Sonoma Residence With A View Receives the AIA Architecture Merit Award from AIA-RE
Asquared Studios’ first rammed earth residential design was honored at the 2022 AIA-RE Design Awards
On Saturday, October 15, at the AIA Redwood Empire Design Awards, The Sonoma Residence With A View received the Merit Award for Architecture, and the impressions were overwhelming – “The jury stated that the house unfolded in a beautiful way at every turn.”
Inspired by the rugged, prehistoric terrain and the inherent tranquilly of the site, this modern, pagoda-style house was designed as a quiet sanctuary. Nestled atop a knoll below a dramatic ridgeline in the Moon Mountain District American Viticultural Area that overlooks the Sonoma Valley grape-growing region and the San Francisco Bay, the new, one-bedroom abode was conceived as a series of interlocking boxes, arranged to maximize the views and complement the landscape.
Tasked with creating a minimalist, rural design to reflect the owner’s Eastern aesthetics and love of the land, the architects suggested a simple, textural material palette. Using reduced-carbon rammed earth, corrosion-resistant corten steel, renewable wood, and high-performing glass, the low-lying structure appears to arise from the scattered boulders that dot the 300-acre property. The striated rammed earth walls frame windswept heritage trees and seem to map the rows of grapevines that hug the hillside below. Corten steel siding, reminiscent of the surrounding volcanic lava rock, define the structure’s distinct geometric forms. A raised, pagoda-style roof marks the arid skyline and works in concert with the expanses of glass window walls that allow the home to open to the land while circulating fresh air throughout. Deep eves protect from the elements while creating a spiritual connection to the surroundings.
Inside is equally as contemplative. The rammed earth is accentuated against neutral paint colors and accents of walnut, shou sugi ban, blackened steel, and poured concrete floors that were worked into a unique distressed finish. Wood and natural light abounds. Exposed walnut ceilings extend to the outdoors, covering pathways and al fresco seating.
At the project’s center is the great room with a high-performing 40-ft wide by 11-ft tall sliding glass wall, laid out along a Northern axis to take advantage of the Bay view. Walnut cabinetry anchors the open kitchen. Across the way, a shou sugi ban entertainment nook adds a moody depth to an otherwise sunlit living space. To the West is a home office complete with a window wall that erases the boundaries between indoors and out. To the East, the en suite bedroom captures the morning light. Custom midcentury casework defines the sleeping quarters while an elevated wet room with Japanese soaking tub opens to a zen garden via a large pocketing floor-to-ceiling window.
Throughout, artwork and objets d’ art, collected from the owner’s travels, are tastefully displayed. The design also features a yoga studio with yoga wall, an outdoor fire-pit, laundry room, and a wine room.
Additional information + Press about the awards can be found at the Press Democrat
Continued growth recognized by Arizona State University Alumni
For the second year in a row Asquared Studios has been awarded the honor of being one of the fastest growing businesses owned and operated by Arizona Sate University Alumni. We were both surprised and thrilled by our ranking as the #12 fastest growing business in the Class of 2019. The Sun Devil 100 celebration brought Tony and I back to Tempe to meet our fellow Class of 2019 honorees. We are very proud to be a part of this prestigious group of business owners, and look forward to developing long lasting relationships with our classmates and the university that gave us so much in our education and professional development.
This year we were able to connect with the new head of head of the architecture program at ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Marc J Neveu, who noted, “Our alumni play an important role in helping us prepare our students to make their mark in the professional world. Asquared Studios sets an example through their achievements and through their scholarship award.” We have set a goal this year to work closely with Marc as they develop a forward thinking approach to the architecture program at ASU. The Sun Devil 100 is a perfect way for us to exhibit the power that the Architecture profession can have on the world.
Asquared Studios Partners Receive Sun Devil 100 award : Celebrating Entrepreneurial Spirit
Asquared Studios Partners Tony Garcia and Jessie Whitesides are headed back to their alma-matter this week to revive the honor of being named two of the ASU 100 class of 2018. This distinction is awarded to 100 significant ASU alumni each year for their achievements and innovations as entrepreneurs. Over the last 18 years Asquared Studios has grown to have significant presence in the Architectural Profession in California. With studios in both Northern and Southern California, Asquared Studios is able to understand the design demands and trends across the entire state. Seeking to raise the level of professional service standard in the Architectural world, Tony and Jessie spend a great deal of time educating their clients on the value of Architecture and Design, stressing the importance of meaningful and transparent communication. Their love for what they do comes naturally as a reflection of their passion for the built environment and its influence on our society. They recognize the Architecture has a profound impact on the human condition, and they are committed helping aspiring young design minds find their voice in The future of the profession.
Tony and Jessie are honored to be recognized by those who gave their careers life. Thank you ASU!
