Silk Cavassa Marchetti Architecture & Interiors | www.scmarchitecture.com
Your team thrives in both high-end residential and commercial design. Does one area of design inform the other?
Having a fluency in high-end residential design translates well to the type of boutique commercial work we take on. Regardless of the end use, our core values are constant in our office: dedicated service to our clients and thoughtful, timeless design.
How do you ensure clients feel involved and informed throughout the process, even with remote design and construction?
We partner closely with our clients at every stage of design and construction. Regardless of project location, we advocate for regular design and construction meetings with the owners where we show progress, get feedback, and brainstorm ideas together. Since we digitally model the entire home in 3D, we can walk through the project together on a large screen in person or remotely.
Your firm is known for creating timeless spaces with integrity and character, how do you go about starting this process with a client?
The process begins with listening. We want to understand our clients’ preferred style and how they live. To guide the conversation, we use inspirational images. Architecture has its own language, with terms that can mean different things to different people. Images help clarify our clients’ vision and can ensure we’re aligned from the beginning.
How do you translate client vision into a built reality and how do you envision remote locations without regular access to the site?
We define the owners’ priorities early on, and we design the home through the lens of their goals. Locally, and in remote areas, we utilize technology to help visualize site conditions. We take drone footage and incorporate 3D topographical and building data in our digital model so that we know exactly how the home will interact with its surroundings.
Specializing in high-end custom residential projects in remote areas offers a variety of challenges. What have these experiences taught you?
Remote homes require extra attention to the unique nuances of different climates, cultural norms, and regulations. We take a collaborative approach to design, working closely with homeowners, builders, and design consultants. Valuing the input from all stakeholders allows us to seamlessly integrate our design into a remote location while maintaining sensible site-specific details and features to ensure the home belongs in its setting.
How are designs customized to each client?
Just as every client is unique, so is every design we create. We don’t repeat our designs; each one is tailored to fit an individual or family, based on the specific set of requirements they bring us in the first interview. This way every home becomes as distinctive and personal as the people who will live in it.
Sustainability has become increasingly important in residential design. How does your firm approach this?
Sustainability stems from designs that last. By creating homes meant to serve multiple generations and using quality, durable products, we reduce waste over time. We also focus on high-performing building materials and incorporate smart home features that enhance comfort, efficiency, overall quality of life and wellness for our clients.
What are some of the most important features you strive for in your projects?
We strive for timeless homes, not bound by trends, designed with warmth, light, and flow to enhance how our clients live.
