The Western Avenue House is a work-in-progress in Maryland.

The WD/STL System (WOOD/STEEL) exhibits qualities of wood and steel in a frank, authentic way. Available now.

The rolling frames are welded steel profiles. The steel in the frame has probably been recycled several times before this fabrication, and there are no coatings applied beyond a light rust inhibitive and natural wax.

The boxes are expertly crafted from poplar wood. Poplar is a fast-growing sustainable local resource. Poplar is often overlooked as a rather common secondary furniture wood, but it is forgiving and easy to work. The wood itself is bone white but often features unusual color characteristics and grain patterns. The wood components are finished with a natural, easy-to-maintain lacquer coating.

Wheels are natural floor-protecting rubber. Box backs are perforated aluminum sheet, recyclable.

M&LF began in 1992 when a museum educator approached Tom Shiner and requested a design for a lightweight, durable, carry-along stool for use in his museum galleries. It had to be attractive, stackable, and affordable.  view the M&LF site »

Tom Shiner Architect will soon offer this pull up library chair made in solid lacquered pine and steel. What makes the
LC so special is its unique steel frame which allows use of recovered softer woods like pine, fir, larch. LCs will be available in Spring of 2010 with a coordinated line of tables and other items, primarily for use in libraries.

The LC is manufactured in Montana. The LC has a regional character, and represents craftsmanship and materiality of the American West.
 

In Bozeman, Montana, 110 S 10th Avenue was a tiny wood frame house originally built circa 1900. It required extensive restoration and a new foundation. Located in the Bozeman Conservation District, the plans for the restoration received approval from Bozeman's Planning Department. The basic carcass of the original structure was lifted by a crane and returned to its present location on a new reinforced concrete foundation.

The restored structure incorporates a galvanized steel standing seam roof, new casement- and awning-style windows with true divided lights, and high-performance insulation throughout. The house features a sleep loft, a galley-style kitchen with stainles counters and appliances, custom cabinets, and a tiled shower/WC compartment.

Award: Excellence in Historic Preservation 2007, Bozeman Office of Planning

Located in Bozeman's Conservation District, 214 S 7th Avenue is a complete re-build of a CA 1020's house on a tree-lined street close to the center of town. More than doubling the square footage, the project respects the exceptionally cozy context by carefully adapting to town's architectural typologies.

The house exhibits a high standard of construction quality, energy conservation, and spatial efficiency. The project is an example of what can be achieved applying principles of open planning, natural ventilation and daylighting.

The site for 5655 Moreland Street NW is a deep, narrow lot oriented west to east from a street corner in a quiet urban neighborhood. An immense beech tree is located almost directly in the center of the lot. The idea for the house: a "U" shaped composition open to the south enclosing a center court and the large beech. The 2-story garage/studio with gate and trellis completes the idea. Faced from the street, the effect reinforces a sense of privacy, mystery and boundary.

The house and addition contrast with the surrounding brick colonials because of style charactersitics, but more importantly, because of the stark introversion.

This buiding is located in Berlin's most prestigious and charming quarter. The exceptionally well-preserved turn-of-the-century multi-use building required a renovation for the facade, public spaces, new systems and an entire roof-level. The award-winning design added five luxury apartments under the new roof, expanded the rental capacity of the building and provided outdoor rooftop spaces.