BGI Architecture

As Architects, every now and then we are left scratching our heads observing past design decisions and how existing buildings became what you see today. When we first saw this projects existing building, we were definitely a little puzzled. With an outdated style, and severe water infiltration issues in the basement garages, BGI was hired to design a completely new and modern style building. To be a complete tear down and rebuild, the new 3 on Garfield Condominiums will be l...ocated in downtown Carlsbad 1 block from the coastal bluff. The site is fairly unique for the area as it sits on a slightly raised mound which allows underground parking from the rear and views of the ocean over the neighboring properties. Because of this, the project has been designed to capture those Western views with main living spaces on the third floor utilizing rear decks and expansive glass, and to maximize privacy and security towards the street front where a public park is located across the street. The new condominiums will be `1,800 S.F. each, and will incorporate contrasting materiality of color and texture while remaining appropriate for the beachfront. Each unit is also designed to have a rooftop deck for sunset viewing! Now that the Schematic Design has been completed and approved, we’re excited to move onto construction documents and get some permits!

https://www.homebuilderdigest.com/the-best-residential-arc/

Six on Madison in Carlsbad is under construction! No, that's not a basement, its a vault! the vault will house 6 underground car lifts which allow each condominium access to their 2 required parking spaces. Located in downtown Carlsbad, Six on Madison will consist of 6 residential condos of roughly 2,100 S.F. on the 2/3/4 floor, and a ground floor parking and commercial unit.

Located 1 block East of Coast Highway 101, The Tower 35 beach house is a 1 minute walk to Carlsbad State Beach. Many years back, the site consisted of a small 900 S.F. beach cottage with a large rear yard. The owners had plans to slowly develop the lot with a new main house and guest house, and in 2010 BGI Architecture designed a 641 S.F. 1 bedroom guest house with lower floor 2 car garage. The guest house living space is located on the second story which allows views of the ...Pacific Ocean from many of the spaces. After enjoying the existing cottage and main house for a number of years, the owners returned to BGI Architecture in 2017 to design a new main house. Construction completed in 2019. The original 900 S.F. cottage was replaced with a 2,088 S.F. beach house that includes 2 bedroom suites, a first floor media room that can convert to an extra bedroom, and a large open concept great room/dining/kitchen. The exterior space between the new main house and the rear guest house creates a protected courtyard that extends the living space of the main floor, and also includes a fire pit. In addition, the entire ground floor of the main house was designed to allow a free flow of people from the front entry yard to the exterior courtyard, perfect for entertaining large beach parties and holidays.

Another house in the books! After the 2007 Witch Creek Fire burned down the original structure leaving only the foundation, the lot sat empty for almost 10 years. Our clients saw the opportunity to revive the site at a discount and hired BGI Architecture to design a contemporary style home that fit snugly into the hillside. The major concepts for the project were to incorporate the existing foundation and grading, revive the existing backyard pool, and provided dramatic views of the canyon beyond. The home consists of 3,876 S.F. of interior space on two floors with a 993 S.F. (4) car garage, and 1,132 S.F. of exterior decks and covered patios to take advantage of the views. The central great room and kitchen opens up to the exterior with floor to ceiling glass doors on the east facade.

The Solana Beach View Residence comprises 3,380 square feet of open living and 850 square feet of exterior terrace entertaining space. Designed for a professional couple with a very active work life, the client’s vision was to create a relaxed lifestyle without distraction and to be able to easily entertain at a moment’s notice. Their desire was to create a modern, clean lined, home with uncluttered furnishings that opens to the exterior. The home sits on a somewhat difficult... 5,000 square foot sloping property upon which all the owners needs, wants and desires had to be integrated. An original existing house was completely demolished to make way for the brand new modern home. BGI Architecture designed the residence to take advantage of ocean views by placing the living and entertaining spaces on the upper floor, while placing the support spaces and garage in the lower level. The open plan focuses on a central core great room entertaining area thru which all the other areas are connected. The design intent for the upper floor was to have every space directed towards either the central great room, or the ocean views. Upper Floor: West of the great room is the Sunset Terrace with fabulous ocean views for evening entertaining. To the East of the great room is the Private Garden for dining and general quiet relaxation around the pool. With large sliding glass walls on either side of the great room the terrace, garden and great room open up to create a generous entertaining venue. On the north side of the Great room is the entry and an office with ocean views. The media area is just off the Sunset Terrace also with sweeping ocean views. The media room contains the conditioned wine vault, and the open kitchen leads to the laundry room. Adjacent to the kitchen a powder room and private bedroom suite provide access and views towards the garden and pool. South of the great room, on either side of the fireplace, are two private bedroom suites as well. The east guest bedroom suite provides access and views of the private garden and pool. The west master suite contains a private balcony with a large sliding glass door providing further ocean views. Lower Floor: The lower floor contains a multi-purpose area complete with bath and storage. A three-car garage, shop and storage area, and mechanical systems area complete the space. After moving in, the owners new home provides the relaxed and simpler lifestyle they have long desired away from their work life.

