Firm Feature: Johnsen Schmaling Architects

Johnsen Schmaling Architects is a small firm based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its two principles, Brian Johnsen and Sebastian Schmaling, founded the firm in 2003 and have since received numerous awards for their high end residential and commercial projects. Their work can be characterized as being sensitive to site and context while still being bold and thoroughly modern. 

One of the things that I enjoy most about their projects is their approach to space planning - a traditional cabin layout flipped vertically for example. Also the way they site their projects according to what is best suited for the house rather than just abiding by neighborhood norms. Be sure to check out their website for more examples of their work but below find three of my favorites. 

Stacked Cabin by Johnsen Schmaling

OS House by Johnsen Schmaling

Nexus House by Johnsen Schmaling

Firm Feature: Jarmund Vigsnaes Architects

​A couple of years, as part of a class on Scandinavian architecture, I had the opportunity to go to Oslo, Norway. It was November so it never got much warmer than 25 degrees fahrenheit and it was dark at 4pm in the afternoon yet it was one of the most significant trips I have ever taken. Scandinavia, as a region, has an amazingly rich tradition of valuing design and to experience that culture first hand was truly transformative for me as a designer.  

One of the best things about the trip was getting to visit with the principles of Jarmund Vigsnaes Architects. They are a small firm of roughly 20 people and while they primarily do residential work they have also branched into doing larger and larger public projects. For me, their work is characterized by its innovative use of traditional materials, attention to craft and detail and its consideration of the natural environment. While it was hard for me to select out just a few projects, I have featured three of their residential projects below. 

​images by JVA

​images by JVA

​images by JVA

Home Feature: The Porch House

​I came across this house several months ago by Hufft Projects and it has since stuck with me. Named the Porch House, it artfully combines traditional farmhouse forms with a more modern aesthetic and flow. Located in Springfield, Missouri the house feels appropriate in its farm setting while at the same time introduces something distinctly new to its surroundings.

For me, the most successful feature of this home is the ease in which the indoor space blends into the outdoors with its expansive porch and particular attention to the views. As we are in full blown spring mode here in Missouri, I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to look out from this home and be engulfed in all the new greenness that surrounds.

images by Mike Sinclair via Hufft Projects