MYD won in both the Design and Service categories, and we are always appreciative of the recognition from the online community of designers, architects and homeowners.

Find our work in the Exterior category for Orange County, and take a look at other regional winners here.

Stop by our profile page on Houzz to see additional photography and project information about the winning design and other works.

cheers, myd

In the meanwhile, see below for features from the past twelve months, as we look back at favorite moments from studio snapshots to progress on various projects to creative explorations…

[click on any image for more information]

Many thanks to the clients, colleagues, friends and family who made the past year a noteworthy one, and all the best for 2024!

This year, as we work on the current design, we thought we’d share a few favorites from previous iterations- see below for a selection of cards, and best wishes for a colorful and well-crafted season ahead!

Cheers from Moss Yaw Design studio!

The primary exhibition on display in the Bergman Family Gallery was a twenty year survey of the work of American artist, Rebecca Morris, incorporating paintings from 2001 to 2022.

Below are a few images from our visit- find more information on the artist here and on the curated display at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art online.

We recently returned from a trip to Montana, where we visited Glacier National Park and took in some beautiful sights…

Here are a few images from our travels-we definitely recommend a visit if you have the opportunity!

Our design for this unique home reestablishes a courtyard design concept at the site, with a return to the architectural approach and overall massing of the original 1964 plan after the home had been extensively modified during a previous addition and remodel.

This recent renovation centers the open plan around an integrated pool design, with extensive glazing throughout, allowing for seamless outdoor-indoor living while taking advantage of the coastal climate and beautiful ridgeline views of the nearby hillsides.

Features include an open plan kitchen and living area, as well as an expanded primary bedroom wing and three additional bedrooms at the opposite wing of the home.

Find more photos at the project portfolio page, and learn more about the design, process and construction at MYD blog.

Here a few snapshots from behind the scenes…

We look forward to sharing new project imagery soon…

[Many thanks to Jimmy Cheng Photography]

We stopped by the Architecture and Design Center of the Palm Springs Art Museum to take a look at the installation, which featured a number of models exploring various implementations of the most common building system in the country- wood framing.

Housed in a full-scale structure custom built within the interior of the gallery, the collection of models conveys different historical and functional applications of the widely-used material from the early 19th century onward.

These are just a few snapshots from our visit; for further information, visit the Art Museum online, and for more photos of previous installations, stop by the exhibition’s website.

[Refer to photos below and click on any image for more project information and related links]

We look forward to making progress and sharing updates in the coming months… In the meanwhile, visit MYD blog for the latest project news, as well as construction and design imagery.

Currently on the market, it’s a rare opportunity to live in this small mid-century neighborhood in a newly completed home that reflects and celebrates its original 1964 roots, while providing for contemporary amenities and efficient building systems.

Find more details on the home at the property listing, and feel free to get in touch with us for more on the design and construction processes, or with the representative for more information on sales and availability.

The reimagined home is located in a favorite nearby community and it’s always a pleasure working in this coastal context, where classic forms aptly reflect California Modernism by taking full advantage of the mild climate and embracing indoor-outdoor living.

That said, a thoughtful approach to the design process provides for seamless integration of exterior and interior spaces while preserving existing modernist concepts and highlighting the integration of contemporary materials and systems for a balance of both form and function.
The interpretation and implementation of such strategies to achieve cohesive and comfortable spaces is detailed in the thorough article and project overview at this link.

So, feel free to stop by Mid-Century Home online to read more about the design, our process and approach, and to view additional project imagery…

Every other year, a series of site-specific designs are located throughout desert landscape, often large-scale pieces that respond conceptually to environmental and cultural issues, as conveyed by the event’s curators and The Desert Biennial organization.

Here are a few favorite works from this year’s exhibition, which began in March and was on display through early May.

Click on any photo or link for more information.

Find out more about the artists and their perspectives at Desert X online.

To celebrate, we’re revisiting an early project from over a decade ago- The Energy Lab at the Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano.

The Energy Lab is an outdoor classroom space for educational programs at The Ecology Center, a non-profit organization housed at the historic Congdon Residence, the oldest wood-framed structure in San Juan Capistrano.

Constructed of sustainable materials, the design solution for a structure to support an 8-panel photovoltaic array takes cues from the agrarian site and consists of exposed timber framing and a modular green roof system at the asymmetrical gable.

Green features include FSC-certified timber, as well as Richlite panels, a natural fiber composite material, used as a semi-transparent slatted enclosure.

