Creating The Perfect Backyard Getaway

There is nothing better than having a beautiful outdoor space in your home. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind, connect with nature, and the environment. When JMA designs any type of backyard or patio space for our projects, we aim to have the area feel like a welcoming extension of the home. It’s so important for us to give our clients a backyard that makes them feel as if it’s their own personal retreat. With our projects like the 7th street townhouse we designed, as soon as the person opens the door they make a beeline for the backyard because it is just so beautiful and inviting. 

Backyard Designed by JMA

Backyard Design Essentials

Patios aren’t just meant to be a barren concrete spaces with no vibrancy or life. The best designed backyards are fun, colorful, and full of activity zones designed for entertaining, cooking, and relaxing. As soon as you enter into the backyard at the 7th street townhouse it gives you a sense of calmness as you see the wonderful view of the tall trees and wood accents from the large patio deck. When we were in the design planning stage for this project, we made sure the space had different areas where people could gather have a nice meal, and also have an area where kids can play. By us incorporating elements like a small water feature and colorful accents it becomes a great addition to the backyard space because it is both pleasant in sight and sound.

7th street townhouse backyard

For our design project at 10-18 47th Avenue located in Long Island City, the private rooftop terrace in the building is the ultimate showstopper. People say the kitchen is the heart of the home but this is the type of terrace you would never want to leave. When we design buildings we aim to make each project have an interior that flows effortlessly into the exterior of the home. As architects we do this by incorporating an open floor layout and large windows like the glass atrium on top of the upper unit that floods natural light throughout the space. At this terrace residents can have a place outdoors to enjoy cool breezes, fresh air, and see stunning views of the city.

The rooftop terrace at 10-18 47th Avenue designed by JMA

10-18 47th Avenue Rear Yard

Also located in Long Island City, at 10-27 47th Road, we designed this building to have multiple outdoor spaces. This stunning contemporary style 3-unit townhouse respects the context of the neighborhood and pays homage to the typical brick facade but with a modern flair.  It has an elevated ground floor unit that provides added privacy from the street in addition to the natural wood latices and plants climbing the facade. The main floor and basement both have access to the expansive private backyard with nearly floor to ceiling sliding doors and windows. The two units above are front and rear triplexes, the top floor being a split private penthouse with roof terrace. Each terrace has sweeping views of the city beyond and plenty of planted area creating a green rooftop oasis.

10-27 47th Road Penthouse Designed by JMA

10-27 47th Road's Private Backyard

JMA has always made it our mission to create buildings that improve the quality of life for residents and design features that can contribute to a healthier happier lifestyle. We believe that having a backyard space is a necessary feature to have in a home. Beautiful backyard spaces don’t appear overnight it’s amazing how architects can overlook an unappealing yard or bare space because they know what it’s potential can be. It’s common for many people to see a backyard as something completely separate from the rest of the house, but we see it as a powerful extension of the home.

Citations

• Dalton, Melissa “How to Design An Outdoor Room” Curbed NY. Vox Media. June 2nd 2016. Web.
• Better Home and Gardens “10 Ways To Create A Backyard Getaway”. Meredith Corporation. Accessed Oct. 5th 2017 Web.

It's All In The Details

The details are what give a home depth, almost like reading a good novel full of meaningful characters and plot twists. It is the architectural features and details in a home that have the capability to transform it from looking “nice” or “boring” to stunning and unique. The best architects know that when they are in the design planning stage it is extremely important to add details as a way of maintaining the integrity of a home. The details help create consistency and authenticity in a space. At JMA, we make sure every material and detail chosen conveys the overall concept of our design, making it reach its fullest potential. 

Importance of Material Selection 

For our development project at 93 Bright, located in Jersey City, a significant attention was focused on the exterior skin of the project and its appearance towards the surrounding neighborhood. We carefully chose materials that would accentuate the diverse urban fabric of the city and still look consistent with its neighbors. The primary materials for the project consists of a system of horizontal cedar wood slats, glass panels, and painted white aluminum window frame projections. The horizontal wood slats are definitely the star of the show for this project. The wood slats not only help break up the scale of the project but it also creates a balanced palette for the building. Architects decide what specific materials they want for a design, if done correctly it can transform a building into a work of art. The horizontal wood slats at 93 Bright are the perfect example of that. 

