architects)

The Bay area is attractive for many reasons. Its rich history, vibrant culture and temperate weather make it a destination for many people. It is also celebrated for its city landscapes and modern architecture. The following images demonstrate how nicely a well-designed home can settle into the environment, bringing San Francisco modern homes to the forefront of innovative design.

The Meadow House by Malcolm Davis Architecture

About Malcolm Davis Architecture:

Malcolm Davis Architecture, founded in 1996, is committed to excellence in architecture and design.
Based in San Francisco, our firm has projects throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area, The Sea Ranch, Oregon, and New York City. Projects range from furniture, stair, and cabinetry design to boutique retail, residential renovations, additions, and new construction.

California is enduring a budget crisis that could potentially bankrupt the entire state. Given this climate, it is difficult to focus on modern interior design, the very concept of which may strike some as futile. But if you look at some of the innovative work being done in Sacramento, and then consider the amount of people involved, the exchanging of funds, and the improvement of the environment, it is plain to see how Sacramento modern design is working to benefit the economy.

Interiors by Renolds Gualco Architecture

About Reynolds Gualco Architects:

Reynolds Gualco Architecture – Interior Design is a multi-disciplinary firm that specializes in all aspects of residential projects. Whether you are considering an addition, remodel or creating a custom home, we provide design-savvy solutions from concept to completion.

With more than three decades of industry expertise, the firm was founded by Debbie R. Gualco, AIA, ASID, in 1997. A practitioner of inside-out-outside-in design philosophy, she works to integrate interior and exterior space to achieve optimal balance.