Neptune Bluffs Residence has finished! This project has quite the story to tell. Located on Neptune Avenue in Encinitas CA, the site is directly across the street from the coastal bluff and stunning multi-million dollar beachfront homes. However, the existing building was severely out of place to its surroundings. When the owner purchased the property 2 years ago the building was functioning as a drug rehab facility and was home to 16 recovering drug addicts. Not only was the... buildings use questionable, so was the building itself. Numerous (and substantial) code and zoning violations made the building very unsafe for the current occupants. There was even an entire gable roof complete with roof shingles and vents sandwiched between the first and second floor (In the 1980’s a second story was added, and the builders at the time left the roof on and built right on top of it). This created dangerous hinge conditions around the entire second floor which are very weak in earthquakes. It’s amazing it was still standing. In whole, the property was a mess. The neighbors were tired of the situation and so was the City. Because of all the issues, our client was able to get a great deal and buy the property at a discount compared to the neighborhood. The plan was to convert a 16 person halfway house into a luxury single family residence as an investment to sell. The new owner hired BGI Architecture and wanted a modern style building that would bring new life to the property. The entire building was stripped to the studs and all the structural issues were corrected. Design wise, the main focus was the front façade and main entry because it was the primary access and viewing point for the property. Because the original building was essentially a big flat faced rectangle, the challenge was to break up the façade and create visual interest and movement. Amazingly, the new façade is entirely within the existing buildings envelope. In addition to the new façade, the rest of the building was cleaned up and all interior finishes were upgraded. The great room was also opened up to a 2 story, 22’ high, ceiling which creates a very dramatic entry experience. The new home is 4,716 S.F. and includes a 3rd story basement with game room and home gym, 3 story elevator, 5 bedrooms and large outdoor entertaining terraces. This project has had quite the transformation, and now fits in with the rest of the neighborhood. We are proud to have the BGI Architecture name behind it! The project is currently for sale. So, if you are interested, its available!

One of BGI’s Architects, Bryan Beery, has entered a few pieces of handmade furniture into this years San Diego County Fair. If you find yourself at the fair, go check them out!

A small, yet fun, and educational project, Tri-City Medical Center Hired BGI Architecture to do the Architectural drawings and permit processing to replace the 80’s era surgical lights in (4) of the hospitals main operating rooms. Despite the seemingly weightless appearance of the lights, they are in fact quite heavy, very expensive, and require significant structural support, electrical and data systems to function. The project was subject to OSHPD State review, and was very... detailed throughout the permit process. BGI is happy to see the first set of brand new lights installed and running! Since shadows are no good during operations, the hospital staff is excited to see the new lights up and running. With one down, on to the other operating rooms! The first two pictures show the previous 80’s era lights, and the last 3 pictures show the brand new lights, plus the new equipment cabinet that powers the new lighting system.

Neptune Bluffs Residence has started construction! Demo almost complete :-) An existing duplex to be converted to a single family home. When completed the Neptune Bluffs Residence will be 4,758 S.F. with a 200 S.F. of covered terraces, and a three car garage. It will be one of the largest single family homes on Neptune Avenue, and has quick access to the beach, and downtown Encinitas.

http://www.thecoastnews.com//mixed-use-project-okd-for-ca/

We’ve been tight lipped about this project until we got all our final approvals, however, BGI is proud and excited to announce that Six on Madison has PASSED Carlsbad Planning Commission and City Council UNANIMOUSLY (very rare in CA these days). Time to finish up the construction documents, get a building permit, and start construction 2nd half of 2018! Located in downtown Carlsbad, CA, the Six on Madison project is a mixed-use development consisting of Six (6) 2,100 S.F. lux...ury residential condominiums, and a 1,000 S.F. commercial space. One block off Carlsbad Village drive, Six on Madison is a stones throw from all of the shops, restaurants, and beaches that comprise downtown Carlsbad, CA. Each unit has large open floorplans and large entertaining terraces. The penthouse units will have views over downtown Carlsbad to the Ocean 1/3 of a mile away. With its successful and smooth adoption by the community, and striking design, we look forward to taking this experience to broaden our portfolio of work and hopefully do more mixed-use and urban infill projects in the future, both here in CA and elsewhere. BGI Architecture welcomes any future mixed-use/urban infill opportunities!

Torrey Pines Del Mar Residence is under construction! BGI is excited to watch this house come out of the ground. 4,100 S.F. (1,600 S.F. basement) house on a 4,800 S.F. lot with a very challenging permiting process. Proud to see this project moving forward!