93 Bright designed by JMA

         

At another one of our projects, called The Wooden Box House, located in Argentina, we used wood as material to give the house a unique looking design aesthetic for the exterior. The project was designed with the idea of separating two volumes in two separate levels. The resulting concept produces a modern interpretation of the traditional Argentinian veranda. The upper wooden box portion cantilevers over the lower level as to create this modern veranda, which becomes a buffer between the interior and exterior spaces as well as a common gathering space. The inside plays with the light and shadows with walls that open and close, ranging from transparent to solid. The shadows casted all around the private upper level from the wood screens adds beautiful shadows in the home making the space look like a piece of art. We wanted to design the upper level of the house to have an intimate relaxing atmosphere full of character and small details.

Wooden Box House Designed by JMA

Wooden Box House Interior

Details Provide Character 

When architects create a structure, the details are what make the design. It tells the story about the building, societal changes, and how much character it has. JMA has done a lot of development projects in historic districts located in the New York and New Jersey area. The buildings at these locations are full of rich details like trims, crown moldings, original floors, and more. Those details give the home a sense of vibrancy and “je ne sais quoi”. We believe in preserving design elements like this because their loss or alteration would diminish or destroy aspects of the historic appeal whether on the outside, or on the inside of the building.

West End Apartment designed by JMA

Beautiful trim moldings at the West End Apartment

For our renovation project at the West End Apartment we had to keep the beautiful trim moldings, it would be unfortunate to get rid of it. All homes have potential and the reason why some homes look plain and boring is the lack of poor detailing. Details are what makes a home intriguing and is a testament to the artistry of the architect. 

Citations 

Spry, Eric “Architecture: How Details Can Make All the Difference”. Houzz. March 27th, 2013. Web 

Nelson, Lee. H FAIA, “Architectural Character—Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic Buildings as an Aid to Preserving their Character.” Technical Preservation Serivces. NPS.Gov. Sept. 1988. Web

How to Maximize Your Living Space

Living in Manhattan has a lot of perks but when it comes to the size of apartments they typically run on the smaller side. However, just because your apartment is small, does not mean you have to think small when designing it. In order to make your apartment reach its fullest potential you have to think outside the box and find new ways to make every area of space have a thoughtful purpose.

How to Create a Purposeful Design
We recently did a renovation for an apartment located in Gramercy, New York that was in need of a makeover. Before JMA designed it, the apartment had a dark cramped layout that lacked function or beauty. Our first step when renovating was to reconfigure the entire layout and give the compact looking apartment a breath of fresh new air.

The kitchen and living room layout was maximized by removing a dividing wall that separated the spaces, resulting in a much more flexible and efficient layout. An integrated island separates the kitchen and living room visually, but doesn't constrain the spaces, all the while providing usable space for the kitchen.

Gramercy Apartment Designed by JMA

                   

Let There Be Light

JMA used diffused accent lighting to provide a feeling of openness and natural light to help make the apartment feel larger and brighter. Light is an important design element because it creates a visual impression of expansiveness. Not only does light make an apartment seem brighter and more open, but choosing the right paint colors can have this effect as well. When designing your apartment always choose a solid light color to make your rooms seem bigger and more spacious. The light blue color we chose for the Gramercy apartment was the perfect choice because it makes the apartment look airy and gives it a calming effect.

The Benefits of Storage in Unexpected Places
When designing this apartment we aimed to find new ways to maximize square footage wherever we could. One of the ways we did this is by creating an efficient use of shelving in the kitchen and living room areas. If you live in a smaller apartment, staying organized is essential.  JMA designed the Gramercy apartment to have ample cabinet space so it can be clutter free. The best designers always approach design with each bit of the space carefully and thoughtfully in mind.  By us placing the built-in shelves close to the ceiling it made the apartment look taller and reduced taking up precious floor space.

Thinking Outside the Box
Our overall vision when designing this apartment was to make it look minimal, modern, and have a timeless appeal. The white cabinets in the kitchen and the wood accents in the bathroom give the apartment a modern elegance. Although the bathroom is on the smaller side it still looks stylish, unique, and functional. It fits perfectly with the rest of the house and the minimalist look we were going for.

Modern Bathroom Designed by JMA

At JMA we are always focused on strategizing new ways to maximize square footage when we are in the design planning process. It is important for us to create smarter home layouts for our clients regardless of their apartment size. The best designed homes are functional, beautiful, and makes people feel comfortable in an environment that works for them. It is a very rewarding feeling designing a client's home that satisfies their artistic desires and changes their lives for the better.

Citations

• McLaughlin, Camilla " Efficiency is Best: Buying Homes That Utilize the Most of Each Space"Newhomesource.com. Web.
• Renzi, Jen and Smith, Lauren " 11 Ways to Maximize a Small Space." HouseBeautiful.com. July 27. 2017 Web