Inde Motorsports Ranch - Willcox, AZ 2987 sq.ft. garage 1685 sq.ft. living space
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
Inde Motorsports Ranch is a private race track.
The main idea for this project evolved out of the investigation of a custom garage with living space above. The living space above is elevated to maximize views of both the race track to the south and mountains to the north.
The garage is constructed of concrete masonry units that contrast with the metal panels above. The living space extends over the garage to accentuate the two volumes. The living space above is divided into three volumes. A central open living, dining and kitchen with bedroom suites at either wing. Large shaded decks extend the length of the south and north facades to provide plenty of outdoor space for mountain views and enjoying the race track events.
Potawatami Drive, Tucson AZ 652 sq.ft. guest house Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
This guest house in Tucson, evolved out of the site condition. In order to maximize the views of the mountains, the two volumes are angled . Thus the bedroom suite and living space both have direct mountain views. Each volume is further accentuated by different exterior materials and varied roof heights
The project also maximizes indoor/outdoor living with large glass doors and concrete floors that transition to the exterior. Wood ceilings further enhance this concept by floating from the inside to the outside. The large overhangs and cross ventilation are also passive sustainable features.
Via Amable, Tucson AZ
200 sq.ft. kitchen remodel
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
This existing single family house, had a partially enclosed kitchen.
The intention of this project was to open the kitchen to the surrounding interior spaces. This was achieved by removing walls and adding a large island where the family can gather. The wood backsplash creates a contrast to the cabinets. The orange chairs and light fixtures give bright color splashes to the white and dark blue cabinets. We incorporated the existing soffit in the dining area to harmonize with the remodeled kitchen.
Lynngrove Dr. Manhattan Beach CA
2200 sq.ft. single family residence
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
Situated in a beach community, the clients developed this house with sustainable features. Accomplishing this within the budget required a combination of passive and active systems.
The design concept focused on separate public and private spaces connected by a central outdoor area. The spatial movement from common entry to public or private space is enhanced in section by varied ceiling heights. The façade materials reinforce the concept with horizontal redwood siding at the private volume and steel trowel stucco at the public volume.
The building’s orientation maximizes the southern exposure with the living space and master bedroom connected directly to the central south facing outdoor space. A grid tied photo-voltaic solar panel system reduces electricity costs. Each room has cross ventilation and the extended eaves reduce solar heat gain.
Vernon Avenue, Venice CA
two 1900 sq.ft. units
Gideon Danilowitz and Peter Fergin
The design for this property in Venice evolved out of site and program constraints. The client wanted two separate single family dwellings on the lot. The Venice Specific Plan requires a sloped roof for the maximum height and an additional setback of the front yard above a certain height. Thus the roof and front façade are angled to generate a dynamic structure.
Two separate residences each with its own private yard are created. The rear residence has an interior yard connecting the kitchen/dining with the living. The intention was to create a usable outdoor space to enhance the indoor/outdoor living experience.
Oakview Drive. Orange CT
1000 sq.ft. kitchen, entry and bathroom remodel
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
This existing single family house, built in 1953, had an enclosed kitchen that was separated from the living/dining area. The guest bathroom did not have a shower and multiple plumbing pipes were exposed.
The intention of this project was to open the kitchen to the surrounding interior and exterior spaces. This was achieved by removing walls, adding an island and inserting glass doors into the existing exterior wall. A downdraft ventilation system was installed in lieu of a hood to further connect the interior and exterior space with unobstructed views to the outside.
The bathroom remodel looked at the existing space and the idea was to accentuate the horizontal. The concept of flowing water from the shower down along the floor resulted in a continuos blue mosaic tile. All other surfaces are white and oriented in the horizontal direction.
Broadway Blvd., Tucson AZ 1933 sq.ft. artist loft Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
Situated on a busy street. The living space and master suite are elevated to take advantage of views and create privacy.
The design concept focused on separate first floor bedrooms with their own entry and separate living space. These rooms are located to the rear of the property for additional privacy.
Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice CA
1600 sqft restaurant
Gideon Danilowitz and Peter Fergin
Along Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, the brick facades are slowly being transformed to concrete and steel. Brick is no longer used because of seismic requirements in Los Angeles. The project responds to the original character of the neighborhood by reintroducing reclaimed red brick as an infill material in the steel moment frame. Wood panels warm the space and glass infill frames different street views.
This project also addresses the city code that limits the number of indoor seating spaces in relation to the parking required by creating a functional outdoor area. Extending out from the main structure is a large canopy with built-in heat lamps and skylights. Built-in benches, an outdoor fireplace and an existing bamboo perimeter create an intimate indoor/outdoor dining experience all year round.
Tucson Waldorf School, Tucson, AZ
160 sq.ft. Chicken Coop
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
Situated in the desert climate, the most important idea was to provide plenty of shade for the chickens but still have breezes to cool the coop. Based on sun angle studies, the facade changes to block summer sun but allow winter sun depending on the direction.