Below is a link to the complete list of honorees for the Sun Devil 100 Class of 2018
Tony Garcia, Co-Founder of Asquared Studios wins 2018 Young Architect of the Year Award
San Diego, California
We are proud to announce that Asquared Studios Partner, Tony Garcia, has been honored with the Young Architect of the Year Award (or the YAYA) by the national AIA. He will be honored at the 2018 AIA convention in New York City in June.
Already in his young career, Garcia has left an imprint on the profession. His talent and commitment to building a practice based on mutual respect and collaboration benefits his colleagues, clients, and the communities he serves.
Friends and Co-Founders, Tony Garcia, AIA and Jessie Whitesides, NCARB, formed Asquared Studios inc 2004. Within the construct of the current global professional economy, they have mastered the technologies that allow them to operate as one unified design studio with locations in both San Diego and Santa Rosa, California. Asquared Studios has built an award-winning portfolio of work that features projects of all scales and diverse forms of context both regionally and nationally.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected 18 recipients for the 2018 AIA Young Architects Award. This award, now in its 25th year, honors individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers. As a recipient of The Young Architects Award, Tony will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City.
About the AIA:
Founded in 1857, The American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world.
To read more of Tony’s accomplishments and for a list of all honorees for the 2018 program follow the link:
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Asquared Studios wins the 2017 Platinum Award for Historical Renovation
From Professional Remodeler
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Asquared Studios, with offices in San Diego and Santa Rosa, CA was named a winner of the 2017 Design Award in the annual national competition presented by Professional Remodeler magazine. Asquared Studios won the Platinum award in the Historical Renovation category. The winners are profiled in the September issue and also online at ProRemodeler.com.
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Mending Wall Winery Named The Best Newcomer Overall
By California Home and Design
Yountville, California
In the 2017 CALIFORNIA HOME + DESIGN AWARDS presentation held in Yountville, CA, Asquared Studios received the Best Newcomer Overall in the Wine Country Awards category for MENDING WALL WINERY, see the Spring 2017 issue on newsstands or by subscription to review all award winners.
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Tony Garcia ’95 BSD
Structure + Service
Asquared Studios’ partner honored with an alumni mini-feature in ASU Magazine.
Tony Garcia, AIA, Architect is the subject of a mini-feature in the current issue of ASU Magazine. Profiled as an outstanding Alumni, Tony explains the origins of his passion for architecture and design, and how that has led him to becoming one of the most notable Architects in San Diego.
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The Richard’s Grove Pavilion Honored
AIA San Diego Architecture Merit Award
Asquared Studios’ newest hospitality design was honored at the 2015 AIA-SD Design Awards
On Thursday, October 29, at the AIA San Diego Design Awards, The Richard’s Grove Pavilion received the Merit Award for Architecture, and the impressions were overwhelming – “The jury stated at first glance, this design is really beautiful.”
Richard’s Grove Pavilion in Windsor, California, was completed in January 2015. Envisioned as an 110 seat event and hospitality pavilion by Jackson Family Investments, it can be used either as the focal point of an event, or as the backdrop and secondary element for reception. Of utmost importance is the flexibility of use that the structure has allowed. Using a simple yet specific material pallet of concrete, structural steel, glass, and redwood, the Pavilion is designed to offer a high level of transparency.
With offices in downtown Santa Rosa, CA, and San Diego, CA, Asquared Studios was challenged with the task of creating a suitable design for the pavilion and developing a master plan for the entire site that would leave the majestic “grove” open and pristine to it’s natural conditions. At the initial site visit, Asquared Studios found themselves inspired by the masters of the international style of Architecture, a period in which materials such as steel and glass were used in new and unique ways to open up the inside of a structure to the outside landscape, and create a new level of transparency between the built and natural environments.
The Pavilion is precisely elevated and appears to float above the surrounding grade allowing for the natural flooding of the site each year. The building is intentionally symmetrical with the long transparent facades facing the grove and the caboose, and the ends complimented by redwood slatted boxes with punctured openings to create a unique entry point to one side and a juxtaposed (indoor + outdoor) fire feature at the other. The use of custom tilt-up doors facing the grove provide a unique canopy over the stage which hovers above the ground plane, while large bottom rolling sliders open the opposite side of the space to the Santa Fe caboose. The elevated structure has a strong connection to the restored Santa Fe Caboose serving the pavilion, reminiscent of a train that has pulled into a station.
Mending Wall Winery Featured
The Ultimate Guide to Napa Valley
Asquared Studios’ newest winery design was featured in The Ultimate Guide to Napa Valley.
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Mending Wall Winery Opens for Tastings
May, 2015
Asquared Studios’ newest winery design was featured in the May 2015 issue of Napa Valley Life Magazine.
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