CHA:COL wins AIA recognition /  by Apurva Pande

Honored to receive a Residential Design Award from the American Institute of Architects for Writer’s Block.

Enjoyed the ceremony and being a part of such a talented group.

“Writer’s Block by CHACOL, Inc.
The jury likes this project for the way it created a sculptural piece in the middle that performs many different functions, and which also works to both zone the entire loft into different areas and extends the dynamism with the use of carpet squares on the floor and paint running up the walls. It allows the space to read as very dynamic, and yet one space. | The space seems to pivot around a central structure which we all appreciate: a very effective use of funds to create not just a livable, but also a work space which will create any number of writing non-blocks.”
— AIA Los Angeles Residential Design Awards Jury
Featured
WRITER'S BLOCK
Our focus involved primarily creating a compact urban oasis. Their schedules involve a lot of travel, particularly book and publishing related, therefore the need for this space was to provide a few days of solitude and creative inspiration at the s
Location Arts District, Los Angeles, California Year Completed 2016
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American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles, Residential Design Award

American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles, Residential Design Award

CHA:COL's Loft Projects Feature in LA Times /  by Apurva Pande

Loved the feature by the Los Angeles Times covering the complexity and nuances of renovating and designing live-work lofts in urban, historic buildings. They described two of our special projects -- Twin Lofts and Writer's Block -- to help explain issues to the lay public. Thanks for featuring a design perspective on this issue LA Times!

Read here

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Design Feature: Roger TV Animation Warehouse Conversion /  by Apurva Pande

We're thrilled to share our creative warehouse conversion project for the spectacularly unique motion graphics and animation studio, Roger TV.

Quite a complex process, inserting a second floor and editing suites within a former garment manufacturing 'shop' with dubious code compliance prior.

Do read the story at Design Milk here

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Writer's Block: Vivre et Travailler A La Maison /  by Apurva Pande

Looking forward to seeing Writer's Block in print with the French magazine Architectures A Avivre. Thank you for the thoughtful piece. And yes, we maximized our rudimentary reading skills in French successfully :)

“Pour remedier au probleme et sublimer le potentiel de sa nouvelle residence secondaire, le couple fait appel aux architectes Chinmaya Misra et Apurva Pande de l’agence CHA:COL”
— Mathieu Fumex, Architectures A Avivre
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Writer's Block on NPR /  by Apurva Pande

So proud of our clients, Marie Lu and Primo for the story on them and Writer's Block on NPR. Great listening to you guys. Congratulations on the exciting new title, Warcross.

“In her modernist loft in LA’s arts district, author Marie Lu has a modular workspace and lounge area whimsically dubbed The Writer’s Block. ”
— http://www.npr.org/2017/09/08/549000150/marie-lu-s-warcross

CHA:COL presents at Dwell on Design /  by Apurva Pande

Join us at Dwell on Design this weekend. We're presenting 'Tough Terrain, Peculiar Lots' this Saturday, June 24th. Register here for complimentary passes. Look forward to seeing you there.

 

The purpose of the presentation is to help explain the complex, unusual, often bizarre intersecting world of terrains, topography, unique lots as well as the adjudicating laws, agencies and codes that govern them. All this from an architect's design perspective.

“LA has a diverse and complex terrain, hillsides, coasts, rivers, small lots, highways, special zones, transportation corridors, HOA, HPOZ...The list is overpowering, even for design professionals. Explore residences and lots that require vastly different strategies to make a project possible and highlight the issues that come with peculiar lots and physical conditions.”
— https://la.dwellondesign.com/Attendee/Schedule/SessionDetails/39799

 

Look forward to seeing you there.

Design Awards 2017: Market Winner /  by Apurva Pande

“RECOGNITION

Market winners represent the highest caliber of work within an industry segment across the globe. ”
— Design Awards 2017, Shaw Contract

We're thrilled to announce CHA:COL was awarded the 2017 'DESIGN IS' Market Winner for 'Skybox', designed for HR&A Advisors. More here.

2017 Winner

'DESIGN IS' Market Winner: Small Office

'Made by Design'

Our project was awarded in the Small Office category. Do visit and vote for People's Choice as well, if that's your thing ;) Link here

From an Architect: Buying vacant lots in LA /  by Apurva Pande

Curbed LA had an interesting write-up recently on the vicissitudes of buying and evaluating vacant lots in Los Angeles and interviewed CHA:COL.  We support the idea of educating people about the hidden complexities behind vacant properties, with actual examples of projects in planning and construction. CHA:COL will be presenting on the topic this June at Dwell on Design, so do keep an eye out for it.

“it’s unlikely you’ll be the first person to ask questions about a particular piece of land in Los Angeles, says Apurva Pande, principal of the architecture firm CHA:COL. In other words, there’s probably a reason why someone hasn’t already built a home there.”
— Curbed LA

Read the Curbed article here.