The coop was also designed on a tight budget and had to be able to be constructed by Waldorf parents. Thus, 2x4's in different configurations are the primary material.
Purchase Chicken Coop Plans:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/665440975/modern-chicken-coop-plans-16x10
Stanwich Road. Greenwich CT
700 sq.ft. kitchen, mud room and bathroom remodel
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
This existing single family house, had an enclosed kitchen that was separated from the living area.
The intention of this project was to open the kitchen to the surrounding interior and exterior spaces. This was achieved by removing walls, adding an island and inserting glass doors into the existing exterior wall. A downdraft ventilation system was installed in lieu of a hood to further connect the interior and exterior space with unobstructed views to the outside.
A mud room was added that allows convenient entry to the house from the either the garage or exterior parking.
Orange Street, New Haven CT
8830 sq.ft. conversion/remodel of 5 condominiums
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
The existing Mansion was built in 1869. It had various uses over the years from offices to apartments . The owner's wanted to convert the existing into condominiums in a highly sought after area by Yale University. The goal of a modern aesthetic while maintaining characteristics of the existing structure such as exposed brick and the grand staircase was achieved by juxtaposing the old and the new.
Appleton Way, Venice CA
3000 sq.ft. single family residence
Project Architect for dU Architects
This single story residence in Venice, illustrates how a spatial idea can be manifested with physical materials. The roof is supported by steel posts and floats above the walls. This allows for a continuous clerestory window that filters light into the main living space.
The private and public spaces are separated by floor to ceiling bookshelves that run the length of the structure. The floor level of the private space is fourteen inches higher than the public space to create an sectional awareness of transitions between the two zones.
The house has several sustainable concepts. Photo-voltaic panels on the roof provide power for hot water, heating, and electricity. The interior walls have non-toxic clay paint. The large overhangs and cross ventilation in each room are successful passive sustainable features.
Art & Arch. Building, Ann Arbor MI
Library Annex Concept
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
“Your challenge is to develop a Library Annex prototype that can install and disassemble easily, integrate intelligently with a range of physical contexts, expand in scale if necessary, accommodate diverse conditions, and provide a secure and reliable environment for rare documents and manuscripts." (Professors Mark Wamble & Dawn Finley)
In as early as 1050 the nomadic Bedouin tribes designed a tent to protect themselves from the harsh environments of the North African Deserts. The tent was lightweight and could be pitched quickly by one person. The tent became the initial inspiration for a Library Annex that would need to exist for thirty six months then be taken down, possibly stored and later erected at another site for a different program.
The main forces driving this design were the need for a mobile repetitive structure without footings combined with a flexible surface. The mobile units are situated in their desired location. The pneumatic tent is unrolled and anchored to the mobile units. An inflation system pumps up the tubes to its setup height in about an hour. The pneumatic surface can continuously change from site to site depending on the location of the base.
Michigan Avenue, Detroit MI
Detroit Perspective Concept
Gideon Danilowitz - Architect
"This studio's research is focused primarily on the theme of a four
dimensional urbanism. As a historically significant connection
between Detroit and Chicago, Michigan Avenue functioned in the
past as a primary spine of life for the city of Detroit. The rapid
economic changes after WWII and finally the riots in downtown
Detroit led to a general dislocation to the suburbs. New measures
have to be taken, to develop a new perspective of the city."
(Professor Lars Graebner)
Detroit has become an empty city. As one weaves back and forth
along Michigan Avenue, farm animals have taken over land that
was once inhabited by humans. A proposal for a permeable catalyst
is the trajectory that this project follows.
This project suggest a new urban farmland whereby resources can
be grown, manufactured and sold. The idea is not to add new retail
or living but to energize the existing by inserting production
facilities within the argriculture land.
Nichols Arboretum Ann Arbor , MI
Land Art
Gideon Danilowitz-Architect
"For the insider there is no clear separation of self from scene, subject from object.” (Denis Cosgrove)
The act of perceiving the landscape as from within as opposed to a pictorial image of an object from afar is the trajectory that this project follows.
In addition to the visual image; there are the sounds, smells and feelings that one might associate with a certain place. These sensorial perceptions or phenomena cannot be captured with a photographic image or a drawing.
This hand woven aluminum ribbon extends over one hundred and fifty feet from the railroad tracks to the river below. As it negotiates different site conditions the weave is adjusted to allow for a variety of interactions depending on the terrain. The result is an intervention that heightens ones awareness of their environment by drawing attention to the constant variations one encounters in the landscape.
It could be a path, a surface to lie on, a visual bridge or a performance area. This site specific installation allowed for the performance of a piece of music in Nichols Arboretum. The musical score was created from recordings of ambient sounds and performed on the site.
