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Case Study Design and Build
Our only truly limited commodity is time. So where do we spend it? Our immediate environment, when it is ideal, can make us happy, healthy, and successful. It can stimulate us, or it can make us calm. Feng Shui means ‘Wind-Water.’ It is the art of creating or adapting our environment in a beneficial way.


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Angels’ House 2008
This project transformed a decommissioned college site in rural Staffordshire into a modernist residence. The original development plan proposed four small apartments. A revised plan, driven by strategic market research and appraisal-backed financial projections, consolidated the design into a single luxury home—maximizing profit while reducing complexity.

The design and build were led by an independent team and supported by a detailed business plan, architectural scale model, and full construction specifications. Early resistance from consultants and legacy stakeholders was overcome through independent valuation and hands-on leadership throughout.

Excavation and early-stage construction incorporated geothermal groundwork and off-grid capacity planning. The crew consisted of a handpicked team of builders and generalists, operating through the winter to maintain schedule and quality control.

Architectural certification was secured through a local firm willing to align with the custom brief and modernist design intent. All stages of construction were appraised and insured to meet mortgage lending standards and satisfy formal inspection benchmarks (“belt and braces” approach).

Unexpected challenges included funding disruption during mid-construction, resolved through reappraisal and private finance. Pre-sale marketing was conducted using photorealistic 3D renders alone, yielding two daily viewings over two weeks. The house was purchased in cash before physical completion.

The final structure set a county sales record, exceeding appraisals and elevating local property values. It was later featured in The Telegraph as a “Modernist Marvel,” one of four homes celebrated for eco-conscious, contemporary design.
Tree of Water and Power 2023
Tree of Water and Power is a development in solar mounting technology, and any for application that benefits from increased surface area. Utilizing fractal geometry and the complete infinite Fibonacci sequence, this modular structure maximizes surface area for photovoltaic applications with minimal material usage and unmatched efficiency.

Each tree supports over 1,000 solar cells across ~155 sq ft of dual-sided surface area. Compared to conventional flat-mount solar systems, this solution achieves the same output with 90% less material, no reinforcement, and a dramatically lower total system weight (~150 lb vs. 1,500 lb typical).

Mimicking biological branching systems—trees, lungs, rivers—the design follows both fractal algorithms and Da Vinci’s “area-preserving rule.” Few modular components (straight aluminum tubes, custom connectors) scale efficiently, producing natural tree-like forms without aesthetic intention.

Unlike phototropic or traditional solar arrays, this system distributes cells in all directions, smoothing output across daylight hours and eliminating peak-hour dependency. Its static design has no moving parts, yet outperforms dynamic systems in energy-to-weight and cost-to-output ratios.

These additional applications contribute to land usability, soil regeneration, and environmental resilience.

Constructed entirely from recyclable anodized aluminum, the structure is paint-free, bolt-free, and designed to last decades with minimal maintenance. Its appearance and function improve over time, oxidizing naturally and integrating into the landscape.

Lighting Installations 2011-2021
Si-Huis lamps prioritize function over form, resulting in a clean, engineered aesthetic. Designed for zero-glare, color-accurate light diffusion, each fixture incorporates industrial-grade materials and refined optical strategies typically reserved for photography or aerospace.

These early-generation lamps use hand-polished aerospace aluminum and silk diffusers with tensile strength greater than steel. The designs optimize for focus, clarity, and dimensional stability. Each lamp functions as a light tool — reducing contrast, controlling glare, maximizing visual comfort over long periods.

Photographic lighting tests informed the development of specialized diffusers compatible with both LED and flash systems, bridging the gap between studio and domestic lighting.

Each lamp is engineered around principles of colorimetry, white balance, and metamerism. By selecting materials like silk, borosilicate glass, and high-CRI LEDs, Si-Huis lamps deliver superior visual performance — rendering true whites and full-spectrum color under all conditions.
Little Black House 2017
This solo design-build project draws inspiration from the thousands of derelict homestead cabins scattered across Southern California’s high desert. The structure reimagines the 120 sq ft cabins built under the U.S. Small Tract Act of 1938, designed for resilience in harsh desert conditions.

After evaluating the failure points of decaying homesteads—most often the plywood sheathing—this project prioritizes a frame-first construction approach. Solid timber (2x4s, 2x6s, etc.) and raised decking are employed in lieu of glued composite materials. Structural integrity is achieved using non-plywood shear bracing techniques.

The house was conceived to optimize thermal performance through design and material choice. Matte black cladding functions as a high-efficiency infrared emitter—cooling faster at night. Low thermal mass timber construction prevents the overheating common in brick cabins.

An open-air child shelter with off-grid amenities (solar, battery storage, and propane cooking) supported the site’s daily operations. Construction proceeded in dawn and dusk sessions to mitigate heat exposure, demonstrating the feasibility of family-inclusive remote builds.

The project was executed entirely off-grid using a 300W solar array and 3kW battery bank, powering tools, lighting, and cooking appliances. Material selection and design were guided by both environmental realities and a philosophy of modern, sympathetic integration with the landscape.

The structure is now utilized as a meditation and yoga retreat, designed to shelter without severing connection to the desert surroundings.

This project is a case study of low-impact, high-durability design in remote environments. Lessons learned from historical homestead failures informed every decision, from structural detailing to material use. The resulting form combines rustic utility with the philosophy of modernist restraint.
Venice Beach Proposal 2025
This project proposes the unified development of two adjacent lots in Venice Beach. The objective is to create a cohesive, contemporary environment that balances privacy, community access, and timeless architectural character.

The design language is grounded in raw structural honesty—exposed Ipe wood, oxidized steel fencing, and large open-glass planes. The residential portion is elevated for privacy, while the commercial frontage invites public engagement.

No façades, no cladding — just expressive structure and a limited palette: Ipe, oxidized steel, and glass.
Luki Lamp 2024-2025
The Luki Lamp is a mass-manufacturable, universally accessible table and pendant lamp designed for modern domestic life. It is made from plant-based PLA — an injection-molded biopolymer with a matte, bone-like texture. The form is clean, compact, and irreducible, designed to blend seamlessly into any setting without sacrificing quality or durability.

Every detail serves function. The lamp produces a controlled, glare-free glow with a direct beam of downlight for surfaces and soft lateral diffusion for ambiance. The touch-sensitive switch is seamlessly integrated—no moving parts, no visual clutter—making the lamp more accessible and intuitive to use. A pendant version features tool-free mounting and a wall-mounted dimmer.

Internally, the lamp is fitted with a high-CRI Philips LED bulb that warms as it dims, enhancing mood while preserving color fidelity. The power cord is rayon-braided for a soft, natural feel, and the silicone base keeps it stable and secure.

Unlike the vast majority of lamps that emphasize visual form, the Luki is made to disappear. It’s low-key, functional, and built for repetition — equally at home in a dorm, hotel, kitchen, or care facility. It elevates any space quietly, whether on or off. Designed for permanence and mass appeal, the Luki Lamp is a universal tool for everyday light.