A community based endeavor, the small new build involved donations of products and services from building industry professionals throughout Orange County, and you can stop by and check it out if you visit the non-profit located in nearly San Juan Capistrano…

All the best and Happy Earth Day!

A reflection of the desert landscape of the Coachella Valley, the artist’s sculptural works explore the nature of light and form in the context of space, time and perceived experience.

Several galleries contain a series of three-dimensional structures, a room of reflective wall surfaces, and a collection of illuminated abstract geometric wall sculptures.

The contemporary installations engage viewers as colors slowly evolve into varying tones and degrees of reflectivity, gently augmenting the hues of not only the works themselves, but the atmosphere and experience of the darkened gallery rooms as well.

An examination of geometry and spatial transformation, the exhibition features works that span almost 20 years of Phillip K. Smith’s career- one that both conveys a sense of innovation and place, as well as a reflection of the twentieth century Light and Space art movement.

On view through early May, it’s worth a trip to Palm Springs to experience the installations in person- find more information at psmuseum.org or at Smith’s website.

That said, it’s always interesting to explore the evolution of a building over time, and an understanding of the origins of a design can assist in determining how to best adapt it for current and future needs.

So, here’s a quick look the before and after, as compared to the original floor plan and elevation drawings that were utilized to build and market the design almost 60 years ago...

Renovating a modernist home can and should celebrate classic mid-century features while allowing for new functional and pragmatic considerations, and that was the aim at this home, originally designed by George Arthur Bissell in 1964.

Reusing structural elements minimizes development impact, and reinterpreting the design within a contemporary context allows for historical continuity in this unique mid-century community. Find more information on this project at its portfolio page and more on the design process in previous blog posts.

We received our first Houzz award over ten years ago, and we are always appreciative of the recognition… This year, MYD won in both the Design and Service categories for Orange County, California.

Find our work in the Exterior and Entry spaces, and browse the rest of the winners from around the world here.

We often share additional project imagery that isn’t on our portfolio, so we encourage clients and colleagues to stop by our profile page for a more extensive collection of photography and information.

Find MYD on Houzz here, and many thanks again for the recognition!

Cheers, Lauren + Jason

Clean lines and minimalist architectural massing allow the beautiful views to take center stage, with coastal canyon vistas giving way to a perfectly framed vignette of the pacific ocean.

At the main living space and open kitchen, walls of multi-slide doors open to the private infinity pool and koi pond perched on the sloping site, highlighting a dramatic display of natural landscape and topography.

Throughout the interior, the height of the spaces is accentuated by a ceiling reveal detail that gives the appearance of a floating plane overhead, while natural materials including silver limestone and textured wood provide movement and a sense of scale at the open plan.

These shades of warm grey stone and wood tones are illuminated by the setting sun, providing the ideal backdrop for the water element that stretches the length of the rear elevation.

A cedar and metal awning with clerestory windows above highlights the horizontality of the design, while functionally moderating light and solar heat gain at the interior.

Cedar and limestone are also utilized at the street facing elevation and approach, providing for continuity between interior and exterior finishes. Landscaping and additional water elements at the floor plane will frame the entry walkway and offer a hint of the stunning water-framed views to come once inside...

We look forward to sharing more updates as these elements take shape… in the meanwhile, revisit previous project posts and design imagery here at MYD blog.

We kicked off 2023 with a visit to the Los Angeles Arboretum for the botanical garden’s annual exhibition celebrating the light, landscape and the winter season.

Lightscape, which begins in November and lasts until mid-January, features illuminated installations along a mile-long walking trail, incorporating unique architectural interventions as well as engaging spaces that include sound and movement for an immersive experience.

Here are a few photos from our evening at the Arboretum, highlighting favorite moments from the outdoor exhibition, including the Winter Cathedral, seen above…

Find more information on the annual event and the arboretum online…

As we prepare for 2023 and what’s to come in the near future, here’s a look back at architectural highlights and project features from both the site and the studio from the past twelve months…

[click on any image or link for more details or project information]

Many thanks to the clients, colleagues, family + friends that made this past year so rewarding and productive- here’s to a successful and bright 2023 ahead!

All the best,
Lauren + Jason

All the best wishes for a merry and bright holiday season- find more holiday photos of a favorite mid-century modern project here at myd blog and more images at our project portfolio page.

cheers, lauren + jason