Interview Standard Architecture
Their architecture responds to the fundamentals: space, light and materiality – an attribute that appealed to Eco Outdoor director Ben Kerr when engaging a creative team to design our Beverly Hills showroom.
Founded by architects Jeffrey Allsbrook and Silvia Kuhle, Standard Architecture is a relatively small firm which balances a clientele of commercial and residential projects. Jeff, the project architect of the Eco Outdoor Los Angeles showroom, began his career working in London with an architecture firm that provided a great foundation and added meaning to his discipline.
“There was an emphasis on details and it helped me gain perspective on the craft of building”, says Jeff. When Jeff and Silvia decided to form a partnership and put down roots in Los Angeles after travelling throughout Europe they knew their approach to architecture was unique. “Los Angeles had an architectural design culture that didn’t perfectly align with our thinking. There was an emphasis on complexity, and we were more into simplicity.” As the creative team began working with like-minded clients who respected their approach, the firm continued to grow. Today, Standard Architecture operates on the philosophy to resolve architectural design problems elegantly.
“We design from the inside out, in response to a project’s specific conditions and constraints. Views, light, proportion, orientation and materiality guide us to shape and organize volume. Context and terrain; movement through space; and thresholds of variable permeability are consistent themes.”
When Ben approached Standard Architecture to design the showroom, it’s this considered approach that stood out. “Ben brought the vision of somewhat raw aesthetics to use – exposed wood and steel combined with stone finishes. We brought an element of control over the details: the windows and doors; the metalwork; and the light fixture installations. It was a collaboration that resulted in a space that’s reflective of our design approach and the Eco Outdoor brand.”
Working closely with Ben and project manager Warren Treloar was relatively stress-free, explains Jeff. Despite needing to translate the Australian style and vision, he says “we worked well together and in the process, I learnt a lot about the Eco Outdoor stone.”
“We’re finding that Eco Outdoor’s products are received very well in the U.S. market, so much so we’re already taking clients to the Wilshire Boulevard showroom”, explains Jeff. “The product range and aesthetics are aligned with trends we’re seeing in Southern California.”
Jeff is humble about Standard Architecture’s successes over the years explaining the most significant highlights of his career to date is finishing a project with a happy client. The firm are recipients of a long list of awards and profiled in many leading architectural publications.
See more of Standard Architecture here.